Cheap 500mm lenses: I'm going to give away my age with this question. I have an old Cambron 500mm preset t-mount lens that I've had for at least 40 years or longer. I am wondering if...

desertartist2

I'm going to give away my age with this question. I have an old Cambron 500mm preset t-mount lens that I've had for at least 40 years or longer. I am wondering if anyone knows if newer models of inexpensive 500mm lenses have gotten any better, or if they're still using the same old design. If they have gotten sharper, I might spring for a new one. I don't use such long glass often enough to invest in one of the pricey ones.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

My bet is the cheap ones still rely on the old formulas. Thus, the lenses probably haven't improved all that much. You don't mention what camera on which you are putting this lens. That might help in getting suggestions.
--Bob

desertartist2 wrote:

I'm going to give away my age with this question. I have an old Cambron 500mm preset t-mount lens that I've had for at least 40 years or longer. I am wondering if anyone knows if newer models of inexpensive 500mm lenses have gotten any better, or if they're still using the same old design. If they have gotten sharper, I might spring for a new one. I don't use such long glass often enough to invest in one of the pricey ones.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

I have a Phoenix 500mm f8 mirror reflex lens that I bought about 10 years ago for $80 or so Brand New. I used it about 4 or 5 times. The name brand of that lens is now discontinued. I saw a similar lens advertised on B&H Photo. It was the Opteka 500mm mirror reflex f6.3 lens. A more current model. Price was over $100, but under $150. You'll need a T-Mount for your camera mount.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

If you only use the big lens occasionally why don't you look into renting. That way you can get a really nice lens without the large investment.

chrisg-optical Loc: New York, NY

As they say you get what you pay for. One good thing about cheap mirror lenses is that they don't suffer from CA as much or not at all, but contrast is an issue, besides the "donut bokeh". Cheap refractor type 500mm lenses are, well, really bad but maybe good for practice shooting or fun - you see them sometimes thrown in bundles on ebay - usually grey market equipment. Not much has changed in the Earl Sceib lens market. About the best bang for the buck in the 500mm range is either the Nikon 200-500, Tamron 150-600 G2 or Sigma 150-600 C - all in the $1200-1400 range. To get better quality you're talking $5000 or more.

Riggson Loc: Tucson, Az

From what I understand, the new 500mm mirror lenses are all made by Samyang no matter what the brand. The quality is hit and miss. A quality vintage lens will outperform a new Samyang by a large margin.

dugeeeeeee

I picked up the Nikon Nikkor 500mm reflex f8 for $170 on eBay. It is actullay a good lens. It’s manual focus but mounted on a mirrorless camera with focus assist and ibs its a great compact long reaching lens.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

desertartist2 wrote:

I'm going to give away my age with this question. I have an old Cambron 500mm preset t-mount lens that I've had for at least 40 years or longer. I am wondering if anyone knows if newer models of inexpensive 500mm lenses have gotten any better, or if they're still using the same old design. If they have gotten sharper, I might spring for a new one. I don't use such long glass often enough to invest in one of the pricey ones.

Good - Cheap. Choose one. >Alan

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

There are 500mm mirror lenses available, and a couple of members have posted decent pictures they got with them. With prices like these, can you go wrong?

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313.TR3.TRC1.A0.H0.X500mm+mirror+lens.TRS0&_nkw=500mm+mirror+lens&_sacat=0

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

if you are a Sony alpha man, Minolta made a 500mm mirror lens with auto focus. I swear by it. check the used lens markets.

a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel

bull drink water wrote:

if you are a Sony alpha man, Minolta made a 500mm mirror lens with auto focus. I swear by it. check the used lens markets.

The AF on that lens needs the LA-EA4 adapter because there is no motor in the lens. But it does work very well. I use it on my a6500 and thus also have image stabilization. 👍

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

If you are not using the 500mm focal length often what about renting when you have to? You said you do not often use that focal length so it makes sense to me.
No such a thing as a cheap 500mm lens with good optical quality.

Jerry Green Loc: Huntsville, AL

I have a Nikon 500mm f/8 N Reflex lens and am pleased with it. Here are photos:

https://gofish.smugmug.com/Other/Nikon-500mm-f8-N-Reflex-lens/i-3P4FK87

https://gofish.smugmug.com/Other/Nikon-Z7-with-manual-focus-lenses/

agillot

there is a OSHIRO 500 mm f6.3 that supposed to be a improved version , better optics .still have my bower 500 and vivitar 600/ 1200 .

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

desertartist2 wrote:

I'm going to give away my age with this question. I have an old Cambron 500mm preset t-mount lens that I've had for at least 40 years or longer. I am wondering if anyone knows if newer models of inexpensive 500mm lenses have gotten any better, or if they're still using the same old design. If they have gotten sharper, I might spring for a new one. I don't use such long glass often enough to invest in one of the pricey ones.

I have a Bower 500 T/mount, like new, have the box and caps (not a mirror lens, long tube, tripod foot) very much like the old Cambron and from what I remember it takes a decent photo, also have a Bell&Howell 650-1300 T/mount zoom, good shape, need a stout tripod for that sucker. $55 shipped on the Bower, a little more for the B&H (it's a big honker, would cost more to ship it). The B&H also makes a pretty good telescope. I have a couple T-mounts, but would have to know what mount you are looking for.
mike