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Photography Question 

Brian J. Somerhalder 		 

Telephoto Lens


What are the differences between the mirror lens and the typical telephoto lens? Which is better for wildlife photography and for what reasons? I am looking to buy a lens somewhere around 400mm +, but am unsure as to which I should get. Thank you


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January 23, 2001

 

Jon Close 		  The advantages of a mirror lens are:
(1) light weight (conventional 500mm f/5.6 weighs about 6 1/2 lbs v. less than 2 lbs for 500mm f/8 mirror lens)
(2) low cost

The disadvantages of a mirror lens are:
(1) fixed aperture, usually f/8
(2) small aperture of f/8 gives long depth of focus
(3) small aperture and mirror design preclude autofocus. Must manually focus.

Not necessarily a disadvantage, but a difference - out of focus highlights aren't just blurred, they are blurred donut shapes. Ring-blur Can be used to great effect or great annoyance.

A quick websearch turned up this page, where a user posted sample pictures and discusses his experience with an inexpensive mirror telephoto lens.


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January 23, 2001

 

Brian J. Somerhalder 		  Thanks for the info. I liked the website also. I never would have thought that the lens would produce those donut shapes in the photo. Kind of like adding a special filter. Who knows. Maybe I'll get a mirror lens and a zoom lens.


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January 25, 2001

 
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