Hello Jan,
I found a small test in a magazine called 'Practical Photography' of
October 1989. It is not to detailed with measurements or other
figures, I guess because it's a magazine for real amateurs.
I'll quote the verdict, and then list the information about the
lenses you can choose from (i.e. with OM-mount). Note that Leica did
seem to have a 500 mirror in 1989.
"Verdict
Most of the ten mirror lenses performed competently. On the whole the
independents did well and their performance is creditable bearing in
mind their competitive pricing. Honourable mentions must go to the
models from Sigma and Tokina.
Among the marque makes, overall performance was found to be very
impressive. Leica's mirror is beautifully made and turns in excellent
pictures. The Olympus reflex is compact as well as capable while the
Minolta is the rising star. It's arguably the best of the bunch
delivering sharp, punchy images and there's the added benefit, to
Dynax owners, of autofocusing."
"Olympus 500mm f/8 480 pounds
Small in stature, as always with many Zuiko optics, but a lens you
could climb mountains with. A broad rubberised focusing ring (minimum
setting 4m) but there's no provision for smaller, rear-mounted
filters.
No doubt about it, the Zuiko is a top class mirror optic. Images
revealed a healthy degree of contrast, superb definition in the
centre of the frame and only slight softening towards the edges.
Filters 72mm
Minimum focus 4m
Weight 575 g."
"Sigma 600mm f/8 255 pounds
Currently the longest focal length mirror optic among the independent
brands, and certainly a lot of lens for the money. Finished, for a
change, in an attractive steely grey, the Sigma is a sturdy, chunky
design but an efficient one, nonetheless. A wide rubber grip enables
an excellent closest focus of 2m to be reached. To protect the front
element, a really deep accessory lens hood screws on. At the rear
there's a locking collar to adjust the tripod mound for vertical or
horizontal formats, and a neat filter insert - five filters come as
standard.
In use the Sigma turned in a most commendable performance. Central
parts of the image were quite crisp, with excellent contrast, while
definition at the edges held up pretty well. Flare well controled
thanks largeley to the deep, supplied lens hood.
Filters 95mm front, 30,5 slide in
Minimum focus 2m
Weight 1075 g"
"Tamron 500mm f/8 240 pounds
Tamron's 500mm catadioptric has been around for a good while, but the
excellence of the design is obvious. Ther very wide focusing arrel
rotates right round until it pointes to 1.7m - an incredible
close-focusing facility. The lens also comes complete with a deep
accessory hood, a removable, rotating tripod mount and four small
rear-position filters.
On test the Tamron lived up to its reputation - it's not a world
beater but an effective performer for the money. Results displayed
high contrast, which tended to conceal a fractionally dull result in
terms of central definition. The edges of our lens were more than
adequate, however. Another Tamron 500mm I tried was sharp as a tack
in center-frame, so perhaps the test lens was just a poor sample.
With its deep hood, flare should present no problems.
Filters 82mm front/30.5 mm rear
Minimum focus 1.7m
Weight 570 g"
"Tokina 500mm f/8 200 pounds
Measuring just 88mm in length, Tokina's mirror optic is one of the
smallest on the market. Neat in every way, this lens exudes quality.
It's silky focusing mechanism quickly swoops on subjects just 2.8 m
away. Three small filters are provided for rear-mounting.
Optically the Tokina is a very useful performer, but not up with the
Minoltas and Leicas of the mirror world. Then again, neither is the
price. Image contrast is fine, while central and edge sharpness are
perfectly adequate.
Filters 35.5 mm rear
Minimum focus 1.5m.
Weight 462 g."
I omitted a Sirius lens with T2 mount, it was the worst lens in the
test.
Succes with your selection.
Frank Wijsmuller.
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