The 500mm f/8.0 Manual Focus Lens from Bower is a catadioptric mirror T-mount lens, compatible with both full-frame and APS-C cameras. T-mount adapters are available to fit all DLSR camera systems to easily adapt this compact telephoto lens to virtually any camera body. It is well suited to nature and wildlife photography due to its compact form factor and portability. This manual focus lens features a fixed f/8 aperture, allowing camera exposure systems to be used in manual exposure mode or aperture-priority mode only.

The SLY5008 has a compact 3 x 3.5" size and weighs under 11.64 ounces, making it easier to use and store than typical 500mm refractor lenses, but use of a tripod is still recommended for sharpest results due to its extreme 800mm focal length. The look of the bokeh is unusual in that highlights will be doughnut-shaped rings with more saturation and contrast on the edge than in the center. Additionally, this lens may be used for astrophotography when mounted to a motorized equatorial telescope mount.