Playing with the Reflex-Nikkor 500mm f/8

[knb]

Not my first choice for a walk-around lens, and the only reason for buying it was the very reasonable price I was offered for this Reflex-Nikkor 500mm f/8 (old version).

It has been lying around for some time, but last October I decided to really test it out. Actually I found it more versatile and useful than expected. It does have (a lot) less contrast than refractive optics, but this was not always very obvious (depending on the scene). Also, the small, fixed aperture could be a bit challenging in low light situations (at least without a tripod, which was the case for several of the pictures). The ISO capabilities of the Nikon Df was handy at times.

1. The very top of the Holmenkollen ski jump hill.
2. A small spillway.
3. A shot through the side window of my car while driving along a forest.
4. Rainbow over Aursunden (lake close to the UNESCO world heritage city of Røros).
5. A piece of road with moisture after light rain.

[knb]

More pictures...

6. Early snow on a mountain a bit south of Tolga (small town south of Røros).
7. Bridge at Hakklokalven (a part of lake Hakkloa in the woods north of Oslo).
8. I think this is a black-headed gull in winter plumage.
9. Cold mist over Maridalsvannet (main water supply for Oslo).
10. Moon at dusk.

[knb]

Still more pictures...

11. Woodland around Brevik (at the end of Bunnefjorden, a part of Oslofjorden).
12. Small bushes in autumn colours.
13. Power lines.

[BW]

With all these beautiful pictures its hard to pick a favorite, but the first one and the scene from Tolga comes high up on the list This lens seem to perform perfectly with the Df. I`ve considered buying this lens several times, but it has never materialized.

[Airy]

I have not used mine for a long time, especially since I got the 300PF... but tomorrow I'll pull it out again. Brilliant shots, especially the second series (Tolga!...) and the woodlands at Brevik.

[Jakov Minić]

Kjetil, thank you for posting these beautiful images.
6 and 11 are outstanding!

[Akira]

Excellent shots with the lens difficult to master.  Thanks for sharing, Kjetil!

[John Geerts]

Impressive shots, all of them. If I had to choose one, it would be number 1.

[knb]

Thanks a lot everyone. I can see from your comments that there are a few pictures standing out more than others, which is not so surprising as I was trying to do different things (though mostly landscape pictures as that is where I feel most at home).

The lens gave much more back than expected, so do put it to use if you already have it in your collection. I also think it can be bought pretty cheap for those tempted. There are still some drawbacks of course, but it was at least compact and light for packing into a bicycle bag for trips far into the woods where cars can not be used.

[Erik Lund]

A very nice series! You really used the characteristics of the lens well!

[beryllium10]

Kjetil, that's an outstanding set of images. The photo of the gull is astonishing, no idea how you caught the focus and the instant! I like many of them, but I find the autumn landscape with the early snow, and the rainbow particularly appealing compositions.  A few years ago I bought a Tokina 500 mm reflex lens very cheaply (less than you'd pay for a UV filter!) but I have never succeeded in producing images like these.  I'm inspired to work harder with it.  I don't know how the Tokina would compare to either the early or late versions of the Nikon 500 mm reflex.  On a D7000 the Tokina happily resolves the moons of Jupiter, but focusing it to do so can be a touchy business, and you don't get to cover yourself by stopping down.  Also worth saying it's a remarkably light and compact device for its reach.

Cheers - John

[JJChan]

Kjetil
Beautiful and inspiring pictures!

Is it the Reflex -C? Ai?

J

[knb]

Thanks again for your kind comments.

beryllium10: Photographers were able to nail birds in flight before the invention of AF too, but I do not say that it is easy. And to be sure, I tried more than once. This reflex lens is the only one that I have tried, so I do not know how it compares to other brands. But I think quality varies, as it does for refractive optics. Focusing is touchy as you say, even when on a tripod.

JJChan: Yes, it is the Reflex-C. No Ai as far as I can see.

[Jim Covello]

I had the latest version for many years but finally sold it to help fund a 70-200/2.8 VR. At this point I wish I had it again. These were with a D200. Live view would help with the focusing.

[null]

I've owned the original single-coated version for almost 40 years now.

On the Nikon F Photomic "Bullseye", from 20+ years ago

Bealeton Airshow by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

Huntley Meadows by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

liked to use it with the incident metering disk.

And on the Df,

Flying Circus AirShow by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

Flying Circus AirShow by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

Flying Circus AirShow by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

This lens has a big barrel, much larger diameter than the new version. I find the larger version easier to hand-hold.