Reading mode: Light Dark

Where are the affordable big prime lenses?

Go to last post
P

PeteZ28

Forum Enthusiast
Messages
327
Reaction score
0
Location
Central, NJ, US
I am talking about lenses in the 400-600mm range. Why no 500mm f5.6 lenses for example? Plenty of zooms out there in the $1,000~ range that are close to that, but all seem to have the normal complaints about zooms at max range such as softness, pincushion, etc. The Sigma 170-500, for example, comes to mind.

Sigma had a 500mm f4.5 APO several years back that they no longer seem to make that was half the cost of a Nikon 500mm f2.8. Allegedly with a 1.4x TC it would still autofocus on most bodies. Great lens and when the budget opens up a bit I may look for a used one, but still demanding $1800+ second hand.

Looking at the relatively low cost of the "slow" superzooms, I would think an f5.6 prime could be priced in the $600-$800 range for a long tele prime and with better image quality (ie, less comprimises) than a superzoom. I'm not talking about those cheapie lenses you see on Ebay, but a good, consumer quality lens from Nikon, Sigma, Tamron, or Tokina.

Am I missing something here? I think those of us that like to shoot sports and wildlife as a hobby but do not have a $6,000 bankroll would make such a product worth producing.

Anyone else with me?

--



http://www.flickr.com/photos/_pete/
 
I tried a Sigma 170-500, Tamron 200-400 and ended up buying a used Nikkor 500f4P lens...there is no comparison. Good long glass is expensive to manufacture.

Canon makes a very good 400f5.6 for about $1300 you could dedicate it to a Canon body for another $1000 (rebel or used 30d) or you could go with the Nikkor 80-400VR for $1300 which I use a lot more than the 500f4P and is a pretty good lens.
Boris
--
Stubborn and ardent clinging to one's opinion is the best proof of stupidity.
Michel de Montaigne

http://public.fotki.com/borysd/
http://www.pbase.com/borysd
 
eBay. I bought a 400mm f3.5 ED MF, and it even has a chip on the front element, but it still takes gorgeous pictures. Definitely a user, but got it for 600 dollars, and it was well worth it.

Sure, I'd love to have AF, but as you say, if one is not a pro, options are limited.
--
Eric
http://www.pbase.com/cerumen
My website: http://www.insectography.com
 
Yes the 400f3.5 is a sharp lens I bought one real cheap years ago with a rather large scratch on the front element, as long as you kept the sun out of the frame you would never know by looking at the images.
Boris



--
Stubborn and ardent clinging to one's opinion is the best proof of stupidity.
Michel de Montaigne

http://public.fotki.com/borysd/
http://www.pbase.com/borysd
 
300mm f/4 AF-S + 1.7 TC.

bit more expensive, but gives you great IQ and for $1500 you cant go wrong.

personally, for $6000 less than a 500/4, you get decent IQ (not at all comparable to the 500, but still good enough for a 13x19 print), decent AF, smaller lens (big plus!) and only a 1.5 stop difference.
--
chris!

 
A 500mm lens needs a shutter speed of 1/500th or higher or very good VR. At 1/500th and f5.6 the lens is only going to be suitable for very bright light conditions.
Best option for inexpensive telephotos are the f8 mirror lenses.

For every 50mm there is a 1x magnification. At 500mm it becomes 10x which also magnifies any problems with the lens optics. At that size the lens needs better construction and much less use of plastic to keep everything in alignment. This all adds to the cost of the lens construction.

Unfortunately many amateur photographers want to take sports or wildlife photographs on a small budget but these forms of photography require the most from a lens and are the most expensive areas of photography to pursue. Now if you were doing portrait photography you could buy a D40 and a 50mm f1.8 lens and never look back.
 
I just recently purchased a used Nikon 500mm f8 reflex, type-c (not the most recent version but second generation). I am trying to learn to use it. Had a chance to use a cheap 500mm reflex (Cambron) and found it to produce soft, low-constrast and dull color pictures. You can see my thread listed below. Also, focusing is very difficult for me. Do you have any advice on how to get the best out of the mirror lens?

Thanks.

Previous thread
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1030&thread=24937229
Cameranserai said:
I bought my Nikkor 500mm f8 mirror lens second handf from a big Nikon
dealer, Gray's of Westminster, 10 years back and only paid £200 for
it in mint condition. It's a manual lens but for what I needed it for
at te time it was fun. It is so light too. They have one in stock now
I see:-

http://www.graysofwestminster.co.uk/products/secondhand.php?cat1=3
Click to expand...
 
