Opteka 650mm-1300mm DSLR Lens Review

Photography is an art. An expensive Art. Proven by the fact that there are certain lenses that run upwards of $10,000. Telephoto lenses are famous for high price tags. And unless you’re Ansel Adams, dropping that kind of money on a lens is probably a bit tricky. That’s where a cheaper telephoto lens like the Opteka 650mm-1300mm (also called the Opteka 650-2600mm lens) comes in.

Recently I got the chance to play around with the Opteka 650mm-1300mm lens, and wanted to share my experience with it. I both love and hate this lens, but mostly love. I don’t proclaim to be a professional photographer, but I do love getting out into nature and taking some cool photos. Here are some photos I recently took wandering through a foggy forest when I couldn’t sleep. I really like how those turned out!

You might also want to check out a smaller Opteka telephoto lens, there’s a review of the Opteka 420-800mm lens here. It’s a very worthy alternative to the larger Opteka.

Just a heads up, there are affiliate links in this post so if you choose to buy something through them, I get a little sumthin’ sumthin’ at no cost to you, thanks!

Table of Contents

The specs:

The Opteka’s zoom range is 650mm-1300mm but it comes with a 2x converter attachment which doubles that focal length. So you can zoom in as much 2600!

Zoom type: Push/Pull (what? yes. I’ll get to that in a minute)

Focus type: Manual

Minimum focus distance: 16ft

Aperture: f/8-f/16

Filter size: 95mm (I laughed when I read that. That’s massive! I have no filters that even come close)

Length: 18.5 – 23.3 inches (depending on how far you’re zoomed)

Weight: 4.4lbs

My experience

The Opteka 650-1300mm lens is overall a good buy in my opinion, but there are a few things to note before buying it.

I took the lens out into several different environments – city, forest, and night photography – and quickly understood how important it is to be far away from your subject. This might seem obvious if you’re used to using a telephoto lens, but if you’re considering the Opteka, chances are you haven’t.

It’s a lens for amerture photographers who want to get a handle on long-range photography without mortgaging their house to pay for it.

I used my Canon 70D with the Opteka for this review.

Remember: It needs to have the T-mount adapter to fit onto your camera.

The minimum shooting distance is 16 ft.

Keep that in mind because you will not be able to focus if you’re too close. The farther away your subject is, the better.

The lens must be mounted on a tripod.

It really isn’t an option. It’s surprisingly light compared to the more expensive telephoto lenses, but in DSLR lens speak, “light” is relative.

Use a steady tripod or you will get shake.

Honestly you’ll probably get shake either way. So wait a few seconds after choosing all your camera settings, and use a remote. I’m serious guys, you need to use a remote with this lens if you hope to be happy with the results.

Manual focus

I’m ok with manual focus. At least when I’m not trying to photograph anything that’s moving too fast. So the fact that the Opteka is manual focus only isn’t a big deal in my opinion, but if you’re used to using autofocus for everything, it’s a learning curve.

Camera shake

I found that the weight and camera shake made it harder to focus with the Opteka than I liked, but I still managed. I have this tripod, and as much as I love it, getting a heavier tripod for this type of lens might be worth it.

Here are 10 features to look for in a tripod.

Push/Pull Zoom

This was the hardest thing to get used to with this lens. Normally, you twist the zoom ring on your DSLR lens and it does the work for you. The Opteka 650mm-1300mm lens is very much manual zoom.

You twist a ring on the lens to unlock the zoom, and then literally push or pull the lens out to zoom in and zoom out.

It’s not a smooth process and definitely takes some getting used to. It also creates a lot of camera shake so be sure to let the lens rest after you’ve locked it back down.

x2 Converter

The x2 converter effectively doubles your focal length with this lens. That’s not a big deal until you get passed the 1300mm point and start moving on up towards 2600mm. Then you get to see the magic start to work as you get to look incredibly closely at things you just would not be able to otherwise.

