What's the longest focal length for EF-mount mirror lens?

[cyrn]

As above?

Any one know what's the longest FL mirror lens that is in the market currently?

Thanks

[JackProton]

I don't believe I'm aware of any mirror lenses currently being made explicitly for EF-mount. Maybe that's not what you were asking? There are a number of T-mount and M42 mount mirrors and some of these are also sold with EOS mount conversions. I would definitely avoid the cheap plastic Korean 500mm models though.

There are some Russian m42 mount mirror lenses still being made which can be fitted to EOS mount. The longest focal length is 1000mm. Some of these lenses won't fit EOS cameras easily due to their size and may require camera mods or a teleconverter for use as a spacer. Check out http://rugift.com/photocameras/astrophotography-camera-sets.htm

I'm curious what you're interested in using these for.

[jorj7]

I have a EF mount Sigma 600mm mirror lens. I don't know if it's still made (doubt it),
or if it's the longest...But it works on my 20D and 350D. I haven't tried it on the 1D,
but figure it should work.

[gasrocks]

There are some consumer grade 1000mm out there. And, longer if you have the BIG bucks.

[prep]

Canon do a 2400 mirror lens that they used to sell with FD or a tv mount. I guess a large lump of folding would get you one with an EF mount. Prob no af though...

[cyrn]

thanks for the reply.

I'm looking for long FL mirror lens because I assumed that when taking photos of birds, the DOF would be little and thus can minimise those circular bokeh. I'm looking for 1000mm and above.

Hoping to get one for EF mount without the need for converters. I don't think currently there's AF for mirror lens, so I'm prepared for a MF lens.

Canon got a 2400mm FD mirror lens :eek: that would be cool if it is still available and can be used on EF mounts. If so, I'll definately try to get one.

[fWord]

I'm pretty sure that there's at least an 800mm mirror lens for Canon's old FD mount. This is amongst the range of original Canon lenses. I doubt if Canon itself made any mirror lenses of late.

Move over to other brands and my guess is that the skies the limit.

The photos I've seen from mirror lenses do demonstrate the donut bokeh phenomenon which you mentioned, and I don't think narrowing the DOF is going to change that. I'm thinking that it might be even more visible as DOF gets narrower with increased magnification (ie. closer working distance and/ or longer focal length).

MF isn't going to be easy on a mirror lens. Most of the time the aperture will be very small at f/8 or even f/10, and it's fixed. The viewfinder will be very dark. If you're running off a 1-series camera, there is a personal function that allows the camera to shoot automatically when a subject comes into preset focusing distance.

I've tried it with my lenses (though they are short and nowhere near the FL of a mirror lens) and it works reasonably well.

[JackProton]

thanks for the reply.

I'm looking for long FL mirror lens because I assumed that when taking photos of birds, the DOF would be little and thus can minimise those circular bokeh. I'm looking for 1000mm and above.

The DOF can actually be so small that you can have the bird's eyes in focus and the beak out of focus. A small DOF also means you'll be seeing lots of dount shaped bokeh. These mirror lenses are also usually rather slow and the lack of an aperture diaphram makes it impossible to adjust the DOF.

I'm not a birder but I usually use a 70-300mm with a 2X teleconverter. I've also used an inexpensive C-90 mac spotting scope with a t-mount. I'd encourage you to find out what the other birders are using. Mirror lenses are great for the Moon and maybe Jupiter but...


Hoping to get one for EF mount without the need for converters. I don't think currently there's AF for mirror lens, so I'm prepared for a MF lens.

Canon got a 2400mm FD mirror lens :eek: that would be cool if it is still available and can be used on EF mounts. If so, I'll definately try to get one.

I advise you to avoid FD mount lenses. Due to the physical differences between FD and EOS mounts, you'll need a special converter/adapter with a built-in lens in order to achieve infinity focus on an EOS camera.

[cyrn]

The DOF can actually be so small that you can have the bird's eyes in focus and the beak out of focus. A small DOF also means you'll be seeing lots of dount shaped bokeh. These mirror lenses are also usually rather slow and the lack of an aperture diaphram makes it impossible to adjust the DOF.

I'm not a birder but I usually use a 70-300mm with a 2X teleconverter. I've also used an inexpensive C-90 mac spotting scope with a t-mount. I'd encourage you to find out what the other birders are using. Mirror lenses are great for the Moon and maybe Jupiter but...



I advise you to avoid FD mount lenses. Due to the physical differences between FD and EOS mounts, you'll need a special converter/adapter with a built-in lens in order to achieve infinity focus on an EOS camera.

thanks.

so scopes might be better, hmmm... have not considered scopes before. I'll have to do some research then. I know Nikon makes some great scopes. :)

[JackProton]

thanks.

so scopes might be better, hmmm... have not considered scopes before. I'll have to do some research then. I know Nikon makes some great scopes. :)

You'll probably be disappointed with the quality of the cheap scopes. They can't compare to L-glass.