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The lens focuses very well for a mirror lens with fix aperture at f8.0. Focus is a little slow and hunts in low light. When used in bright light it locks quickly. Because of its small size you might be tempted to hand hold but it is sharpest when on a tripod. I use this lens with digital SLRs, Konica Minolta 7D and the Sony Alpha 700. Both of these cameras have anti-shake capabilities. If you hand hold the lens it is imperative that the AS is active. In daylight with AS on I have gotten very sharp images. With both of these cameras the effective mm is 750 not 500mm due to the digital correction.
I wanted this lens both for its unique qualities - the only auto focusing mirror lens ever made and to have a longer focal length without the longer barrel length and weight of a refractive 500mm lens. This is the second of these lenses I bought. The first didn't have the normal filter, which rendered the lens basically useless. It seems to have been an honest mistake by the seller who didn't understand this unique lens. So make sure at least the normal filter is included. The 2X neutral density filter isn't so critical, at least with digital cameras. I have yet to use it. I returned the first lens, then found another that is pretty near mint condition. It is a unique lens that definitely takes some getting used to but I am very happy with it so far. Image quality is excellent. With a fixed f8 it isn't a low light lens, but with digital's ability to adjust the ISO that hasn't been a problem for me. Autofocus works well but depth of field is very shallow. The focus lock button is helpful. With my Sony Alpha 850's Steady Shot I get acceptable sharpness with handheld shots in daylight. HIghly recommended if you want something out of the ordinary and are willing to take some time to learn to use it.Read full review
The Konica Minolta AF 500mm f8 lens is very small and light. Easy to carry around. And its extreme tele, especially on small sensors, makes it very useful in nature photography. It also is quite sharp, perhaps not the most impressive, biting sharpness I have seen, but good. Beeing a reflex lens the AF is unike and impressive. Ok- it hunts sometimes- remember it is only a f8 lens. But I love the AF. And for what you get I would say it is a bargain. What you not get is a professional standard biting sharp lens which is a dream to perform in low light. It simply needs much light.The Af hunts sometimes. And it is a reflex lens- the bokeh is what it is. Some persons love bokeh rings, most do not. I often prefer an old Takumar 400mm (surprisingly good,by the way)because of the donuts bokeh of the Minolta mirror lens. Since the Minolta is so light and portable it is possible to do some hand held shots. With the Sony stabilisation it actually is possible for me down to 1/125 and many shots 1/60. With a bit support some shots get sharp down to 1/30.But often it is a hint of unsharpness.... I think actually it would have been easier to hold the lens steady if it were not so light. Tripod is recommended.Read full review
Appears to be a very very nice looking Lens. Way better than a Sigma 600 f8 Lens It's optical abilities are good, however I found that the Perkin Elmer 600 f8 is a much sharper lens and therefore my choice over the Minolta Model AF 500 Reflex. If you have the Chance to grab a 600 Vivitar Series 1 model, aka Perkin Elemr 600 f8, go for it. It takes a better image from edge to edge, and can be taken from hot to cold weather without any differences in resolution and contrast. You get a finer more detailed image with the 600 f8 Vivitar S1 than the Minolta AF Model.
This is a unique and becoming rarer by the minute lens that should be in your bag if you take outdoor photos. Build quality is unparalleled by any maker in it's pricerange and with Auto Focus no one makes anything similar at 3-4 times the price. With this Lens your Camera turns into a portable telescope ( That's what the lens actually is) that takes Pictures and HD Video. At 500mm on film cameras this lens actually is a 750mm on APS-C sensor equipped DSLRs. Price a 750mm quality name brand lens and after you wake up find one of these. The only warning about these is find a clean one, check the autofocus and lenses for marks and make sure you get atleast one of the drop-in filters with it especially the clear one, the Neutral Density isn't needed that much BUT YOU NEED A FILTER TO USE THE LENS CORRECTLY and they are getting as rare as finding a Unicorn The bottom line is it's a lightweight powerhouse lens built like a brick and becoming a rare gem from the engineers at Minolta. They were so far ahead of their time with this lens Sony didn't change a thing when they were selling them, get one while you can and enjoy itRead full review
