> Anyone know which are the better mirror lenses - the 500mm f.8 variety? A
> few of them look as though they are made at the same plant with different
> name, different color painted numbers etc.
>
> Any highly recommended? Any to avoid like plague?
I did a bunch of research on this a while ago, and as far as I can tell,
you're right; all the ones selling on e*ay for about $130 or so are
basically the same. Reviews of the Phoenix/Vivitar/etc lens seemed to say
that it was fuzzy, lacked contrast, and in general not worth even the small
amount you'd be paying for it.
So I kept my eyes open and grabbed a Tamron 500/8 SP BBAR for, again, just
over US$100; initial shots suggest that it's a rather nice lens. Sure, the
bokeh is awful (or distinctive, depending on your perspective) but it takes
nice sharp colourful shots, it's surprisingly easy to focus, and it's a lot
smaller and lighter than the equivalent non-mirror lens would be.
Of course, what you _really_ want is the Zuiko 500/8, but those are even
harder to come by, and cost a substantial amount more.
-- dan
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