gary gaugler
> On Sun, 05 Oct 1997 07:37:59 -0500, Gregory A Kriss
>
> >I have the chance to purchase the older 500mm f/5 Reflex Nikkor at a
> >very reasonable price. Does anyone have any experience with this lens?
> >How does it compare with the current 500mm Reflex Nikkor in sharpness
> >and overall evenness in illumination?
> f5? I never saw or heard of one that fast. The "standard" was f8.
> You should verify that the unit is indeed f5. hard to believe. The
> 1000mm is f11 BTW. My 500 is nice but I have not used it in over 5
> years. The difference between the catadiopric mirror reflex lenses
> and real glass is startling. Consequently, the mirror sits.
Well, someone didn't check out my "SUBJECTIVE Lens Evaluations
(Mostly Nikkors)"...;-) Nikon has made three different 500mm mirror
lenses, the f5, the (larger) f8, and the current (compact, macro) f8.
Of these, the middle one is the one that performs in a way that
satisfies my standards (and is even good on the TC14/14B converter,
which also cures one mirror ill: the center hot-spot), with the last being
somewhat behind (though still useable, remarkably small, and with
very close focus possible without tubes). The f5 is surprisingly light for
its size and speed, but I was somewhat disappointed in the performance
of the sample I recently tried - not terrible, but well short of Nikon-normal.
The focus on the f5 is also awkward, being accomplished with a rear
helical (limited to 50' minimum focus without tubes) instead of by rotating
the barrel. BTW, there was also a 1000mm f6.3 Nikkor...
And, BTW, "SLE(MN)" can be found on my web page under "I babble"...
And in various locations on my web page can be found samples shot
with the older-style 500mm f8 Nikkor mirror, with and without converters
(if you find a pair of "- -" marks at the bottom of a photo page, sweeping
the mouse across the space between with the left button depressed
will reveal the lens used...;-).
Hope This Helps
David Ruether - http://www.fcinet.com/ruether