Mirror lenses!

XKAES wrote: I would not call it high contrast, but most of the time I've used it the "problem" was probably atmospheric haze.   But I'm pleased with it. I want to use it more with closer subjects. We'll see.

Contrast is but a click away from being corrected. I could get some good bird-eyeball shots. I've been keeping my eyes open for a 1000mm and have seen the 1250 on eBay. I'm not sure I want to go that route or maybe a 20mp 4/3 camera to accomplish the same angle of view.

Snegren wrote: woodrim wrote: I've been keeping my eyes open for a 1000mm and have seen the 1250 on eBay. I'm not sure I want to go that route or maybe a 20mp 4/3 camera to accomplish the same angle of view. Isn't that swearing in the Sony church Mike? A friend of mine uses 4/3 cameras and has a 300/2.8 (600/5.6 FF equivalent) but noise is always around the corner with that combo. I fear using a 500/8 as a 1000/16 on 4/3 will push the ISO beyond acceptable limits. But the only way to find out is to get your hands on a 4/3 camera and a suitable adaptor and try it.

I did hesitate before saying that. If I had or could afford to have the megapixels to crop further, I wouldn't consider it. I never considered 4/3 in the past and was happy to abandon my 16mp APS-C in favor of the FF 24mp. Most of what I do is best with a FF and that will remain my format. However, if I had the pixel density of a good 20mp 4/3, I would use it instead of purchasing a 1000mm. Unfortunately, the Vectis wouldn't be useable but the Tamron 350mm and any of my good 500mm would provide that longer angle of view.

I first thought your ISO comment was about light but realize it's more the higher shutter speed. The cameras do have stabilization and the light here is much brighter than what many of you experience. I sometimes have the shutter speed indicator blinking 8000 when using my f/8 lenses even at ISO 400 and sometimes ISO 320 when the sky and a white bird are in the frame.

Anyway, not to worry, I followed Minolta to SONY and am quite happy about it. My shooting buddy uses an A7rIV and I'm in awe of the resolution and ability to crop significantly.   

Here are a few recent shots with my beloved Rokkor 250:

1 The girl and the window


2 Victims of fashion


3 Black fence


4 Cloudscraper


5 Birding in the Netherlands


all with a7riv + Minolta RF Rokkor 250mm 1:5.6 (1979)

And my feeble attempts with the Minolta 250 Reflex

1: Restaurant Bloom

Camera Model: ILCE-7M3
Lens: Minolta RF Rokkor 250mm 1:5.6
Aperture: f/5.6
Exposure Time: 0.005 sec (1/200)
ISO: 250

2: A full palette

Camera Model: ILCE-7M3
Lens: Minolta RF Rokkor 250mm 1:5.6
Aperture: f/5.6
Exposure Time: 0.005 sec (1/200)
ISO: 250

3: Information overload

Camera Model: ILCE-7M3
Lens: Minolta RF Rokkor 250mm 1:5.6
Aperture: f/5.6
Exposure Time: 0.005 sec (1/200)
ISO: 250

4: Backstreet

Camera Model: ILCE-7M3
Lens: Minolta RF Rokkor 250mm 1:5.6
Aperture: f/5.6
Exposure Time: 0.005 sec (1/200)
ISO: 250

5: Windmills in winter

Camera Model: ILCE-7M3
Lens: Minolta RF Rokkor 250mm 1:5.6
Aperture: f/5.6
Exposure Time: 0.001 sec (1/1250)
ISO: 250

I agree with you Howard, but I like Leo's #2 and Paul's #5 a lot too.

Today I dscovered that I can use this RF500 on my A99ii too. On e-mount it focusses beyond infinity. On A-mount with my dumb MD to A-mount adapter it focusses almost to infinity. No moon shots, but enough for almost all other use. The MFD is slighty shorter than the official 4mtr.
That is a nice option for my gear flexibility

Edited by Fred_S - 27 December 2021 at 15:36

BIFs with the Vectis 8/400