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Tamron SP 500 f/8.0 Model 55B : Specifications and Opinions

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The Tamron SP 500 f/8.0 Model 55B is a supertele lens for FF and APS-C, manufactured from 1979 to 1983 (discontinued). The focus is done by Manual Focus, it does not have image stabilization. The average price, when it has been added to the JuzaPhoto database, is €;

15 users have given it an average vote of 8.5 out of 10.

Specifications
Focal lenght	500 mm
Angle of view	5°
Format	FF, APS-C
Max. aperture	f/8
Aperture blades
Lenses/Groups	7 elements in 4 groups
Min. focus distance	1.7 meters
Reproduction ratio	0.33x
Features
Stabilization	No
Focus	Manual Focus
Internal Focus	No
Built and notes
Tripod ring	Yes
Extenders	Yes
Filters	82 mm
Lens hood	Built-in
Weather sealing	No
Weight	575 g
Dimensions	84 x 91.5 mm
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Reviews

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Timk2

sent on June 17, 2015

Pros: Compact and lightweight, close focus

Cons: Catadioptric lens, meaning fixed slow aperture and 'doughnut' shaped out of focus highlights, quite soft low contrast image, mirror alignment quite easily knocked out of place, no stabilisation, manual focus, very old Tamron 'Adaptall' system, lenshood essential

Opinion: Out of all the plethora of catadioptric (mirror) lenses that came out of the 1980's, this, apart from the much heavier and more exclusive (now) Nikkor variant, this Tamron is about the only one even worth considering, now. With the likes of excellent quality (in comparison) long zooms such as Sigma 150-500mm almost commonplace and affordable, the need for a cheap very much compromising mirror lens is almost not there now. I bought mine back in the film days for my F100 and it's always been difficult to get a sharp image. The subject jumps about in the viewfinder that sometimes it's difficult to frame it accurately! However, it seems surprisingly much more able on the digital crop D7000, accessible via Nikon's 'non CPU lens' data bank. I occasionally use it for very far distant views, where infinity focus usually means no out of focus areas to create those awful doughnut shapes. The resulting image quality is always quite low contrast, not surprising considering how many times the light path is bent by all those internal mirrors. The images always requires quite a lot of Photoshop sharpening and extra contrast. I can achieve better results by attaching Sigma EX 1.4x TC to my excellent Tamron SP 70-300mm VC, giving equivalent to 560mm, compared to 750mm of the mirror lens. The vibration control of the zoom actually works too. I do stop the zoom down a bit though, but even handheld in good light, results can be impressive. Therefore, I almost never use this 500mm f8 mirror lens these days but I will keep it, as its value is probably quite low now and it may become useful again. The lens, being an 'SP' Tamron is well built though, with a nice smooth but long reaching focus ring that focusses down to 1/3 life size. In conclusion: in these days of ultra fast iso's available and excellent long zooms covering this focal length, mirror lenses are really only of novelty value, now. But, if you want to try one, or are after those weird out of focus shapes, then this is probably about the only reasonable contender and the Adaptall system should fit most DSLR's, as long as you can get the relevant adaptor, of course, which will be secondhand too and cost you extra. Overall, I can't give this lens more than 7/10, when compared to what is available today.

The following opinions have been automatically translated with Google Translate.

Paolo Calderara

sent on July 05, 2025

Pros: used price, compactness and limited weight, excellent color rendering, soft but pleasant

Cons: Only the limits of all catadioptrics: fixed aperture at f 8, ring bokeh that may not like manual focus only

Opinion: I bought the TAMRON 500 in the BB version (later than the one with a single B from 1979) with a one-year warranty from Newoldcamera in Milan, paying 95 €. With another 55 € I bought a Kenko MC 7 focal duplicator and the adaptall for my Pentax. The Adaptal system is excellent: the fixing is effective and solid. The images are very good and with my Pentax K 1 mark 2 the only thing to do is focus, the rest is done by the camera. I recommend focusing on the center point of the image because the depth of field is modest. Focusing is not particularly problematic because the camera indicates when the subject is in focus; I have yet to try the Catch in, i.e. the automatic shooting when the subject is in focus. I think it's great for bird photography, especially if they're still or perched on a branch, so you can focus quietly.

Garabombo

sent on February 25, 2025

Pros: (55BB) Solid, well-made and well balanced; good tonal performance, pleasantly soft; possibility of screwing 30.5 mm rear filters; ring bokeh.

Cons: (55BB) No longer available tripod mount, to screw on the rear filters you have to disassemble the adapter (adaptall-2: reflex / adapter: ML); ring bokeh.

