Gotta love freebies. 500mm lens

[ChrisN]

Hey.

I was chatting with a friend of mine about camera's and he told me that he had an older 500mm lens that was never used sitting in his basement in a case. He has no idea how to use it but said if it fit, I could have it for free.

I looked it over and decided to take it. I know it is not the best lens in the world but for free, who can turn it down, even just for practice.??

Anyhow, it is fully manual, but have no idea how to use it. I would appreciate if someone could be so kind in showing me to a place on the web where I could figure out all the details and dials or if someone wants to do a quick rundown of the dials that would be cool too.

It is a Kalimar 500MM f8 lens.

Basically it has a from 35-500ft dial. And then a ring for what I presume is the Aperature F8-22. Has a smaller dial behind it from 0-C ??? Focus I presume? Strangely when I dial the F ring the 0-C ring slowly gets a smaller turn radius (term?)..

I assume that most lenses are the same, but if I sound spaced out and have confused you, I can take a picture of the lens. I would really like to try it out but with all the numbers and dials, but sadly I am confused :shock: :? and think I will just get frustrated trying to figure out how it all fits together.

Oh. And is this lens of any quality? I cannot find anything on the Kalimar line of lenses (might indicate its age LOL )
Anyone?

Thanks again.

[Jim_T]

I did a quick google and found a site that lists the 500mm f/8 Kalimar lens for sale, (but doesn't provide any user info).

http://www.cambridgeworld.com/kalimarlens.htm

It's a current lens and it goes new for $119.95 US, so I imagine it isn't the highest quality lens there is out there :) ....... I'm guessing it belongs to the Samyang/Phoenix family out of Korea... Samyang/Phonix 500mm f/8 lenses go for about the same price.. If I recall correctly, they use 'high grade optical plastic' for the lens elements.. (seriously)

Does the lens have an EOS mount.. ? (Will it fit on your Rebel ?) Generally these lenses have some odd universal mount and offer adapters for EOS, Nikon, Minolta etc..

Since the lens isn't an EOS lens, you'll have to shoot in full manual mode all the time.. Your distance dial should be the focus and the other one should control the aperture.. It should be graduated from f/8 to whatever the maximum is.

Always remember.. the bottom line is.. You can't beat free.. :).... Have fun with it..

[Jon]

It's probably a "Preset" T-mount lens - no coupling to any meters, the "O-C" stand for Open or Closed (stopped down) aperture. You set the "O-C" (preset) ring to C for metering, and to actually take the picture, and O to compose, with the lens wide open.

[ChrisN]

great info.

It does fit my camera, I was extra, extra careful in attempting to mount it before commiting to actual metal to metal contact.

It is a "Made in Korea" lens, so your presumption is most likely correct, but free is free and if it helps me learn the manual settings, then I will take any experience I can have thrown at me.

Tell me something..... (Please consider the following scenario)
I have this lens mounted, I am in full Manual (M) mode.
I have the target in sight say.... 400 feet away. I turn the distance to 400ft and microadjust to clear things up focus wise. I then turn the lens Aperture ring to F11 (for instance) and turn the O-C Ring to C to get ready to take the shot. What do I do with the Camera?
Do I:
Set the Aperature on the camera to match what I have chosen for the Lens or can I (do I) choose something else?
I assume a good rule of thumb for shutter speed is lens length or faster? for instance, 500mm = 1/500 or faster?


What you both have described sounds wholy feasible even with my meager experience. I am going to try this baby out tonight.

[timmyquest]

*wheewh*

For a second i thought someone gave a 500mm EF L lens :shock:

[Andy_T]

Chris,

you might just want to try it out and see what happens.

Maybe use a tripod, as you'll have to use a smaller aperture.

Best regards,
Andy

[Jon]

Ignore the camera's aperture setting. Just use the lens' aperture setting and the shutter speed adjustments in Manual exposure mode to set the exposure.

