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Topic ClosedMirror lenses!

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woodrim View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 November 2021 at 15:05
The Vectis 400 was an August 2020 purchase. I spent some of the next couple of months scheming how I might make it work, then, fortunately, I was able to buy a new MonsterAdapter before I did any damage. It has quickly become my most used mirror.

I should also mention that the lens was designed for APS but does fill most of the full-frame with the exception of some vignetting in the corners.

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Edited by woodrim - 06 November 2021 at 15:21
Regards,

woodrim
 



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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 November 2021 at 14:42
Originally posted by pegelli pegelli wrote:

Originally posted by Snegren Snegren wrote:

Any advice on a mounting system for Vectis on Sony FE that is not totally Frankenstein?
I think Howard_S has got an adapter for that and used it with good result.

Here's a thread about it


The MonsterAdapter people resumed production of their Vectis adapter this past year. Of course, they sold out again but not before I got one. I believe they will be introducing an updated version sometime soon.

I had bought a Vectis 400mm and was looking at ways to adapt it to my mirrorless when they resumed production. I was thankful for the timing since I was about to start surgery. Glad I didn't. What I did learn is that the Vectis mirror focuses by movement at the front of the lens while leaving the rear in place. I had tried making a helicoid extender to do the focusing but the results I got defied everything I knew about focusing by helicoid. Anyway, the MonsterAdapter allowed the mounting of the lens and focusing in manual. The focus by wire was certainly different for me but I quickly got used to it and started to like it. As with most other things, it takes some practice and technique development.

I learned after using the Vectis that it is a very good mirror. The sharpness is right up there with the 250mm and Tamron SP 350. It gets difficult to assess differences when they are that good but I do enjoy my Vectis even more than the SP 350. It focuses well at all distances, even infinity, which can't be said for many other mirrors. Contrast is also good and colors are warm.

I will follow this post with images from my Vectis 400. The lens is rare enough and not seen for sale often, so I'm glad I bought when I did. I expect them to increase in price and become more difficult to find.

Keep an eye on the facebook site for announcements:   MonsterAdapter
Regards,

woodrim
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 November 2021 at 14:11
Originally posted by Snegren Snegren wrote:

Any advice on a mounting system for Vectis on Sony FE that is not totally Frankenstein?
I think Howard_S has got an adapter for that and used it with good result.

Here's a thread about it
You can see the April Foolishness 2023 exhibition here Another great show of the talent we have on Dyxum
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 November 2021 at 14:04
Any advice on a mounting system for Vectis on Sony FE that is not totally Frankenstein?
“People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use.” Søren Kierkegaard
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 November 2021 at 13:40
I LOVE mirror lenses.
Thanks for starting this Leo. Gave me reason to dive in the archive.

I've used the 500 F/8 and owned the Samyang 300mm Reflex, an APS-C lens.
I sold it with all ASP-C stuff I had. With some regrets.
The lens is flexible, sharp (enough), MF
So, to show some proof

#1 At a Dyxym meet in London


#2 another deer


#3 short MFD, made it macro-like


#4 painterly like


#5 Leo's A7R


#6 and Leo himself of course

Same Londen meeting. Here visiting The Prospect of Whitby, one of London's oldest inns, for some stabilizers after a long walk.

#7 macro pizza


#8 I see you

with donuts

#9 discrete street


Hope I didn't overdo it
Maybe I should get myself a new copy.

Edited by Dopol - 06 November 2021 at 13:45
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 November 2021 at 09:24
Originally posted by woodrim woodrim wrote:

Thank you for starting this thread, Leo.


You're welcome Mike! Love to hear from you, the expert, about the dos and donuts (sorry :-() of cats!
 



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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 November 2021 at 09:19
Originally posted by sybersitizen sybersitizen wrote:

Originally posted by darosa darosa wrote:

... High time these special lenses get a dedicated thread here on Dyxum, the more so as Minolta, and now Sony is famous for their unique AF mirror lens, the Reflex 8/500.

I gently remind people that the lens - nice though it is - is not really unique as an AF mirror lens. Minolta also produced a 400mm AF mirror lens for the Vectis system.

Carry on.


You're right, thanks!
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 November 2021 at 09:15
Originally posted by addy landzaat addy landzaat wrote:

Well, maybe I am missing something - but only Jump is typically mirror, the rest could've been taken with any long lens. Next an APO lens thread


We are not interested in what you are missing when you have obviously not (cared to) read the OP.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 November 2021 at 08:43
Originally posted by woodrim woodrim wrote:

Originally posted by addy landzaat addy landzaat wrote:

Well, maybe I am missing something - but only Jump is typically mirror, the rest could've been taken with any long lens. Next an APO lens thread


The beauty of a mirror lens in good hands is that the donuts can be controlled and the rendering can be quite nice. This isn't a thread to show donuts but what can be accomplished with a good mirror.
That is why I proposed an APO thread, to show the rendering of those lenses

I see you guys enjoy your mirrors!
Why not follow me on Instagram? @Addy_101
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 November 2021 at 01:21
I bought my first Minolta 500mm f8 AF Reflex way back when using a Minolta 35mm AF camera, and it's been a very useful part of my kit ever since. I've found that on the a99ii it has really been given a new lease of life.
A sampler of photos I've taken with it is posted to the lens sample images thread in the Dyxum data base, but now this thread has been created, I'm happy to add to it.

