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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 €;

14 users have given it an average vote of 8.4 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

What do you think about this lens?

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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.

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.

Ceronetti Paolo

sent on May 01, 2019

Pros: Very robust lens construction, light weight (for a 500), good finishes, very sharp images are taken for a mirror lens.

Cons: Fixed diaphragm at F/8, so you can't play with depth of field.

Opinion: What about, I bought this lens many years ago, to do photographic hunting, I used it with both film and digital. In Both cases has always baked good pictures. Easy to handle, sturdy enough, with its metal lens hood, smooth focus ring, no impuntamenti, featherweight, for a 500. The only drawback, the diaphragm, fixed at F/8, then with a limited depth of field. For the rest only merits for this "small" goal, which continues to give me satisfactions.

Stefano Banda

sent on November 17, 2016

Pros: Sharp enough, good yield (taking into account age ...), compact and relatively lightweight, solid construction

Cons: Poor Focus freehand, impossible to change the depth of field, not "dialogue" with the camera

Opinion: I kept since the days of film, and it is still not bad. Of course, for those who have only known digital photography, using this lens it is like climbing Mount Everest. Making freehand fire is far from easy view of the focal length of 500 mm (that of APS-C become 750), but the smooth and precise ring can be a bit 'in this sense. Being free of the diaphragm can not handle the depth of field, and in fact makes best with static subjects, on a tripod, and possibly with remote control and the mirror goes up. Under these conditions produces very good photos for a perspective of 35 years ago, provided that the light is good. Otherwise the contrast worsens lot. Keep in mind that it is completely devoid of electrical contacts and not "talk" to the modern digital camera bodies, for which the correct exposure must be done based on experience or by trials. Personally I like his bokeh typical reflex reflector, which transforms every point luminosor out of focus in a light donut. In its favor it also said that it is much lighter and more manageable than a traditional 500 mm, and its solid construction (plug, barrel and screw are made of metal lens hood) explains why, at least my copy, it is kept in excellent condition for more than 30 years. it is not surprising that it has not put among the "against" the lack of stabilizer. First of all it would be unfair and absurd to demand it on a view of the '80s, and then in my case I use on Pentax bodies, who stabilization on the sensor, so an extra help. If you can find around (online or in some flea market), it may be worth buying it.

There are 2 more reviews. Show all »

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

Superga and the moon

by Aladino56
28 comments, 1665 views

HI RES 23.1 MP

I left it at home the hair dryer ...

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HI RES 23.8 MP

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HI RES 10.9 MP

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The gift

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18 comments, 3132 views

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12 comments, 320 views

HI RES 16.2 MP

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9 comments, 1896 views

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Blue, C.

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3 comments, 600 views

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0 comments, 396 views

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What a comfortable this roof

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7 comments, 607 views

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Blessed are the last

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4 comments, 1363 views

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HI RES 6.7 MP

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4 comments, 702 views

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

by Fabrizio Biancotti
5 comments, 1152 views

Portrait Tartarugoso

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2 comments, 1277 views

Sun Has Risen

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2 comments, 1632 views

HI RES 6.1 MP

Gift incoming

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4 comments, 1501 views

Walking in circles.

by Karl 97
3 comments, 1484 views

HI RES 6.0 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

What do you think about this lens?

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