iosa Loc: Fairbanks, AK

I am interested in getting into astrophotography, and I find myself wondering about the advisability of reflexive lenses. How good are these lenses? I have found several for under $200 in the 500mm to 800mm (f/6.3 to f/8) range. All these lenses are manual focus and require an adapter to fit onto a given camera. The price point makes me suspicious: I know that a lot of lenses run quite a bit more expensive than this, but I really don't have anything to compare to. The lenses I already own are quite a bit fancier (read: complex, computerized, stabilized), if much shorter focal lengths.

How good are these types of lenses for astrophotography? That does seem to be what they are marketed for (hbphotovideo.com)

gessman Loc: Colorado

Most "mirror lens" have a bright spot in the center and go darker toward the edges so unless you want to focus all your shots in the center, you might want to consider another kind of lens. I've owned a few and they have been sharp outside of the issue of the center light spot. If you're serious about your subject you might want to check out a Meade telescope with a motor on it. They come with most of the desirable subjects programmed into an on board computer that takes you to the best shots out there on any given night of the year and then moves the aim of the scope in sync with the object you're wanting to photo at the speed the earth is turning. That's the best thing around for what you're wanting and they aren't much more expensive than a good lens, if any, starting at under $250 depending on which features you want and then you just add a camera mount for the type camera you have. Here's a site that seems to have about anything a person with your interest would want: http://www.telescopes.com/telescopes/refracting-telescopes/meadeetx80attcastrotelescopewithautostar.cfm?TID=MEAD132-1&source=pla&adtype=pla&kw={keyword}&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=MEAD132-1

dirty dave

I shoot directly thru my telescope with a adapter but it is not easy. you can buy the adapters off of the internet. the telescope acts like a big lens also most big telescopes give you better light than a lens. just my 2 cents