The converter does add to the length of the lens, and so it adds to the shake. Because of that, I wouldn’t add it unless I really wanted to. The lens already zooms in really far on its own.

Photo quality

Photo quality is part the lens, part the photographer, and I can’t say that my photos are particularly noteworthy, but I felt like the lens did its job. Although the lens shake made it harder to focus I managed to get it close enough to see what the Opteka is capable of. And I absolutely loved being able to look at the moon “up close.”

The photos below are examples of the zoom capabilities of the Opteka 650-1300mm.

None of the photos have been edited, but I changed the white balance in my camera when I added the 2x converter so you could tell the difference more easily.

Check out which remotes I use here

Price

You can’t beat the price for a lens like this. It runs somewhere between $200-$300 where I’ve seen it. It’s absolutely not a professional photographer’s lens, and the price reflects that, but it’s far from being a piece of junk.

Pros: Price, photo opportunities, weight.

Cons: Push/pull zoom, camera shake, manual everything.

Conclusion

For someone that gets a kick out of taking nature shots or astrophotography the Opteka is a really nice option. It requires a learning curve, but the success that I’ve had with it so far really just makes me want to experiment with it more.

This is not a lens for fast-moving subjects. It takes too long to adjust the aperture and the zoom. But if you’re set up and can take a little time to adjust your settings, it’s a great choice for amateurs looking to expand their photo skills.

See the lens here.

Watch the video review of the Opteka 650-1300mm lens:

Jenny

February 1, 2019 at 7:13 pm

Hello. I came across and discovered your review for this wonderful lens and many other features. And thought i would like to join in the forum.

I also have the same lens and as well i have a T ring adaprter. As well a Canon EOS 70D though (dont forget there will be a 90D this year. Who knows how much and what price willthe 70D and the 80D will be. Though it would had been nice to have 4K but anyhow the camera does what i want at least.

I brought a nice Tripod but i was in a little bit of a rushed to buy it. (with little research 🙁
I have VELBON SHERPA 300 TRIPOD WITH 3-WAY HEAD it cost me under 200 dollars.
It looks and feels great and heavyness (not like a toy feel)

But here is the problem now.. I wanted to view the Moon and stars to pint point the stars i want.
As the big lens is connected to this tripod with the Canon 70D. I can not lift all the way facing up to the sky. It does lift up to the sky but it can not reach as in a straight I line straight up. It seems that the hand handle on the tripod it blocking it as it can not go facing straight up like a straight I. Instead it just goes up but not straight line up. So it was dificult to make the tripod legs one smaller while the other one higher and it was just simply time consuming and corrections..

Then i heard there is this Monopods ? Never heard such thing until i looked aroumd.. But i think Monopods doesnt have a stand like a normal Tripod with the 3 legs. Monopods just seems like a long selfie stick stand but doesnt look like a normal tripod with the hand handle stick.

So i don’t no. There was a few variety tripods and some most expensive with more options. But i guess i was ain a rush now its too late to buy another lens or just a waste of money for what i paid for. I mean the tripod i brought is very good. Just doesnt do what i wanted only 1 simple thing and that is point the lens in a straight line straight up to the sky like a I. But to do that i have to make one leg smaller the other taller and so on and it just makes it look weird and or not very stabled.

So what should i need.. Yes i am on a budget but same time dont want something that breaks easy.. Just something durable strong perhaps heavy since the lens is already heavy but dont want to spent so much money for it.

Now im clueless what to do as im unable to return it back to think other tripods in the market. As i broguht it at a camera house.

So yeah what is your options tips on this? I always thought just recently that Monopods tripods are just 1 stand mainly for holding the monopod on your hand while it is standing on the ground which i think that be bad because you will still end up shaking the tripod if you where to look at the moon with this big lens.. there for you requier a normal tripod with the 3 legs so that you don’t touch the tripod as anything will shake when viewing what you want to see thru the camera and the lens itself.

