ProOptic 500mm f/6.3 Manual Focus, T-Mount Mirror Lens

2014-06-08T21:00:00

Great lens for the money.

instantaccess

2013-05-14T21:00:00

Not bad, for the money. Sure, a huge Canon zoom is much better. However, if you just want to have fun and get some crazy nature shots, this is the impulse purchase for you.

Keith C.

2013-05-14T21:00:00

could not use it

Karl

2013-04-08T21:00:00

I am pleased to use the Pro Optic as a long distance lens for wildlife shots. The pictures retain all the color and details I require.

Professor B.

2013-04-08T21:00:00

Has worked well in the short time I have used it, so far no problems.

dalcon

2013-02-04T19:00:00

Excellent choice for long lens, somewhat soft but works well with A setting on Nikon. Some sharping needed but great quality for super long lens, suggest tripod or monopod. Suggest adjustable T mount adapter.

DAVID M.

2012-09-23T21:00:00

Tested this one against the Phoenix brand I had and this one was sharper, but not as sharp as a more expensive model. Works great with APO DSLR to get an effective range of 800MM to shoot the moon.

MICHAEL L.

2012-09-09T21:00:00

The 500mm F6.3 Catadioptric manual lens performed as I expected. I wish the focus ring had a "stop" at infinity. My Nikon D3200 DSLR will not operate in any mode other than manual - it refuses to meter and adjust shutter speed. This is not the lens' fault though. As expected the focus is very touchy, but it is smooth and stable.

jonathan d.

2012-08-20T21:00:00

I had read that this had some slop in the t-ring making it feel like a loose mount - I have not experienced that with mine - goes on and locks in and goes to work. I have shot some long-distance wildlife and some stills. Also used it mounted on my Meade 8" telescope (with a camera mount - for tracking) and made some pretty good astronomy pics. It's a little slow for that, but when you're shooting bulb, that matters very little.

BRAD R.

2012-05-27T21:00:00

I have used it in handheld applications. I always use high shutter speeds even in low light. Once in focus, great results. Low light images can be easily brightened up using free camera software (I used Olympus Master and Olympus Viewer) or less expensive photo software (I have Photoshop Elements)

Matt

2012-05-13T21:00:00

Strictly manual. You can either use a light meter or experiment to get the right exposure. Photos are somewhat fuzzy but can be sharpened in post-processing. Best used with a tripod unless the light is quite bright and you can use a shutter speed that is fast enough to overcome any camera movement. I didn't keep mine for long before I sold it.

John H.

2012-04-29T21:00:00

Good for distance but veeerrry slow. Must use a tripod.

PHILIP O.

2012-03-25T21:00:00

I wanted a 500mm lens for occasional use, but didn't want to pay the big bucks for an all-glass lens. I read the pros and cons of mirror lenses, and decided to give the Pro-Optic 500/6.3 a try. I've used it on APS-C and full-frame DSLRs. Its colors and contrast are acceptable, especially considering that it is a mirror lens. Sharpness is another story, because of the difficulty in obtaining sharp focus. I think this is in part owed to the shallow depth of field. Using a viewfinder magnifier helps, but you still have to rack the focus back and forth, make several exposures, and choose the best one. And, you must have the camera and lens on a massive tripod, use a remote release and mirror-up (if your camera has those features).) If you do everything carefully, you can obtain acceptable images of static subjects. Of course this all takes time, so the lens is not really suitable for photographing wildlife.

Ancient P.

2012-03-11T21:00:00

You can't beat the price of this lens. Unfortunately, it is only usable in strong light and on a tripod. I use this on a DX format Nikon which requires the use of a tripod. It should also be noted that the lens is not properly aligned when mounted on the camera.

PHILIP O.

2012-03-04T19:00:00

use a tripod or monopod of course but if not available, use a Pentax or Olympus digital body that has built in motion suppression in the camera body...Some used OM digital bodies are so cheap now that you could just dedicate that camera with this lens....the amazing photos close up you can do of things as simple as a bush or a flower bed are amazing as you change the focus point without having to move yourself........seems more fun to use it on things close up rather than things far away..... Mirror type lenses have been around a long time but this iteration is pretty darn neat. T-mounts are cheap and available everywhere still as new. Finish and look of this lens is terric...Everybody should own one of these...

