josephs@ttidcb.UUCP (Bill Josephs) (03/22/85)
I own a Spiratone 500 mm f/8 with which I've been quite satis-
fied. I use it only rarely -- most recently for some spectacular
equestrian jumping during last summer's Olympics (using VR 400 print
film). Otherwise, I only use it for travel and then only for a dif-
ferent perspective (very flat field) or to remove the clutter from an
otherwise interesting scene. I'm basically happy with it, but someone
contemplating a similar purchase should consider the following:
1. It is really closer to T11 due to the blocking effect of the
internal mirrors and holes (note to neophytes: f measurement
of light transmission is purely theoretical -- T is the
usual term used to refer to the actual light transmission).
2. Its contrast is definitely lower than a more conventional,
glass lens.
3. It picks up and accentuates every bit of atmospheric haze
between the camera and the subject.
4. Filters are out -- not enought light.
5. It is a bear to focus -- and since its depth of field is
measured in inches -- focusing can be a serious problem. My
Nikon FG screen is great -- the split image works fine, but
my FA K2 screen does not -- one side or the other blacks out
depending on where my eye is -- and so I've been forced to
use the matte background. Note: an article in the August
1984 Modern Photography claimed that using the split image
is up to 5x more accurate than the matte so the loss of the
rangefinder can be serious.
As a result of using this lens, one becomes adept at finding and using
"tricks" to give a firmer camera support; things like as fences,
chairs, people, tables, unipods, chest pods, little table top tripods,
walls (and even holding the camera upside down so that the camera back
is held firmly against your forehead). Also, I bought something
several years ago -- called a Bosom Buddy -- which I haven't seen
recently -- which also helps. It's a two piece gizmo that allows you
to rest the camera on your chest (like a chest pod but somewhat
lighter and easier to use and without the sharp points which were
always stabbing me).