So any tips ?

——————-

About this x2 converter lens that you folks are talking about. I saw it at the store for around 500 dollars but it is a brand such as Canon or Sigma or other brands. But then if you look on Ebay you can find the same x2 converter lens but without a branding name. And it shows it cost under 40.00 dollars. So that make a huge diferences one that is a canon brand costing 500 dollars while the other is a nonbranding and it cost under 40.00 so what diferences does it make?

I dont think it would be good to spent 500 dollars on a brand x2 converter lens while at the same time you have a cheap big lens like you have 650-1300mm Or cheap brand. So i dont think the picture quality will make any diferences if you where to spent one that is 500dollars vs a 40.00 dollar X2 converter lens. Because the big lens you already have is not a expensive lens lik these you see in the market costing 10.000 dollars. So its not like a 500 dollars x2 converter will make it all look quality over the cheap 650-1300mm lens. But i could be simply wrong. Should you correct me as i don’t no the diferences.

Maybe the most expensive x2 converter lens are design for expensive lenses in the market so if you have a expensive big lens by canon.. then you might as well buy the expensive x2 converter lens for it. But it wont make no higher quality over a cheap lens. But i could be wrong.

But the main principle is the issue of the tripod. I like the tripod to have a hand handle like mine does… but it just doesnt do what i wanted which is point the big lens straight up like a I to the sky.. it just does it almost but not quite.
So maybe i need to rethink of a new tripod i guess.. Not sure what im suppose to do with the 200 dollar tripod i just brought. Unfortunately i cant return it back.

Anyways i so much love your review and information. I think your the only first person on the internet who gives better information for the whole thing for Cameras like this 😉 take care

12 Comments

Mike Dougherty
December 28, 2016 at 2:38 pm

Hannah … based on what your wrote above, I would give a look at the Nikon P900 instead of one of these long lenses. The P900 lens is the equivalent of 24-2,000 optical, 4,000 digital. That’s 83X. I use one and it is actually pretty sharp, contrasty, and snaps into focus. I have also used a 800 mm, 2 element, long focus lens like the Opteka, and the P900 is just so much easier to shoot with, especially with its modern optics.
- Hannah
  December 29, 2016 at 10:16 am
  
  Hey Mike, that’s a great suggestion for people looking to photograph from a distance regularly, especially for fast-moving subjects. It depends on what you’re currently using, what you generally shoot, what specs you care about (RAW shooting for example) and if you want to get a whole new camera. Personally I don’t do this type of photography enough right now to make me want to get a whole new camera just for that, and I’m kinda in love with my Canon in general too lol. I agree though if you’re doing this kind of photography regularly the P900 is a great option, the zoom is pretty crazy on it. Thanks for bringing it up!
  - Taylor Tvedt
    December 28, 2018 at 2:34 am
    
    Hannah if I was to get the opteka lens do you think it would make good quality photos of wildlife to be able to sell the photos?
    - Han
      January 2, 2019 at 10:20 am
      
      Hi Taylor! Personally I wouldn’t rely on the Opteka for wildlife shots of that level. Although it’s possible to get some cool shots of wildlife, because the lens is so big, has to be adjusted manually (slow) and needs a few seconds to steady after adjusting it, it can be difficult to capture moving subjects with the sharpness required for sellable shots.
Nic
January 29, 2019 at 4:02 pm

Hi could you please let us know exactly which x2 converter would i need to make the extra zoom ? I am geting the exact same thing as you have. Kelda 650-1300 lens (cheap brand) and i own the Canon 70D. However i like to see things closer and i like to take the advantage of it since i don’t own a telescope to see the moon and stars and nature.

So i like to find out if the actual x2 converter is worth it? Why not use the actual extra zoom on the actual Canon 70D that the camera already has? Just press the zoon on the body camera giving that extra zoom to just about any lens you connect to the camera. Or perhaps i just need the x2 converter.

