Chinese manufacturer TTArtisan has launched a 500mm f/6.3 supertelephoto for the RF mount and others. The lens is manual focus, but looks to have good optical performance for certain types of photography. This is not a mirror lens, which is the usual design for inexpensive supertelephoto lenses.
The best part? The TTArtisan 500mm f/6.3 comes in at only $329 USD.
This design is for full-frame, but is manual focus. The optical design is 8 elements in 5 groups including 2 extra-low dispersion elements.
If we go by the sample gallery provided by TTArtisan, they see it as an astrophotography option on a budget. The optical performance looks really nice, especially considering the price. For a backyard birder with a nice perch set up, the manual focus likely won't be much of an issue. It would also be easier to get some background separation over the f/11 Canon supertelephoto lenses.
The bokeh looks a bit busy in the bird sample photos provided, but we think it could be better with a better planned backdrop.
Sample Gallery
TTArtisan RF 500mm f/6.3 Features
- Full Frame
- 500mm Telephoto Lens
- Large Extra-low dispersion(ED) glass
- MC Multi-Layer Coatings
- 3.3m Close-up Shot
- Comes with Tripod Mount Ring
- Focus Gear Ring
- E/Z/RF/L-mount
- Full Metal Body
- Comes with a Metal Lens Hood
| Focal length | 500mm | Maximum aperture | F6.3 |
| Closest focus distance | 3.3m | Minimum aperture | F32 |
| Frame | Full Frame | Diaphragm Blades | 12pcs |
| Filter size | 82mm | Optical Design | 8 Elements in 5 Groups |
| Angle of view | 5° | Focus method | Manual |
| Weight | Around 307g | Mount | E/Z/RF/L |
Purchase Options
- TTArtisan 500mm f/6.3 $329 at Amazon (Sales go live at 18:00 ET on September 22, 2023)
- TTArtisan 500mm f/6.3 $329 at Official Store
I recently tried to use my 560mm Telyt again. And quickly gave up.
Sensors are too demanding in terms of focus precision. And lack of OIS is a real trouble.
PS: it's an F 6,3 lens (written on the lens barrel), but the diaphragm ring says F 5,6...
It would just need a use case. If you're aiming it at the sky or a bird perch set up, you're probably on a tripod... there's really no need for autofocus. If you're shooting hand held with anything moving around, yeah it could be a difficult lens to use.
Brian
But this would be a very limited use. And for a "few" hundred $ or Euros more you'd get a fully stabilized AF 600mm from Canon. Yes, only F 11.
Nevertheless, an optically convincing lens, certainly very good for astro, I guess.
Buying it for a limited use should be OK.
A lack of AF would be tricky even with perched birds from a tripod imo; and IBIS won't be any help at that focal length for handheld shots. As for astro, with a good tracking mount any long lens can give good results, although low weight helps (an extreme example: I could never get my EF 500 f/4 to track because it was too heavy for the motors). But given how little you can get secondhand RF 600/800 f/11s now it's still a tough sell.
I'm guessing the main tube is plastic?Nope, it says metal. Real glass elements I hope? How on Earth did they manage to get the weight so low?What is good for ufologists? 500mm f/4 or 600mm f/11?
I was shocked... in no way a front element with 82mm and 8 glass surfaces may weight 300 grams in a metal housing...
It is even more shocking that everybody out there seem was just marvelled :)