Mirror lenses!

Matt: Very nice, sharp results from that AF Reflex.

Leo: I have not gone past 700mm. Generally, I won't purchase an off-brand unless there is information and demonstrated results available. In the case of my recent Spiratone purchase, I was able to relate it to Yashica and the maker, Tomioka. I don't know who made those 800mm lenses and I'm skeptical about the lenses that appear under different brand names. There was plenty of that in the past with mediocre lenses showing up with names like Vivitar, Soligor, Hanimex, Kalimar, Quantaray, etc. Most times but not always, the price will indicate something but also is impacted by supply and demand. Tamron mirrors would probably be expensive if they hadn't made so many. Then again, there is a Tokina on eBay now for $8369. I can't explain that one.

woodrim wrote: Generally, I won't purchase an off-brand unless there is information and demonstrated results available. In the case of my recent Spiratone purchase, I was able to relate it to Yashica and the maker, Tomioka. I don't know who made those 800mm lenses and I'm skeptical about the lenses that appear under different brand names. There was plenty of that in the past with mediocre lenses showing up with names like Vivitar, Soligor, Hanimex, Kalimar, Quantaray, etc. Most times but not always, the price will indicate something but also is impacted by supply and demand.

There are some very good CATS that showed up under brand names that are not considered top-of-the-line. The Spiratone Minitel is a good example.   Plenty of Spiratone lenses are nothing special, and they sold a LOT of 500mm CATs starting from Soviet productions, then moved to Sigma, then to Tomioka, and then to ? with the Minitel-M. At least the Tomioka version is very good.

Another example is the 650mm f8.5 CAT sold under the Bell & Howell, Osawa, and Soligor C/D labels. It was actually made by Tokina -- which sold a lot of CATs under the Tokina (and other name) brands, but they never sold their 650mm as a Tokina. Great lens just the same.

There are some great optics out there hidden under different labels.

Edited by XKAES - 26 November 2021 at 17:53

Howard_S wrote: @woodrim: I love #4 where the bokeh is the perfect backdrop to the owl, but what's going on in #5? Have you pasted in a different reflection? The reflected bird is facing the wrong way ...

OMG, you win!!!! I posted that to see if anyone would notice. I've done that on other sites and even asked what's wrong. Most people don't notice even with the hint. I expected someone here to notice it but not this quickly.

As with most photo opportunities, I take several pictures of the same thing, refocusing each time, recognizing that one will be better than others. During the shoot, the bird changed directions. I simply took the bottom of one photo and the top from another and merged in Photoshop.

woodrim wrote: Howard_S wrote: @woodrim: I love #4 where the bokeh is the perfect backdrop to the owl, but what's going on in #5? Have you pasted in a different reflection? The reflected bird is facing the wrong way ... OMG, you win!!!!.

I'll inspect your photos more carefully from now on Mike! 🤓

Good shot though, that heron likes a classy background!

darosa wrote: woodrim wrote: Howard_S wrote: @woodrim: I love #4 where the bokeh is the perfect backdrop to the owl, but what's going on in #5? Have you pasted in a different reflection? The reflected bird is facing the wrong way ... OMG, you win!!!!. I'll inspect your photos more carefully from now on Mike! 🤓 Good shot though, that heron likes a classy background!

I was quite impressed that Howard noticed that so quickly. I participate in a number of local facebook photo groups. I often submit pictures that are clearly different from the norm. It amazes me that virtually no one ever asks about the obvious, unusual characteristics but instead make generic comments. Sometimes I'm shocked by the lack of curiosity.

   

Mine arrived today and appears to be very lightly used. The ND filter was in the hood and I doubt its ever been taken out before today. Its quite dark today but I managed the flower shot using a monopod. It's quite clear this lens is a thing that will take some practice to use properly, but I suspect will be a lot of fun too with good light.





1/320 f8 ISO4000

For no good reason I managed to order a Reflex-Nikkor C 1:8 500mm. I have an adapter for it, but as it is a Lensbaby tilt adapter it could either be great fun or be totally useless because it will be too difficult to align it. Then I'll have to get a cheap F-FE adapter, no biggy. Still in the mail, images later.