Having fun with TTARTISAN’s new compact 250mm reflex mirror lens.

[@Simonsutak]

Please note: In the video I mentioned that my copy did not come with a hood. The lens for sale does infact have a detachable hood.

[@Simonsutak]

@@SIBIRIAKcom Both - a Sony a7iv mirrorless and a Pentax K1 DSLR.

[@dongleseon8785]

​@@Simonsutakit's not so mirrorless now is it?

[@javaman4584]

It's refreshing to see someone enjoying a mirror lens instead of complaining about the bokeh.

[@andykphoto]

Mmmmm donuts

[@somegeezer]

My Rubinar 500/5.6 is a delight. and absolutely massive.

[@DoubleTheDom]

Gosh it’s ugly lol

[@cortanathelawless1848]

I don't get the obsession with "perfect" lenses. Let lenses be special. Let there be niches. I think often "perfect" quality lenses can look incredibly boring.

[@Pleezath]

I like them too. You gotta know what you buy first.. Then complain

[@door-hinge]

I like how he showed this lens doesn't disturb sensitive animals, like photographers.

[@DonVetto-vx9dd]

Lmaoooo

[@robeckel4965]

If this lens is attached to a mirrorless camera, is the camera still mirrorless? 🤔

[@CynicalBellow]

Yes. The camera doesn't change when you attach a lense. I am fun at parties as you can see.

[@zwarst]

alas - if a mirror-less camera is attached to a mirror lens, are its images more or less mirrored?

[@fricki1997]

I'm not a big fan of mirror lenses, but now probably is the best time to own one since modern mirrorless digital cameras negate many of the traditional drawbacks - contrast can easily be boosted in post, IBIS helps with hand holding longer focal lengths, focus peaking makes focusing them MUCH easier, and the fairly dim view (wouldn't be surprised if this was a T/8 or smaller) simply can me amplified electronically. What I'm really hyped about is TTartisan releasing another lens in M42 mount! As an avid analogue photographer it's a dream come true, modern lenses on vintage cameras.

[@Broken_Orbital]

I'd agree with your assessment, I use a couple old Soviet mirror lenses on a Sony A7SII and for the most don't have any issues nailing focus or getting enough light and the IBIS works well enough that I don't really need a tripod unless I'm trying to get video.

[@ilex8426]

Maybe the thread mount is M42x0,75 - i.e. T-mount.

[@key2adventure]

You are the first to explain why I like the background blur of mirror lenses. I shoot with an old Tokina 500 mm on my Hasselblad X2D.

[@Meg_A_Byte]

I love the jokes and the abundance of sample photos!

[@markwiemels]

Really well covered. I had a similar positive experience with it.

[@samwang5831]

In case you are considering, think twice before buying a 500mm F8 reflex, 1.Very shallow DOF makes focussing difficult, 2. The camera IBIS can hardly compensate the vibration. The 250mm of this lens mitigates the above issues. I also like the fact that the size is not big, possbily the smallest of its focal length, and I can swtich the lens between cameras of different formats. Thanks for a comprehensive review.

[@lsdustyrhodes]

As always, Simon, a very comprehensive and balanced review. But we shouldn't overlook as well what a truly gifted photographer you are.

[@bikermann42]

Courtney Victoria posted a video today where she tries the Kase 200mm reflex lens and uses the same Marmite comparison- you love the donuts or hate them.

[@jimzielinski946]

Great review! I have an old 250mm mirror lens in a closet somewhere that I bought probably 30 or 40 years ago. You've inspired me - now I'm going to have to find it and give it a whirl. I also have longer focal length mirror lenses - my favorite is a 800mm f11 Vivitar Series 1 made by Perkin Elmer (in the US!). That lens is a little under 4 inches in length without the T mount and lens hood and is amazingly sharp.

[@Lawman212]

This is the first mirror lens I've ever seen that is sharp. I've never liked the results from other mirror lenses.

[@mikepxg6406]

Great video I love these photos. Thank you.

[@ArminHirmer]

Quite good IQ for a micro lens. I played once with an older 500mm, was not happy, even if I nailed focus :D this one looks very tempting :) thanks for showing

[@DannyChau7]

Great review, thank you. I just received my copy and I was blown away by the sharpness and contrast when compared to other older mirror lenses I own in my lens collection, the size and weight allowed me to just keep in my camera bag without penalty.

[@johnforbes1659]

I do enjoy your intelligent and well-researched videos, and there is an unexpected bonus - we live in the same neighbourhood. It's fun trying to identify your exact shooting position when taking your pictures. And the fact that you like Pentax gear shows you have excellent taste.

