Tamron SP 55BB 500mm mirror lens in macro mode

drjs · Joined: 25 Feb 2013 Posts: 485 Location: USA

Just received a Tamron SP 55BB 500mm mirror lens in mint condition. The weather wasn't exactly cooperating so I had to do most of my testings in doors. I knew focusing would be a challenge but it turned out not as daunting as I originally feared. I kept shutter speed at 1/500 or higher and took some shots with and without flash.

All images were shot in RAW and boosted contrast and saturation in lightroom. It really surprised me that there are many keepers in my first 20 or so sprays. Almost all of the images were shot at minimal focal distance (about 1.7m) which makes them about 1/4 macro ratio. The camera is a 550D T2i. Can't wait until weather gets better and I can shoot more outside the house.

My conclusion after the first day is with some moderate post processing, mirror lens are fully capable delivering respectable results.

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cooltouch · Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 9097 Location: Houston, Texas

Congrats on your new lens. I have the exact same model, but I must confess that I haven't really given it much of a workout yet. But I have seen many photos taken with the 55BB here, so I know how good of a lens it is. And your photos just further reinforce this fact.

You mentioned that focusing was not quite as daunting as you were anticipating it to be. There's a good reason for that, I believe. The 55BB's focusing collar has almost 360 degrees of travel. I don't know if Tamron's practice of designing in that much focusing travel into its mirror lenses is common for other lens makers as well, but I suspect it isn't. I bought (and promptly returned) a Samyang made 800mm f/8 a while back and one of the things I really didn't like about it was its focusing collar turned through about 90 degrees only. That is way too little for such a long focal length with such a shallow depth of field. I have found that, even with my Tamron's very long focusing throw, it is possible to easily bump the image from in to out of focus with a very slight touch, so imagine how aggravating that process would be with a lens that has an even narrower depth of field and only 25% of the Tamron's focus travel. No, when I received my Tamron 55BB and saw its extra long focusing throw, I knew I was gonna like it.

So go ahead and post some more pics when you got 'em. We'll be looking forward to seeing 'em.

I'm assuming that, since you were able to shoot at 1/500 or higher, you were shooting hand-held? I've used mirror lenses for years, including back in the day when I was shooting with slow slide film, like Kodachrome 64. So I got very used to carrying a monopod with me wherever I was packing a mirror lens. It made for some nice shots at relatively slow shutter speeds that otherwise wouldn't have been possible. Even though your camera appears to do a good job at high ISO numbers, there may be times when you'll still need some support. And if you don't feel like messing with a tripod, a monopod is a very good and very flexible alternative. Just sayin'.

drjs · Joined: 25 Feb 2013 Posts: 485 Location: USA

Cooltouch,

These are excellent suggestions. I will try it with a monopod. You are correct, all of the shots were handheld. I find that you will need to stay above 1/500 for sharp pictures on my camera. I also try to take a burst of several shots and discard those with motion blur. The focusing is pretty accurate and my focus confirmation seem to function in bright light even at this aperture. All in all, I really adore the thing and give me ability to take shots I wouldn't normally been able to get. I also find the donuts shape of Brokeh very unique and artistic.

drjs · Joined: 25 Feb 2013 Posts: 485 Location: USA

Got a chance to shoot outside. Really like this lens more and more as I use it. Again, shot in RAW, boosted contrast and saturation in lightroom. The ring bokeh is growing on me as well. It is a perfect birding lens.

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Lloydy · Expire: 2022-01-01

I bought one a few months ago from a charity shop, it was well used cosmetically but looked optically perfect - but sadly it wasn't a good lens, so I had to get a refund. But it's lens that I had on my list for a long time, and seeing your excellent images here it's still on my list.

calvin83 · Joined: 12 Apr 2009 Posts: 7553 Location: Hong Kong

These sample are great and demonstrate how to make good use of the donut bokeh! Now, I have more idea how to use my new Nikon mirror lens.

drjs · Joined: 25 Feb 2013 Posts: 485 Location: USA

calvin83 · Joined: 12 Apr 2009 Posts: 7553 Location: Hong Kong

drjs · Joined: 25 Feb 2013 Posts: 485 Location: USA

Olivier · Expire: 2015-08-06

drjs · Joined: 25 Feb 2013 Posts: 485 Location: USA

drjs · Joined: 25 Feb 2013 Posts: 485 Location: USA

Olivier · Expire: 2015-08-06

On adaptall2.org :

55B optical design

55BB optical design

Tamron SP 500mm F/8 Mirror Model 55BB: This later version SP 500mm F/8, introduced in 1983, is an optically revised version of the original model 55B lens first introduced in 1979.
The major optical design change is the switch to a constant thickness meniscus main mirror in order to reduce close focusing spherical aberration.
The change in the main mirror design also necessitated changes for the two smallest lenses located within the middle of the optical design.
This model 55BB also discards the earlier model's detachable tripod mount and the set of four filters for B&W photography.
The later model 55BB is also readily distinguished from the original model by its diamond knurled rubber focus grip and the lack of the locking screw used on the earlier model 55B's built-in rotating tripod mount ring.
Thus this lens does not feature any built-in tripod mount whereas the original lens featured a detachable tripod mount.

We haven't had the opportunity to compare both optical versions since the fact that the optical design had changed slightly completely escaped our attention until now. Nevertheless this is now a high priority on our list in order to answer two questions: Which lens is sharper across the field for distant subjects? Which lens is sharper for tele-macro work? It may turn out that the earlier version is slightly superior for long distance photography while the later version likely is somewhat superior for tele-macro work. Why do we say this without having compared these two lens versions? Because at least in the early 1980s Tamron, unlike many other competitors, was NOT known for introducing revised lens designs that offered inferior overall performance. This is because Tamron was still trying to increase consumer acceptance and market share by offering improved optics.

I would add that later model 55B has a built-in Hood (very useful).

drjs · Joined: 25 Feb 2013 Posts: 485 Location: USA

cooltouch · Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 9097 Location: Houston, Texas

Huh. I'm counting 4 and 7, and 5 and 8.

Hey Lloyd, I ran into the same problem with a 55B I bought for dirt cheap at a local auction. I noticed with my first set of pics that it was very soft. The problem with it was that the small mirror optic located in the center of the big front lens had begun to delaminate. And there was no way to repair it, that I could see. And I tried. So I sold it on eBay with the delamination clearly shown and explained. Made somebody happy, though, who I suspected needed the undamaged parts to salvage a 55B that he owned.

drjs · Joined: 25 Feb 2013 Posts: 485 Location: USA

calvin83 · Joined: 12 Apr 2009 Posts: 7553 Location: Hong Kong

If you have budget or luck, try to get a N Reflex-NIKKOR or Mirotar for better sharpness and contrast.

drjs · Joined: 25 Feb 2013 Posts: 485 Location: USA

calvin83 · Joined: 12 Apr 2009 Posts: 7553 Location: Hong Kong

drjs · Joined: 25 Feb 2013 Posts: 485 Location: USA