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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Thinking about buying this lens...need advice
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11/28/2007 02:16:02 PM · #1
Im thinking about buying this lens, but not sure if it is a good quality lens, or if I should go with something else. Please help:

500mm Lens on Ebay
11/28/2007 02:16:56 PM · #2
I would not buy it. Remember you get what you pay for.

To elaborate more it is an F/8 lens. You will not be happy with this. you will need tons of light and I don't think you will care for the quality it will produce.

Message edited by author 2007-11-28 14:18:28.
11/28/2007 02:17:24 PM · #3
Save your money. I don't think you will be happy with that in the long run.
11/28/2007 02:19:10 PM · #4
Hmmm... you get what you pay for.

4 elements in 4 groups
Angle of View: 5°
Minimum Focus Distance: 33 ft.
Focus Modes: Manual focus
Aperture: f/8.0 - f/32.0
Filter Size: 67mm
Dimensions (D x L): 2.8 x 11.7 in.
Weight: 22.6 oz.

4 elements in something that big... I don't know
11/28/2007 02:20:22 PM · #5
Thanks for the advice, that is all I needed to hear. I will not buy it. I noticed after looking around more, the sigma and tamron 500mm lenses are closer to $1000.00, so I was wondering why such a big difference. Thanks again
11/28/2007 02:23:19 PM · #6
I wouldn't. :-)
It looks cheap.

But who knows, even if the glass is soft, you can always sharpen the image in PS.

See if you can find reviews on it.

Good luck
11/28/2007 02:40:17 PM · #7
It's a manual focus lens. And I don't see anything int he description that says it connects with Canon's metering system either, so I'd be wary of that. Autofocus I could live with, but if it isn't chipped into the metering system it's a major hassle to shoot with.

I wouldn't be too worried about paying 100 bucks for 500 mm, even if it IS "soft", if I wanted to test the long-lens waters to find out how I liked them before investing in higher-quality glass. But I would want to be sure the TTL metering would work properly.

R.
11/28/2007 03:27:26 PM · #8
A review I found about this lens:

The Phoenix 500/f8 mirror lens - which I suppose is your subject - is I believe the same as the Vivitar and Centon lenses marketed in the UK. It's going to be fixed aperture, manual focus. It's not a great lens but then it doesn't cost much either. You need a good tripod to keep it steady, and you can take some interesting shots for your own amusement - but not at a publishable standard.


11/28/2007 03:39:51 PM · #9
for a 100 $ .. i'd buy it just to play with it
11/28/2007 03:40:19 PM · #10
could turn it into a telescope
11/28/2007 03:56:14 PM · #11
Doesn't look like a mirror lens...

As for the metering system, it would work the same as M42 lenses with an adaptor (I have a couple). Set the camera to Aperture priority and it will work out the required shutter speed via its TTL (THROUGH THE LENS) metering.

I have often wondered how good these things are as the low res sample shot looks OK. It would deffinately give you a feel for working with such a long prime.

Message edited by author 2007-11-28 15:57:07.
11/28/2007 04:10:21 PM · #12
Wow its and f/8 lens. for. I wouldn't purchase anything over an f/4 or 5. For the price i think its safe to say you do get what you pay.
Save your money and start up a lens fund for a decent lens that you will enjoy using.

Good Luck

Message edited by author 2007-11-28 16:11:48.
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