[@Simonsutak]

Thank you! So you haven't spotted me yet around Chiswick House and gardens?!

[@johnforbes1659]

@@Simonsutak Not yet, but I shall keep an eye out for a man with a Takumar. I might even take one of mine on my K1.

[@seoulrydr]

have mirror lenses gotten any sharper over the years? The design doesn't seem to have changed much if at all. thanks for the video!

[@Wilma5532]

There is always a distinct softness to a mirror lens with a catadioptric design. However this one in particular seems to be slightly corrected optically.

[@cdrkennon]

Beautiful. That is a very thought provoking lens. With a bad back I am constantly looking to ‘lighten my load’. I already shoot a Pentax K3 III in TAV mode, going manual is really no different. Hmmm…..

[@johnjon1823]

How easy was it to focus on that Pentax DSLR? What percentage of the pictures displayed in the video were done with a DSLR Vs, mirrorless? Nice video, thanks for your efforts. God bless!

[@Simonsutak]

This is a very interesting question! I like using the Sony EVF's functions - where you zoom into the scene and focus on precisely what you want to focus on, through the viewfinder. My Pentax K-1's rear screen allows you to do this as well. But outside, in the daylight, it can be hard to see details on the screen. However, I do prefer the optical view from the Pentax's mirror/prism. It's a more natural look. Indeed, it's so good I found focussing through the viewfinder, without focus zoom, reasonably easy. I'd say around 80/20 Sony/Pentax for the pictures in the video - perhaps more for the Sony. That's because I used the Sony for videos as well, so I normally took the Sony out with the lens. If you send me your email, I can give you access to all the images I've posted privately on Flickr using the lens with the Sony and Pentax - if you'd like to go through them all!

[@madpogue]

@@Simonsutak Look into a Hoodman loupe for using live view / rear screen on the Pentax. Basically turns the live view screen into a giant EVF that can be used in daylight. Also, a question - does this lens do infinity focus when used with an M42 -> K adapter? Did you have to use an adapter with glass to accomodate infinity focus?

[@LWJCarroll]

Thanks, my second review I have watched on this lens and really like the Art you can find or produce. Laurie. NZ. 😊

[@ivesstlouis9087]

Call me crazy but just enjoy watching your reviews! I almost forgot to mention your sense of humor is always spot on! Thank you!

[@Simonsutak]

Crazy or not - thank you so much!

[@IXISSV]

In some of the photos, the bokeh looks like motion. Interesting. Thanks for the review 👍

[@benmlife]

Love seeing your lens reviews, has helped me find hidden gems like the Helios 77M-4! And the appreciation you have for lenses even with “flaws” like the bokeh shape from a reflex lens.

[@JohnDevitt]

As always, well made and informative. I'm tempted to get one of these lenses. 🙏

[@ridealongwithrandy]

Neat video, I'm interested in this lens. I don't mind the donut out of focus areas, kinda like it. The zombie look is something to explore for sure. I have a Russian MTO 500/8 lens I enjoy using for astro on my Olympus cameras.

[@blasphemertheseventh]

I wonder how long exposure images would work with this lens. Especially with crowds of people moving through the scene.

[@cameraprepper7938]

In 1979 he Minolta RF Rokkor 250mm 5.6 was made, today it is quite popular as a used adapted Lens, but wait ! Nisi 250mm 5.6 Reflex Lens is soon coming for a lot of mirrorless mounts, so you do not need an adapter !

[@moistsp00n98]

I like the donuts, they make the background appear almost painted on, with a realistic subject superimposed on top of it, and I didn't know what a reflex lens was, the more you know!

[@1RJ2]

I find it so curious that this lens functions exactly (and also looks exactly) like the Minolta RF 250mm 5.6 mirror lens that went up in value a few years back apparently from many mirrorless users trying to get it.

[@Wilma5532]

Because it's a copied design. It basically is the RF-ROKKOR. Another tell tale is the M42 mount, which is exclusively an SLR mount like the SR mount in the rokkor

[@Magnetron692]

Hi Simon, many thanks for this review! Try the Novoflex chest and shoulder pod or similar. It helps a great deal making photography more convenient with less missed shots. Magnificient images!! Best wishes, Ralf

[@jawats]

Very nice, Simon. Well-reviewed! This might be the perfect lens to do a Pentax K-1ii vs. Sony v. etc... test ;) I'm also curious to see how it compares to the old Tamron Adaptall mirrors.

