Sony 500mm F8 Mirror Lens SAL-500F80 DISCONTINUED

[CBass]

Sony 500mm f/8 Mirror Lens DISCONTINUED

(NOTE: This lens is optically identical to the Minolta 500mm f/8 Mirror Lens)

Description:

From Sony:
The world's only super telephoto reflex lens with auto-focus capability. Its reflex design gives the amazing SAL-500F80 super telephoto lens a short barrel and compact, lightweight design, ideal for field work on wilderness and nature assignments. And its auto-focus capability makes it unique among reflex lenses of this class. Mounted to a Sony ? α DSLR with APS-C sized sensor, this lens provides a field of view equivalent to a 750mm lens on a 35mm camera. This lens also takes advantage of Sony's in-camera Super SteadyShot® image stabilization system to reduce blur by compensating for shaky hands.

Compact Reflex Design Its reflective optical system provides super-long telephoto performance in a compact, lightweight design that’s easier to carry on field assignments.

Focus Hold Button For full creative control, a focus hold button located on the lens can lock auto-focusing.

No Chromatic Aberration Reflective optics eliminate the chromatic aberrations that can affect image quality in refractive telephoto lenses, so images are extremely sharp and clear.

Auto-Focus Operation It’s the world’s only super telephoto reflex lens with auto-focus capability, making it ideal for wildlife assignments where events happen fast and you must react quickly to catch the shot.

Shutter-speed Exposure Control At fixed f/8 aperture, the exposure is controlled by varying the camera shutter speed and using a neutral-density snap-on filter.


Performance:

• Focal Length 500 mm
• Comparable APS-C Focal Length: 750 mm
• Aperture Maximum: f/8, Minimum: f/8
• Camera Mount Type Sony Alpha, Minolta AF
• Format Compatibility 35mm Film / Full-Frame Digital Sensor, DSLR (APS-C Sensor)
• Angle of View 4.9 deg
• Minimum Focus Distance 13' (4.0m)
• Magnification x 0.13
• Groups/Elements 5/7

Features:

• Image Stabilization: No
• Autofocus: Yes
• Tripod Collar: No

Specifications:

• Filter Thread: Internal
• Dimensions (DxL): Approx. 3 5/8 x 4 3/4” (89 x 118mm)
• Weight: 1lb 7oz (665g)

User Reviews:

• B&H Photo user reviews HERE
• Amazon user reviews HERE
• Adorama user reviews HERE

Where To Buy:

DISCONTINUED

How To Post Sample Images:

We ask that members please post their own sample photos taken with this particular lens in order to give others that may be in the market to purchase one and idea of how well it handles. When posting sample photos we ask that you do so like the example below in regards to including any and all EXIF data such as camera body used, aperture, shutter speed, ISO etc. This will help out a great deal.

Example:

Canon EOS-5D Mark II : Canon EF 35 f/1.4L : 25 Seconds : f/5.6 : 100 ISO : 35mm : Aperture Priority Mode : -1/3 Bias : No Flash

[CBass]

All Shots taken with a Sony A100

1). 500mm F/8 1/250sec ISO-400 Aperture Priority +.3 Step

2). 500mm F/8 1/320sec ISO-200 Aperture Priority -.3 Step

3). 500mm F/8 1/640sec ISO-400 Aperture Priority 0 step

4). 500mm F/8 1/250sec ISO-400 Manual Mode 0 step

5). 500mm F/8 1/160sec ISO-200 Manual Mode 0 Step

6). 500mm F/8 1/800sec ISO-200 Manual Mode 0 step

7). 500mm F/8 1/250sec ISO-200 Manual Mode 0 step

8). 500mm F/8 1/20sec ISO-100 Manual Mode 0 step

9). 500mm F/8 1/20sec ISO-200 Aperture Priority 0 step

10). 500mm F/8 1/250sec ISO-200 Aperture Priority 0 step

[Cope]

When I was shooting Minolta, I almost bought that lens. When I went KM 7D, I looked and looked, but the deals were always gone just before I found out about them. The 500mm f8 Mirror lens is an often maligned and misunderstood lens. I guess that's because no one else ever made one AF!

[Darien]

Very nice. I was debating about saving up for one for sporting events but I don't know anyone who owns one or truly "test drove" it.