bnsf

I take PR shots for a major railroad which I still work for, and we put these shots in a yearly calendar. This is why I am looking for a 500mm lens, lot of mountain photos.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

This lens is virtually the same as the f/8 model. It is higher in price because it is f/6.3. A T-mount is still needed to mount your camera. It probably is slightly better because it is f/6.3 instead of f/8.

jim quist Loc: Missouri

I dont shoot Sony, but if this is the right mount, and money is not an issue, then how about this
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/845555-REG/Sony_SAL500F40G_500mm_f_4_0_G_Lens.html

or if money is an issue then perhaps this
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/682761-USA/Sigma_738205_50_500mm_f_4_5_6_3_DG_OS.html

bnsf

The 6.3 lens has7/4 lens to elements while the f8 lens are 4/4 four elements to lens. Which in long run the more lens a lens has the better focus and better overall performance of the lens.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

The Bower f/8 is the same as my Phoenix Brand, discontinued. One manufacturer sold these lenses to other companies. They just slapped their brand name on it. Probably at least 3 different name brands.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Minolta made a 400 mm f4.5 that was super sharp. Heavy, but really sharp. What is really nice about the A77II is that you can set the focus limiters to any setting you want. From near to far, and you can set each lens differently. That is a really nice feature. And, while looking through the back of the camera, and lets say your in Aperture priority, as you push the exposure compensation button, you can see through the viewfinder what your final shot will look like. Yes, the A77II with it's electronic viewfinder has all kinds of advantages, but the best one is you can mount these older long Minolta lenses and not miss a beat, I have owned the 300 2.8, 400 4.5, and the 600 f4. All were really sharp, especially the 600 f4, the disadvantage of that 600 was the weight, man, what a monster. My longs are now all Nikon's because of the Nikon group auto focus system for moving birds. But, I retained my Sony equipment and an assortment of Minolta glass, my favorite being the Minolta 200 2.8 and the 20 2.8. The Bower lens is a good one, a friend owns that lens and some of his shots are really nice. But, if it was me, that 400 f4.5 gives some really nice color, that old Minolta glass had a certain color rendering that is very rich and pleasing to the eye.

Howard5252 Loc: New York / Florida (now)

First off, the aperture is fixed (generally at f8). These lens are hard to focus and hard to hold steady. The Minolta lens mentioned earlier does have AF; that will solve half of your problem toward getting a sharp image. The other half is holding the image steady so as to get a photo that is not blurred by your movement. For this you will require a REALLY STEADY tripod. I cannot emphasize this enough ... Not a good tripod; a GREAT tripod! A RRS kind'a tripod, and of course the tripod will cost far more than the lens it will be holding! I'm absolutely sure people will tell you how "Tack Sharp" some of their images are when taken with their mirror lens and they might actually have a few. Personally I have ONE and it was taken with an older Nikon 500mm. These lenses, when combined with the appropriate eye-piece adapter will make wonderful inexpensive telescopes. They are not very good as camera lenses. Think! There are reasons you can buy a 500mm lens for 100~$300 and they are not good reasons. PS, I stopped trying to use my 500mm shortly after I bought it.

jeryh Loc: Oxfordshire UK

Try the Sony 500 AF Mirror lens; this is the only af mirror made, and it is superb.

mmatus

How about rent one for a few days and give it a test. Maybe a Sigma 150-500. Then you might get a better feel for what will work for you.

agillot

if you are talking about the f8 500mm long lens , used one for more then a year . physically well made , all aluminum , light . it is a all manual lens , it will work also in A priority mode . it goes from f8 to f32 .dont shoot at f8 . f11 / 16 /22 are the best for whatever sharpness there is .focusing once you get some practice become a non issue .in bright sun light on white subject you could end up with chromatic aberration at the edges of white bird ?? . the only minus is that it focus down to only about 32 ft .not close enough . there is a new version of that lens , the OSHIRO 500 f 6.3 LD UNC AL , it focus down to about 11ft , same price , same good construction . now remember , you are dealing with a T mount lens . it will fit any dslr . now , am using a vivitar 600/ 1200 zoom , about same result . if you want a sample , e mail a address . my picasa 3 suddenly refuse to email , so i have to transfer pictures to my other gmail , that is a pain .i did a while back on a couple of occasion sent some samples , when same discussion came up .

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

You get what you pay for. Personally, I'd never buy a lens for an modern camera that turns it into a cave man camera. Manual focus! Come on! This is not how to enjoy modern technology. You will NOT like it. Trust me.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Buy the fastest 500 you can afford, don't waste your time on crap like the Bower 500 (that's not woth a single penny)!!

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

see my earlier reply ......!

GeneS Loc: Glendale,AZ

the Minolta 500mm mirror lens has auto focus, I have one and been using it.
works good in sun light, no good at night.
Has the other 500mm mirror lens on the market beat all to crap
I now have a 400mm G lens, which is expensive. So will be selling
The 500mm Minolta mirror on ebay shortly for $350.00 with free shipping.
It has all the filters, no scratches, in great shape, and comes with the real
Minolta draw string pouch.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Which 400mm G lens ?? - do you have ...