Mirror Lenses

[JDRoest]

Been offered one cheap, but will need a t-mount for my EOS (apparently).

Obviously, I'm not doing anything professional with it, but are they worth it just to have a play, or a waste of time? And I keep reading about different t-mount ef adaptors and focus confirmation??

[Simpo Two]

Never used one but they're cheap for the length, fixed aperture (usually f8 IIRC so slow), characteristic circular OOF highlights, manual everything. Probably OK for novelty factor/experimenting. Then sell on eBay when bored

[JDRoest]

Simpo Two said:

Probably OK for novelty factor/experimenting. Then sell on eBay when bored

Yeah, that's kinda what I was thinking as well.

I have no intention of ever buying a Lens Baby though. I'm writing it here because if I ever do (or even think it's a good idea), I want someone to quote me put a contract on me.

[14-7]

To be honest I've looked at them and promptly ignored them.

If you want decent picture quality then forget it. Buy a proper lens. There is a reason why they are cheap and I know for one that I'd always be unhappy using one just thinking about what it could be.

[DIW35]

I have one from my old film camera days, so bought an adapter to allow me to use it on my digital camera. It does work, but modern lenses are so much better now. If I didn't already have one, I don't think I'd bother buying one unless I could guarantee that I wouldn't lose money on it when selling it on.

[JDRoest]

So is $45 too much?

[sgrimshaw]

JDRoest said:

So is $45 too much?

Unless it is a brand name, probably "yes".

Take a look on ebay to see how cheap used mirror lenses are.

[Simpo Two]

14-7 said:

If you want decent picture quality then forget it. Buy a proper lens. There is a reason why they are cheap and I know for one that I'd always be unhappy using one just thinking about what it could be.

Theory suggests that they should (could) be cheaper AND higher quality than conventional lenses as they use two mirrors instead of numerous lens elements. Like reflecting telescopes, which aren't shabby.

But if they were very good, no doubt they would then be expensive, so ignore that theory!

[Thunderace]

Some of them were very highly rated against conventional lenses back in the film days, Canon, Tamron and Minolta versions in particular. I bought a Tamron in the 80's to go with Canon film cameras and got decent results with it, it was much easier to handhold than the conventional drainpipe 500mm lenses of the day. Think they were around £250-300 new back then.

Quality was fine, main disadvantage was fixed F8 aperture, out of focus 'doughnut' highlights were an aquired taste.

Still have mine and bought an EF T-mount for it a couple of years ago, but haven't got around to playing with it on a digital body yet.