On Fri, 19 Mar 1999 09:32:29 +0800, Jed wrote:

>I saw this lens in a second hand shop the other day, for about $250.
>Condition is fair, and it doesn't come with hood or any other
>filters other than an L39... come to think of it I don't even think
>it was an L39C...
>
>At any rate, the lens doesn't match the 500/8 reflex in the current
>Nikkor lens brochure. For starters, the minimum focus distance is
>something like 3.75m rather than the 1.5m stated in the brochure, so
>I'm assuming it's an earlier version. I didn't know how much it was
>supposed to weigh when I held it, but it also certainly didn't feel
>like the 800g as stated in the brochure.
>
>Anyone know anything about this lens, esp in comparison with the
>new(er) version? And also whether the $250 price tag is reasonable.

$250 is quite reasonable for one in good condition...
The short shade supplied with it could be mistaken for
part of the barrel - if the glass is inset about 3/4",
it has the shade.
I prefer the older one (like the one you saw) to
the newer optically, but the newer is also excellent,
considerably smaller, and focusses closer (and optimum
focus for best sharpness occurs near mid-distances
instead of infinity).
The older Nikkor 500mm f8 mirror is one of the best
mirrors, and a pretty darn good lens.
For a 500mm, with $250, you will not come close to
beating it with anything else...