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Abbreviations

Sample photos (6)

Specification

Source of data

• Manufacturer's technical data.

Typical characteristics of mirror (reflex) lenses

• Catadioptric system consisting of curved mirrors and optical glass;
• Much shorter, lighter and less expensive designs than conventional super telephoto lenses;
• Outstanding correction of chromatic aberrations;
• Since the aperture is fixed, neutral density filters are used to obtain a smaller aperture;
• Doughnut-shaped out-of-focus highlights.

From the editor

The Rubinar 500/8 is one of the most advanced mirror-reflex lenses produced in Russia. Rubinars have a modified Maksutov optical design, known as the "Volosov" or "Richter-Slevogt" design (there are other names), and are the pride of Soviet (Russian) optical engineering. The development of the Rubinar 500/8 was carried out in the 1980s, and the first serial samples appeared in the early 1990s. The lens was produced by the Lytkarino Optical Glass Plant (Russia). Two versions existed:

• МС РУБИНАР 8/500 МАКРО - with the M42 screw mount;
• МС РУБИНАР-К 8/500 МАКРО - with the Pentax K mount.

The lens was supplied with a screw-in round lens hood, as well as two 77mm screw-in filters: Н-4х (Neutral) and О-2,8х (Orange).

Shooting with the Rubinar 500/8 is not the easiest task! Back and side light, which completely illuminates the viewfinder, greatly interferes with focusing. You can't do without a lens hood. Shooting handheld at shutter speeds shorter than 1/500 is almost impossible, therefore, you have to raise the ISO, maneuvering on the border of a noisy and blurry frame. The depth of field, which is small even despite the speed of F/8, also affects focusing.

An undeniable advantage of the Rubinar 500/8 is the ability to shoot covertly. At a distance of 30-50 meters, few people will pay attention to you, which will allow you to calmly photograph objects in a relaxed atmosphere. For more comfortable shooting, Rubinar needs a camera with good image quality at high ISO 800-1600, as well as with LiveView mode. In addition, a tripod would be useful (if we are talking about shooting still objects).

The maximum magnification is only 1:4, so "Macro" in the lens name is not justified. "Close focus" would be a better description, as the Rubinar focuses down to 2.2m, which is a pretty good result for a 500mm super telephoto lens.

In addition to the black finish, there were Rubinars with bronze or white finishes. However, such examples can now only be found in private collections.

Notes

• Dmitry Dmitrievich Maksutov (1896-1964) is a Soviet scientist, optician, corresponding member of the USSR Academy of Sciences (1946). Inventor of the meniscus optical system bearing his name, which is now widely used in telescope construction.

Lenses with similar focal length