Overview

The Samyang 800mm f/8 DX Mirror is a compact, lightweight, and affordable super-telephoto lens using a catadioptric design, praised for its portability and low cost. Optical strengths include low coma, astigmatism, and chromatic aberrations, but it suffers from low contrast and distinctive donut-shaped bokeh. Sharpness is decent but not on par with high-end lenses, and there can be a scattering effect. Build is all-manual, no EXIF contacts, and requires careful focusing; it suits stationary subjects like the moon or distant landscapes, but not action or bird photography.