Another mirror lens - Makinon MC 300mm f/5.6

[ManualFocus-G]

I picked up another 300mm mirror lens, to see whether it performed to the same sort of level as the Ohnar 300/5.6 (with aperture contol) and Chinon/whatever name they put against it 300/5.6 T2 mount mirror lens.

This one appears different as it has a fixed mount (Minolta MD in this case), but performance is very similar i.e. lowish contrast, but pretty decent IQ given the tiny size of the thing!



Just a quick first shot at high ISO (blacks have been boosted!):

[Nordentro]

That is one unusual looking picture in a good way

Looks promising, put out some more samples if and when you can...

[Lloydy]

The pigeons look spooky............there's a lot of donut weird shit bokeh there. But, on a positive note, the squirrel is sharp and good, and right at the top of the picture the bokeh appears to be getting a bit less less Dunkin Donuts. There's a range where it has to be said - it's overpowering, but if the shot was more landscape / infinity then that short range would be reduced dramatically, the squirrel would be still sharp, and the picture would be good.
I'm very much tempted towards a short and compact mirror like this, they do have a lot going for them, but they certainly have to be used with regard to the donuts.

[ManualFocus-G]

I actually hate mirror lens bokeh, and the pigeons in this one do freak me out a bit. You're right though, line the shot up carefully and you can get a far more normal looking shot.

[Attila]

Use Oriental style and it will be great , I had several noname mirror lenses, this is count as one of the best ones indeed.

[calvin83]

I tried this and the other T2 mount. Performance is close. This one have the edge in minimum focus distance and the T2 version have edge in focus throw. I keep the T2 mount because it is more easy to focus precisely.

[ManualFocus-G]

A miserable day today, but a few more samples at high ISO. I boosted the blacks again as the lens is low contrast. I was fairly well convinced that all of my shots were out of focus until I got home. I think the problem is with Sony's JPGs which look mushy when previewing RAW images on the LCD screen. The actual output was far better.

#2



#3



#4



#5



#6



#7 (out of focus train)

[AMDBill]

too much harsh donuts ! had it sold it to a asian photographer , they love'd it

[Nordentro]

I love donuts!

[Attila]

Promising lens! Before bush you can make wonderful portraits from your lovely wife, look background on sitting man. I can imagine your wife there as model.

[ManualFocus-G]

[calvin83]

I like #4 very much. It have a nice comb of real and unreal.

[pd1987]

For me it's unusual combination of mirror bokeh and shorter than 500mm focal length. I really like it! Bokeh is disturbing, but that could be a good value.
Goes on my wishlist

[Igor]

very interesting images, crazy bokeh