Tokina SZ 500mm f/8 Mirror lens review with samples

No, they're not extinct yet: another mirror lens makes its way onto the market. They all have the same strengths and weaknesses...but is this one a cut above the others?

Tokina would like it to be noted that: "The nuts in the mount adapter are to align the lens's center with the camera. You unscrew them, align center of the lens with the center of the camera (to see properly the scales of the lens) and screw it tight back."

All sample pictures taken by me on a Nikon Z7 camera.

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[AndrewHgs]

I've always thought mirror lenses are sort of the telephoto version of a fisheye lens...that is to say, a bit of a novelty lens which makes great photos, occasionally, with the right subject, but not a 'daily' lens. I remember my newspaper had a 500mm Tamron mirror lens that we sometimes used for cricket pics. The unique bokeh was quite handy for making uninteresting backgrounds a bit more pleasing.

[alantuttphotography]

Didn't know that anyone still made these lenses. Interesting for those who value portability more than image quality. Having said that, I would consider one for the right situation.

[samuellawrence]

Would you please review a Tamron 500 f/8 "55BB" mirror lens? It had great following the time it was introduced.
Thank you in advance.

[marximus]

Yeah, I can't get past the donut bokeh, haha.

[MattisProbably]

I just don't get why anyone would buy something like this. At least for this kind of money.
If they were very inexpensive? Sure. Why not.
My Sigma 100-400 Contemporary was a bit more expensive (though can probably be bought for a similar price used) but it does have AF and it is MUCH sharper. Compared to a 150-600 it isn't even that heavy. Only downside? You need the FTZ adapter for a Nikon mirrorless. It did come with my camera but right now that thing is impossible to find...

[vali]

I wonder how these would be for astrophotography.

[WiwatChang]

It's great for shooting the moon and the sun on the go without the burden of taking a telescope with you

[flikflak]

in theroy if you put this on like a sony a7r it becomes a dslr xD

[AntoineLyahn]

it's really cheap and light weight