Makinon 5.6/300 Mirror

[woodrim]

I have posted about this in a general mirror thread that I started, but now that I have more experience with it I thought better to make a dedicated thread. This particular lens has no brand markings on it, but after comparing pictures I am certain it is the same lens as Makinon, although I have no idea why it has no markings. This one seems to have had a mount modification from CA to OM and does not reach infinity. Initially, I found it nearly impossible to focus accurately and equally difficult to hand hold steady. It does not do well (or I do not do well) in poor light. Fortunately, we have many very bright days here. After some use, I have gotten better at focusing and handling still. I suspect this lens may have helped me become more accurate at focusing all lenses. The focus ring is silky smooth and will move in and out of focus with the smallest movement. A icture that has no sharp spots indicates a missed focus. I have discovered that the lens is capable of decently sharp images with spot -on focus. Bokeh is as one might expect from a mirror, some very bad, some artsy, and some very good; all depending on background distance and content. These are my better shots - there are many more that were no good.



























Foolish to even try...

[calvin83]

It is certain it is a Makinon if it has 1:4 Macro. I would say that it is a sharp lens but the result will be OK if resized for web. Good for practicing manual focusing, though.

[woodrim]

Yes, and it focuses very close. The book picture shows lens ability separate from my ability.

100% crop...

[kenetik]

Beautiful shots and colors, I really like this set overall. The focal plane looks awfully thin, I can imagine how hard it is to focus, especially with no infinity. I like them all.

I've not used a 300/5.6 mirror (all of mine are 500+/f and I tend to only use mirrors on the FF A7 (my Nex 6 APSC is harder to focus/balance for the long shots).

My only comments beyond beautiful pics are:

- the way you describe it, this lens seems hard to work with, even for a mirror, I'm betting if you tried a better/unmodified one you would be happier.
- I have seen the quality of sample you usually deliver and while I think these are great, I would love to see what you could do with something like a Tamron
- I agree Mirror Lenses help with focus skills, you have to finesse them like crazy depending on focus throw. You do end up having to trash more shots than with non mirrors in my experience.

Ken

[woodrim]

[Nordentro]

Looks good to me, some nice pictures there as well

Looks like it is summer, where do you live?

[Lloydy]

There is certainly a difference in how mirror lenses perform 'in the hand'. I've had a Canon FD 500 for probably 25 years, and it focuses easily with a nice throw on the helical. The Tamron 500 is good, but it's a quicker helical than the Canon. The Samyang is quicker still, and not easy to focus - If it was the only 500 mirror I'd got, I think I'd be OK with it. But I've been spoiled by the Canon, and now the Tamron.

Nice pictures though Woodrim, you've shown that a mirror lens can be a very useful lens.

[woodrim]

Thank you, Lloyd.

Nordentro: I live in Charleston, South Carolina. It is along our east coast in the deep south. It is officially the fall season here as of September 23rd, but the temperatures have been very warm, a little too warm, and the sun is always bright. To give you some idea, stairway picture was 1/1250 sec @ ISO100 f/5.6 and dragon fly was 1/2000 sec.

[ManualFocus-G]

Really good results considering it's one of the worst mirror lenses I've used! I found it soft by default (and very hard to focus as a result). Resized down and sharpened it can be OK though. The Makinon 400mm is worse, a really difficult lens.

[woodrim]

[Layer-cake]

I want to ask ask I'm not certain if this is true but the makinon lens came with corrective filters, apparently from what one of my friends said the filter is actually part of the optical design and without them the lens is quite soft! did you get the lens with one? there were 3 that would normally come with the set.

[woodrim]

I don't know about filters; I'll have to look and see if there is one on the rear.

[Layer-cake]

The filters that I have seen are an A1 and an ND2 and a ND4, which would lead me to believe that they are just normal filters??

[woodrim]

[woodrim]

Some more from today. I may be getting better at focusing as some of the shots surprised me with decent sharpness. However, I could imagine having this lens and never taking a sharp picture. If it weren't for the excellent focus aids of the NEX, I don't think I would have gotten any perfectly in focus except by chance.

I shop into the sun with some of them and got big time flare. That flare showed every dust bunny on my sensor.

[calvin83]

To conclude, a good lens can have a decent sharp photo even the focus is slightly off but an average one need precise focusing to get a decent sharp photo.

[Attila]

I doubt too this lens can be sharper, these are nice results , this lens is not competitor of a good normal tele lens, but if you find special subjects it can be bring great success. Selective sharpening also an option an lot less cost than better mirror lens in this focal length.

[Lloydy]

I'd say your getting to grips with the lens, there's a lot of good, sharp, images there. I think you're right - the focus ring is probably too 'critical', there is sharpness in the lens though.

[iangreenhalgh1]

As the old saying goes"A bad workman blames his tools...."

The lens looks to be capable of better results but even so, looks mediocre compared to the best.

[woodrim]

[woodrim]

Still a challenge to get perfect focus, but there's something about the rendering that I find pleasing.

[mo]

I think you nailed the 2nd shot. Did you use a tripod or handheld?

[woodrim]

Handheld. Tripod would have helped.

[iangreenhalgh1]

Why persist with a 'mediocre at best' lens?

Looks soft, muted colours, lack of detail and contrast....

[mo]

Perhaps its simply because he can,and we as a bonus get to see what this lens can do....without having to buy it ourselves. I have the much more "favoured" SP Tamron 350/5.6 mirror lens, and its a tough nut too handle....even on a tripod