Opteka High Definition 500mm f/8 Preset Telephoto Lens for Canon EOS 1D, 5D, 7D, 10D, 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D, 60D, Rebel XT, XTi, XS, XSi, T1i, T2i, T3 and T3i Digital SLR Cameras

by Opteka

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B000HCN0RG
• Item model number: Opt-500mm-Preset-30D
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: August 2, 2006

Product Description

An Opteka High Definition 500mm preset telephoto lens incorporates not only computer optical design, but also the latest optical multi-coating techniques. The process of multi-coating assures virtually flare free photographs even under adverse lighting conditions resulting in crisp, high contrast pictures.

Preset Lenses are designed to retain a full range of exposure, automation and metering capabilities of the cameras on which they are mounted. This lens is great for nature and sports photography. The amazing power of this lens gives you the equivalent of looking through a pair of 10x power binoculars. It has a manual preset diaphragm, a rotating tripod mounting collar and a soft lens pouch.

Advances in high-index / low-dispersion optical glasses, new barrel materials, and exotic anti-reflection coatings, along with the latest in computer-aided-design / computer-aided-manufacturing, are combined to produce lenses of unprecedented quality. Diamond-cut from crystal-clear, water-white optical glass, Opteka lenses are ground and polished to a precise precision.

Specifications
Filter Size: 67mm
f/Stop Range: f/8.0 (fixed)
Minimum Focus Distance: 33.0' (10.0 m)
Angle of View: 4.1° x 2.7° (WxH)
Groups/Elements: 4/4
Length: 11.7" (297mm)
Maximum Diameter: 2.8" (71mm)
Weight: 1.41 lbs (640g)
Included Items
~ Opteka 500mm f/8 Telephoto Preset Lens
~ T-Mount Lens Adapter
~ Lens Caps
~ Lens Pouch
~ 10 Year Warranty

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

77 of 77 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Half full or half empty?, January 21, 2007

By 

R. Horton (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Opteka High Definition 500mm f/8 Preset Telephoto Lens for Canon EOS 1D, 5D, 7D, 10D, 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D, 60D, Rebel XT, XTi, XS, XSi, T1i, T2i, T3 and T3i Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

If you're viewing this item, you're probably (as I was) a.) drooling over the thought of breaking into really long focal lengths for less than you paid to get a memory card but b.) wondering what sort of paperweight you'll be stuck with for less than you paid to get a memory card.

Yes, one can cite several shotcomings: slow, bulky, optically nothing stellar. The tripod mount wiggles enough to disturb the shot. (Though it looks more precarious and complicates aiming, I've ended up mounting the tripod to the camera with the lens hanging out in front.) All in all, having played with this lens for a week or so now, I'll say that the glass (no pun intended) is indeed half full. Build quality is satisfyingly solid. For those photographers willing to work within the limitations of the lens, this'll be a treat. Anyone expecting to shoot fast moving wildlife or athletes should stop reading here.

Focusing is completely manual and, at this length, becomes a serious challenge. If you wear prescription eyeglasses like me, be certain that you have your eyepiece diopter set correctly. Whenever possible, work at a smaller aperture to give yourself more room for error...you're going to need all you can get.

This brings us to the aperture, which is also manual. One ring marked with f/stop numbers acts as a stop block to select the minimum aperture, while a second ring marked O <-> C actually closes the leaves. Pick the desired aperture on the first ring; but leave the second ring wide open to focus. (It'll get too dim to focus if you don't.) Then close the second ring and make your exposure.

Beyond the pure sex appeal of wielding a footlong tube, you'll find this lens useful primarily for stills and outdoor daylight portraiture, possibly also for some shots of the moon. In my own work photographing pipe organs, it's great for picking out some dramatic details. No, it's not the right lens for every application...no lens is. All in all, I'm having fun and am glad I decided to take the chance.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It is what it is!, November 23, 2009

By 

kk - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Opteka High Definition 500mm f/8 Preset Telephoto Lens for Canon EOS 1D, 5D, 7D, 10D, 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D, 60D, Rebel XT, XTi, XS, XSi, T1i, T2i, T3 and T3i Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

This is a cheap lens. Having said that, i should say i have 2 canon telephones lenses, one that is 300$, and one that is 1500$. I got this to hike and kayak and take it with, without the worry of damaging 1500$ of lens, and it far exceeded my wishes. It is similar to looking through a spotting scope. it's skinny and long, but still about half the weight of the more expensive canon lens with image stabilization and full automation. I call the canon lens my bazooka-its huge worth every inch and dimes, but its huge! this is a pea shooter i can take it without care and shoot and id birds. Way better then the 75-300mm. Nothing award winning, but i shoot free hand and with a steady wind condition I don't even use a tripod and get clear pictures. you manually focus and set your own fstop, and it is what it is! I highly recommend it!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Lens was a life saver, March 6, 2009

By 

A. Hope "FaithinChrist" (Cincinnati, OH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Opteka High Definition 500mm f/8 Preset Telephoto Lens for Canon EOS 1D, 5D, 7D, 10D, 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D, 60D, Rebel XT, XTi, XS, XSi, T1i, T2i, T3 and T3i Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

I bought this lens going into the facts of having read so many negative reviews. I was in a rush to shoot some sports photos. I know how sometimes reviewers like to over-exaggerate the claims that they are making, and once again they have over-exaggerated the negativity on this beautiful lens. For 80 some odd dollars I was not expecting much, but oh my was I in for a shock, this lens is incredible. Yes the image quality on this lens in comparison to a hig-tech $2000.00 canon lens can not obviously win, but sometimes it came very close to that range of image quality. This lens is capable of producing sharp detailed images, you just have to know how to work it correctly. If you are debating whether or not you should by this lens, debate no more, try it out, you will get some blurry images but that is because you are shooting at extreme focal lengths and manual focus is your worst enemy on this lens. Especially if you are used to taking photos in AF. I would recommend this lens to anyone, professional or consumer buyer.