georgeretired Loc: Manitoba Canada

Noticed a London Drugs flyer this morning in Canada and then looked up the brand. Flyer lists a Bower 500mm lens with a T mount for $229 dollars. Doing some search I come up with Samyang who advertise a 650-1300mm MC I F f/8-16 lens and a 500mm F/8 Preset IF MC. Same product seems to also sold under Vivitar. Always believe in the "get what you pay for". Just seems too good to believe...even a little. Question: anyone have or know of these very low priced lens.
Much appreciated.
Georgeretired

Audwulf Loc: Golden State

Hey George, There are better deals on Ebay. I bought an Opteka 500 for a much lower price, and it's a fair lens. Side by side, you can't tell the difference.

RaydancePhoto

The 500mm is a mirror lens and of decent quality. I have a friend who has one and he likes it, says it is very sharp. These are made with at least a dozen brand names and you can find one for under 200.00 US on Ebay.

JPL

This lens is sold as opteka, pro optics, rokinon, samyang, bower, vivitar and maybe more. It is said to be a low quality lens, still many positive reviews about it mostly based on the low price.

georgeretired Loc: Manitoba Canada

thanks for the information. Actually went to see the "bower" today at the store and it looked "different" to say the least. Brought my Canon but they didn't have the "T" mount adapter that was to come with the lens. Too many unanswered questions so I remain loyal to the Lens from Canon and Sigma.
Thank you again for the comments.

Bret Loc: Dayton Ohio

Yes I have the Bower 500mm F8 lens. I can post a shot or 2 if you'd like...just let me know...or do a search. I think there has been a few threads with that lens listed in it.

georgeretired Loc: Manitoba Canada

If you have the time and the pictures near you, I'd love to see what they look like, especially if you have taken them inside a large hall or auditorium. Thanks...I'll wait to see them.
George

Bret Loc: Dayton Ohio

Oh no this lens is strictly out doors....nice bright sunny day...no weather...no clouds. Indoor shooting with this lens... you'd be wasting your time.

georgeretired Loc: Manitoba Canada

Bret...you are right. I took the sales clerk and we shot three pictures, one in their store down the main well lit isle, one in the mall and one outside. Outside was the only one with some value. Thanks again for your input. I did check some of your comments when I did a search on the UGG. George.

Take 5 Cinema Loc: Canoe BC

ya - you get what yhou pay for. Why is it that we are always trying to find a 'deal' of stupid proportions almost knowing full well that in the end, we are going to be PO'ed at the final buy. I rarely find a killer deal that has left me blown away. But I find always regrets for stupid buys and bang my head on a wall "what was I thinking".

Bought a 'cheap' Zeiss 80-200 and the slider zoom was sticky - sent it back - cost about $80 (2 ways postage, etc.) not to mention the 3 weeks time and frustration of a slightly damaged barrel. Really PO'd.

However, I bought a used Zeiss makro 60 for top dollar (550) and I swear it is by far the best optic I have ever owned. Unbelievable quality, contrast, sharpness, boketh etc. No regrets.

Stick with known entities, proven performers (not necessarily brands either as for example Canon and Nikon have lemons out there), do the research, find your gem that suits your needs and better and ONLY THEN hunt for one in exactly the condition you want. Saves grief. Bargains are rare in the long run.


Just my thoughts,
Cheers,
Take 5