RY25L

2012-01-17T19:00:00

An exellent lens for the job in hand and worked well for us and the client.(boating shots).Very well made,but very fragile (to be expected with a lens of this kind).Handle with care!

Michael G.

2012-01-15T19:00:00

I take a lot of pictures of wildlife and landscapes it great for birds in the trees

DEBBIE S.

2011-11-27T19:00:00

not bad for a person getting into wildlife photography with a limited budget but limited by low light i was happy with the results obtained until I could afford a tamron 200-500 zoom

HALTINER T.

2011-09-26T21:00:00

This Pro-Optic/Rokinon/Samyang/ Bower f/6.3 reflex lens is sold under the Kenko/Tokina brand name here in Japan, and what's more, it has a very important accessory. A LENS HOOD! Why this is not available to US buyers is beyond me, as reflex lenses are renowned for their poor contrast, and not having a lens hood only adds to this problem. The lens hood is available for around $50 on-line from Japan, so I'd advise any owner (or prospective buyer) to take the Japanese up on this offer. I have found this to be a very handy accessory to my Olympus E-5, as it gives me an effective focal length of 1000mm @ f/6.3, (although those in the know realize that the DOF doesn't actually change one iota). Great for bird work in particular, as it gives quite impressive feather detail. Of course, no-one can expect it to match the $ behemoths from Canon & Nikon, but it does one heck of a job for under $. Very impressive piece of work for the price.

Yukihyo

2011-09-14T21:00:00

I use the lens mostly for landscape photograhy. There are additional filters that can be purchased that will help control light and contrast. I plan to get a few accessories in the future.

JOHN C.

2011-03-05T19:00:00

Used for "long distance" wildlife. Fixed aperture limits use to daylight with support. For its purpose it is a great lens. Lightweight.

Blair B.

2011-02-19T19:00:00

very usefull for moon photography, but only in manual in my NIKON d80 because the fix aperture

dasadari

2010-09-04T21:00:00

Much larger and heavier than I was expecting, but, overall it does the job and the output is very nice.

Phil M.

2010-05-23T21:00:00

Great for my bird photography! Can't beat the price.

Speed R.

2010-04-29T21:00:00

I see why this type of lens didn't catch on in the film days. Prepare to shoot three to four times as many shots to get one good one. Depth of field is tricky, contrast isn't always great, out of focus elements look funny. But I can't compare it to one of those $5000+ telephoto monsters - because I can't afford one! Face it, if you want 500 mm of reach for under $200 it's going to take some work and compromise. I drive it with a Nikon D5000 and enjoy the technical challenge of getting the good shot.

DANA T.

2010-04-24T21:00:00

A very good lens for the price... not a great lens but very good for shooting wildlife and maybe a full moon...

Norris

2010-03-20T21:00:00

My experience with this lens is good. I dont recommend this for amateurs.

Gabe

2010-03-06T19:00:00

I have an Olympus E-3. Read a review. Saw a photo of moon this guy took using this lens. I had to buy it and try it for myself. So I did. It's great. The Lens have not had much use since I bought it, but this summer this lens will travel with me EVERYWHERE. The photo below was taken during half moon in Feb 2010 by Olympus E-3 with the Pro-optic 500mm lens. ISO100, exposure 2 seconds.

Jeepstang

2010-01-11T19:00:00

While it took some experimenting to get used to I have been very satisfied. I had to tape the contacts in my digital camera when using it with a 2X extender but the results were worth it. I used it with a medium grade tripod with a ball mount head. No noticable shake in long shots. A tripod mount on the lens rim might take a bit of stress off the camera. I have not yet tried any night photography. I do a lot of photomicrograph photography and have T mounts for several brands of cameras. I can attach this lens to each brand with the appropriate T mount which adds to its versitility.

RPB

2010-01-10T19:00:00

You can get some really nice effects with this lens. Lights in the background of a picture have a halo effect which can be really nice. You can get creative with this. a 500mm for this price...worth it!

Niall