I don’t no where or what kind of x2 converter lens would i need for the same white colour 650-1300 lens i have. I live in Australia maybe there must be something on Ebay ? Would it cost more then just the big lens itself?

Let us know what kind as not every lens would actually fit the actual x2 converter to the canon 70d or the actual lens you might have. So i have to be careful exactly which converter would i need and what else would i need.. such as T adaptor or anything.
- Han
  February 1, 2019 at 1:32 pm
  
  Hi Nic,
  Ok soooo I have now actually added a link to the 2x converter & the t-mount adapter that I use into the post. I think the 2x converter is worth it just because it takes it to the max, and especially for looking at/taking pics of the moon I think that’s cool. The lens does get even more shaky with the 2x converter attached, so just be aware of that. I can’t tell you for sure if the converter and adapter I used will work with your lens, but assuming it is the same as the Opteka – just branded differently – I don’t see why it wouldn’t. Most sellers will tell you if the adapter/t-mount are compatible with canon dslrs. If they say they work for canon dslrs that means it will work for a wide variety of canon cameras in my experience, including the 70D.
  
  For tripods – I use a ZOMEI tripod. I believe I link to a bunch of my equipment in the post, but the link to that info is here: http://www.curiouswriter.com/look-inside-camera-bag/
  The lens has a place to attach to the head of your tripod – basically the same way you’d attach your camera. So if you tripod comes with a plate that screws into the bottom of your camera, and that then can clip into the tripod head, instead you’d screw that into the base of the lens. I do mount the lens on the tripod, not the camera, because the lens is heavy and that helps to balance it. I just use my normal tripod, but you do want one that’s pretty steady just to be sure the weight of the lens won’t tip it. You can also hang a weight of some sort on the base of the tripod to help steady it.
  Hope that helps!
John
January 30, 2019 at 12:30 am

Hello. A friend redirected me to this site and read along and it gave me an impressive information thanks to you. I love your review and how it is set up nicely on here. I brought a brand new 650-1300mm lens white colour frame. White seems more outstanding instead of black? I’m also using like my friend does the Canon eos 70D camera. It is a beautiful camera. I love how I can move around the lcd screen which means that most higher end cameras do not have that and so the lcd screen is very good without the need to lean forward or so in order to take photos. So the lens I got is called delda and brought it on ebay as new for about 260 Australian dollars. When I received it the lens itself does not have no brand name. It just shows numbers and such but does not show brand name on the lens.. making the lens feel rather anonymously unknown brand. However it came on the box name deldalens so I presume it is delda lens since the box indicates it is HD definition lens and made from Japan. But the lens itself makes it feel anonymously brand. So I’m curious if your lens shown on here might be the same quality and manufacturer ? The lens does feel professional but without the buttons and clicks like the real expensive lens you see in the market. But still feels good. It feels heavy some kind. At least it doesn’t feel like a plastic toy that’s for sure hehe. I am also wanting to get a 2x converter lens for it so I can further more zoom objects like the moon. But I dont no what kind of 2x converter lens should I be actually looking for let’s say on ebay. I found one there which claims it cost 30.00 dollars very cheap. while then I see there is another one that cost 150.00 dollars a big differences on price. So I’m confused.. are 2x converter lens variety stuff ? If so which exactly x2 converter lens should I be looking for.. does it have to be Canon brand ? Since I found it to cost 500 dollars.. while the other user on ebay sales x2 converter lens for 30.00 dollars as new but it does not mention what brand it is… so before I buy something and end up making a mistake.. am I suppose to buy a more quality lens for it? But remember my lens by delda is cheap price only cost me 260 dollars… surely now it wouldn’t matter 8f the x2 converter lens is cheap or high quality? And also since I have the lens already it came with a T adapter ring . Would i still need to buy a another T adapter ring regardless ? Or will the x2 converter be able to attach straight away the big lens I have which is the desda brand the very same lens as you have. So I need to figure out all this into questions it is very ill important to ask questions before you buy somethingbotheriwse one can not return something back or money back. I will wait for your reply and let the world know what one can do with the lens. It is lots of fun. Unfortunately it is cloudy today here but I will aventually go outside to see what the universe gives me to see. Always fun to explore . Hmmm I wonder if it be possible to see sa satellites with it. Cheers 🙂
- Han
  February 1, 2019 at 1:42 pm
  
