Minolta AF 500mm f/8 Reflex Mirror Lens
The Minolta 500mm f/8 is a 500mm f/8 lens designed for Minolta A mount cameras. Used copies start from $249.99 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.
Minolta AF 500mm f/8 Reflex Mirror Lens
Used Minolta 500mm f/8 Listings on GearFocus
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Lens Overview — Minolta 500mm f/8
Key Features — Minolta 500mm f/8
500mm Catadioptric Design: Mirror-based optical construction folds the light path to achieve a 500mm focal length in a much shorter and lighter barrel than a conventional telephoto.
665g Compact Build: Weighs just 665g — unusually light for a 500mm prime — making it practical for handheld use and extended field shooting.
Autofocus Capable: Supports autofocus via the Minolta A-mount, a rare capability among mirror lenses that gives shooters a meaningful advantage when tracking moving subjects.
Fixed f/8 Aperture: The mirror lens design results in a fixed maximum aperture of f/8, so exposure control relies entirely on shutter speed and ISO adjustments.
Full-Frame Coverage: Covers the full 35mm frame with no vignetting on full-frame A-mount DSLR bodies.
Minolta A-Mount: Compatible with all Minolta and Sony Alpha A-mount DSLR bodies, and adaptable to other systems with third-party mount adapters.
Lens Specifications — Minolta 500mm f/8
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Wildlife, Birding, Sports |
| Lens Type | Prime |
| Format | Full Frame |
| Zoom/Prime | Prime |
| Focal Length | 500mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/8 |
| Camera System | DSLR |
| Lens Mount | Minolta A |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Focus Type | Auto, Manual |
| Image Stabilization | None |
| Filter Thread | 82mm |
Description — Minolta 500mm f/8
The Minolta AF 500mm f/8 Reflex Mirror Lens is a 500mm prime telephoto designed for Minolta A-mount cameras with full-frame sensor coverage. Built around a catadioptric mirror design, it achieves its long focal length while keeping weight down to just 665g — a meaningful advantage when shooting in the field for extended periods. The fixed f/8 maximum aperture is the defining trade-off of the mirror lens format; there is no variable aperture control, so exposure must be managed through shutter speed and ISO.
Focus options include both autofocus and manual focus, offering more versatility than many mirror lenses of its generation. The 82mm filter thread provides compatibility with a wide range of standard screw-in filters. There is no image stabilization, so shutter speed discipline is important when shooting handheld at this focal length.
This lens is classified as a prime in the telephoto focal length range and is suited to DSLR bodies with the Minolta A-mount.
Pros — Minolta 500mm f/8
- ✓Impressively lightweight at 665g for a 500mm prime telephoto lens
- ✓Supports both autofocus and manual focus, offering flexibility in operation
- ✓Full-frame coverage via the Minolta A-mount system
Cons — Minolta 500mm f/8
- ✗Fixed maximum aperture of f/8 limits exposure flexibility in low-light conditions
- ✗No image stabilization, requiring attention to shutter speed when shooting handheld
- ✗Single aperture means no ability to adjust depth of field through the aperture ring
Videos — Minolta 500mm f/8
Using a 500mm Mirror Lens for Nature Photography — Fotodiox Inc
Frequently Asked Questions — Minolta 500mm f/8
What camera mount does this lens use?+
The lens uses the Minolta A-mount, making it natively compatible with Minolta A-mount DSLR cameras. It is designed for the DSLR camera system as specified in the product data.
Does this lens support autofocus?+
Yes, this lens supports both autofocus and manual focus operation. This is notable for a mirror-type lens, as many similar designs are manual-focus only.
What sensor format does this lens cover?+
The lens is rated for full-frame coverage, so it will work without vignetting on full-frame Minolta A-mount bodies, as well as on APS-C bodies within the same system.
Does it have image stabilization?+
No, image stabilization is listed as None in the specifications. Users shooting handheld at 500mm should use appropriately fast shutter speeds to avoid motion blur.
What filter size does this lens accept?+
The lens has an 82mm filter thread, which accepts standard 82mm screw-in filters. This is a relatively large filter diameter, so keep filter costs in mind when budgeting accessories.
How heavy is this lens?+
The lens weighs 665g. For a 500mm telephoto prime, this is a notably low weight, largely attributable to its catadioptric mirror optical design rather than a conventional refractive telephoto construction.