Vivitar 800mm f/8 Mirror Lens

2011-03-12T19:00:00

Image is unacceptably soft. In comparison test with a Nikon 80-400mm lens, the 800mm lens was about 1-½ stops under exposed, suggesting that it was more like an f/9.6 lens than the stated f/8. Also, a cropped portion of the same field of view from the 80-400mm was sharper, even when re-sized up to a full-sized image size from the camera. The comparison of both lenses was made under identical conditions: same subject, same light, same time, using the stated aperture of f/8, at ISO 200, and a shutter speed of 1/800 sec, as determined by an incident light meter reading. The image was made on a carbon fiber tripod, using the self timer at 5 seconds to eliminate camera shake.

Stanley B.

2010-08-27T21:00:00

It is lightweight, but use a tripod and shutter release cable to get the best picture. As with all long telephoto lens, the field of view is very narrow. With a DSLR the lens works out to have an effective focal length of 1280mm. Great for wildlife. I have not had the chance to use it in the field yet, just some test pictures in the backyard.

WES G.