Overview

The Walimex 500mm f/8 mirror lens (also sold as Samyang, Phoenix, etc.) is a compact, all-metal manual focus lens with smooth focusing. Optically, it virtually eliminates chromatic aberration but suffers from low contrast and softness, with characteristic donut-shaped bokeh. It is very affordable, around $60–100, and lightweight, making it suitable for budget-minded photographers interested in extreme telephoto reach, especially for subjects like the moon. However, it requires manual exposure and careful focusing, and its optical compromises mean it is not for those seeking maximum sharpness.