7 replies to this topic

[Jackmancer]

Heya Autosport forum. I have a 1984 200mm telelens for my Panasonic camera, but want to upgrade for something with more zoom. I'm interested in a 500 MM mirror lens, because it's light, cheap and portable. I only wonder if it's suited for F1 photography as opposed to a conventional lens.

 

I don't like the bokeh produced by a mirror lens, but if I'm following the cars sideways I suppose that won't be a problem.

 

This is an example of what I mean with a mirror lens: https://en.wikipedia...eflex_500mm_f/8

Edited by Jackmancer, 27 July 2017 - 11:46.

[David Lawson]

I used a 500mm mirror lens for F1, National and club car racing through the 1990s and into the 2000s.

 

It took a bit of getting used to as I had to manually focus and with the speed of F1 as well as the fairly narrow depth of field the lens produced (fixed f8) my success rate was only about 50/60%. That was in the days of film but with digital today the success rate isn't so much of a problem. I never had a problem with bokeh, in fact it produced nice images with blurred reflections in the background.

 

I have no idea how current mirror lenses compare to my old one so my info might be out of date....

 

David 

[Marc Sproule]

i would expect that using a lens like that for panning would that using a lens that long for panning would result in a lot of image shake if there is no image stabilization available.

 

i used a 600mm mirror in the '70s and '80s and never had any success when using it for panning.

 

i liked the look when i did get it properly focused shooting head on.......

 

https://www.flickr.c...57647317979377/

 

https://www.flickr.c...57623186773769/

 

https://www.flickr.c...57623186773769/

 

 

[E1pix]

If you have a decent capture and insist on a long lens on the cheap (overall, a very compromised notion), I'd buy a used 300 f/4 or 4.5 with a same-factory 1.4x and crop down.

Meaning, in reality I'd settle on less focal length of a high quality.

[Jackmancer]

i would expect that using a lens like that for panning would that using a lens that long for panning would result in a lot of image shake if there is no image stabilization available.

 

i used a 600mm mirror in the '70s and '80s and never had any success when using it for panning.

 

i liked the look when i did get it properly focused shooting head on.......

 

https://www.flickr.c...57647317979377/

 

https://www.flickr.c...57623186773769/

 

https://www.flickr.c...57623186773769/

 

That's great! Thanks — I finally get to see how mirror lenses look in motorracing! I quite like that!

[ericok]

I've had experience using a mirror lens at F1 races. I made a blog about it:

 

http://myphotoformul...irror-lens.html

[Paul Hurdsfield]

I have a Tamron SP 500 mirror lens, with an adaptall 2 mount for Pentax K, in the original leather case  for sale if you are interested.

[FJuan]

I recently went to the F1 race in Silver stone earlier this year.

I'd love to know your thoughts on my highly professional photography.