Quick answer
The Vivitar 500mm f/8 Solid Cat is a super telephoto mirror lens covering 500mm at f/8.0 for the Minolta MD mount. Its smaller maximum aperture favours daylight shooting and keeps the lens compact.
About this lens
This 500mm f/8 manual-focus mirror telephoto lens from Vivitar fits Minolta MD mount cameras. Its catadioptric design keeps a long focal length compact and light.
Vivitar 500mm f/8 Solid Cat specifications
- Brand
- Vivitar
- Mount
- Minolta MD
- Focal length
- 500mm
- Maximum aperture
- f/8.0
- Lens type
- Mirror
What can you shoot with the Vivitar 500mm f/8 Solid Cat?
At 500mm this is a super telephoto mirror, which typically suits:
- Wildlife and birds
- Motorsport and field sports
- Distant subjects and the moon
Its smaller maximum aperture favours daylight shooting and keeps the lens compact.
Full-frame equivalent and field of view
Calculated from the focal length and crop factor (adapted mount, so sensor size depends on your camera). Not measured.
| Sensor | Crop | Equivalent | Horizontal FOV | Diagonal FOV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full frame | 1.0x | 500mm | 4.1° | 5° |
| APS-C | 1.5x | 750mm | 2.7° | 3.3° |
| Micro Four Thirds | 2.0x | 1000mm | 2.1° | 2.5° |
Frequently asked questions
What mount does the Vivitar 500mm f/8 Solid Cat use?
It uses the Minolta MD mount, so it fits Minolta MD cameras directly and can be used on other systems through a mount adapter.
What is the focal length of the Vivitar 500mm f/8 Solid Cat?
It is a fixed 500mm lens with a maximum aperture of f/8.0. That makes it a super telephoto lens.
Is the Vivitar 500mm f/8 Solid Cat a prime or a zoom lens?
It is a prime lens with a fixed 500mm focal length. Primes usually open wider than zooms; this one opens to f/8.0.
What is the Vivitar 500mm f/8 Solid Cat equivalent on a crop sensor?
On APS-C (1.5x crop) it frames like 750mm on full frame, with a 2.7° horizontal and 3.3° diagonal field of view. On Micro Four Thirds (2x crop) it frames like 1000mm on full frame, with a 2.1° horizontal and 2.5° diagonal field of view. These figures are calculated from the focal length and crop factor.
Alternatives for Minolta MD from other brands
All Minolta MD lensesSame mount, overlapping focal range, closest maximum aperture first.
