Quick answer
The Vivitar 500mm f/8 Solid Cat is a super telephoto mirror lens covering 500mm at f/8.0 for the Nikon F mount. Its smaller maximum aperture favours daylight shooting and keeps the lens compact.
About this lens
Vivitar 500mm f/8 Solid Cat: a mirror telephoto lens with a 500mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/8, made for Nikon F mount cameras. Its catadioptric design keeps a long focal length compact and light.
Vivitar 500mm f/8 Solid Cat specifications
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. 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° |
Frequently asked questions
What mount does the Vivitar 500mm f/8 Solid Cat use?
It uses the Nikon F mount, so it fits Nikon F cameras directly.
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. These figures are calculated from the focal length and crop factor.
Which cameras does the Vivitar 500mm f/8 Solid Cat fit?
Any Nikon F-mount camera, including Nikon D3, Nikon D300, Nikon D3000, Nikon D300S, and Nikon D3100 and 35 more.
Alternatives for Nikon F from other brands
All Nikon F lensesSame mount, overlapping focal range, closest maximum aperture first.
