The Longest Telephoto Lenses I Have Used: A Journey Through Focal Length and Equipment
Bordering the realms of serious photography and astrophotography, the selection of telephoto lenses is a personal and highly specialized journey. Over the years, I've owned and used several long telephoto lenses, each with unique characteristics and challenges. In this article, we will explore some of the longest telephoto lenses that I have utilized, from everyday trials to ultimate extremes.
The Longest Telephoto Lens I Have Used
Bell Howell 650mm f/8.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain Reflex Mirror Lens
Among the ranks of telephoto lenses, I've held a rather provocative and long-lasting allegiance with the Bell Howell 650mm f/8.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain Reflex Mirror Lens. This lens has been a faithful companion to many film SLRs and digital SLRs, currently sitting comfortably on a Canon 800D, where its effective focal length is 1040mm. The lens’s significant weight, at 2 pounds without the camera body or hood, has necessitated the use of a tripod. Its long focal length means that tripod use is non-negotiable to ensure crisp and stable captures.
A True Long Focus Design: My Biggest Lens
Tair-33 300mm f/4.5 Lens with 2x Teleconverter
My next contribution to the lens collection is the Tair-33 300mm f/4.5, a lens that, when accompanied by a 2x teleconverter, reaches a staggering 600mm. Mounted on my Arax 88 medium format camera, the combined weight is approximately 5kg. As a medium format camera, it translates to about 450mm for full-frame equivalence. However, this monolith of a lens is hardly a pleasure to wield, especially during conditions where a steady hand is crucial. In my experience, even the heaviest tripod struggles to stabilize it, and even a mild breeze can cause it to wobble. Given these constraints, I rarely venture to use this lens.
Catadioptric Mirror Lens
500mm Catadioptric Mirror Lens with 2X Teleconverter
Adding to the collection, my 500mm catadioptric mirror lens also comes with a 2X teleconverter, making for a grand 1000mm. When mounted on a camera with a 1.5 crop sensor, it translates to an effective focal length of 1500mm. Despite its massive size, its performance is severely limited without adequate lighting. The key to this lens lies in capturing scenes under bright sunlight, where its compact size and manageable focal length offer a significant advantage.
Zoom Lengths and Superzooms
80-200mm Zoom Lens
Of all the zoom lenses I own, the 80-200mm is the longest that I frequently use. While its length is only 200mm, its expandable range makes it a versatile yet compact companion for a variety of shooting situations. This lens balances portability with performance, and its length is enough to handle many telephoto needs without the bulk and weight of some of the other lenses in my collection.
150-600mm Superzoom Lens
The 150-600mm superzoom lens is a different beast altogether. Although it is quite large, it is more manageable than some of the giant lenses in terms of size and weight. It is often a point-and-shoot solution, offering a wide range of focal lengths in a compact body. However, the trade-off is in optical quality and overall performance, making it less impressive when compared to the ‘big glass’ – the long telephoto lenses that capture high-end photographs and astrophotography.
Old and New Lens Selection
Longer Native Telephoto Lenses
Back in the days of film and High School, I had a Telescope with a focal length of 900-1000mm. This was a Newtonian reflector, and through an eyepiece adapter and a sturdy mount, I could use my Olympus OM-1 camera as a lens. It was a magnificent experience, even though it was less compact for daily carrying. Another lens that I wielded was the Tokina Reflex Lens for the Micro Four-Thirds system, which is equivalent to 600mm on a full-frame 35mm camera. Its compact form factor makes it easy to carry around, but it comes with its quirks.
In recent years, I have added the Olympus M.Zuiko 100-400mm f/5.0-6.3 zoom, which reaches an 800mm equivalent on a 35mm camera. This lens, used in combination with MC14 and MC20 teleconverters, extends the reach to an 1600mm equivalent, making it a powerhouse in the photography world. Among my collection, the Vivitar Solid Cat 600mm f/8.0, an old mirror lens, is a memorable addition. While its image quality is not as impressive as some of the modern lenses, it still holds a special place in my heart due to its unique characteristics and adaptability.
Summary
From the hefty 650mm Bell Howell lens to the compact 600mm Tair-33, my lens collection reflects a mix of bulk and quality. Each lens serves a specific purpose and brings its own set of challenges and rewards. Whether it’s the comfort of a lightweight but long-lasting lens or the power of a superzoom, my lens collection is a testament to the versatility of modern photography equipment.