Vivitar 500mm f8

[Frogfish]

There is one of these in my local camera shopping mall, in a Pentax mount, going for around US$250.

BTW it is of course a mirror lens so very compact and light, and of course Manual only. I've seen comments on some issues (highlight doughnuts) but it seems like a fun lens and one guy even had his F1 shot published on the cover of Road & Track !

I tried a couple of shots on my K7 - I love the reach !

Any opinions ?

[Goldwinger]

I think they have there place, and under the right conditions you can get some pretty nice photos but, for me personally, if I had it to do over again, I would have put the money towards a better piece of glass. just my 2 cents.

[a200user]

I have no experience with mirror lenses, but for the price have also wondered about the quality.

An exception right now, with a few hours left, there is a Vivitar Series 1, 450mm f4.5 mirror lens up for auction with a current bid of $620. Bidding started at $99 and it's been like a feeding frenzy - other than the largest aperature I've seen for this type of lens, what am I missing?

[a200user]

That auction for the Viv. 450mm f4.5 mirror closed at $1,360.

[NMRecording]

holy crap! there must be something I dont know, why do the other vivitars go for sub 100?

[John Hill]

I have two of these which are quite fun!


Sigma 5000mm f4

[bilybianca]

Originally Posted by John Hill

Sigma 5000mm f4

To be completely honest, I'm not quite convinced I believe you

Kjell

[Frogfish]

Thanks for the feedback gentlemen.

I think, although it certainly looks a fun lens, I'll take GW's advice and put the money towards something better (I'm looking for a 90/100/105 macro) instead. Also it seems the one here is well overpriced at $250 !

[snostorm]

Originally Posted by a200user

I have no experience with mirror lenses, but for the price have also wondered about the quality.

An exception right now, with a few hours left, there is a Vivitar Series 1, 450mm f4.5 mirror lens up for auction with a current bid of $620. Bidding started at $99 and it's been like a feeding frenzy - other than the largest aperature I've seen for this type of lens, what am I missing?

I believe that this is an older Series 1 Solid Cat (late 60's-70's). These lenses were VERY good and the speed is unusual. The Viv Solid Cats are almost legendary, and demand a collector's premium. The company designed the lenses, then contracted for the lens' mfg with top tier third party lensmakers. In later years, Vivitar and the Series 1 line went seriously downhill until they were no more highly regarded than the "no-name" asian knock off lens brands. Recently, something of a revival of the brand has occurred, and they seem to ge offering a few interesting MF lenses.

Scott

[John Hill]

Originally Posted by bilybianca

To be completely honest, I'm not quite convinced I believe you

Kjell

He he! I forget to mention the four stacked tele-converters!



[You are right of course, it is 500mm focal length, not 5 metres!]