Cameranserai said:
I bought my Nikkor 500mm f8 mirror lens second handf from a big Nikon
dealer, Gray's of Westminster, 10 years back and only paid £200 for
it in mint condition. It's a manual lens but for what I needed it for
at te time it was fun. It is so light too. They have one in stock now
I see:-

http://www.graysofwestminster.co.uk/products/secondhand.php?cat1=3
Click to expand...
Wow these guys are expensive with their 2nd hand gear.

My new light grey 70-200 vr arrived today and was $500aud cheaper new than they are selling 2nd hand for.
Shop around, you will find better prices for 2nd hand and sometimes new gear.
Tim
 
timslights said:
Shop around, you will find better prices for 2nd hand and sometimes
new gear.
Click to expand...
Welcom to europe. Prices are incl. tax. That mean 22 - 31% more than the excl. tax price in the US. And prices where set on a moment the US$ was 1.22 and now 1.40 for a euro. So you can see european prices 30 to 40% higher than the US price if you buy now.
 
pmong said:
Do you have any advice on how to get the best out of the mirror
lens?
Click to expand...
hi .. I replied to your original enquiry but it seems not to have posted. i've noticed the DPreview server sometimes crashes in the middle of a reply ... :(

there are a number of considerations -- but i'll just post a few:

1. use a monopod or some other steady support and shoot at a minimum 1/250 second. (adjustable ISO). the keeper rate really drops below this speed. 1/500 would be better but the monopod should give you an extra stop.
2. use a 2x magnifier to help achieve critical focus. i prefer the DR-6.

3. keep your sensor clean. especially if you add a TC. narrow apertures will punctuate any dust present.

i also photograph down by the pier -- usually during "arlington west." it's a target rich environment. the 500mm f8 is an essential part of my kit. good luck. :-)

the born 2 luv mirror lenses
design guy
 
montereyphoto said:

"A 500mm lens needs a shutter speed of 1/500th or higher or very good VR. At 1/500th and f5.6 the lens is only going to be suitable for very bright light conditions"

I would like for him to please explain himself. . . I shoot the 500 with a 1.4 at f/8 and a shutter speed less, farrrrrr less than optimum and get super images. . . 1/60 is okay if your subject does not move. . .
 
PeteZ28 said:
Sigma had a 500mm f4.5 APO several years back that they no longer
seem to make that was half the cost of a Nikon 500mm f2.8. Allegedly
with a 1.4x TC it would still autofocus on most bodies. Great lens
and when the budget opens up a bit I may look for a used one, but
still demanding $1800+ second hand.
Click to expand...
The 500f4.5 APO is still available in Sigma's current EX DG range (street price of £2500 in the UK). It's a terrific lens. But in my experience the latest firmware (needed for AF-on with the D200) makes the AF too jittery to lock with either a Kenko or a taped Sigma 1.4xTC. it worked okay with eitherr before the firmware 'upgrade'.

Matt
 
Matt1962 said:
The 500f4.5 APO is still available in Sigma's current EX DG range
(street price of £2500 in the UK). It's a terrific lens. But in my
experience the latest firmware (needed for AF-on with the D200) makes
the AF too jittery to lock with either a Kenko or a taped Sigma
1.4xTC. it worked okay with eitherr before the firmware 'upgrade'.

Matt
Click to expand...
Duh! Now I see it. I think the $5,400 price tag threw me off that it was the same lens. Based on used prices, I did not think they were nearly that much a few years ago. Also I had not realized the Pound was 2:1 to the US dollar! Yay I love our "service economy".

--



http://www.flickr.com/photos/_pete/
 
A Nikkor ED 400mm AIS f/5.6ED lens is going off on eBay in about three hours. Located in Miami, FL, with good seller feedback.

Seller wants $829. I don't know if this is a good price or not, but the lens looks to be in good shape. Item #290162421436.

Let your conscience be your guide. FWIW, Bjorn Rorslett rates it pretty well, but your desire for a brand-new good quality long lens at 5.6 for $600-800 might be pretty optimistic.

I doubt there are many "consumers" out there that would spring $800 for a long telephoto. And those that want or need or think they need really long focal lengths will be likely to bite the bullet and spend their cash on pro-quality optics. I'd love a "good consumer quality" 200-400 f/4, but they already make a pro model. Why cannibalize thier own market with a bunch of so-so redundant lenses at 5.6?

I have the Tamron 200-400 f/5.6. Don't use it much now, but for $379 new, it was a great lens. I bought it when I was on a budget, and I can never understand why people denigrate it. What kind of super-telephoto zoom did they expect for under $400? Geez, get a grip, people!
--
Kevin
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top