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Sony 500mm F8 Reflex A Mount Review

Sony 500mm F8 Reflex

Main Features

  • 500mm Focal Range
  • F8.0 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 55mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony Alpha Mount
  • Weight: 665g / 1.46 lb
  • Dimensions(øxL): 89mm x 118mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 4m
  • Max Magnification: 0.13x
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Sony 500mm F8 Reflex Overview


Sony 500mm F8 Reflex is a Fixed aperture Auto Focus (AF) Super Telephoto Prime lens with 35mm FF max sensor coverage, and it is designed to be used with A Mount cameras.

What type of photography is the Sony 500mm F8 Reflex lens good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use the Sony 500mm F8 Reflex is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated its suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Suitability
Bird/WildlifeExcellent
SportsExcellent
PortraitFair
TravelPoor
StreetPoor
WeddingFair
Walk AroundPoor
VloggingPoor
LandscapePoor
MacroPoor

Reasons to Buy Sony 500mm F8 Reflex Lens

Here we've included a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the Sony 500mm F8 Reflex lens in a list form to help you determine whether it offers the features you need.

PROs
Autofocus
Distance Scale
Hood supplied
Covers Full-Frame Sensor
500mm reach great for Wildlife Photography
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Buy Sony 500mm F8 Reflex from Amazon or B&H PHOTO


CONs
No Weather Sealing
Slow Aperture for a Prime Lens


Lens Mount

Sony 500mm F8 Reflex is compatible with cameras that have a Sony Alpha lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Sony Alpha lenses are Sony A99 II, Sony A68 and Sony A77 II.

Size, Weight and Filter Thread

Size and weight is a very important decision factor when searching for your next lens. Sony 500mm F8 Reflex has a maximum diameter of 89mm and total length of 118mm. It weighs 665g / 23.5 oz.

Sony 500mm F8 Reflex has a filter thread of 55mm. Below are links to the filters that we recommend you to consider for your Sony 500mm F8 Reflex:

  • 55mm Variable ND Lens Filters
  • 55mm Circular Polarizer Lens Filters
  • 55mm Clear Protection Lens Filters




Focal Range

Sony 500mm F8 Reflex has a fixed focal length of 500mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 750mm.


Optical Image Stabilization

Sony 500mm F8 Reflex doesn't have an optical image stabilization system so the only option to stabilize the image taken with this lens is to mount on a camera body with IBIS (sensor based In-body image stabilization).

Maximum Magnification Ratio

Sony 500mm F8 Reflex has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.13x and has a minimum focusing distance of 4m. 0.13x means that the max magnification ratio is very low and not suitable even for modest close-up shots.


Aperture

Sony 500mm F8 Reflex has a max aperture of F8.0 and a minimum aperture of F8.0.

Optical Formula

Sony 500mm F8 Reflex's optical formula consists of 7 elements in 5 groups . Special elements used in this design is 1 filter element.

Lens Hood

Sony 500mm F8 Reflex comes with a removable circular shaped lens hood which is handy to reduce lens flare and glare in your photos.

Body Colour

Sony 500mm F8 Reflex is available in Black color.

Popular Comparisons of Sony 500mm F8 Reflex

Here are the eight most popular comparisons of the Sony 500mm F8 Reflex amongst Camera Decision readers.

Top Alternatives of Sony 500mm F8 Reflex Lens
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Sony 500mm F4 G SSM Lens Sony 500mm F4 G SSM
Compare
35mm FF 3,460 g / 7.61 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Tokina AT-X Pro 100mm f2.8 Macro Lens Tokina AT-X Pro 100mm f2.8 Macro
Compare
35mm FF 540 g / 1.19 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar T Lens Sony FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar T
Compare
35mm FF 426 g / 0.94 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Samyang Reflex 300mm f6.3 UMC CS Lens Samyang Reflex 300mm f6.3 UMC CS
Compare
APS-C / DX 260 g / 0.57 lb MF Amazon B&H Photo
Sony 500mm F8 Reflex Lens Sony 500mm F8 Reflex
Compare
35mm FF 665 g / 1.46 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 120-400mm F4.5-5.6 DG HSM Lens Sigma 120-400mm F4.5-5.6 DG HSM
Compare
35mm FF 1,640 g / 3.61 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM Lens Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM
Compare
35mm FF 1,490 g / 3.28 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Lens Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM
Compare
35mm FF 1,780 g / 3.92 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Sony 500mm F8 Reflex Alternatives in Sony Alpha Mount
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Sony 500mm F4 G SSM Lens Sony 500mm F4 G SSM
Compare
35mm FF 3460 g / 7.61 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo

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Sony 500mm F8 Reflex Detailed Specifications


General
Brand Sony
Lens Type Prime
Lens Type Telephoto Mirror Prime
Lens Mount Sony Alpha
Max Format 35mm FF
Focal Range 500mm
Image Stabilization No
Colour Black
Zoom Method No Zoom
Power Zoom No Zoom
Zoom Lock No Zoom
Zoom Ratio 1.0X
APERTURE
Max Aperture F8.0
Min Aperture F8.0
Aperture Ring No
Diaphragm Blades 0
Optics
Optical Elements 7
Optical Groups 5
Special Elements 1 filter element

FOCUSING
Min Focus Distance 4m
Max Magnification 0.13X
Autofocus Yes
AF Motor Type Screw drive from camera
Focus Method Internal
Distance Scale Yes
DoF Scale No
PHYSICAL SPECS
Weight 665g
Diameter 89mm
Length 118mm
Weather Sealing No
Filter Thread 55mm
Filter Notes -
Hood Supplied Yes
Tripod Collar No
Report a Correction
Frequently Asked Questions about Sony 500mm F8 Reflex
is the Sony 500mm F8 Reflex a Weather-sealed lens?
What is the Minimum Focusing Distance of Sony 500mm F8 Reflex
is the Sony 500mm F8 Reflex an Autofocus (AF) lens?
What is the Filter Thread Size of Sony 500mm F8 Reflex
Does Sony 500mm F8 Reflex have Image Stabilization?
Does Sony 500mm F8 Reflex have Aperture Ring?
What is the Maximum Magnification Ratio of Sony 500mm F8 Reflex


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