Cheap 500mm Lens is actually NOT BAD!

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ABOUT THIS VIDEO
Lenses Used
Paragon 500mm f/8
Lenses Featured
Sunagor 80-305mm f/5.6
DDA Optics 400mm f/6.3
Optimax Auto 300mm f/5.5
EQUIPMENT USED
CAMERA - Nikon F90X / Canon 6D
FILM - Foma 400
DEVELOPER - Rodinal 1:50
STOP & FIX - Fotospeed
ENLARGER - DURST M605
PAPER -
DEVELOPER -
STOP & FIX - FOTOSPEED
PRODUCTION GEAR
CANON 6D, GOPRO 7 BLACK, TASCAM DR10L MIC, SENHEISSER SHOTGUN MIC,
NEEWER LED PANELS, GVM COLOUR PANELS,
Editing - FCP, PHOTOSHOP, LIGHTROOM
ABOUT MY VIDEOS
If my videos inspire, create ideas and help others in film photography and darkroom work then it's worth making them.
I always welcome comments that are useful towards the video subject that will help others understand the process within.
Keep shooting and thanks for watching.
MUSIC CREDITING
KZbin Studio Music

[@burnieplace]

I have the 300 mm version of the Paragon. I saved up to buy it and paid about £15, brand new, in about 1972. M42 and I have an adapter for micro 4 thirds. I'll have to dig it out and give it a go.

[@katharinemovertonphotographer]

It works well on micro 4 thirds there is some fringing

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

That was a lot of money in 1972 I imagine easily half a weeks wage

[@lvikng57]

I've been really loving a 500mm reflex lens I got for Olympus OM recently. The compression on these long lenses are wild.

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

Are they expensive?

[@mike747436]

Hi Roger. I believe the 'Auto' refers to the diaphragm. It was a big deal back in the day (70s?) when a lens could stay fully open for focus and composition, then stop down automatically to the selected aperture when the shutter was fired. Something we take completely for granted now.

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

You're right Mike. On certain cameras. I have a few lenses that are compatible with a particular camera for that mode.

[@SIRafiq]

Most of these were manufactured by Vivitar, for all these unknown brand names.

[@jmtubbs1639]

That one was made by Century Precision Optics, apparently. Their multi-coated lenses are said to be better and were branded briefly in the UK as Access Paragon. I have found one such lens currently for sale on eBay

[@theoldfilmbloke]

I have an OPTOMAX M42 fit 85-200mm f3.5 -- very heavy but sharp ! I also bought for £21 quids many many years ago a Vivitar f5.5 pre-set 300mm off a Camera Club member who said he could never get 'Good Results' and I took it to Calgary Stampede show on a Pentax Club of Great Britain trip ( about 1984) and a shot I took made the Essex International Salon, got into Photography Year Book also the Pentax magazine and local newspapers ---

[@thomaseni9237]

What of this cheap lens it’s better? Lightdow without zoom 500m; jintu 420-800mm 8.6 or jintu 500-1000 or Andoer?

[@SiggyPony]

I have some lenses like this :) I just got a Pentax 500mm f4.5 for $80 but dissembled. Should be interesting 😅😅 But I do have a nice Tokina 400mm f6.3 I play the game of taking only the huge lense on a walk and see what images I get. Makes for interesting photo choices :)

[@justinforpin2103]

Roger, huge congrats on 20k! You should definitely do a QA or make a video about yourself "behind" photography ☺️☺️☺️

[@klofisch]

Well................the shots would count as april fool :D. Or are they wednesday wonders? :D Hard to find subjects with focal lenghts larger than 300mm if you are not used to it

[@IainHC1]

Yayyyy You've re introduced the intro music 😍 I've missed that 😊 Congratulations on 20K!! Really well deserved 💪😎👍 That lens really works doesn't it 🤩

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

Thanks mate

[@TheHitmanAgent]

For beeng a cheap lens I didn’t expect that level of sharpness. It is sharp! Have you tried photographing the moon with this? One more question: what is that OC dial for?

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

Open and close aperture. I've used it to video timelapse the moon by putting it on the DSLR using an adapter ring. Incredible detail and close

[@erwinrosales4337]

Congratulations on the 20k! Legitimate channel on photography and been loving ‘em. Longest telephoto I got is a zoom Nikkor 80-200mm AI-S. Loving that one! Just need more excuses to use it.

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

Cheers Irwin. I've a 70-200 Canon for digital but hardly use it. Like you

[@ifitworksproductions]

I picked up a Tokina 500mm f/8 mirror lens a while back, and had similar results, but in a somewhat smaller package. It's actually not much larger than my DSLR kit lens, but fully manual, and fixed at f/8. Throw on a 2x teleconverter, and you can get some pretty impressive moon photos on 35mm--once you manage to get focus.

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

I used a mirror lens only once. Clever tech!

[@bfs5113]

I bought a Tokina 500 f/8 mirror lens too, four decades ago for my SLR.

[@fajarjuliana4435]

can use in full frame without vigneting ?

