Sony SAL-500F80

Overview

Manufacturer Description
The Sony SAL-500F80 is the world's only super telephoto reflex lens with auto-focus capability. Its reflex design gives this amazing super telephoto lens a short barrel and compact, lightweight design, ideal for field work on wilderness and nature assignments--and its auto-focus capability makes it unique among reflex lenses of this class. Mounted on the Sony α (Alpha) DSLR-A100 camera, this lens provides a 750mm Focal length (35mm equivalent)--and takes advantage of Sony's in-camera Super SteadyShot image stabilization system to reduce Blur by compensating for shaky hands.

Features:

Compact Reflex Design: Its reflective optical system provides super-long telephoto performance in a compact, lightweight design that's easier to carry on field assignments.
Auto-Focus Operation: It's the world's only super telephoto reflex lens with auto-focus capability, making it ideal for wildlife assignments where events happen fast and you must react quickly to catch the shot.
No Chromatic aberration: Reflective optics eliminate the chromatic aberrations that can affect image quality in refractive telephoto lenses, so images are extremely sharp and clear.
Focus Hold Button: For full creative control, a focus hold button located on the lens can lock auto-focusing.
Shutter-speed Exposure Control: At fixed f8 aperture, the exposure is controlled by varying the camera shutter speed and using a neutral-density snap-on filter.

Lens Specifications

Generic Lens Specifications

Lens Type: Prime
IS / VR / OS: None
Min Focal Length (mm): 500
Max Focal Length (mm): 500
Number of Elements: 7
Element Groups: 5
Max Aperture: 8
Closest Focus Distance (m): 4
Maximum Magnification: 0.13
Diameter at widest (mm): 89
Lens Length (mm): 118
Weight (g): 665

Details

Compatible Models
Sony DSLR-A100, DSLR-A100K.

What's in the Box:
Lens, front and rear lens cap, SH0015 lens hood.

Product Description
Get ideal results for fieldwork on wilderness and nature assignments with the SAL-500F80. To reduce blur, this lens takes advantage of Sony's Super SteadyShot image stabilization system.The world's only super telephoto reflex lens with auto-focus capability. Its reflex design gives this amazing super telephoto lens a short barrel and compact, lightweight design, ideal for field work on wilderness and nature assignments - and its auto-focus capability makes it unique among reflex lenses of this class. This lens provides a 750mm focal length (35mm equivalent) - and takes advantage of image stabilization system to reduce blur by compensating for shaky hands.

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User Lens Reviews

Average user rating from: 1 user(s)


Overall rating (weighted)		4.0
Sharpness		4.0
Build Quality		3.0
AF Speed		4.0
Value for Money		5.0

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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

excellent, Friday, 21 March 2008


Overall rating (weighted)		4.0
Sharpness		4.0
Build Quality		3.0
AF Speed		4.0
Value for Money		5.0

Sony price is a Bit steep at �500+ but you can find it cheaper, A bit of an anonaly in that it is an autofocus mirror lens at F8.
It's light very compact for a 500mm lens. The sharpness is excellent and focuses quickly on a A700 even in low light.
The fixed F8 could be a problem for some ( why can't they have aperture control ?) You can only control light exposure via the ND4 filter of shutter speed.
The lack of zoom could be a problem, but it's a compromise also have a sigma 170-500mm but on a long hike it gets a bit heavey and is hard to hand hold. the Sony reflex 500 is easy to take hand held shots but you need the SSS on. might cause a problem on overcast days. However use a monopod and things are fine.

Because you can't zoom you have to move.

Excellent walking wildlife lens if you can accept it's limitaions. OK xe would all love a 300mm f2.8 coupled up to a 1.4 APO converter, but I live in the real world and my funds can't afford that. One day perhaps

Why should you care what I think?

My relationship with this item: I own it
Where did you buy this item?: ebay
Price paid: 350
When did you buy this item?: 2008

Conclusions at a glance

Would you recommend this Item: Yes
Pros: light, fast AF
Cons: lack zoom, no DOF control

Was this review helpful to you? yes

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