Tamron SP 500mm Mirror Lens (1 Viewer)

[Tim N]

I just received a used Tamron SP 500mm Mirror Lens 55BB. I noticed from reading some reviews that the reviewer often said to keep the "normal lens filers" on the front and rear.

There are no filters with this lens. Does anyone that uses or used this lens think these "normal lens filters" are important to the performance of this lens or are they just referring to something like a UV or ND filter?

 

[Leicaman]

I just received a used Tamron SP 500mm Mirror Lens 55BB. I noticed from reading some reviews that the reviewer often said to keep the "normal lens filers" on the front and rear.

There are no filters with this lens. Does anyone that uses or used this lens think these "normal lens filters" are important to the performance of this lens or are they just referring to something like a UV or ND filter?

I'm not sure how different a 55BB is to the 55B I still have. This has a small, clear filter attatched to the rear and is necessary to maintain the correct optical path. It originally came with some other filters, red, yellow and neutral density I think, but I lost them years ago.

 

[Tim N]

Thanks for the response. There does seem to be a clear filter attached to the rear. While not permanently mounted it seems to be well screwed down so that another filter could be placed over it. Is this what you meant?

I took the lens out yesterday and tried it out on some birds in our local conservation area. I think the lens must be set up correctly as I was very pleased with the results. There has been a lot of mixed feedback on mirror lenses so I wasn't too sure what to expect. However, at least this one seems quite good.

 

[nirofo]

Thanks for the response. There does seem to be a clear filter attached to the rear. While not permanently mounted it seems to be well screwed down so that another filter could be placed over it. Is this what you meant?

I took the lens out yesterday and tried it out on some birds in our local conservation area. I think the lens must be set up correctly as I was very pleased with the results. There has been a lot of mixed feedback on mirror lenses so I wasn't too sure what to expect. However, at least this one seems quite good.

Yes the clear filter needs to be in place all the time to retain correct focus, except that is when using another filter, you can't stack them at the rear of the lens! You need to remove the clear filter and replace it with one of the other available types, this still retains focus.

Hope that helped, it's years since I used one.

nirofo.

 

[bigboth]

TAMRON filters

Hi all, I have just read your postings and I have a full set of these filters when I used 35mm film cameras, these are Normal,ND4X,R60,O56 and Y52, the clear one is great but the Coloured filters are brilliant for B&W. if anyone is interested in the filters feel free to contact me, Thanks Bigboth

 

[kumander kabog]

Cool, How I wish I could shot at 500mm.
Currently I stuck to 200 on my 2nd kit.

 

[citrinella]

I took the lens out yesterday and tried it out on some birds in our local conservation area. I think the lens must be set up correctly as I was very pleased with the results. There has been a lot of mixed feedback on mirror lenses so I wasn't too sure what to expect. However, at least this one seems quite good.

It is one of the best. I had one for years and loved the portability. Enjoy

Mike.