On Sat, 19 Sep 1998 11:45:05 +1000, Paul cavka wrote:

>I think your better off eith a 200mm and a converter. I had a Nikkor
>500mm mirror that I was very dissapointed with. Wasn't very sharp,
>little contrast.

While a 200mm + good 2X well stopped down (effectively f16-22...)
can work well if the combination is good, the Nikkor 500 f8 mirror
(both versions) is outstanding as mirrors go - but such a long
optic is hard to use successfully. I suspect that atmospheric
effects, difficulties holding it still (even big tripods
aren't successful with this with some shutter speeds...), and
focusing difficulties may have "colored" your view of the
Nikkor... (I couldn't get a sharp photo with borrowed 500's
for quite a while, then, with flash or with hand-holding at
speeds above 1/500th [with not very much air between me and the
subject unless the air was very clear and free of heat waves],
I found the Nikkor 500mm f8 mirrors to be excellent.)