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Tamron SP 500mm F/8 Tele Macro BBAR MC Mirror Lens

The Tamron 500mm f/8 Tele Macro BBAR MC is a 500mm f/8 lens designed for T-Mount mount cameras. Used copies start from $96.95 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.

Tamron SP 500mm F/8 Tele Macro BBAR MC Mirror Lens

Tamron SP 500mm F/8 Tele Macro BBAR MC Mirror Lens

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Tamron 55B 500mm f8 SP Tele Macro BBAR MC Lens Reflex Mirror

Condition: Good

Product Highlights

  • Compact and lightweight mirror lens
  • Fixed f/8 aperture for consistent performance
  • BBAR coating for reduced flare and ghosting
  • Macro focusing capability

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Used Tamron 500mm f/8 Tele Macro BBAR MC Listings on GearFocus

Tamron 55B 500mm f8 SP Tele Macro BBAR MC Lens Reflex Mirror
Tamron 55B 500mm f8 SP Tele Macro BBAR MC Lens Reflex Mirror

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$96.95

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Lens Overview — Tamron 500mm f/8 Tele Macro BBAR MC

The Tamron SP 500mm F/8 Tele Macro BBAR MC is a prime telephoto mirror lens built for full-frame DSLR systems, offering a fixed 500mm focal length at a maximum aperture of f/8. Designed around a mirror (catadioptric) optical construction, this lens achieves a notably compact and lightweight form factor — tipping the scales at just 595g — making it a practical choice for photographers who want serious reach without the bulk and weight typically associated with long telephoto glass. The lens mounts via the universal T-Mount system, which means it can be adapted to a wide range of DSLR camera bodies using the appropriate T-mount adapter for your specific camera system.

Being a prime lens, it delivers a single focal length with no zoom capability, and it is entirely manual focus — there is no autofocus mechanism. Image stabilization is not present, so photographers will need to account for camera shake at this focal length through technique or support. The filter thread measures 82mm, allowing for standard filter use.

With its BBAR (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection) multi-coating, the lens is designed to manage flare and maintain contrast. At 595g, it remains one of the more portable options in the 500mm telephoto category.

Key Features — Tamron 500mm f/8 Tele Macro BBAR MC

500mm Mirror Optics: Catadioptric (mirror) optical design folds the light path to achieve 500mm reach in a much shorter, lighter barrel than a conventional telephoto lens.

595g Compact Build: Weighs just 595g, making it one of the lightest 500mm telephoto options available for handheld or travel use.

Fixed f/8 Aperture: Mirror lens design results in a fixed, non-adjustable aperture of f/8, so exposure is controlled via shutter speed and ISO.

BBAR Multi-Coating: Broad-Band Anti-Reflection coating reduces flare and ghosting to help maintain contrast and color fidelity across a wide range of light conditions.

Universal T-Mount: Attaches to virtually any DSLR or mirrorless system using an inexpensive T-mount adapter specific to your camera brand.

Full-Frame Coverage: Image circle covers full-frame sensors, making it compatible with both full-frame and crop-sensor DSLR bodies.

Lens Specifications — Tamron 500mm f/8 Tele Macro BBAR MC

Tamron 500mm f/8 Tele Macro BBAR MC full specifications
SpecDetail
Use CasesWildlife, Sports, Birding, Macro
Lens TypeSuper Telephoto
FormatFull Frame
Zoom/PrimePrime
Focal Length500mm
Maximum Aperturef/8
Camera SystemDSLR
Lens MountT-Mount
AutofocusNo
Focus TypeManual
Image StabilizationNone
Filter Thread82mm

Description — Tamron 500mm f/8 Tele Macro BBAR MC

The Tamron SP 500mm F/8 Tele Macro BBAR MC is a prime telephoto mirror lens designed for full-frame DSLR systems. Built around a catadioptric optical design, it achieves a 500mm focal length in a package weighing just 595g — a meaningful advantage for photographers who need long telephoto reach without carrying heavy conventional glass. The lens operates at a fixed f/8 maximum aperture, which is characteristic of mirror telephoto designs.

All focusing is manual, with no autofocus capability, so the shooter has full hands-on control over focus distance. Image stabilization is not included, making solid support important when shooting at this focal length. The T-Mount system provides versatile camera body compatibility across a wide range of DSLR platforms, provided the appropriate brand-specific T-mount adapter is used. A 82mm filter thread allows for standard screw-in filter attachments.

BBAR multi-coating helps manage reflections and maintain image contrast across varying lighting conditions.

Pros — Tamron 500mm f/8 Tele Macro BBAR MC

  • ✓Lightweight at just 595g for a 500mm prime telephoto lens
  • ✓Full-frame coverage suitable for full-frame DSLR sensors
  • ✓Universal T-Mount system offers broad camera body compatibility via adapters

Cons — Tamron 500mm f/8 Tele Macro BBAR MC

  • ✗Fixed f/8 aperture offers no flexibility for exposure control via aperture adjustment
  • ✗Manual focus only — no autofocus support
  • ✗No image stabilization, making handheld shooting at 500mm more challenging

Videos — Tamron 500mm f/8 Tele Macro BBAR MC

Tamron SP 500mm f/8 Mirror Lens — Finn Moore

Frequently Asked Questions — Tamron 500mm f/8 Tele Macro BBAR MC

What cameras is this lens compatible with?+
The Tamron SP 500mm F/8 uses a T-Mount, which is a universal adapter system. To use it on your DSLR, you will need a separate T-Mount adapter specific to your camera brand. The lens is rated for full-frame coverage, so it can be used on both full-frame and crop-sensor DSLR bodies.
Does this lens have autofocus?+
No, this lens is manual focus only. There is no autofocus mechanism of any kind, so all focusing must be done by hand using the focus ring.
How heavy is this lens?+
The lens weighs 595g, which is relatively light for a 500mm prime telephoto. This is largely due to its mirror (catadioptric) optical design, which keeps the physical length and mass compact compared to conventional telephoto constructions.
Can I use filters with this lens?+
Yes, the lens features an 82mm filter thread, so standard 82mm screw-in filters are compatible.
Does this lens have image stabilization?+
No, image stabilization is not present on this lens. At 500mm, this makes a tripod or other stable support highly recommended to avoid camera shake, especially in lower light conditions.
Can the aperture be changed on this lens?+
No. As a mirror lens, the aperture is fixed at f/8 and cannot be adjusted. Exposure control must be managed through shutter speed and ISO settings on your camera body.

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