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Nikon 500mm F8 N Reflex-Nikkor on NEX 5N
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PostPosted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 3:22 pm    Post subject: Nikon 500mm F8 N Reflex-Nikkor on NEX 5N Reply with quote
This is my first "outing" with this lens http://forum.mflenses.com/nikon-500mm-f8-n-reflex-nikkor-t61735.html .

There has been some discussion on choosing a 500mm mirror lens. One of the choice by most people is the Tamron SP 55B or 55BB. They are common, good quality and affordable (cost around $150-200 in US eBay). The N Reflex-Nikkor is much more expensive to the Tamron SP which cost $400+ on US eBay. From few test in the web, they are equally as good in most situations. So, what is the reason to buy the N Reflex-Nikkor?

The answers are slightly closer focus distance, better handling and better build:

a, The N Reflex-Nikkor goes to 1.5 meters (1:2.5). Better than the 55BB(1:3) and 55B.

b. It will take more one and a quarter turn to focus from infinity to 1.5 meters. The long focus throw is very important as it will allow it focus more precisely especially when you are hand-holding the lens.

c. The N Reflex-Nikkor build quality is at the same level as other MF Nikkors. It has no cemented elements so it will not suffer from elements separation issue.


Photos converted from raw to jpeg with necessary adjustment on LR 5.2. No adjustment has been made on the colors. I wish I do have time take better photos but the sun hide below the cloud when I taking photos....

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100% crop from above. Default Lightroom sharpen applied only.


Thanks for viewing. Hope this thread will be useful to those potential buyer of this lens. Smile


PostPosted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 5:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Wonderful Calvin, what great colors it has!


PostPosted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 6:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
kds315* wrote:
Wonderful Calvin, what great colors it has!


+1

And I think that you will be able to get much better pictures from it !! (Some of these one look like they were rushed, hence the comment)


PostPosted: Tue Oct 08, 2013 2:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Wonderful. Really love it! How is the shooting experience? A few image seem slightly over exposed, a slight exposure compensation is in order?


PostPosted: Tue Oct 08, 2013 3:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Thanks all!

inombrable wrote:
kds315* wrote:
Wonderful Calvin, what great colors it has!


+1

And I think that you will be able to get much better pictures from it !! (Some of these one look like they were rushed, hence the comment)

I am more concern about my shaking hands than the composition when I take the photos (tripod or monopod is not allowed).

Quote:
Wonderful. Really love it! How is the shooting experience? A few image seem slightly over exposed, a slight exposure compensation is in order?

I found the LR 5.2 tend to overexposure the photos for me if I use the "auto" functions with it. The exposure compensation is bit difficult to guess when taking the photos. The sunlight is always changing.

It is easy to focus for far objects thanks to its long focus throw. The photos shown here are not crops. The DOF is thin when it works in macro mode. It becomes a challenge if you are not using a tripod.

And one more golden moment from the same day. Hope this one is better than above.

Click to enlarge:


PostPosted: Tue Oct 08, 2013 3:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I'm not sure if close-ups is the best use of this lens. I tried also, but wasn't happy with the results (for instance, when compared to the micro nikkor lenses of which I incidentally have an example in a recent post).
However, with distant subjects this lens really shines - in my experience, at least.

By the way, you seem to 'ban' the use of a tripod in your photography. Any particular reason for that?


PostPosted: Tue Oct 08, 2013 3:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I like my copy of it as well.









PostPosted: Tue Oct 08, 2013 4:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
To GP: When used in marco mode, this lens is not sharp not it is in distant subjects. It shows better contrast for distant subjects as you can see in the following photo. The reason why you see many macro shots was it is the only place I can find supports with the lens. It is a garden in nunnery with no tripod/monopod allowed.

To 480sparky: Some very good samples you have. I love the cats in the last photos.



PostPosted: Tue Oct 08, 2013 4:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
calvin83 wrote:
To GP: When used in marco mode, this lens is not sharp not it is in distant subjects. It shows better contrast for distant subjects as you can see in the following photo. The reason why you see many macro shots was it is the only place I can find supports with the lens. It is a garden in nunnery with no tripod/monopod allowed.


I see, that explains it. I'd love to see more photos with this lens when you are more at leisure to take pictures in that vibrant city of yours.


PostPosted: Tue Oct 08, 2013 6:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
nice series.
Calvin what do you think nikon compared to rokkor 500/8?


PostPosted: Tue Oct 08, 2013 1:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
IAZA wrote:
nice series.
Calvin what do you think nikon compared to rokkor 500/8?

Minolta made the best mirror lenses for SLR. From the samples and comments I heard, it is a lens with good contrast and decent sharpness. MFD is 4 meters. Worth to consider if you do not shot close objects and use it on a SLR.
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