  Hi John,
  My guess is that you have the same lens, just different (or no haha) branding. Yeah the LCD screen is one of my favorite features too! There’s no way that $150 price is right… I don’t know what’s going on there. $30 is definitely around the price you should expect to pay for the 2x converter. I went ahead and added links to the 2x converter and the t-mount that I use into the post so you can check those out to buy there or for reference on what to look for elsewhere. It does not have to be Canon brand, the one I have is branded Opteka – same as the lens in my case – and my guess would be that, assuming you do in fact have the same lens with just different branding, you should be able to buy that same Opteka branded 2x converter and use it with your camera and lens. You don’t need another t-mount adapter if you already have one. I managed to get mine stuck on my lens at one point, so I just leave it on there now, and got an extra in case I need it for another lens.
  I hope that answers your questions! Cheers!
Jenny
February 1, 2019 at 7:13 pm

Hello. I came across and discovered your review for this wonderful lens and many other features. And thought i would like to join in the forum.

I also have the same lens and as well i have a T ring adaprter. As well a Canon EOS 70D though (dont forget there will be a 90D this year. Who knows how much and what price willthe 70D and the 80D will be. Though it would had been nice to have 4K but anyhow the camera does what i want at least.

I brought a nice Tripod but i was in a little bit of a rushed to buy it. (with little research 🙁
I have VELBON SHERPA 300 TRIPOD WITH 3-WAY HEAD it cost me under 200 dollars.
It looks and feels great and heavyness (not like a toy feel)

But here is the problem now.. I wanted to view the Moon and stars to pint point the stars i want.
As the big lens is connected to this tripod with the Canon 70D. I can not lift all the way facing up to the sky. It does lift up to the sky but it can not reach as in a straight I line straight up. It seems that the hand handle on the tripod it blocking it as it can not go facing straight up like a straight I. Instead it just goes up but not straight line up. So it was dificult to make the tripod legs one smaller while the other one higher and it was just simply time consuming and corrections..

Then i heard there is this Monopods ? Never heard such thing until i looked aroumd.. But i think Monopods doesnt have a stand like a normal Tripod with the 3 legs. Monopods just seems like a long selfie stick stand but doesnt look like a normal tripod with the hand handle stick.

So i don’t no. There was a few variety tripods and some most expensive with more options. But i guess i was ain a rush now its too late to buy another lens or just a waste of money for what i paid for. I mean the tripod i brought is very good. Just doesnt do what i wanted only 1 simple thing and that is point the lens in a straight line straight up to the sky like a I. But to do that i have to make one leg smaller the other taller and so on and it just makes it look weird and or not very stabled.

So what should i need.. Yes i am on a budget but same time dont want something that breaks easy.. Just something durable strong perhaps heavy since the lens is already heavy but dont want to spent so much money for it.

Now im clueless what to do as im unable to return it back to think other tripods in the market. As i broguht it at a camera house.

So yeah what is your options tips on this? I always thought just recently that Monopods tripods are just 1 stand mainly for holding the monopod on your hand while it is standing on the ground which i think that be bad because you will still end up shaking the tripod if you where to look at the moon with this big lens.. there for you requier a normal tripod with the 3 legs so that you don’t touch the tripod as anything will shake when viewing what you want to see thru the camera and the lens itself.

So any tips ?

