kyoshinikon said:
The Bokeh is hilarious on those reflexes!!!

I'm with you, I could never take any of my pictures seriously. However Tai, your photos taken with it are fantastic!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pictureted/4260138475/in/set-72157622886715366/

one more.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pictureted/4260138537/in/set-72157622886715366/

I like the 500 as a really long macro.

The Bokeh is hilarious on those reflexes!!!

I've trolled the net regarding such mirror lenses and one thing to look out for is that some of them need extra adapters. Because of their wide diameter they might come in contact or close to the handgrip and won't fit on some that have a very protruding built-in flash. Though with such a lens you won't be using the handgrip that much :D

Changing the topic a bit, has anyone had any experience with attaching a DSLR to a field scope? I know Nikon is coming out with a digiscoping system in August, but what about the existing ones. Full size example shots would be brilliant :)

I hate to revive a dead thread, but back to the Sigma 400mm f/5.6. I have an opportunity to buy one for $250 in really great shape, and I'm just curious as to the sharpness of the lens. I have a 28-300mm sigma lens that has been long since tucked away in a closet because it's too darn soft in the range of 100-300mm.

If you say the sigma's best setting is at f/11, then at 5.6 is it going to be just as soft as my cheep zoom?

Thanks!

I'm listing mine (same one as in my review) on the UK eBay site tomorrow late evening.

What a funny thread. I just so happen to be looking for a Reflex-Nikkor 500mm f/8 lens for myself! I'm drawn to the donut-shaped bokeh and I think a photographer can use it very artistically. I can't wait to get my hands on one!

Hi Tai... I like the first image especially... very calming for me - which I need!

Ed, I read your review a while back, and your photo was the one that convinced me to buy my 500mm f/8 Reflex! It's absolutely gorgeous.

Anyway, I have the Reflex-Nikkor C 500mm f/8, and here's a few samples.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28970333@N06/3153807559/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28970333@N06/3093259849/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28970333@N06/3086919590/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28970333@N06/3086685075/

I use it handheld in bright daylight, and it's great. There are times when the donuts look terrible, and I don't find it very useful outside of bright days, but I love it. You can get the Nikon one used for about the same price as the one you linked to, at least I did. I'd keep a lookout for it.

Oh, forget it...

Yes, typical example!
Also note the aperture is fixed, in this case fixed at f6.3. To achieve correct exposure you have to set the other two variables, shutter speed and ISO.
Also no AF, manual focus only, and no metering!

A much better alternative IMHO is a "normal" AF telephoto lens like a Sigma AF 400/5.6, these can be had cheap in good condition via ebay (250 USD?), they have autofocus, variable aperture, provide metering and have a rotating tripod collar.

I have such an older 400mm Sigma lens myself, and within its limitations it does work fine, means it's not very bright with a 5.6 maximum aperture, optimal aperture is f11. One also has to understand if used with a Nikon DX camera the effective focal length is 600 mm (to be precise: equivalent to a 600 mm lens on a Nikon film SLR or a Nikon FX DSLR) which means it might even be "too long" for a number of purposes. That's why I also have a 80-400 mm lens, that's much more versatile and the VR is handy, too, as with a non-VR 400 mm f 5.6 lens on DX you need really bright weather to handhold it.

Some time ago I did a review of the Nikkor-Reflex 500mm mirror lens at...

http://blogs.salon.com/0004217/2004/11/18.html

It comes into its own, especially where there is water with specular highlights, in the background. Other more subtle effects are seen when, for example, bright flowers are growing in long grass. The out-of-focus donut effect is something you either love or loathe... I happen to like it, and have a number of images with the Alamy stock agency which image buyers like too.
Ed Buziak.

like this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/the_toronto_realtor/2383620354/

Sure, if you like donut shaped bokeh. Catadioptric lenses are ok for long reach and cheap, but if there are any out of focus highlights they look terrible. Astrophotography is really the only strength I can think of.

http://www.adorama.com/PRO50063NK.html?kbid=63773

Is it worth the $159?