Vivitar 500mm f/8.0 Mirror Lens

2008-12-31
I just got this used Vivitar 500mm f/8.0. I don't shoot long focal length but I find the price cheap enough to give it a try. I was hoping that it is a Vivitar from Kiron or Komine. But I see the serial number starting with 6 and it is made in Korea, probably why I get it for cheap.

This is lens is extremely small, it is almost the same size like my Tamron 90mm f/2.8 1:1 Macro (non-Di)


Vivitar 500mm f/8.0 with 1:2.7 close up

next to Tamron 90mm f/2.8 1:1 Macro (non-Di)
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A T mount on the back
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Close up 1:2.7
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This mirror lens is amazingly small and light. And I wish it heavier to help stabilize the shot. I only did few test shots, sharpness seems reasonable but I see quite flat color and contrast but I have cloudy day in my city today. Please excuse the poor view in this reference shot, the light red tower is located to the left of the red Mini car and Marriott is the right of the the Mini


A 28mm view of a Towel & Marriott hotel in a distance
in a hazy day

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The Marriott is in a far distance, at least 7 blocks
away from the point of shooting
color boosted in post processing
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I did this in a hurry
as the plain turns away from me
user fault in the focusing
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The normal place that I visit in Vivitar Lens Manufactuers seems to suggest Olympus but I find it from others that my Vivitar is similar to Opteka and Kalimar brand


Impressions & Notes
  • I won't recommend fully on this mirror lens from Vivitar. If your focus is occasional use for tele-shot, by all means, try it but don't have high expectation on this mirror lens, you get what you pay for.

  • The Tele shot in 500mm is reasonable in sharpness but it is all flat in color and contrast.

  • The lens is compact and easy to work with in hand-held operation but I will suggest use of a tripod as the lightweight in this mirror lens hinders the shot stability when I try it.

  • Contrast and color are all flat, one need to tune saturation and contrast on this mirror lens. I used Vibrant image color tone in K20D and it seems to improve the shot a bit. Post processing is needed to boost color and contrast.

  • Lens is reasonable in construction but it is too light to get a stabilize shot in both close up and tele settings.

  • Lens can be used in Av mode as all the metering is done wide open with a single aperture. There is no need to do stop-down metering.

  • The close up in 1:2.7x is a joke only for spec purpose, but in reality, I can't get a single shot with satisfaction. Please don't rely on this mirror lens for close up as you will be very disappointed.

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Welcome to Hin's Photo Corner, this is my learning blog on photography, blogging and advertising. And I hope you enjoy your visit. For contact, please comment in blog post or email me directly hintheman at gmail.com.

 

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