Mirror Lense

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







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

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.

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.

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")

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

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Knight

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

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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.

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. :)

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! :p

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

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.

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