[stuartf287]

I have used old manual mirror lenses and a Peleng fisheye similar to your Kalimar (although the mirror lenses are not pre-set) and have found that they all work on my 10D and D60 in Av mode. If you set Av mode, your camera should display "00" for the aperture (which means that the camera is not receiving any signal from the lens as to the aperture setting). When you take a picture the camera's meter should automatically set the shutter speed to produce an appropriate exposure. You will need to open the aperture (manually on the lens) to compose, and then shut it down manually (to the "C" or closed setting) to take the picture and meter the exposure. As someone else suggested, you can do the same thing in manual mode but why set the shutter speed yourself when the camera will do it for you? Good luck.

[kawter2]

*wheewh*

For a second i thought someone gave a 500mm EF L lens :shock:



Keeping with the spirit of this thread, I think someone should give me a 500mm L or any other L lens (cause I dont have one yet)


PleasePleasePlease, I design your website, or give you odd things or something

**backs away from the coffee pot**

[ron chappel]

Hi Chris
As others rightly say,you have an old preset,manual focus T-mount lens.
Sounds like you're in luck and it came with the appropriate EOS adapter allready screwed onto it :D
If you want to use it on any other camera brands ,it's a simple matter of buying the appropriate adapter.

These lenses are made in many different brand names such as Kalimar,tamron-popular,kuminor,promura,etc .They are optically *OK*.
-a fair bit better than the cheap mirror lenses (especially in contrast) but nothing like a canon L or nikkor prime obviously!

Here are a couple of pics i took with an identical lens (promura 500/8)

http://members.dodo.net.au/~l8r_ron/index_3.html

Of interest,there are also 400mm f6.3 lenses nearly identical to these(identical shape,also made in a variety of brands)
the previous page of the above address has some examples from one such lens -flexar 400/6.3

Overall ,the good points are-
good build
good colour and contrast
reasonable resolution
surprisingly easy to get in focus (for an MF lens on an AF camera)


The bad points-
Woefull close focus performance!!!!! :evil:
Large size compared to a mirror lens

If you are mechanically inclined it is quite easy on some of these to modify the focus limiter to get closer focus.

As Stuart says,simply put the camera in Av mode for automatic metering with these (and any other) manual lenses.Choose an aperture setting and the camera does the rest.

The Open/Close ring next to the aperture ring is for easier/more accurate focusing.
Keep it closed for metering or taking the picture (and focusing if you are lazy like me :lol: )
Open it to focus more accurately and easily if you want to

[ChrisN]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I tried it a bit last night, and think that with what everyone has said has taken the fear of using this lens away.

I must admit that I was very very intimidated by it, when I first got it home.

I am not afraid of experimenting, but am finding that I get awefully frustrated when things don't work out right away (those who know me well think (probably rightly so) that I am impatient). I took up photography to try to reduce frustration, hmmm, is it working? time will tell.

The main reason, I ask the questions I do is to try to overcome a few pitfalls before going out and playing around, therefore minimizing the frustration factor.

Thanks everyone, for being clear, consice and helpful too boot. I will post some pics later next week in the share of what I have created. I am hitting up Agawa Canyon this weekend to see the fall colurs (through an eyepiece LOL )

[Roamingbull]

Did you ever get an opportunity to post some of those pics. I just purchased one for 30 bucks, Ive seen these out there and was courious. Now I just need to paint it white and put a red line around it ha ha.

[arentol]

Holy dead-thread resurrection Batman!

[m.c.chavez]

7 year gap... bw!

[ct1co2]

I may be going out on a limb here, but I'm doubting the original OP will have any pics to share....as the last time they logged in was 5yrs ago.

[KVN Photo]

7 year gap... bw!

Ha, this is cool. :D

[Roamingbull]

Yep....Just thought I might jog a response. All though, Ill admit....I did not pay much attention to the time span. That is funny.

[Geejay]

Hmm.....

When my father passed away last year, I inherited his camera gear which included an A1 an AE1 and some lenses, one of which is an old Photax 500mm f8... Must get a T2-EOS mount and see what it could do. Not expecting much..

[Roamingbull]

I think it could be fun.

