Tokina SZ SUPER TELE 500mm F/8 Reflex Lens
The Tokina 500mm F/8 Reflex is a 500mm f/8 lens designed for Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony E mount cameras. Check GearFocus for current availability, with buyer protection on every purchase.
Tokina SZ SUPER TELE 500mm F/8 Reflex Lens
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NIKON fit - Tokina Fisheye 10-17mm F3.5-4.5 DX **MINT CONDITION* *FAST SHIPPING*
Lens Overview — Tokina 500mm F/8 Reflex
Key Features — Tokina 500mm F/8 Reflex
500mm Reflex Optical Design: Catadioptric (mirror) construction folds the optical path to achieve 500mm super telephoto reach in an unusually short and compact barrel.
Ultralight 310g Body: Weighing just 310g, this lens makes extended handheld super telephoto shooting far more practical than conventional long glass.
Fixed f/8 Aperture: The reflex design results in a fixed maximum aperture of f/8, so buyers should plan for well-lit shooting conditions or cameras with strong high-ISO performance.
Full-Frame Coverage: The image circle covers full-frame sensors, so there are no crop factor considerations on full-frame mirrorless or DSLR bodies.
Manual Focus Only: All focusing is done manually, suiting deliberate shooting styles such as wildlife from hides, astrophotography, or predictable sports action.
Donut Bokeh Rendering: The mirror element produces the characteristic ring-shaped bokeh associated with reflex lenses, which is a distinctive aesthetic consideration for out-of-focus backgrounds.
Lens Specifications — Tokina 500mm F/8 Reflex
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Wildlife, Birding, Astrophotography, Travel |
| Lens Type | Prime |
| Format | Full Frame |
| Zoom/Prime | Prime |
| Focal Length | 500mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/8 |
| Camera System | Mirrorless |
| Lens Mount | Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony E |
| Autofocus | No |
| Focus Type | Manual |
| Image Stabilization | None |
| Filter Thread | 72mm |
Description — Tokina 500mm F/8 Reflex
The Tokina SZ SUPER TELE 500mm F/8 Reflex is a 500mm prime lens built around a catadioptric (reflex mirror) optical design that keeps the overall package impressively compact. Weighing just 310g, it offers genuine super telephoto reach in a form factor that fits comfortably in a camera bag alongside other gear. The lens operates at a fixed f/8 maximum aperture — an inherent characteristic of the reflex design — and relies entirely on manual focus, putting creative control firmly in the photographer's hands.
It covers a full-frame image circle and is offered in Canon EF, Nikon F, and Sony E mounts, providing flexibility for photographers across multiple camera systems. A 72mm front filter thread adds practical utility for those wishing to use ND or polarizing filters. With no image stabilization and manual-only focus, this lens is best suited to deliberate, considered shooting styles where its exceptional reach-to-weight ratio truly shines.
Pros — Tokina 500mm F/8 Reflex
- ✓Ultralight 310g body makes 500mm super telephoto shooting genuinely portable
- ✓Full-frame coverage (lensFormat: Full Frame) means no crop factor considerations on full-frame bodies
- ✓Available in Canon EF, Nikon F, and Sony E mounts for broad camera compatibility
Cons — Tokina 500mm F/8 Reflex
- ✗Fixed f/8 maximum aperture limits performance in lower-light conditions and restricts depth-of-field control
- ✗Manual focus only — no autofocus support, which can make tracking moving subjects challenging
- ✗No image stabilization, which combined with f/8 aperture requires careful attention to shutter speed
Videos — Tokina 500mm F/8 Reflex
The CHEAPEST 500mm Lens for WILDLIFE - How Good Can it be? — Olle Nilsson