Mirror lenses (2)

I'll open this episode with a few shots taken during a little regional cycle tour last weekend with the Rokkor RF 500mm F8 (on A7R2)

#1 Hare



#2 Noordermolen


#3 Geese



#4 Lapwing



#5 Heron



#6 Blossom


#7 Sparrow

Thanks Howard! That is what mirror lenses are about isn't it?

I think you guys may be interested in this video of the Slanted Lens: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxc6Slomw1Y

I did not view all 33 pages of the previous thread, but I did not see a lot of dedicated portraits. In this video there are some really nice portraits and the bokeh, used well, is really interesting for portraits it seems - I did not expect that

addy landzaat wrote: I think you guys may be interested in this video of the Slanted Lens: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxc6Slomw1Y I did not view all 33 pages of the previous thread, but I did not see a lot of dedicated portraits. In this video there are some really nice portraits and the bokeh, used well, is really interesting for portraits it seems - I did not expect that

I like using my 400mm mirrors for portraits. I've shot friends and family that way and have some very nice images. I'd post them here but would need to upload to Flickr first where I don't want them published. I typically pick backgrounds that don't create a busy donut pattern.

Very nice Mike!

woodrim wrote: The rookery where I do most of my bird shooting really needs the longer lenses but this year a brave egret made her nest in a conifer very close to our walking path. There are two hatchlings that I first photographed on May 15 as tiny furballs a week after they hatched. Then two weeks later they already started trying out their wings. Mamiya-Sekor C 8/500 and A7 II

These birds grow very quickly. Since posting these images, they had become more adventuress and explored the branches around their nest. I received a report yesterday that they both fell into the water below. It seems one somehow held onto the other. The splash is a noise that signals lunch for the gators. The woman that reported the incident was there to witness it. Very sad. I keep thinking and wondering if I had been there would I have gone in to save them? I hate the thought of being in swampy water but not as much as having to witness what happened to them. Before you mention the obvious - the gators - most this year have been smaller than me. But had there been a snake in the water, I'd definitely stay on land.

I sold my Sony 500mm f8 quite some time ago, but I do miss it's compactness. I found it a brilliant lens for sporting events where security can be a bit OTT (over the top) on enforcing rules on photography and lenses. a 300 2.8 tends to raise eyebrows, whereas the 500mm slips in without even a whisper. With such events typically in the middle of the day in summer, there's plenty of light meaning the f8 is no issue. So some examples from centre court at Wimbledon (was already in 3rd or 4th row so quite close to the action) and at Twickenham for rugby sevens (where I was 3rd or 4th row back, but in the upper tier, so a LONG way from the action).

The lens definitely needs some consideration for the background with the unique bokeh, but as shown in the Twickenham shots, if you're positioned very high up in the stands, it's not an issue at all. Worth noting these were all taken across 2010 and 2011. My processing skills - and the tools - have come on quite some way since then, so sure these could be tidied up quite a lot (from basic tighter cropping through to sharpening)

Federer preparing to recieve
Untitled by Simon Tregidgo, on Flickr

Federer serving
Untitled by Simon Tregidgo, on Flickr

Federer pensive (this is probably the best shot and worst shot - nice of Federer, horrible of the background fans whose noses have imploded)
4. Pray by Simon Tregidgo, on Flickr

Rugby sevens
_DSC0943 by Simon Tregidgo, on Flickr

_DSC0924 by Simon Tregidgo, on Flickr