I got this guy for 30 bucks so what the heck. I'm actually looking forward to getting it, and messing around with it. If anything, if I can achieve some decent shots with it, Ill be better off when I can someday afford I higher grade lens with the same focal length. I understand Canon just came out with a 500 which I am sure I cant afford right now. I will post some pics when I get it....and I promise it wont be five years

[DreDaze]

I will post some pics when I get it....and I promise it wont be five years

i'm reviving this thing in 5 years if you don't...:lol:

[TeamSpeed]

http://teamspeed.smugmug.com/Electronics/Miscellaneous-Items/forfun/1211176789_vKL2s-O.jpg

Since the OP hasn't logged in for 5 years, I figure I will post what I think would have happened. :)

[PicSniper]

http://teamspeed.smugmug.com/Electronics/Miscellaneous-Items/forfun/1211176789_vKL2s-O.jpg

Since the OP hasn't logged in for 5 years, I figure I will post what I think would have happened. :)

LMAO!!! :lol:

You just never know what you'll get here on POTN! I feel like Forrest Gump's box of chocolates...

[20DNewbie]

http://teamspeed.smugmug.com/Electronics/Miscellaneous-Items/forfun/1211176789_vKL2s-O.jpg

Since the OP hasn't logged in for 5 years, I figure I will post what I think would have happened. :)

OMG, this has to be the best post of all time! :lol::lol::lol:

[Roamingbull]

Ha ha maybe I got mine from him on Ebay! Ill bet I can write a script about it, something like the evil lens that stalks POTN Members...with a JAWS Theme song in the background. Or perhaps a SNL comeback with a twist (a knock at the door.........a pause, then....... "Land Lens")

[Roamingbull]

So I got the lens, and took it out for a few quick test shots. Actually found this to be a cool little lens. Tends to have somewhat of a soft focus, but that is probably due to the fact I did these without a tripod which, for any clarity at all you would need.

The T-Mount it came with is a little sketchy, I was a bit hesitant to put it on the 50D but it clicked in fairly nice. There is an inner ring that is somewhat loose, but Im sure I can tighten that up.

Just because I did promise to post some pics soon, here are a few.

The first two are of my jeep using the 500mm and a simple 75-300mm lens without IS. Both were taken without a tripod, from the same location (.10th of a mile, or 600') I did have to adjust my settings a little between the two lens's, as the 500 does not allow for Av adjustment on the camera. I have yet to learn the functions on the lens itself. Ill have to find an instruction manual somewhere on the net.

The first shot is taken with the 500mm, Tx 1/60 F00(full Av on the lens), @ 400 ISO The Second shot was taken with the 75-300mm Tx 1/500 F8.0 @ 200 ISO

I can only post two at a time, so Ill post the others in my next post.

[Roamingbull]

Here are a couple more random shots with the 500mm, no comparison. Each was taken with an ISO of 400 with a high shutter speed to compensate for the shake as I did it hand held.

All in all I think it will be a fun little lens to play around with. I was not expecting anything so the fact it was not a total turd was cool.

Well there you have it...and you did not have to wait five years!

[Roamingbull]

Here are the last two. I wanted to give it a real trial and see what it would or could do. I know of a regular Osprey nest in the Yuba Goldfields, went out there to give it a whirl. Honestly not too shabby, considering it was taken with out a tripod.

One pic is from how far I took the photograph. The other is of course the Osprey who was in rare profile form.

[Roamingbull]

Here are the pics...

[DreDaze]

the osprey is also wearing a kestrel suit :)

[Roamingbull]

Oh, ok duh is that what it is?
Dang thanks for the correction

[DreDaze]

Oh, ok duh is that what it is?
Dang thanks for the correction

ha yeah...kestrels are a lot smaller than ospreys too...i've never seen an kestrel nest before, so i'm not sure if that's it's actual nest(i thought they nested in tree cavities)...it does look like an osprey nest to me...but yeah it's a kestrel hanging out there

[Roamingbull]

It is in fact an osprey nest, I knew about it from a few years ago actually. They may have moved and this guy has moved in. There is some grass growing in the nest itself, so it may have been abandoned some time ago.