[@joelee24]

I got couple mirror lenses from 300mm to 650mm, I specially like the Soviet MTO 500mm, it is as good as the hard to find Tarmon 500mm 55BB. I think 250mm f5.6 is no need for a mirror, I can get a refract lens of similar focal length with better result. I got the Ohnar 300mm f5/6 that I used to carry around, it's just little bigger than this and more useful. And btw, as far as I know, except for Soviet made mirrors, the rest are using T2 instead of m42 mount, they looked very much the same but with different pitch, don't force in or you will break it.

[@emyoswald]

Mirror lenses are near universally disliked by photographers I know. I actually enjoy the donuts in a lot of images, and I'm willing to find creative solutions to work around distracting bokeh in the couple of situations where I'd really wish to avoid it!

[@rayspencer5025]

The lens foes indeed cone with a short lens hood. The lens hood needs to be removed in order to attach filters.

[@mmadmic]

I play often with a Tamron 500mm f8 and I love this lens But to be honest my best manual 200-250mm lens, in terms of size, quality and weight is the Zuiko 200m f4, great-small lens. I have a few ttartisan lenses, this one seems great but why use a 250mm mirror ? 200mm are still manageable lenses, not bulky as 400+mm are. About your quirks, -fixed aperture on digital cameras is less problematic as with film camera, you cannot change the dof but use auto ISO to keep acceptable speed and IBIS to avoid blurry image -about focus it's the same, focus peaking helps a lot with manual lenses -Donut bokeh, is a question of taste, btw the Canon 24-105 f4 L MkI produces "condom shape" bokeh, not sure it's better ;) My main concern about mirror lens is their fragility.

[@moogsmiley4157]

TTArtisans should next make clones of the Biotar 75mm F1.5 and unobtanium Pancolar 55mm F1.4 for the masses! Also nice ass shots bro.

[@alebo62]

I really like all your videos and this one is excellent and inspiring. I've been toying with the idea of buying the 100mm bubble bokeh lens from TTartisan for a while, but this lens looks like a real fun toy and bursts the bubbles.

[@lochrandoherty9218]

Hello Simon, I'd really like to get into contact with you about a vintage Fujinon lens. The camera is a prototype, and I'm finding it hard to get information on the lens as well. Perhaps you could be of assistance! Please let me know if you're interested!

[@xuelicao-ie2tf]

Hello, can you produce a separate evaluation of the auto-takumar 55/1.8 zebar lens? There are too few evaluations on the Internet, because I bought this lens, and I hope you can issue a separate evaluation. Thank you

[@Simonsutak]

I will if I can find the time. Do you like the performance of your lens?

[@Broken_Orbital]

I've recently been using a couple old Soviet mirror lenses, one 500mm and one 1,000mm... they definitely have some character

[@somegeezer]

That the Rubinars? MTO maybe?

[@Broken_Orbital]

@@somegeezer MTO for both, good call!

[@margot6041]

I love it! This would be a great lens to try! It would have been fun to come across a child blowing bubbles with this bokeh.

[@the_rat_run]

Those are really sharp images, far better than the mirror lenses from the 70's... Now, all I need is an APS-C version, or to buy a FF camera! Excellent video, I enjoyed it all, including a massive helping of donuts, my waist grew 2" just watching 🤣

[@R8135003]

If you haven't already reviewed the Minolta Rokkor RF 250mm f5.6 I have one. Would be nice to do a side by side with the TTArtisan I believe it is the Rokkor that inspired is lens. Drop me a line if you are interested. Or reply on here. Be lucky stay safe

[@dedskin1]

its out of collimation , you can see it in the rings , rings have to be spherical and collimated , these donuts are a bit out . This is due to QC , its essentially a telescope , and even telescopes have problems with this if they are reflectors like this lens is , but they do offer collimation i dont know if this lens does . But as far as small catadiopters its very good image , no way near Tair 3 , or a modern prime , but enough for a beginner and i would rather take that with me then tair 3 . Its very heavy .

[@AaseiLam]

What camera you used in the video to shoot with the lens?

[@andreiput9492]

i have a 500mm zuiko mirror and nailing focus is more miss than hit whether on a canon 5d or M43 camera. i hope this becomes available for m43 and other mount types and would then become a tempting option. image IQ is above expectation for such a lens.

[@joerg_koeln]

Interesting video. I owned a 500mm f/8 reflex lens from Nikon for quite some years. Manual focusing of long lenses with a DSLR was/is a pain in the back, for moving objects it's not what you want. For "static" images (landscape, architecture) it's a good alternative to non-reflex lens because of its low weight.

