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spiratone minitel 500mm
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 6:08 pm    Post subject: spiratone minitel 500mm Reply with quote
i'm not sure if these are the best way to show off what i think is a very underrated lens, as all shots were taken on a very dull day, through sliding glass doors that obviously need to be cleaned from a very rough winter, but here goes, cause i like 'em! taken with 5d iso 800, lens only has F8:







PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 6:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
The performance is quiet good for a mirror lens. I had consider buy this mirror lens but I give up as it is too heavy for me.


PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 6:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I am not sure if the focus is exact, but I like the background. I have always liked this rustic look in pictures, so that is what I like about the pics. I don't know if that is really called bokeh but whatever it is called, it is nice.


PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 6:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Number 3 looks sharp, but these lenses need to be used on sunny days only!


PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 6:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
graham is correct, because of the f8 constant aperture sun is vital to good pix with this lens. my shutter speed was 1/100! and it really should be at least 1/250-300. thats also probably why the focus apoears off--camera shake, bird movement all effect clarity at 1/100 shutter speed! theyre really not bad considering the SS and the dirty window and theyre hand held!

calvin, this lens really is not heavy at all for a 500mm. it is actually smaller than other mirror lenses of same FL, hence the name minitel.

yes newton, i think you are correct, the background is especially smooth for a mirror lens as they have notoriously crazy bokeh.

Last edited by rbelyell on Mon Apr 11, 2011 8:06 pm; edited 2 times in total


PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 7:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
calvin83 wrote:
The performance is quiet good for a mirror lens. I had consider buy this mirror lens but I give up as it is too heavy for me.


There is another big heavy Spiratone 500 mirror, but this one is the tiny Mini-tel 500.


PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 7:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
visualopsins wrote:
calvin83 wrote:
The performance is quiet good for a mirror lens. I had consider buy this mirror lens but I give up as it is too heavy for me.


There is another big heavy Spiratone 500 mirror, but this one is the tiny Mini-tel 500.

I see. It should be this one?
Click here to see on Ebay


PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 7:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
You have to be really good to handle these super telephotos. I am impressed by people who shoot with these and can get decent photos; there are so many more variables that affect IQ, so the challenge is my big attraction, as I experienced last night with low-light nighttime photography with a super tele, not really designed for nighttime.

You caught the feathers very well. My test for sharpness is my parrot. I call it Newton's parrot test for sharpness and color and I am patenting that. You will see this posted all over the world, but remember it is MINE! Very Happy


PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 7:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
calvin83 wrote:
visualopsins wrote:
calvin83 wrote:
The performance is quiet good for a mirror lens. I had consider buy this mirror lens but I give up as it is too heavy for me.


There is another big heavy Spiratone 500 mirror, but this one is the tiny Mini-tel 500.

I see. It should be this one?
Click here to see on Ebay


Yes that is the one. Yikes US$538.20?!!! Mine cost 1/10 as much (11/2008), with original hood, filters, & caps.

Here's the Ultratel 500 Click here to see on Ebay


PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 7:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
newton wrote:
You have to be really good to handle these super telephotos. I am impressed by people who shoot with these and can get decent photos;

here are some mirror samples with Oly OM mirror
http://forum.mflenses.com/testing-my-lenses-part-12-olympus-500mm-8-reflex-t31133,highlight,%2Btesting+%2Blenses.html


PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 8:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
calvin yes that is the one i have,b ut dont be scared as that fellows price is absurd! i paid $60 for mine. just keep an eye out and you can get a deal.

newton, youre hysterical! perhaps you can loan your parrot out to members for testing new lenses! Surprised


PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 9:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
visualopsins wrote:


Here's the Ultratel 500 Click here to see on Ebay


I have such an Ultratel with the Sigma brand. It is very huge in volume(twice the volume of my Sigma 8/600 mirror) but it lacks any form of mass and it is quite a challenge to keep it stabilized.
With a shoulderstock and a stabilized sensor however it can produce good images


PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 11:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Toeteraar wrote:
visualopsins wrote:


Here's the Ultratel 500 Click here to see on Ebay


I have such an Ultratel with the Sigma brand. It is very huge in volume(twice the volume of my Sigma 8/600 mirror) but it lacks any form of mass and it is quite a challenge to keep it stabilized.
With a shoulderstock and a stabilized sensor however it can produce good images


Shocked I have this Sigma lens too! I did not realize it is the same as the big Spiratone. Thank you! Now I see Spiratone in auction is same as Sigma, same case too.

Nice results!


PostPosted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 12:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
How are you coming along with your 500 mm?
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