Minolta AF Reflex 500mm f/8

Originally produced by Minolta, and until recently, produced by Sony, the AF Reflex 500mm f/8 is a catadioptric photographic lens compatible with cameras using the Minolta A-mount and Sony A-mount lens mounts.

Minolta Reflex 500mm f/8

Maker	Minolta, Sony
Technical data
Type	Special Prime
Focal length	500 mm
Aperture (max/min)	f/8 fixed
Close focus distance	4 m
Max. magnification	1/7.7
Diaphragm blades	No blades, circular
Construction	7 elements in 5 groups
Features
Ultrasonic motor	No
Macro capable	No
Unique features	AF capable Mirror Lens
Application	Telephoto
Physical
Max. length	118 mm
Weight	665 g
Filter diameter	Front 82mm & Rear drop-in (Clear and NDx4)
Accessories
Lens hood	Front threaded
Angle of view
Horizontal	4.9°
History
Introduction	1989
Discontinuation	2010
Successor	Minolta version succeeded by Sony version in 2006
Retail info
MSRP	699 USD (as of 2006)

The Minolta/Sony Reflex 500mm lens is the only production mirror lens designed to auto focus with an SLR camera. There are other mirror lenses that can mount onto current mounts such as Canon EF-mount and Nikon F-mount, but all of these mirror lenses are manual focus only. Only this lens can have its focus controlled by the camera's autofocus motor in conjunction with TTL autofocus sensing. In terms of the Minolta AF and subsequent Sony α SLR systems, this lens is an anomaly, being the only lens guaranteed to auto focus at f/8. Minolta also produced a V-mount 400 mm f/8 Reflex lens that can autofocus at f/8, but only the Minolta Vectis S-1, Minolta Vectis S-100 and Minolta Dimâge RD 3000 can use it.

The mirror design does not utilize aperture blades, and thus the aperture of the lens is fixed at f/8. Exposure may only be controlled by shutter speed, film or sensor sensitivity, or a rear-mounted neutral density filter.

By using a mirror design similar to that of a telescope, this lens uses very little glass compared to traditional telephoto lenses and is thus much smaller, lighter, and far less expensive than traditional lenses in the same focal length. However, this and all other mirror lenses, can produce a donut-shaped bokeh in the image it produces, which is usually undesirable.

• Minolta 500mm Reflex Lens
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  Minolta Reflex 500mm Hood off
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  Minolta Reflex 500mm Front design
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  Minolta Reflex 500mm Rear filter out

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  Minolta Reflex 500mm Hood on, cap on
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  Minolta Reflex 500mm Mirror assembly
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  Minolta Reflex 500mm Kit

American Robin taken with the Minolta AF Reflex 500mm F8 showing the Donut Bokeh