——————-

About this x2 converter lens that you folks are talking about. I saw it at the store for around 500 dollars but it is a brand such as Canon or Sigma or other brands. But then if you look on Ebay you can find the same x2 converter lens but without a branding name. And it shows it cost under 40.00 dollars. So that make a huge diferences one that is a canon brand costing 500 dollars while the other is a nonbranding and it cost under 40.00 so what diferences does it make?

I dont think it would be good to spent 500 dollars on a brand x2 converter lens while at the same time you have a cheap big lens like you have 650-1300mm Or cheap brand. So i dont think the picture quality will make any diferences if you where to spent one that is 500dollars vs a 40.00 dollar X2 converter lens. Because the big lens you already have is not a expensive lens lik these you see in the market costing 10.000 dollars. So its not like a 500 dollars x2 converter will make it all look quality over the cheap 650-1300mm lens. But i could be simply wrong. Should you correct me as i don’t no the diferences.

Maybe the most expensive x2 converter lens are design for expensive lenses in the market so if you have a expensive big lens by canon.. then you might as well buy the expensive x2 converter lens for it. But it wont make no higher quality over a cheap lens. But i could be wrong.

But the main principle is the issue of the tripod. I like the tripod to have a hand handle like mine does… but it just doesnt do what i wanted which is point the big lens straight up like a I to the sky.. it just does it almost but not quite.
So maybe i need to rethink of a new tripod i guess.. Not sure what im suppose to do with the 200 dollar tripod i just brought. Unfortunately i cant return it back.

Anyways i so much love your review and information. I think your the only first person on the internet who gives better information for the whole thing for Cameras like this 😉 take care
- Han
  February 18, 2019 at 5:03 pm
  
  Hi Jenny! Sorry for the delay in response I’ve been sick for a couple weeks. It’s a little hard for me to say without having used the tripod you’re talking about, but from what I understand there’s no way for that particular tripod to allow the camera to point straight up? No matter which way you adjust it? I had a tripod with a similar issues a while back. The tripod I currently use which does allow that sort of rotation is what’s called a ballhead tripod. They do make versions of the ballhead attachment that would fit onto a current tripod without the ballhead, adding flexibility – see this one for reference: https://amzn.to/2TVf1nD (affiliate link fyi). I’m not sure if that particular one would fit your tripod so you may have to check around to be sure you can attach it, but that sort of thing would be an alternative to having to buy a whole different tripod.
  
  You can see a tripod I use with the ballhead built-in here: http://www.curiouswriter.com/look-inside-camera-bag/
  
  I def wouldn’t use a monopod, it would be less stable than the regular tripod (you’d have to hold it all the time) and a total pain with that big lens. They’re good for getting a little more stability when you don’t want to carry around a full-blown tripod, but def not for this lens.
  
  I hope that helps answer some of your questions and thanks so much for the kind words, you’re a gem!
Stewart
February 11, 2019 at 2:34 pm

hi I am considering either the optika lens or a fujifilm hs30 bridge camera to supplement my samsung nx30 camera. My question is which one would give me the best image quality in your opinion?
- Han
  February 18, 2019 at 5:34 pm
  
  Hi Stewart, this would be an educated guess because I haven’t used the HS30, but I would think you’d get better quality with it? It might be a little bit of a toss up because with the Opteka you get the option to use a more advanced/better quality camera body, but with the HS30 you’re getting the whole camera body/lens in one, and it’s much smaller, obviously, than the giant Opteka. Another issue though is price since the HS30 will be a bit pricier. My guess is either will do a decent job, just depends on what matters to you – price, having an extra camera body vs having a giant lens, convenience (the Opteka lens is a chonk and requires some getting used to), what environment you plan to use it in – I’ve heard the HS30 can have some noticeable noise at higher ISOs, which is something you might avoid with a better camera body like what you’d use with the Opteka.
  
  I hope that helps a bit, sorry I can’t give more specific insights but I don’t want to steer your choice too much without having used both.