Opinion: A worthy representative of the Tamron SP series, reborn to new glory with the advent of the ML. Solid and pleasantly metallic construction, long and smooth focusing: a real pleasure to slide the embossed tires (a little finger is enough and yet the degree of friction remains optimal). Other small details worthy of note: the focus flows 3 mm beyond infinity, as the laws of optics command, to compensate for any variations in expansion and refraction. Min. firing distance to 1.7 m which produces a rap. of "almost" macro magnification (0.33x). Handy and compact: 500 mm reduced to just under 9 cm is a lot! Well-made screw-on lens hood, metal and with a velvety "real" anti-glare inner lining: I find it quite comfortable to screw and unscrew (it is true that you cannot insert the front cap with the lens hood engaged). It gives a faithful tonal rendering, pleasantly soft (never washed out). It is not a blade of sharpness but you can't ask for this from the catadioptric modus (which in practice reproduces a miniature mirror reflecting telescope; for this purpose the optics are also convenient for impromptu planetary astronomical photography, e.g. spectacular moon!). The obsession with sharpness at the time of the film was much less marked, however, and greater attention was paid to the overall tonal and plastic rendering. The 55BB version improves optical aberration compared to the 55B. Note that the f-number remains constant over the entire focal range from infinity to 1.7 m. The defect of this type of lens at the time of emulsions was the absence of the variable diaphragm, which the relativization of ISO with digital cameras made less important. Focusing with an ML has also become much easier than in the past, which gives the lens a new lease of life. If you find it used at a good price (under 200 euros) it is a great purchase especially if you have the optional kit: solid leather case & set of filter holders for BN with O56 (Orange), Y52 (Yellow), R60 (Red), ND 4x (Neutral density 4x), as well as a velvet pupil reducer; a protective filter is already in place (given as "mandatory" to optimize focus). All related to the rear attachment with 30.5 mm filters, screw coupling. Unlike what has been read, in fact, even vers. BB hosts that opportunity. As for the bokeh, note that the light points will obviously be ring-shaped and here space for personal tastes!

Oldbab

sent on May 14, 2021

Pros: Mod. 55BB: lightweight, good quality construction, very good optical performance given age.

Cons: Lack of tripod attachment (mod. 55BB), impractical light attachment, uses only filters 82 mm in diameter

Opinion: The Mirror Tamron 500 SP was produced in two types: the 55 B, to which previous reviews refer, and the most recent 55BB, produced until 2005, to which these notes refer. The optical quality of the two versions is equivalent, although the BB type has undergone modifications to the optical system to improve yield at close ranges. The BB type no longer has the removable mount for the tripod and can no longer mount small diameter filters on the rear frame, which is a real shame. The BB type is distinguished from the previous one by the square focus ring, instead of linear zigzag. The lens provides more than acceptable results even with digital devices and given the current cost, it is worth buying. By the way, compared to Russian catadiotists, it is more compact and lighter, and it also has the advantage that it does not use real mirrors, but silvering is applied, with patented process, directly on glass lenses. The only criticism concerns the metal lampshon attachment system. This is screw mounting (82 mm diameter), so nothing strange, but it uses a removable, really impractical two-threaded ring. Incidentally, the lampshh can be threaded, inverted, above the optics (as is usually done with modern bayonet lampshhs), but in this case you can no longer mount the cap, which is simply absurd.

Antonio Baldacci

sent on January 17, 2020

Pros: Light and compact for a 500 mm. Exceptional macro-contrast.

Cons: It is appropriate to use it with its supplied telescopic lampshade.

Opinion: I use it willingly when I need a long focal and want to stay light. The minimum focus distance is good for the focal. Very pleasant to use, of course for static subjects. For those on the move, not being AF, it is not very suitable. Well-made optics, all made of metal. Very particular and pleasant blur on the highlights, with beautiful rings. Recommended for those who have no difficulty in focusing manually.

There are 4 more reviews. Show all »

Photos taken with Tamron SP 500 f/8.0 Model 55B

Superga and the moon

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28 comments, 2059 views

HI RES 23.1 MP

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HI RES 22.8 MP

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0 comments, 1546 views

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HI RES 17.9 MP

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7 comments, 757 views

HI RES 21.2 MP

Blessed are the last

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Bagheera

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4 comments, 876 views

HI RES 24.2 MP

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The Moon rises behind the "Sas da l'Om"

by Fabrizio Biancotti
5 comments, 1450 views

Narcissus

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4 comments, 1380 views

You do not think that's enough so little?

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2 comments, 1559 views

Sun Has Risen

by Timk2
2 comments, 1824 views

HI RES 6.1 MP

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Reviews » Lenses » Lenses Tamron » Tamron SP 500 f/8.0 Model 55B

Tamron SP 500 f/8.0 Model 55B : Specifications and Opinions

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Reviews

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Photos taken with Tamron SP 500 f/8.0 Model 55B