Which 500mm lens
Feb 17, 2019 20:07:20 #
Thanks a lot everyone. Tamron SP 500 f8 is a lens I have been looking at. I will review and give some thought to your opinions. I do not have specific types of photography in mind for a 500mm lens. Have seen both used mirrorless and mirrored lenses for sale. I think that I see a consensus that mirrorless lens generally outperform mirrored lens. Will keep that in mind as I continue to shop. Want to get one generally for pictures of wildlife, etc. that are not moving. Have a nice day. Manual focus is not a major concern as that is what I use quite a lot with other lenses, including those that have AF.
Feb 17, 2019 20:23:24 #
neh wrote:
EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, a $9000 investment, would be nice but it is outside my budget. So I need to look at some of the less expensive options. Thanks.
You may want to look at this lens - gets very good reviews ! - https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-579058-1.html
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Feb 18, 2019 07:38:47 #
neh wrote:
Which 500mm lens is best with a Canon Rebel T3i camera---a mirrored lens or a longer mirrorless lens? Please share opinions and/or idea. Thank you.
Wow that is at either extreme of the $$$ spectrum....a CAT lens is certainly cheap but not worth it unless you want the baggage that comes with mirror/CAT lenses...super slim DOF, no AF generally, no IS/VR/VC, no handheld, doughnut bokeh, etc. They are good for casual experimentation on the cheap. IQ is not stellar and contrast will be lacking.
Refracting prime lenses in the 400-500++ range can get very expensive in the high 4-5 digits $$$, although there is a good one for the Nikon the new 500mm PF lens that is "reasonably priced" and light for a 500mm (someone suggested a D850+ the 200-500 Nikon). For the Canon, especially a T3 Rebel, go with a Tammy 150-600 G2 for about $1300 new...has IS or VC as Tamron calls it and can be used handheld though not a lightweight lens. Sigma makes a comparable lens too.
Feb 18, 2019 07:44:21 #
neh wrote:
Which 500mm lens is best with a Canon Rebel T3i camera---a mirrored lens or a longer mirrorless lens? Please share opinions and/or idea. Thank you.
Without doing a search, I bet there will be a considerable price difference between mirror and regular. Mirror lenses can take decent pictures for a low price, but if you want a real 500mm lens, buy a standard lens.
Okay, I did a search. You can get a 500mm mirror lens fro $35 - $90. A Sigma 500mm will cost you $5,000.
https://www.elderly.com/kiwaya-kts-5-soprano-ukulele-recent.htm
You can also get this Deco Gear contraption for $80. f/8 - f/32
https://www.amazon.com/Deco-Gear-Telephoto-T-Mount-Mirrorless/dp/B07LGCMQLT/ref=sr_1_8?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1550493603&sr=1-8&refinements=p_n_feature_six_browse-bin%3A6301420011
"Yes, mirror lenses produce pictures and under carefully chosen conditions they may even produce pretty good ones. However, these situations are rare."
https://www.opticallimits.com/mirror-lenses
Feb 18, 2019 07:55:01 #
Pistnbroke
Loc: UK
I fort the Tamron 150-600 G1 for two years ..never quite sharp at 600 ..The N 200-500 is always sharp and the battle is now to find the right birds.
Feb 18, 2019 08:46:43 #
ggab
Loc: ?
neh wrote:
Which 500mm lens is best with a Canon Rebel T3i camera---a mirrored lens or a longer mirrorless lens? Please share opinions and/or idea. Thank you.
I presume you are looking at a mirror lens because they are so cheap.
Something to consider, check ebay, B&H, Adorama, KEH etc. for used Sigma and Tamron zoom lenses.
Feb 18, 2019 09:45:40 #
rgrenaderphoto wrote:
Mirror lenses are just not worth the investment. The DOF is something like 1/8th of an inch, so forget using it handheld. The circular bokeh is nice though.
Was your comment about bokeh tongue-in-cheek? I find the doughnut shaped bokeh to be one of the downsides to my mirror lens and need to take it into consideration when composing with it.
Feb 18, 2019 10:15:20 #
the mirror lens is shorter , but more difficult to use due to the critical hand focus , and has a fixed aperture , on the other hand the long lens is more usable but bulkier .
Feb 18, 2019 10:25:35 #
Feb 18, 2019 10:25:44 #
I have 500 F8 mirror Vivtar for several years. I never was thrilled with it was okay at best. But my daughter has been quite happy with it in her Canon T3i (on loan, but may never come back)
Feb 18, 2019 12:19:44 #
imagemeister wrote:
Sony A77II and Arax/Rubinar MC 500 F5.6 mirror with 20% CROP......
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I have one sell a Sigma 600mm Mirror - Telephoto F8 1:3 Macro $125.00
Feb 18, 2019 13:47:05 #
neh wrote:
Thanks for all of your replies. Has anyone had a... (show quote)
All I will say about the Bower 500mm f/8 is that it is 'cheap' and I mean 'cheap' is the true sense, i.e.: not worth even its minimal cost! However, it is sorta fun if you don't mind terrible image quality. I've had this lens as well as their 800mm f/8. I consider both 'junk' lenses!!
I have several reflex lenses. The best one, and autofocus, is the Minolta AF 500mm f/8; great on a Sony A camera or Sony Alpha with LA-EA4 adapter. The 2nd Edition Sigma 600mm f/8 is very good. And the 300, 500 and 1000mm Rubinar reflex lenses, if you find a good one, are reasonable but heavy. The Nikon 500mm f/8 N Reflex-NIKKOR is an excellent reflex lens.
HOWEVER, it is almost impossible to get a good focus with all manual reflex lenses due to their very narrow depth of field.
bwa
Feb 18, 2019 16:19:49 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
500mm for your Rebel T3i? The same 500mm that applies to all Canon EOS bodies: EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, a $9000, 7 lb monster that works best with a tripod and gimbal for a stable platform, or at least a monopod, although can be hand-held if you have the arms for it.
For more economical lenses, have a look at used and / or older, discontinued models.
For more economical lenses, have a look at used and / or older, discontinued models.
This is great advice. A $9,000 virtually unusable lens vs. and old used lens.
Feb 18, 2019 16:43:33 #
jerryc41 wrote:
Without doing a search, I bet there will be a cons... (show quote)
I have 2 lenses that would fit the discussion parameters. A Samyang 100-500mm refractor that cost me about $20 on ebay, and a Hannimex 750mm mirror lens that cost about the same. Both used of course, but in fairly good condition. The Samyang is big and heavy, to the point of being unusable handheld, and with a tripod usable but awkward. Images ok at the lower mm, but only so-so at 500. Too big for a camera bag, probably best used with a crane. The Hannimex is handier but image only so-so. This lens has a tripod collar that is not flexible, and makes using it awkward. Better to use the camera socket, as the lens is short and not too heavy. Both are OK for super-tele work, which is something I rarely need. If I had a greater need and more bucks, I would opt for either the Sigma or Tamron 150-600, whichever gave better IQ at the higher ranges.
Feb 18, 2019 17:12:43 #
imagemeister wrote:
The best long lens for the money on Canon is the 400mm f5.6 L .
Agree. Its sharp, light, easy to hand hold, and is reasonably priced.
I took this image 15 years ago with it on a Canon 20D. I bought this rig after seeing how much long telephotos cost for my Nikon.
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