[@Crim1nal_CL]

Buen video, saludos from 🇨🇱

[@user-ve3gh5xg9q]

Now I bought Sigma mirror 600mm. Full complet from network. As new. I am soo happy😍

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

Great 👍

[@linking-it]

crap lens, don't bother.

[@iainmc9859]

Congrat's on the 20K, well deserved. I shoot all my street photography (haven't done that for a year) with a 500mm mirror lens, zero depth of field, no auto-focus, and gathers light like a cullender in a sealed oak barrel, on a digital. Either nail that focus or get a blurry mess (just tell people its art), which is what I usually get. But when it catches focus, instant Rembrandt. Its always worth playing around with these old cheap lenses. Crisp and aberration free they may not be but its our little imperfections that make us unique.

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

"It's blurry because I made it that way" ha ha.

[@gontrandurocher9045]

I got the "ultimax" version of this lens to shoot the eclipse (2024) and it's really not bad. With a DIY solar filter and careful focusing you can see sunspots!

[@Wilma5532]

I have a Minolta rokkor RF 500mm F8. It's a mirror reflex lens, thanks to that the form factor is incredible! It's short but nice and thick. And it's only 600g.

[@Otokichi786]

Paragon 500mm f/8 pre-set lens? That reminds the of the 500mm f/8 Spiratone of long ago. Out here, "heat wave shimmer" is another sharpness killer besides "lens wobble." That can be solved with a sturdy Manfrotto tripod or a home made I-Beam support that connects the camera body to the tripod socket on the lens. Drape a (sand filled) Beanbag over it to "dampen vibration."

[@jamesdecross1035]

Oh year… Fleet Street, next! Of course, you'll have to try an old Novoflex of the 1970s. Still great for wildlife.

[@danem2215]

I have the same lens but mine's branded Bower. It fits Canon but curiously it focuses past infinity. I guess they didn't take that into consideration making the T-mount adapters for these.

[@WhatAreYouBuyen]

good music

[@arnonart]

i had one of those for years. it was called Danubia 400 f:6.3. it was actualy not bad specially off a tripod.

[@rappler32]

Twist on a teleconverter and you can really shoot the moon, particularly if there's a crop factor involved. I've got some 16mm c-mount glass from 'Soligor'; probably a different outfit.

[@largophoto]

Roger ..hope all good love this one ...you did not moon us ..lol ..the tripod collar is a bonus ..and I match it up with my old Only Epl6 .. X2 ..only probs colour fringing...

[@batworker]

I’ve got the paragon 135mm and the 300mm mirror lens, both from about 1980. Not used either for ages 😂

[@ribsy]

500 is wild!

[@keimahane]

Looks like a very peaceful place to live. What are the primary crops grown in the fields around your house, or is it pasture land?

[@DethronerX]

Beautiful. Would really help if you show zooming in from wide to tele

[@thomaschipman]

congrats on the growth, roger!

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

Thanks!

[@carltanner9065]

Spyglass :D :P :P You should try out a mirror lens. Congrats on 20K!!

[@johanbollemus8444]

Don't know what I like better - The lens or the funny music. :D Thanks for sharing.

[@user-uu4wi8dq8e]

Thanks for the review. Much appreciated. 👍🏻

[@mamiyapress]

What about 500 Mirror lenses, have you tried them ?

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

I did once when I was next to a guy that had one when I was shooting a seascape years ago. . Not that I can remember it though.

[@comfortablyblind6853]

I have the 400mm version. It isn't too bad. Yes, mount it to a tripod and set the timer.

[@ohjajohh]

Impressive shots! I might get myself an old 500mm like that too!

[@DannerPlace]

Looks like a lot of fun to play with. Dig out that big old heavy tripod in the back of the closet, and go for it.

[@pedromeza2398]

Thank you for a very good informative video on telephoto lenses that were made with the purpose of bringing the photographer closer to the subject that is the center of focus. These old in expensive lenses did what they were designed to do which is why some photographers with expensive lenses bad mouthed them for rendering the rest of center for being fuzzy, which is why I use these lenses. The pictures that I get with these lenses are center focused with a framed out of focused, making for a beautifully framed picture.

[@Resgerr]

I have one similar-300mm and m42 mount

[@lyricsbyIamDwon]

Does this lens work with Nikon D3200?

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

I'm sure it would with the right converter ring

[@maxencelemoine4190]

I have a 500mm lens on my wish list for 2021. A special lens because it is a A-mount for my Minolta and it is one of the rare mirror lenses. Very small, lightweight, fixed aperture f8 (because of the mirrors) and donut bokeh, that should be nice, and with my DSL’s with its cropped sensor, it would give le an extra reach for wildlife which is great !

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

When I put that Paragon on my 7D Canon, which is crop, it's nuts!

[@victorcarmelo8606]

Congrats to 20K you deserve it, love your channel. Re your 500mm lens, if you think your lens is hard to focus try a 500mm mirror lens, soft as shit and the only way to focus accurately is on my OM1 with a split focus screen. It is fun though when you get it right if you like "Cheerios" breakfast serial bokeh lol!!!