Some moon shots to start:
1.
Full moon, Melbourne by Joe Lewit, on Flickr

2. Lunar exclipse.
Total eclipse, blood red super moon by Joe Lewit, on Flickr

And some big orange ball sunsets:
3.
Big ball sunset over Newport, from Brighton by Joe Lewit, on Flickr

4.
Sun dipping below the breakwater, Brighton marina by Joe Lewit, on Flickr

Pulling in distant subjects:
5.
Kite surfer powering off by Joe Lewit, on Flickr

6.
Fishing off the breakwater, Brighton by Joe Lewit, on Flickr

7.
Waiting for a bite, Brighton pier by Joe Lewit, on Flickr

8.
Rainbow lorikeet looking out from nesting hollow by Joe Lewit, on Flickr

9.
Tawny Frogmouth 6 by Joe Lewit, on Flickr

And some telephoto compression:
10.
Brighton bathing boxes 1 by Joe Lewit, on Flickr

11.
High St. Armadale sunset by Joe Lewit, on Flickr

A bit of deliberate donut:
12.
High St. Armadale sidewalk impression by Joe Lewit, on Flickr

And finally, for candid shots:
13.
Artist at work, Brighton beach by Joe Lewit, on Flickr

14.
Covid-19 Coiffure by Joe Lewit, on Flickr

I find it a handy walkabout, discrete, with tons of reach, zero distortion, zero chromatic aberration, and lots to recommend it once you learn your way around its limitations and get them mastered.
"Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst" - Henri Cartier-Bresson
My FlickrPro site
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 November 2021 at 23:58
Originally posted by sybersitizen sybersitizen wrote:

Originally posted by darosa darosa wrote:

... High time these special lenses get a dedicated thread here on Dyxum, the more so as Minolta, and now Sony is famous for their unique AF mirror lens, the Reflex 8/500.

I gently remind people that the lens - nice though it is - is not really unique as an AF mirror lens. Minolta also produced a 400mm AF mirror lens for the Vectis system.

Carry on.


Yes, and a wonderful lens it is.
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woodrim
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 November 2021 at 23:57
I'll be posting my first mirror pictures from my most recent purchase, the Nikon (new) 8/500. I have only just recently started using this lens. The "new" designation is misleading since it refers to the last or latest Nikon, not that it is new. I had read good things about it but the price had kept me away until now. It's a very well made lens with a long focus throw. The sharpness and contrast is better than most. I put this one among my top three performing mirrors.

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woodrim
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 November 2021 at 23:37
Thank you for starting this thread, Leo.

Mike Idleidolidyll: That tree pops nicely. Great job on the bike pictures; I know how difficult it is to capture anything moving.

Basil: Those are some of the better images I've seen from the 800mm.

And Fred: You're missing some fun. Mirrors take some time to get used to and to develop technique.

I've been using mirrors since 2017 after giving them a second try. My first cats were not very good, which is an important lesson to understand when purchasing. After trying again and having bought a good one, I got hooked. I actually like the unique rendering provided by a mirror, I put up with the donuts, and have found the lenses that provide more than acceptable sharpness.

My mirror accumulation (not exactly a collection) is more than a dozen and has duplication of focal lengths. Some are better at close, some distance, and some just superior. Size and weight vary as well.

Technique is very important. Most if not all of the mirrors require precise focusing, more so than refractor lenses. And the depth of field is typically very narrow. Rules that we understand about normal optics don't seem to apply the same to cats. In addition to technique, I find it essential to use a mirrorless camera with focus magnification in order to obtain precise focus. This, of course, applies more to the manual focus lenses.

I consider this thread to be for mirror lenses of all types, not just the Minolta and Sony brands.

Dyxum is a collection of very good photographers. I look forward to seeing what others are accomplishing with mirrors.    

Regards,

woodrim
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 November 2021 at 23:29
Originally posted by darosa darosa wrote:

... High time these special lenses get a dedicated thread here on Dyxum, the more so as Minolta, and now Sony is famous for their unique AF mirror lens, the Reflex 8/500.

I gently remind people that the lens - nice though it is - is not really unique as an AF mirror lens. Minolta also produced a 400mm AF mirror lens for the Vectis system.

Carry on.
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