Kenko Tokina has recently introduced the SZ Super Tele Finder Red Dot Sight, a hot shoe attachment that can be used with any camera brand to aid photographers in tracking their subjects. I was sent a unit to test and review, along with the Tokina SZ Super Tele 500mm F8 Reflex. Let’s see how it works and salivate over some delicious donut bokeh!

SEEING THE SIGHTS WITH THE SZ SUPER TELE FINDER

The SZ Super Tele Finder features an adjustable set of 10 brightness levels, ensuring that the red dot is always visible regardless of the shooting conditions.

Designed to be a useful accessory for photographers using long telephoto lenses, the SZ Super Tele Finder projects a red dot that can be seen even when the subject is too far away or too difficult to see through the camera’s viewfinder or LCD screen. Measuring 56.5 by 29 by 32.5mm, this red dot sight is compact and portable. The robust metal body is also waterproof down to two meters, ensuring that it can withstand harsh shooting conditions.

The SZ Super Tele Finder is powered by a coin-type lithium battery (C42032), as the red dot sight is not electronically connected to the camera, making it compatible with any camera brand and model.

The dot is parallax-free at 70 meters and boasts 97% light transmittance, the included attachment plate allowing photographers to change the mounting position of the red dot sight, adapting it to their specific shooting needs.

The red dot was perfectly aligned to the solar plexus for far away statue sniping.

While the concept of using a red dot sight with a camera might seem unusual, it is not a new idea. Olympus released a similar red dot sight hot shoe attachment for its cameras in 2015. The primary benefit of using a red dot sight is to aid photographers in tracking moving subjects, which is particularly useful in wildlife photography where keeping far-away animals in motion in the frame can be challenging.

Although I primarily shoot more stationary subjects, I found that the finder allowed me to quickly frame up a subject without having to hunt through a viewfinder, especially if the scene around them is monochromatic, such as a bird in the bushes.

SUPER TELE 400MM VS 500MM

I had previously reviewed Tokina’s first modern catadioptric in great detail with the release of the SZX Super Tele 400mm f/8 Reflex. The new SZ 500mm is an update with a slightly longer focal length and ability to take rear 30.5mm filters, other features remains fairly consistent between the two, such as the compact size, interchangeable mounts and the still baffling screw on lens hood.

A quick few images of the lens in context with the large distance it can bridge:

Setting up the Sony A7 IV across from the Sydney Opera House.
Tokina SZX 400mm (Left) | Tokina SZ 500mm (Right)
From behind the camera and the result, showing the reach of the SZ 500mm.

EXTRA IMAGES FOR DONUT (BOKEH) CONSUMPTION

FINAL MUSINGS

In conclusion, the Keno Tokina SZ Super Tele Finder Red Dot Sight is a useful accessory for photographers using long telephoto lenses. Its compact and portable design, adjustable brightness levels, and parallax-free feature make it a handy tool for tracking moving subjects, especially in wildlife photography. With its compatibility with any camera brand and model, the SZ Super Tele Finder Red Dot Sight is a versatile accessory that can benefit photographers across different genres.

The SZ Super Tele 500mm is quite similar to it’s predecessor, the original SZX 400mm. Whist it may have dropped the X from its name, it did gain a longer reach and rear filter mounting. I can’t seem to recall another fullframe super telephoto lens in this compact and lightweight size, which may appeal to those travelling abroad or going on arduous hiking adventures. Whilst I myself have done neither (partly due to exorbitant travel costs and not being athletic), the extreme focal length and unique bokeh rendering makes this lens a breath of fresh air to feeling stagnant for everyday shooting.