[@Narsuitus]

In 2010, I paid $567 for a used 400mm f/5.6 Nikon telephoto lens. Today, paying $298 for a new 250mm f/5.6 TTArtisan mirror lens seems reasonable.

[@CretinousFiend]

Maybe some day you can review the pentax-m smc 85mm 1.8. I want to buy this lens

[@Simonsutak]

I've talked about the SMC K 85mm f1.8 before. I owned one but sold it because I needed the money for another lens and preferred the Takumar f1.9 (which I still own). Do you mean the Pentax M 85mm f2? This is a lovely, small, lens. I've used one briefly, but not owned one and was very impressed.

[@swanseamale47]

I've still got my old 500mm and 600mm sigma mirror lens. I must admit I don't use them now, but I do like the doughnut bokeh.

[@jaymacphoto78]

@simonsutak I wondered if you had any suggestions for how to adapt a Leitz hektor 85mm f2.5 projector lens. I’m having a terrible time finding anything online.

[@b0bcat210]

@Simonsutak can you make a video comparing the SMC takumar and the super takumar 35mm f/3.5 lenses? would be greatly appreciated!

[@jamesgjurovich7893]

you used a tripod for all of the images?

[@Simonsutak]

No, I only used a tripod for moon shots. However I sometimes used a wall or table to stabilise.

[@victoriankambe3070]

I like catadiotropic, because big words rock.

[@snoogly]

I tried your affiliate link (from Japan) and it didn’t work.

[@Simonsutak]

Thanks - I've changed the link, it should work now.

[@snoogly]

@@Simonsutak Many thanks. But I just remembered I have an old 250mm Tamron reflex, which I will pull out of storage to try. I love my 500mm reflexes, but as you say, they can be a bit of a beast to handle. My favorite use is with a 1.4 TC, using the 500 as a close-up lens.

[@countskippy]

I'm still very into this lens, but seeing the price made me a little sad. It's well above getting a used longer-distance mirror lens from just about anyone, and it's not much smaller than the Tamron 04B 200mm f/3.5 lens I ended up with a few months back that's just a little bit shorter on reach. This is actually a hard lens for me to justify currently with the kit I have. Again, still a super cool lens. I'll probably end up with one anyway.

[@timoteiafanasie4894]

Hmmm! I find it to be very interesting, and I think you made the best review of this lens. Thank you, I seriously look forward to this idea

[@luketan5347]

amazing video as always!!

[@WVMUSIC_NL]

Hi! Thank you very much for this informative video! Does thia lens show up with focus peaking very well?

[@Simonsutak]

Yes, focus peaking is strong on my Sony a7iv with this lens. However, with a narrow depth of field around the focus point, I preferred to use the zoom-in EVF view to nail the focus on precisely where I wanted the focus.

[@MysterDaftGame]

@@Simonsutak I agree, the zoom in is the better choice, mirror lenses are very sensitive to the focus point, it needs to be exactly on point !

[@Danny_Boel]

I have a 500 and 800mm mirror which I am going to couple to a Nikon1V1.

[@Stefan54]

Great review! 😇

[@Michele_aka_Latente]

i have a old Sigma 600mm but i never use it due low contrast image and low resolving power, i see that is still a common problem.

[@absurdfool]

very true, 250 is quite enough, some use 1000 (nikon!) but that's for special purposes, like sport; for day2day street shots, this one is really really cheap, as a matter of fact tkU

[@MrFreakwent]

Is this the same as the Kase 200mm reflex ?

[@shaneweightman]

Just recently bought a 500 f8 mirror ,for my g9 lumix 73 quid with adapter and rear skylight filter , will review on my channel very soon , Motorcycles And Things , it’s called ,, thanks for the great review shane uk 🇬🇧

[@shira_yone]

This seems like a very interesting lens but is it affordable?

[@julianlo2635]

great review, thanks!

[@jan-martinulvag1962]

10:33 yes that is a very good photo

[@BuffaloNguyen1703]

5:45 sorry, the focus is not correct here 😤😤

[@TroyBrophy]

It's too bad they didn't release different mounts. I'm not a fan of using adapters.

[@philosimot]

MUST HAVE IT on my M42 Pentax Spotmatic;-))))

[@williamjason1583]

Great video

[@niclasbagenheim7181]

It looks very interesting:-) More practical than my 1100mm russian mirrorlens.

[@Heart0rHead]

Nice showcase

[@AllCarsUnited]

Looks like fun

[@heatonize]

4:44 do NOT turn your phone sideways...

[@owenauer3406]

But I have m4/3rd 300mm lenses the same length. Plus they are not mirror lenses.

