Five Star 500mm... trash or treasure?
Jul 21, 2017 06:24:47 #
Go for the "T" mount. They are cheep $8 and up and can be used on many other things. So for under $10 you have something to play with. You spend that much on two magazines that you read once and throw them away
Jul 21, 2017 06:32:35 #
Sure its a good deal. As others have said, play with it,learn how to get the most out of the lens and try it in many situations. You may be surprised. All old manual lens usually offer some learning experience, particularly the German ones. Look on the adapter as a buy which will then be used not only for that lens but others. Also, look around on the net, I'm sure there are some forums for peoplle using other old lenses along with pics and advice.
Good luck with your photography.
Rick
Good luck with your photography.
Rick
Jul 21, 2017 06:43:11 #
mas24
Loc: Southern CA
I never heard of this name brand lens. However, Opteka presently has a similar brand new lens for about $140. You will need a T-mount, and manual focus only. It will not be a sharp lens like a Nikon or Canon, or Tamron/Sigma. But it will take a photo. Believe it or not. Good luck.
Jul 21, 2017 07:20:08 #
rmorrison1116 wrote:
It is not a high quality lens but, since it was made mainly for shooting slides, a fairly sharp lens. If it's in good shape you got it for a good price, they usually sell for around 30 to 40 USD.
Bottom line, for a cheap lens it's really not that bad. It will do until you can afford a newer, better lens that has built in electronics your Canon can communicate with and better glass.
Bottom line, for a cheap lens it's really not that bad. It will do until you can afford a newer, better lens that has built in electronics your Canon can communicate with and better glass.
What parts of quality don't matter to those of us who used slide film???
Jul 21, 2017 08:01:27 #
I have one from 1968 I bought in Saigon for $2.00, so you got a pretty good deal. These are ambush lenses, not something you can stalk with. Mount it on your camera, and your camera on a tripod and practice on a still target in full sun first. You can probably start wide open (f8), 1/500, iso 400, and go from there. My Pentax has IS in body so I have an advantage, but these things can give good results. I also have "catch in focus", which means I can start way out of focus, hold the shutter release down and slowly return to focus and the camera will trigger as the subject comes back to focus. Don't let negative comments discourage you, with practice you can get results you can share with others.
Jul 21, 2017 08:26:09 #
Jul 21, 2017 08:29:45 #
tradio wrote:
They would not have given it 5 stars if it were a POS.....would they?
Jul 21, 2017 08:30:28 #
It will take sharper images than a cheap Mirror lens though. I have one of the old Spiratone 400mm F6.3 "Sharpshooter" lenses from the 60's. Like this, it is a pre-set lens, having two aperture rings, One to open up the blades to focus & compose, the other to set the taking aperture. They can take fairly decent images, just not of fast moving subjects or instances of rapidly changing light scenes. Mine collects dust anymore as It has been replaced by more modern optics....
Jul 21, 2017 08:47:52 #
wteffey wrote:
I have one from 1968 I bought in Saigon for $2.00,... (show quote)
For the cost of the lens and an adapter it is worth it if only as a tuition lens. What you learn from getting both good and bad images from it will be more than worth it.
There's nothing that can be done for image stabilization with this camera lens combination, but focus capture can be addressed by using Magic Lantern. ML is stable and to my experience very useful on a T3i. Another good learning tool.
Jul 21, 2017 08:48:24 #
rmorrison1116 wrote:
I have not read any other replies so I may be repe... (show quote)
.........just make sure the lens glass is clean and clear - otherwise I would not waste any time with it. Back in the day, these were known as "girl watcher" lenses ..... 
Jul 21, 2017 09:05:02 #
Welcome to the forum! You have now witnessed some of the jerks that hover around here. With them you HAVE to spend hundreds if not thousands of $ for the very best there is or you are an imbecile and own nothing but junk. As you are "getting started" you've done great and you're learning. I have also purchased several pieces of junk and have had loads of fun with them! Some of us just aren't as well off as others.
The lense you have has many names attached from several suppliers. Get the adapter and have some fun. (It needs lots of light and is completely manual) You have a lot of learning ahead and this is a start.
The lense you have has many names attached from several suppliers. Get the adapter and have some fun. (It needs lots of light and is completely manual) You have a lot of learning ahead and this is a start.
Jul 21, 2017 09:26:18 #
If all the suggestions that Hoggers
have given you do not work and you don't wish to invest any more of your funds into this lens, keep it anyway. Should you be stuck in the wilderness somewhere, it might come in handy as a fire starter. As a child, I would use a magnifying glass to bun holes through newspaper to keep me amused. The whole neighborhood was doing it. Imagine how fast it would work with this beast!
have given you do not work and you don't wish to invest any more of your funds into this lens, keep it anyway. Should you be stuck in the wilderness somewhere, it might come in handy as a fire starter. As a child, I would use a magnifying glass to bun holes through newspaper to keep me amused. The whole neighborhood was doing it. Imagine how fast it would work with this beast!
Jul 21, 2017 09:27:23 #
GPappy wrote:
You have now witnessed some of the jerks that hover around here. With them you HAVE to spend hundreds if not thousands of $ for the very best there is or you are an imbecile and own nothing but junk.
Jul 21, 2017 09:36:52 #
Youtube with the lens mounted on a Sony, It's a f8 lens so will need plenty of light, the photos shown don't look that bad tho.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KPv44bI_-M
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KPv44bI_-M
Jul 21, 2017 09:50:14 #
GPappy wrote:
Welcome to the forum! You have now witnessed some ... (show quote)
Well thats the harsh reality of the hobby. If you want the best IQ possible it will get pricey fast. No one here is to blame if you can not afford it. If calling names somehow makes you feel better about it, please continue.
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