Samyang 500mm f/8 mirror

[RobEW]

This is cheap as chips and lightweight compared to anything with even remotely comparable focal lengths. I know it's MF only; I know bokeh can be odd ... but is it any good? Or just a gimmicky diversion? I'm guessing light weight advantages are rather limited as you need to be on a tripod anyway at that FL.

[Graham_of_Rainham]

Re: Samyang 500mm f/8 mirror

I have had good results from a Sigma 600mm f/8 Mirror, but you will need a very steady hand or a good tripod.

The tax disc in on the red car and the number plate on the white van.

Taken on a murky wet day through dirty double glassing





In good light (slightly overcast) they can turn out some respectable shots

[MJ224]

Re: Samyang 500mm f/8 mirror

I bought one a while ago. Manual focusing of course. Was OK, but never really used it in anger. Good for static high magnification photos.......

Part ex'd for the TG-5

[paulw]

Re: Samyang 500mm f/8 mirror

Can't give an informed opinion about the 500, but I was impressed with their 300mm offering - some pics in this post from it. I bought the 300 to help me decide whether or not;

- I wanted a lens of this focal length would go for the Olympus 300 Pro.
- if I went for the Pan 100-400 would F6.3 be to slow.

anyway, for the money I was very impressed, but will be selling it shortly and going for the 100-400 in near future.

For me perhaps the biggest negative isn't the funny out of focus highlights or the manual focus, but the lower levels of contrast which result in a lack of 'pop' to the images.

[Jim Ford]

Re: Samyang 500mm f/8 mirror

I've read that every photographer tries a mirror lens at some time, but doesn't keep it for long (I've had one)!

Jim

[MJ224]

Re: Samyang 500mm f/8 mirror

I've read that every photographer tries a mirror lens at some time, but doesn't keep it for long (I've had one)!

Jim

I had one years ago with my Pentax film set-up. That one was taken back by the retailer. The last one was part ex'd for the TG-5.

Its not that they are no good, its just they are so heavy, manual focus, compared to other big lenses...........

[paulw]

Re: Samyang 500mm f/8 mirror

I had one years ago with my Pentax film set-up. That one was taken back by the retailer. The last one was part ex'd for the TG-5.

Its not that they are no good, its just they are so heavy, manual focus, compared to other big lenses...........

"Heavy" 😲 modern variants are unbelievable light, my 300mm weighs in at 311g and is it's length is less than the width of the palm of my hand. Hand holding is an absolute delight.

[RobEW]

Re: Samyang 500mm f/8 mirror

For 300mm in bright light for hand-held shooting, I can use 75-300. If I'm feeling strong or using a 'pod, then FT 50-200 + EC-14 does the job. If you're rich and strong and light is poorer then 300mm f/4 (or even FT 300mm F/2.8) might do the job. It seems to be that if mirror lenses have a niche, it's for affordable, lightweight, hand-holdable, long telephoto (in good light).

[MJ224]

Re: Samyang 500mm f/8 mirror

"Heavy" �� modern variants are unbelievable light, my 300mm weighs in at 311g and is it's length is less than the width of the palm of my hand. Hand holding is an absolute delight.

My 500mm Samyang was heavy. Gone now so I can't weigh it. And was only bought a couple of years ago, new from Wex.........

[MJ224]

Re: Samyang 500mm f/8 mirror

looked up the weight, 22ozs 0r 0.64kg. is that heavy??? or not???

I suppose that as its a very compact lens, its quite dense, which maybe why it seems heavy................

[paulw]

Re: Samyang 500mm f/8 mirror

looked up the weight, 22ozs 0r 0.64kg. is that heavy??? or not???

I suppose that as its a very compact lens, its quite dense, which maybe why it seems heavy................

That does sound a bit heavy, though the one I tried in a local shop certainly didn't feel that heavy! But I went for the 300 version as it was tiny in comparison, especially when on my M5.