:) me gustaria mucho probarlo

[@ifell3]

5:47 me thinking he's not going to zoom in on her butt is he 😮

[@petercharles6652]

Give me a 200mm, f4 mirror lens for aps-c/mft and i am all in...

[@jan-martinulvag1962]

Your life review is very good

[@luyangche8278]

Simon's utak turned into Simon's donuts real quick

[@thebendu33]

Why photographers have camouflage lenses when they are dressed in every day clothing?

[@T0ly113]

Because sometimes they may not be dressed in regular clothing, but camouflage as well? Seems quite obvious, no?

[@danielcoburn4005]

I enjoy the humor

[@Flox01000111]

some of these backgrounds look like paintings

[@rdn658]

nice

[@TheLaXandro]

Those ain't donuts. Those are googly eyes!

[@ddespair]

In this age you can just AI out the doughnuts.

[@hellopsp180]

not bad. Was never a fan of mirror lenses honestly. The Onion Rings are an Acquired taste for sure.

[@salat]

Mh.. Imho: $298 is a tad too serious of a price for a not so serious lens..

[@yesanton]

I understand that you might want other companies to also sell you lenses to review, but making suck a positive review is very upsetting to me. Whenever you talk about lenses that you OWN you were quite critical and more unbiased. Even take that video about other mirror lens. You were talking about the rings as ugly, and uninspiring, while here you focus on 'nice effect to play with'. I much respect your content, but your reviews of new cheap lenses from brands like ttartisan are not unbiased. Too positive for what those lenses are.

[@Simonsutak]

OK. It's true - I've been positive about the last four lenses I've reviewed. (1) This 250mm reflex lens is a better, lighter, cleaner, easier to focus option IMO than the 500mm mirror lens I own and reviewed. I was very careful to use the same words about the donuts in each video. "You have to embrace the donuts". You might not like them. But if you do embrace them you can produce interesting artistic effects. (2) The Brightin Star f0.95 is impressively sharp wide open - I enjoyed trying such a fast lens. (3) The Pentax FA 50mm f1.4 Classic is a fine lens (when I bought my original FA 50mm f1.4, it was rated as one of the best fast fifties) with amazing rainbow flares. (4) TTARTISAN's 100mm Trioplan copy is a great way to try triplet bokeh at a much lower price than the original Meyer Optik Gorlitz lens. It is true I've been critical of the hype surrounding some of the older lenses I've purchased and tried recently. The Carl Zeiss Ultron 50mm f1.8 and the Olympus Zeiko 50mm f1.4 being two cases in point. You might not agree with my opinions but they are only my opinions. Alternatively, I've been very positive about some other old lenses. So it is true I've said good things about lenses I've been sent to review. But there's a self-selecting reason for that. You may be surprised to read that I turn down quite a lot of requests to do new lens reviews. If I know I'd have to say - why are you producing this lens?..or..there are better options already on the market...etc etc...I won't do a review.

[@yesanton]

@@Simonsutak thank you a lot for the answer and explanation. I love your truth and integrity. I will keep watching all your videos as I did before. And while I'm here I hope in the future you will cover contax-yashica Carl Zeiss lenses. Have good day!

[@Simonsutak]

@@yesanton Many thanks for your kind words. I would very much like to try the C/Y Carl Zeiss Planar f1.4. But for the moment, I've recently purchased a RE Topcor 58mm f1.4 and a f1.8, and they are keeping me busy!

[@barneylaurance1865]

@@Simonsutak "If I know I'd have to say - why are you producing this lens?..or..there are better options already on the market...etc etc...I won't do a review." In aggregate this is still a way of giving a biased impression of how good lenses are. Each lens only gets reviewed by people who expect to like it. It's a bit like the file drawer effect in academia where research with negative results doesn't get published.

[@Simonsutak]

@@barneylaurance1865 You make a very relevant point. I've often wondered what I would do if I was sent a lens to review that I really didn't like. Would I send it back and say I can't review it? Or would I give it a bad review in public? Fortunately, I've not been in that position...yet.

[@slawomirczajkowski9481]

Not bud for 50 dol lens , but Not even close to legend Minolta Rokkor 250mm f5.6

[@stefanbadass5357]

Sadly, a bunch of fairly ugly images, the bokah is crude and busy. Not for me.

[@gufer4250]

I don't like your fake David Thorpe narration.. I want to remember him and his channel as it was...

[@zeroequalsthree8649]

DISTURB NORMALITY! Well said!

[@AaseiLam]

What camera you used in the video to shoot with the lens?

[@Simonsutak]

Sony a7iv