Fred Whitlock wrote in message <01bd12cd$28bccf20$56e540ce@afc2>...
>Gil K. wrote in article <682u8h$f9c$1@news.ibm.net.il>...


>> I'm in need of a long Tele lens for my maxxum, however, my budget is a
>> little limited, and the only AF lenses in my budget are : Tokina 400mm
>f/5.6
>> AT-X APO and the Minolta 500mm f/8 mirror lens, have any of you used
>these
>> lenses? have any comments about them?


>I haven't used either one but I think it's safe to say that the telephoto
>will outperform the mirror lens. I'm trying to think of a situation I've
>encountered that's the reverse and I can't come up with one. Good
>shooting.

Hmmm, I haven't use either either..., but I have used the Minolta
250mm f5.6 mirror, and I was impressed. The older Nikkor 500mm
f8 is also a sharp lens, so I know it is possible to make one,
and I wouldn't be surprised if Minolta did... Even if the mirror
and the standard-type long lens were equally sharp, there are still
differences in the way they operate, and in their images under some
lighting conditions. I happen to like mirrors (most of the long-lens
photos on my web page were taken with them), but many people don't.
--
David Ruether
http://www.fcinet.com/ruether
ruether@fcinet.com