wrr Loc: SEK

gotcha, but I still would wonder how many people would jump on this at $800 and be convinced it took the best pictures ever...someone please just buy the damn thing, take some pictures and then pass it on to the next curious person...

amyinsparta Loc: White county, TN

If you think it takes great pictures, it will-for you. If you think it won't and buy it anyway, then it will not take great pictures. The world is what you think it is. That's why you always think positive and always send out love. So if you want to buy the lens, buy it, think it will take great pics for you, believe the belief, and you just may be surprised. jmp(just my philosophy)After all, don't most say that it is the picture taker and not the equipment?

gessman Loc: Colorado

Not knowing your expectations with regard to quality, it is pretty difficult to make any suggestions to you. If you want the consistent quality you would get with a Sony lens, if available, Canon, or Nikon 500 lens costing $5000, this might not be your lens. I don't own this particular lens but I have owned a couple of mirror lens, a Nikon and an el cheapo and they are both surprising in what they do for the money and this one is no exception from what I have found to read about it. You can google reviews or go to youtube and find some.

The f6.3 aperture is a minor setback as the light dims and putting the 2x on it doubles that reading so you are up around f14 or so. Since the lens is light and short, it is easier to shoot handheld than a lens two feet long but it is still touchy like any other 500mm lens and there will be many times when you'll want it on a tripod but in bright light when you can amp up the shutter speed, you can handhold this lens quite nicely if you're normally steady or steady yourself against a tree or whatever.

If you are limited on funds and still want the 500/1000 reach, for this money, I would seriously doubt that you'll be disappointed with the outcome unless you already have those shots you're talking about with an expensive lens and this is a step backwards in quality. If you've never gotten those shot and are able to do so with this for the present, I would suggest you go for it. I don't know the quality of the lens you have 'cause I know nothing about Sony lens, currently being a Canon shooter. If you're Sony lens are top quality, expensive lens and you want that kind of quality, you may be a little disappointed with the results of the Opteka. Have you thought about a 2x for the long end of your 55-300? I don't even know if a 2x is available for what you have now but, I would hazard a guess that if you stuck a 2x on a kit lens that the Opteka would be a pretty good match for it in the outcome.

Bob K. Loc: Indiana

Thank you for your input, I think I will pass on this purchase.
Bob K.

Bob K. Loc: Indiana

Amen to that, don't need anymore junk laying aroung.

Thanks for you input.

Bob

wrr Loc: SEK

dog-gone it Bob, you brought it up so forum rules are that you have to buy it...j/k

Bob K. Loc: Indiana

I think i will pass on this purchase.

Thanks so much for your input.

bob k

Bob K. Loc: Indiana

Buy it only if we can take up donations for the purchase.

Otherwise, I will pass.

Thanks for your input

Bob K.

wrr Loc: SEK

lol, well I suppose we won't be getting one then. gessman could fund the whole thing if he'd just step up...
I still think if it cost $800 this thread would read radically different!

Bob K. Loc: Indiana

I agree, we probably won't be getting one,
especially if someone is waiting for me to lay out the funds.
The monthly checks I get from Obama would barely cover shipping and handling.
Bob K.

jfantasma

I have personal experience with opteka lenses. My wife and I bought some for my first camera and they are WORTHLESS. ALL of my photos came out fisheyed (not fisheye lenses) and a lot of vignetting or just plain blurry and out of focus. Granted it was my vry first camera and I was barely beginning my photography journey, the lenses had horrible results. I even contacted the company and complained and they told me that they probably sent the wrong lenses for my camera and sent me a whole new set that were the same excact lenses, same results. So then I had two sets of worthless lenses since they told me to keep the original ones. The glass is very poor quality and dust can actually get inside the lense very easily. We took a trip to New Mexico right after I recieved the lenses (why I ordered them) and did not get any good pictures and there was dust inside the lens and my camera was in a dustproof bag. Here are a few of the pictures I took with the lenses. (keep in mind I did a lot of post processing)

ric158

don't look that bad

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

I have used the Rokinon 500 F6.3 mirror - all these lenses are made in Korea. Must be on a monopod or tripod,carefully focused and using a good lenshood. Results are OK with good post processing - and better than cropping from a kit lens - but not great.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

Read the posts about the mirror lenses, this is also sold by 47th Street Camera, gives you an alternative source if you still want, Bob.

wrr Loc: SEK

how far away were you in these? Looks like probably a mile or so?