[@iainmc9859]

I shoot all my street photography on a 500mm mirror lens. Teaches you quick focus skills, as you have no depth of field, and gathers almost no light but it does give you Rembrandt like portrait's. Can't say that I'm bothered by doughnut bokeh but most of the out of focus turns into a Paisley pattern. Can't wait for Covid to be over to get back into the cities and do some more, until then I'll stick to landscape.

[@baxtermarrison5361]

Interesting to see that the images that you pointed at before releasing the shutter seemed to be better than the images without the pointing. Will have to try that when using my Nikkor 500mm F8.0 mirror lens.

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

Works a treat!

[@cnccontroller]

It was very interesting! Thanks!

[@chevy2die]

Good one Roger. I'm getting more into telephoto lenses for interesting compositions.

[@Viator19]

Ive got the 400mm version which my Dad gave me which he bought from new in the 70's. Apparently they were the Dixon's own brand back in the day. Ive used it on my Canon 5D mkiii. There is some colour casting and it does suffer from chromatic aberrations but its not too bad. As you say it works well for B&W. I must say its particularly good for shooting the moon.

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

I never knew it was a dixons brand. Interesting

[@denisdevlinfilms]

Bosh great video 👊👍

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

👍

[@fretBeastForever]

Why these lenses don`t come with a VR ?

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

Cost probably

[@fretBeastForever]

@@ShootFilmLikeaBoss probably!

[@LeendertCordemans]

Like those tele lenses. Working very well. Congrats.

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

Thanks 👍

[@mrstandfast2212]

Congratulations upon reaching the 20,000 subscriber number. Messing around with that type of cheap lens is great fun. Once we all get over the obsession with ultra sharp images, the happier we'll be. The greats of photography such as Cartier-Bresson, Fay Godwin, Eggleston et al, were all far more interested in composition, light and tonality. On the vast majority of cheap lenses, it's the edges which tend to let the image down. Crop the image a little and you can save an absolute fortune. That Paragon lens is probably worth between £50 & £80. A modern equivalent that significantly improves the image will be anything from £1500 and then keep going. The images you got were great, and for the financial value of the lens, incredible.

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

I wonder what it cost brand new! And who buy them. Probably nature photographers.

[@snapsnappist4529]

This 1,000 times. While the gearheads and measure-bators are busy obsessing over sharpness, microcontrast, resolving power, edge sharpness, light falloff, blah blah blah, the people that want to make great pictures are, as you say, far more interested in composition, light and tonality. In skilled hands, extraordinary work can be done with ordinary gear.

[@paulharding5922]

The 2 biggest lens could you use them for astronmical photography thanks .

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

I've put it against the moon in video mode. Amazing in time-lapse for the clouds passing.

[@paulharding5922]

@@ShootFilmLikeaBoss Cool thanks .

[@katharinemovertonphotographer]

Love old lenses so many to choose from

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

Let me know if you want to borrow one Katharine...

[@katharinemovertonphotographer]

@@ShootFilmLikeaBoss I have so many more than happy to lend you some to play with. Having a sort out at the moment will try and list them then pm you it still shielding at the moment

[@user-jj9hd8qo9j]

Could you use it for plane spotting

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

No, way too unstable for moving objects. I did take a photograph of the moon the other night. Not bad.

[@user-jj9hd8qo9j]

@@ShootFilmLikeaBoss thank you so much I almost bought it to take high zoom pictures of the thunders bird but I had some doubts so I had to ask which I guess worked out

[@Resgerr]

I have one similar(m42 mount)- mines got fungus in it now. I’ll have to get it cleaned with a few others

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

I cleaned it off that Paragon. Easy to pull apart.

[@Resgerr]

@@ShootFilmLikeaBoss I’ll have to have a go

[@flowersandlace]

hi! 😄 does this lens fit onto a canon?

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

Yes with the right adapter

[@flowersandlace]

thank you 😊

[@kendesantis7319]

Congrats on 20k! Well deserved and long overdue.

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

Thanks a ton!

[@snapsnappist4529]

500mm! That's practically a telescope... The longest lens I have is a Pentax 135mm, and I love the way that it squashes and compresses everything. That 500 is crying out to be used for outdoor portraits - perhaps the theme of a future video?

[@iainmc9859]

A long 500mm mirror lens is more practical for outdoor portraits, lighter and possible to hand hold, if you're sat or propped up against something. BTW compression doesn't exist. All a longer lens does is crop out more of your scene. Its the shooting from further away that changes perspective size ratio; nothing to do with the glass on the front of the camera.

[@snapsnappist4529]

@@iainmc9859 I know what perspective distortion is.

[@ShootFilmLikeaBoss]

I've never tried portraits with that lens. Great idea.

[@snapsnappist4529]

@@ShootFilmLikeaBoss I have my moments. Not often, mind...

[@iainmc9859]

@@snapsnappist4529 I'm glad you know what perspective distortion is, as long as you also know that compression doesn't exist. As this piggy backs Roger's vlog, I'll leave it there.