Rokinon

Rokinon 500M-AI 500mm F8.0 Mirror Lens for Nikon

4.5 (5 reviews)

Capture Distant Subjects with ClarityThe Rokinon 500mm F8.0 Mirror Lens is a powerful telephoto lens perfect for capturing sports or nature shots. Its affordable design delivers sharp, vivid images, making it an excellent addition to any photographer's kit. Specifications: Focal Length: 500...

Check availability
Affiliate Disclosure: Studio Supplies may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you. This helps support our editorial team.

Notice a mistake? Let Us Know

Overview

Capture Distant Subjects with Clarity

The Rokinon 500mm F8.0 Mirror Lens is a powerful telephoto lens perfect for capturing sports or nature shots. Its affordable design delivers sharp, vivid images, making it an excellent addition to any photographer's kit.

Specifications:

  • Focal Length: 500mm
  • Aperture: F8.0
  • Type: Mirror Lens
  • Mount: Nikon AI
  • Ideal For: Sports and Nature Photography

Key Features

500mm Manual Focus Mirror Lens with a F8.0 fixed aperture

7 elements in 6 groups

Filter size: Rear 30.5 mm/ Front 72mm

Minimum focusing distance of 5.6 ft

Includes ND-2X, ND-4X and Skylight rear-mount filters, lens caps, lens pouch, instruction manual, and 1 year Rokinon warranty

Specifications

Focal Length
500mm
Aperture
F8.0 (fixed)
Focus Type
Manual Focus
Optical Construction
7 elements in 6 groups
Filter Size (Rear)
30.5 mm
Filter Size (Front)
72mm
Minimum Focusing Distance
5.6 ft
Included Accessories
ND-2X, ND-4X, Skylight rear-mount filters, lens caps, lens pouch, instruction manual

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • This 500mm manual focus mirror lens offers a significant fixed focal length, ideal for distant subjects such as wildlife or astrophotography.
  • The fixed f/8.0 aperture provides a consistent exposure characteristic for consistent image capture.
  • The lens comes with ND-2X, ND-4X, and Skylight rear-mount filters, providing immediate versatility for different lighting conditions.
  • With 7 elements in 6 groups, the optical design aims to deliver clear images for its mirror lens category.
  • It includes essential accessories like lens caps, a lens pouch, and an instruction manual, ready for immediate use.

👎 Cons

  • The fixed F8.0 aperture means it is not a fast lens, limiting its performance in low-light conditions and depth-of-field control.
  • Being a manual focus lens, it requires precise manual adjustment, which can be challenging for fast-moving subjects.
  • Mirror lenses are known for their distinctive "donut" bokeh, which might not be desirable for all photographers.
  • The 500mm focal length is extremely long, making it less versatile for general-purpose photography and potentially requiring a tripod for stable shots.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Rokinon 500M-AI 500mm F8.0 Mirror Lens is designed for Nikon cameras, indicated by "500M-AI" in the model name, suggesting a suitable mount for Nikon systems.
The 500mm fixed focal length is highly specialized for distant subjects; it is not ideal for casual, everyday photography due to its narrow field of view and manual focus operation.
"Donut bokeh" is a characteristic of mirror lenses where out-of-focus highlights appear as rings, or "donuts," in images; this distinctive aesthetic may or may not be desired depending on artistic preference.
The included ND-2X, ND-4X, and Skylight rear-mount filters offer versatility for various lighting conditions, but they are not strictly essential for basic operation; they enhance creative control.
The Rokinon 500M-AI lens has a minimum focusing distance of 5.6 feet, allowing users to capture subjects that are relatively close for a super-telephoto lens.