Question on Vivitar Series 1 Catadioptric 600mm lens

Big Dawg · Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 2530 Location: Thach Alabama

The lens made by Perkin Elmer. I've read that it must have a filter mounted at the mount end before the optical formula is complete. Is this so? And if it is so and someone has a lens of this type but no filter....where can you get one? If purchasing a filter is out of the question ,,,then can one be made to fit the lens?

I'm asking because I'd like to buy one but there is no mention of a filter in the Ad. I've sent a question to the seller asking if the filters come with the lens but I am not sure they know enough to be capable of looking or will even look. Any help would be nice. Thanks in advance.

Boomer Depp · Expire: 2011-12-04

The 35.5mm screw-in filters for both the 600 & 800mm Vivitar Series 1 Solid Cat mirror lenses are occasionally seen on ebay.My 600 has four filters and my 800 came with three filters.

I keep the UV-Haze filter mounted because like you said it's part of the optical formula.Two of the filters in the set are for black & white photography,and the other is a neutral density filter.All of my filters are engraved "Vivitar Series 1" and respectively UV-HAZE, a ND-4X, a RED NO.25A, and a YELLOW K2.I've seen some sold on ebay with up to five filters with the 5th filter being a ND-2x.Though B&W 35.5 filters are readily available,I'm not sure if they will work.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/119862-REG/B_W_65070047_35_5mm_Ultraviolet_UV_Glass.html

Rusty · Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 6:57 pm Post subject:

I have also read that,, but apparently the only difference it makes is a very small adjustment to the infinity focus , due to the slightly shorter path the light has to travel without the filter
With the filter fitted the optical path is a few micro m longer due to it taking an angled path through the filter (refraction ?)
I have no experience with the lens, but don't think it will be more than the normal tolerance in the mount adapter anyway if the above is valid Very Happy

Boomer Depp · Expire: 2011-12-04

Thanks for the info Rusty...I'll have to give that a try.

Rolf · Expire: 2015-12-26

Look here

Click here to see on Ebay.de

Vivitar f:11/800mm

Wink

Boomer Depp · Expire: 2011-12-04

Just went outside and took a few shots with the UV-Haze filter and with no filter.Shooting at 1/40 sec. hand held in the rain at this focal length doesn't make for crisp images.Though these weren't precision shots,seems a bit sharper with the filter and notice the bokeh difference in the OOF area.

Without UV-Haze Filter

With UV-Haze Filter

Big Dawg · Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 2530 Location: Thach Alabama

Thanks Rusty, Boomer and Rolf. That is the info I was looking for. The one I'm looking at is a 600mm f/8 without any 2X multiplier. I probably need one like I need another hole in my head but the price is very very tempting. I promised the wife to clean out my lens account and cease buying for a while so I have money to spend right now... Not often I can say that last as I use my lunch money to buy lens. LOL At 2 dollars a day it takes a while to save, even when I'm working 7 days a week.

Big Dawg · Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 2530 Location: Thach Alabama

Thanks Boomer. Yes there is a difference. Quite noticeable in fact.

Rolf · Expire: 2015-12-26

Perhaps you look here

Click here to see on Ebay.de

I own some mirrors, this one is the best !!!!

Wink

Boomer Depp · Expire: 2011-12-04

With the neutral background the OOF is improved.Once again,not so steady hand held at 1/320 sec.

Boomer Depp · Expire: 2011-12-04

Big Dawg · Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 2530 Location: Thach Alabama

Big Dawg · Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 2530 Location: Thach Alabama

Rolf · Expire: 2015-12-26

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

Boomer Depp · Expire: 2011-12-04

Then perhaps it's not the filter at all,but the distance and the shutter speed effecting the OOF....but as you can see in these shots with and without the filter the difference in the OOF.....and yes,I should have been shooting closer to 1/640 sec,but it was raining and quiet dark.In this case a tripod would be a good call.

If there is one positive thing to say about mirror lenses,is the ability to shoot hand held versus not being able to hand hold a 600 or 800 telephoto lens.

Without UV-Haze Filter
1/40 sec

1/30 sec

With UV-Haze
1/30 sec

1/25 sec

1/50 sec

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

Boomer Depp · Expire: 2011-12-04

Your preaching to the choir here and for an old gummer like me a tripod is my friend.

Actually mirrors shoot fairly well when using high shutter speeds hand held and obviously won't give you the sharpness of a lens mounted on a tripod.

The point is, that a mirror can be shot at high shutter speeds with acceptable results hand held,and that's the beauty of it.

Big Dawg · Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 2530 Location: Thach Alabama

I shoot mainly hand held and do not think this small lens will be much of a problem. Thanks for these sample photos. I may pass on this one as my Bigma covers near to this focal range and I've seen another lens that I want more. Thanks to all that have helped enlighten me on this subject.