Nikkor Reflex 500mm f/8

[besh]

Just wondering anyone familiar with those" RELFEX" mirror lense?

just browse ebay and found somethign about that.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=48556&item=7515483280&rd=1&ssPageName=WD2V

So, jsut drop a threat here to ask if anyone familiar with this kind of reflexion lense?

is it sharp? how good is it ?

 

[espn]

It comprises of mirror within the body. I believe there's a CSer around that I know owns this glass.

 

[roygoh]

http://photonotes.org/cgi-bin/entry.pl?id=Mirrorlens
http://www.photo.net/learn/optics/mirrors/

 

[NDvR]

I do not have the Nikkor, but have the Tamron 500mm SP mirror,

Is it sharp? Yes, pretty sharp if you focus right! But do consider the DOF characteristics of this lens (quite shallow). Also, focussing might not be too easy depending on the available light, + consider it is always f/8 (or actually more f/9-10 something)
Is it good? I say yes, it is quite a cheap lens that easily fits in your bag and is there when you need it (even when you didn't expect to need it), so you'll use it. And you can get good pictures with it. (But it takes a learning curve...)

a few downsides
- the lens does not give a lot of contrast.
- Bokeh... (unless you're Homer Simpson ;-) )(this is one of those things you'll have to learn to work around, or live with it)

check:
Mirror Lenses - how good? Tamron 500/8 SP vs Canon 500/4.5L
http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/tutorials/mirror.html

perhaps check also PhotoSig for some pictures with mirror-lenses?
http://www.photosig.com/go/photos/browsecategories?typeId=7

 

[SzennyBoy]

It comprises of mirror within the body. I believe there's a CSer around that I know owns this glass.

me, lor....

It fine for general use so long as there are no brightly lit defocused backgrounds that will end up as "shiny donuts" due cause of the mirror lens configuration. Here an example I took years ago with the lens + a 2x TC...

D1H with 500mm f/8 Mirror-Reflex + 2x TC

 

[Jayson]

I use a reflex telescope with an adaptor, it is very VERY VERY hard to focus. limited depth of field, virtually no hyperfocal distance. lots of turns of the focus ring to focus.

as mentioned wierd donut bokeh.

fixed f8 apeture.

no metering, but don't think it's much of a problem with digital.

that's about it =)