Mirror Lense

[Knight]

Has anyone ever used this lense . If so would it be ok for Birding ?







http://cgi.ebay.ca/500mm-1000mm-Mirr...QQcmdZViewItem

[Loupey]

Knight, I used one (a 650mm) long time ago with film bodies. Wouldn't recommend it. It is way slow (F/8 at best) and the out of focus highlights are donut shaped. Distracting as hell especially against water.

Good for spotting as they are quite small/light. But that's about it. The other is as an ornamental paper weight.

[SmartWombat]

Agreed.
Slow because the front mirror is in the way of the light.
Lightweight because it's mirrors and not refracting glass.
Doughnut bokeh is a real distracting problem.
I wouldn't buy one again.

[Loupey]

To add, you would be happier with the results of a mediocre telephoto coupled to a 2x TC.

(i'm whispering now: "don't buy one")

[Knight]

So how about these then Kenko Digital Extension Tube for Nikon AF


http://cameracanada.com/eNet-cart/pr...BEAFN&type=1,3

I need some range till i can afford something better. Only lens i have now is a 70-300mm Nikon , yes a cheap one lol

[Loupey]

So how about these then

I need some range till i can afford something better. Only lens i have now is a 70-300mm Nikon , yes a cheap one lol

These tubes are for changing the focusing range of the existing lens. That is, to convert a normal lens to a close focusing one. If that is what you want, then I say, "gotta love tubes!".

But I think you're still talking about birding so what you need to look into are tele-converters. These are usually designated with a 1.4x or 2x. These multiply the focal length of the attached lens. For a 70-300 (f/5.6?) lens, I would recommend the 1.4x (preferrably a Nikon to maintain as much image quality as possible). This would push you out to 420mm at f/8.

By the way, I wasn't implying that your lens is mediocre (don't know what all you have). Just saying that such a combination would still give one more pleasing results than a mirror lens.

By the way, tubes (like the Kenko) are always handy to have around. I use them all the time.

[Knight]

He He Loupey , by cheap lense i mean entry level . This is my first DSLR and i tought it was going to do wonders lol But i C that i have much to learn here . So i think for now im going to look for the TC that i will benefit to most from . If you C one at a half decent price let me know.

[cyberlord]

I'm not sure if you have the lens yet or not, but the Tamron 70-300 LD (if you can find one) is supposed to be a very good lens. I bought the newer 75-300 LD and couldn't be happier for the price I paid for it. I too am in the market for a teleconverter (1.4) and I will have a 420mm f8. In 35mm format that equals to a 670mm!

I find the 300mm just a tad short for full frame birding in my back yard. I am saving my pennies for the Sigma 50-500!

Tim

[Lava Lamp]

There have been some good threads on long lenses with good input from PaulNH and others. Mirror lenses have there place, but as far as I know they are all manual focus. That, coupled with the f/8 which makes it hard to see through the viewfinder, makes it tough to use for birding. You can use it for ducks and birds that are still, but a bird in flight would be very hard to catch. I say that from having owned a 500mm Nikon Reflex.

A Tokina 400mm f/5.6 is probably the best lens you could get to serve this purpose on the cheap -- maybe $250 - $300 used.

[Knight]

Thanks for the info LL . I will look into the Tokina .