Reportedly even better than the F 100-300 and just as inexpensive is the FA
80-320/4.5-5.6. I shot Mr. Bear with that lens at 320mm. He's here:
http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=3113513
-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: Godfrey DiGiorgi <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> I've had 300, 500, 600, 800 and 1000mm mirror lenses over the years.
> In general, they suffer from central hotspots, flare, and lack of
> depth of field. Some do perform very nicely, within the limitations
> of the shallow DoF (I recall a Minolta and a Vivitar Series 1 were
> the best I had to work with). The primary benefit is light weight and
> modest size for the focal length.
>
> Most of the shorter, inexpensive lenses in this class aren't worth
> the money. Some of the Russian 500 and 1000mm lenses are good deals,
> but I haven't kept up with them enough to know which.
>
> I'd say that even the much-maligned Pentax F100-300/4.5-5.6 that I
> bought for less than $85 used would be a better performer. Stop it
> down two-three stops and it returns a surprisingly nice image, even
> with a 2x teleconverter, eg:
>
> http://homepage.mac.com/ramarren/photo/PAW5/large/21O4-half.jpg
>
> I only rarely obtained an image with any of the mirror lenses that
> could compete with that...
>
> Godfrey
>
>
> On Feb 6, 2006, at 8:21 AM, Aaron Reynolds wrote:
>
> > I was wondering if anyone here had experience with faster mirror
> > lenses. I saw a lens that tickled my fancy and budget, a 300mm
> > f4.5, and I've been thinking about picking it up.
> >
> > www.rugift.com/photocameras/rubinar_300_lens.htm
> >
> > I'd be primarily using it for baseball, for which I've been
> > stealing Dave Brooks' Sigma 300mm f4. Speed-wise I've been
> > shooting f5.6-ish anyways, so the fixed aperture is not an issue.
> >
> > Part of my interest is the size/weight factor; another part is the
> > desire to differentiate my work. Aside from the donuts, what are
> > the usual characteristics of a mirror lens?
> >
> > I probably shouldn't buy it. If I buy it and hate it, are there
> > any Toronto PDMLers who'd want to buy a slightly used 300mm f4.5
> > for 90% of the price listed at that link?
> >
> > Alternately, is anyone out there looking to sell some longer,
> > faster glass?
> >
> > -Aaron
> >
>
