Some time ago, we have covered an interesting alternative workflow showcasing how you can easily convert a consumer telescope to a super-telephoto lens with a 2850mm equivalent focal length and then mount it on your Sony A6500. Considering that the suggested setup costs around $600, it’s still one of the most affordable options out there for those of you who want to get into super-telephoto shooting on the cheap.
US-based filmmaker Christopher Burress, the author of the former video, has recently come across another, even more appealing option. This time he shows how you can get a 1000mm telephoto lens for just $80. For the price, this lens seems like a real no-brainer for Sony A6500 users interested in this specific style of shooting so let’s find out what type of results you can get with it in a real-world environment.
With an aperture range of f8 and f32, this manual focus lens is far from being the perfect low light performer, but if you plan to shoot with it predominantly during the daytime, it’s clearly a pretty good bargain. The unit features fully multi-coated low-dispersion optical glass and comes with 2X Professional Multiplier, T-Mount Adapter, Lens Cap Keeper, and a Cleaning Kit. Plus, it’s compatible with all Sony Alpha Series cameras and other Sony E-Mount siblings.
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to rely too much on the built-in image stabilization of the Sony A6500, just like with the previous setup, but you can still take advantage of the excellent low light performance the camera provides. Just make sure that your combo is steadily secured before you hit the record button as even the slightest motion can completely ruin your footage – something that can be clearly seen in the above video.
As Chris points out, this lens is capable of producing some lovely images, especially at 500mm when shooting video. Keep in mind, though, that nailing your focus could be a bit tricky and you’ll have to use a T-ring adapter to mount this lens to your camera body. Rather than that, it’s an amazing piece of glass for an extremely low price. Let us know what you think about this budget-friendy super telephoto setup in the comments below.
[source: Christopher Burress]
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Super-powered 500mm/1000mm f/8.0 Telephoto Lens
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