IST DL Mirror Lenses

First post on here, so here goes.

Recently bought a IST DL to replace my MZ-7, im well chuffed with the new SLR and indeed some of the results i have had with it, i really enjoy macro and long range photography (mainly birds in flight and smaller birds in woodland) and with the the IST i have had some really goods results (well for me), im currently using the SMFA100-300mm lens from my MZ-7, and being new to the Digi SLR lark im led to believe that this lens actually operates at 150 to 450mm on the IST, what im looking for is a good, but not overly expensive 500mm lens for use on a tripod, reason im looking for one of these is because some of the wildlife i want to photograph is small ie wrens & tree creepers and i think, although i may be wrong that with a longer focal length lens i might just get the results im looking for, i know i could try and get closer to the subject matter, but this is unfortunately not that easy.

Ive seen a 500mm HD lens on Ebay but the guy selling it has too much bad/negative feedback for my liking tbh, so heres hoping you guys and gals of course can help this beginner out by recommending a good 500mm lens.

Thanks for your help in advance.

There are quite a few 500mm mirror lenses on the second hand market. They operate at a fixed f8 and are attached to the camera using a simple T2 mount. These should be very low priced and may well be worth a try.

500mm lenses (making 750mm on your DSLR) will be tricky to use, so practice will be needed to get the best out of them.

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Best regards, John

Hello Maver, I have a centon 500mm mirror (fixed F8 as John says) which I originally used with my MZ-10. I find it's a bit tricky to get really sharp images, I tend to push the ISO to 800 and hope for good light! But the magnification is good though, and with a 2x converter gives even larger images, but again with at the price of several stops of light. On the other hand it is much more portable and manoeverable than my 75-300 mm zoom.

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Tim the Ammonyte
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K10D & sundry toys
http://www.ammonyte.com/photos.html

Thanks for the info guys

Pardon my ignorance here, but what is a T2 mount?

A T2 mount is an adapter that bayonets into the camera. The mirror lens is then screwed into this T2 mount.

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Best regards, John

Thanks for the explanation

May I suggest that you look for the Tamron SP 500mm - one of the best mirrors around and often available for about £50, although you might have to find an adaptall mount to go with it for £10-£20 extra.

You might find a cheaper alternative but a nice Tamron c/w mount for between £50 and £75 would be worth every penny. A pristine example with original hard case and filter set might cost around £100 (the new price for the Centon) but you'd have a superb lens at a real bargain price.

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Die my dear doctor, that's the last thing I shall do!

Thanks Kimbo, ive had a look at the web today and found a couple, just didnt have the time to phone the shops and enquire.

I agree, the Tamron SP 500 is an excellent performer.

Mirror lenses are smaller and lighter than their 'all glass' equivelant. Mirror lenses do tend to produce slightly softer images 'though. If you can find a clean example of the Tamron, go fot it. I don't think you will be disappointed. If buying online, ensure the seller has a returns policy. Mirrors of any kind can be affected by de-silvering (degradation of the silvered surface); tolerable if you are shaving or combing your hair, but not for capturing quality images.

Look for a Tamron SP 500, complete with original case & Lens hood.

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Peter E Smith

My flickr Photostream

What do you guys think of this, is it a good lens, sorry i just dont know, and would the PK mount fit my IST DL?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PENTAX-PK-MOUNT-MAKINON-F8-500MM-MIRROR-LENS-SURPERB_W0QQi...

Also found this one

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Pentax-PK-fit-500-Mirror-lense_W0QQitemZ7581084902QQcatego...

Thanks for your advice guys,

Mark

Hold out for a good Tamron SP 500 "Buy on-line in haste, repent at leisure" (or something similar) springs to mind.

Of the 2, the Makinon description would indicate that it is near pefect. Also, the Centon is being sold by a "Photographic Studio", yet he calls a lens, a "lense", and can't seem to find a camera to take its picture ? ? ? ?

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Peter E Smith

My flickr Photostream

Thanks for the advice

Theoretically, all mirror lenses should be pretty good because they are of a relatively simple construction but we all know that the standard of the materials and build quality are critical.

Makinon are very much a budget brand and generally don't have a particularly good reputation - this one might be ok however, I don't know because I haven't tried one!

Frankly, the Centon (Jessops own brand) is awful. If you were buying brand new, then there's nothing to touch it for the price (originally £99) and I think the last price I saw was around £70. For me, that 'buy it now' price would be out of the question esp. for a used example - £35 to £40 would be more than enough to pay!
I borrowed a Centon once and didn't like it at all but I picked up a very nice SP 500 for about £50 c/w tripod mounting bracket (but not the case + filters, sadly) and I think it's much, much better in every way.

Most mirror lenses screw onto a T-mount and yes, you need a Pentax K version. The Tamron however uses an adaptall mount and in that case, you should look for KA - that way you'll have full aperture control, should you pick up a conventional Tamron lens in the future.

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Die my dear doctor, that's the last thing I shall do!

There's a tamron available here http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/500-mm-Tamron-lens_W0QQitemZ7594151062QQcategoryZ3340QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
but it does seem less than perfect from the sellers honest description.

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Tim the Ammonyte
--------------
K10D & sundry toys
http://www.ammonyte.com/photos.html