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Re: [OM] Mirror, mirror, on the mount, which ones suck, which on

Subject: Re: [OM] Mirror, mirror, on the mount, which ones suck, which on
From: Wijsmuller.VanderBel@xxxxxx
Date: Sun, 16 Aug 1998 09:10:33 +0000
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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