cambron 500-800 zoom mirror lens?

rx7speed · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 14

looking to possibly replace my cheap old not so great but still fun to use tamron 400 f/6.9 and saw a 500-800 miror f8-11 mirror lens by cambron. I know most people will say avoid mirror lenses and also to avoid cheap lenses. I can understand on that but I'm not buying this for pro work, but rather for fun as I usually don't have a big need for the super tele end.

anyone have any info on this lens on how good the quality should be and how it might compare to my current 400mm? one big plus at least for it is the 400 is a fairly long lens which I don't like but more wondering about how the quality stacks up or any other info on how a zoom mirror lens works and so on.

cooltouch · Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 9096 Location: Houston, Texas

I have never used the Cambron 500-800mm, but I remember when Cambridge Camera sold them new, and I was really curious about it. Not curious enough to shell out the bucks, but still . . .

I don't know who made it, but keep in mind that Cambron was the trade name that Cambridge Camera used for optics it marketed under its own name. It was probably available under others. For sure, it was also marketed as a Soligor.

From what I've been able to gather about the lens is that it was big and heavy and a just okay sort of performer. So, if it were me, I wouldn't be interested in shelling out much money for one.

Oh, and by the way, I'm not one that will tell you to avoid mirror lenses or cheap ones for that matter. I have seen too many tack-sharp photos posted here at MFlenses taken with cheap lenses, and I have owned mirrors and quite enjoyed using them. So, don't be afraid to experiment. Nowadays, you can pick up some pretty amazing gear for a pittance compared to what it used to sell for, so even if you buy a piece that's just ho-hum, chances are you're not out much cash. And you can always off it to somebody else on the Bay.

aoleg · Joined: 22 Feb 2008 Posts: 1387 Location: Berlin, DE

PBFACTS · Joined: 24 Dec 2008 Posts: 569

aoleg · Joined: 22 Feb 2008 Posts: 1387 Location: Berlin, DE

rx7speed · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 14

not too worried about getting the greatest picture quality with the lens (have a tamron 400 f/6.9 if that says anything) but rather just want something that can at least take decent enough pictures and hopefully smaller and easier to carry then the tamron. as long as this cheap mirror can do at least as good if not hopefully better then the tamron I'm happy.

pbfacts are all three of those the same lens/optics or are they just zoom mirrors within the same range? any idea how well this mirror lens performs and how much would you guess one to be worth?

last question it is a t-mount lens correct?

PBFACTS · Joined: 24 Dec 2008 Posts: 569

cooltouch · Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 9096 Location: Houston, Texas

I have owned both the Canon and Nikon 500mm reflex lenses and agree that they are excellent optics. Haven't owned any of the others pbfacts mentions. However, I have also owned the Sigma 600mm f/8, and used it more than the other two. I can also vouch for the Sigma's ability to render great images as well. So, even though it's not a 500mm, hey what's a hundred millimeters among friends, eh? I would add it to the list. And I would be very leary, as pbfacts mentions, about paying a high price for th 500-800.

PBFACTS · Joined: 24 Dec 2008 Posts: 569

cooltouch · Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 9096 Location: Houston, Texas

You know, I think it probably makes a difference as to which Sigma 600 is being referred to. There are at least two different models that I know of. The one I owned was the later, black one.

I've read before where people claim the Sigma 600 is just okay. I happen to disagree, and I have photos to back me up. Plus, you almost never see one of those 600mm Sigmas go for cheap on eBay. Typically, if it's available in a popular mount, prices are in the $250 range.

Here's just one of many sharp photos I've taken with my old Sigma mirror (dupe of a Kodachrome 64 slide):

rx7speed · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 14

person is asking about 90 or so for it I believe. really curious might end up going out trying and seeing how the images turn out before I buy it. just need to remember my T2 M42 adaptor, and my M42 to EOS adaptor as it wouldn't be the first time I drove long ways and forget them Sad

. always liked the idea behind mirrors with how they are quite compact vs a refration lens, and to me those little donuts look kind of cool Smile

wouldn't mind getting one of the better mirros but problem is my budget is quite limited and if I had 200-300 bucks there are other lenses I would rather buy instead then this as a long tele is just not something I really use all that often.

aoleg · Joined: 22 Feb 2008 Posts: 1387 Location: Berlin, DE

luisalegria · Expire: 2018-01-18

There is sample variation and all, but the two Tamron 6.9's I've had (one was a Nestar) are/were both extremely sharp, two of the best 400's I've ever tried. My Komura 400 and Schneider 360 are a hair better if at all.

rx7speed · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 14

CuriousOne · Joined: 31 Dec 2013 Posts: 669 Location: Home

According to pictures from ebay listing - now selling under "starblitz" name, zoom is smooth. Interesting, how they achieved it?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Starblitz-500mm-800mm-f8-f12-mirror-zoom-lens-/261934862956?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cfc88d26c

cooltouch · Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 9096 Location: Houston, Texas

It's the same mirror as the Cambron. Cambron was the "house name" for Cambridge Camera of New York. They sold a lot of items under the Cambron name, including the only zoom mirror I was aware of back in the 80s, when I used to see it advertized. I was intrigued by it back then, but as I recall, it was rather pricey, so even though I was attracted to it, I never bought one. I have also seen this mirror, or one very much like it, under the Soligor brand name. Here is a link to a rather blurry pic of the Cambron, and as it seems pretty obvious, it's the same lens:

http://lab.sekaimon.com/img/fetch/i/280761798567

Come to find out some years later, this zoom mirror wasn't the only one. Pentax also produced a 400-600 zoom mirror for a while. Quite expensive these days when you can find one:

Oops, I should have gone back and reread the earlier posts from six years ago. I've repeated much of what was already mentioned then.

D1N0 · Joined: 07 Aug 2012 Posts: 2536

One for sale here (auction)
https://www.catawiki.com/nl/l/58840643-cambo-mirror-zoom-500-800-lens

eggplant · Joined: 27 May 2020 Posts: 517

I have seen a couple of these under different names for sale from time to time, one buy it now as low as Â£50.

The design is quite interesting, and I wish it was further explored. Whilst the difference between 500-800 is meaningful, especially for bird photography, I do wonder whether casual users would make do with cropping, or changing between a speedbooster and 'dumb' adapter on a crop body.

cooltouch · Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 9096 Location: Houston, Texas