Sunday, February 15, 2026

Reflex-Nikkor 500mm f8 N



Reflex-Nikkor 500mm f8 N
s/n:

This is the second one that I’ve owned, I had the C version, the Nikon Reflex-Nikkor • C 500mm f/8 previously yet in a move to change the way I build my photography kit, I chose to sell it. I instantly regretted the decision. I did not realize just how much I enjoyed owning this lens. I own the Nikon Lens Scope Converter which basically turns this lens into a telescope. I use the two together more as a spotting scope than a night time telescope.

This weekend, I decided to try using it to obtain protected petroglyphs at Tempe Butte, an old Hohokam Pueblo on the butte right next to ASU Stadium. 

This is a really compact 500mm lens, much smaller than the 500mm C. It has to aperture but is in the configuration of a reflecting telescope like the basic structure of the Hubble space telescope. The depth of field is thin making the chances of getting a sharp, in focus image sort of difficult. Out of the three dozen shots that I took with it, I only got a handful of images. I was already bringing my But I found one relatively inexpensive so I bought it and cleaned it up. It sits on my shelf waiting to be used for cool things.

I’m going to include the Rexlex C below to help others in keeping the search for these two lenses simple.

D780 - Hand Held

Resources 

camera | lens | film | flash

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Nikon Reflex-Nikkor C 500mm f8 Telephoto Lens
s/n 541859

It’s a little telescope! A reflecting telescope much like the basic structure of the Hubble space telescope. I have read up a little about it, particularly the links below and decided to look for one. I found mine on eBay, cheap. I am primarily going to use it as a telescope, but I have to purchase a Nikon Lens Scope Converter first. 

I’ve read the details on this lens, it uses mirrors, does not have an aperture, slow at f8, donut bokeh, hard to focus but fun!

I bought this for fun and because of the mirror construction. Also, it was inexpensive and complete with all the filters included, which I will never use.

The Reflex-Nikkor 500 C has a tripod mount which I’ll use quite a bit. Also, astrophotography is in my future and a tracker will be in my quiver as well.

In a nutshell, I don’t need this lens, I want it so that I know what it is and use it myself to understand it’s function and construction.

I cleaned it, checked reliable resources to know it is compatible with my cameras.

I put in the non-CPU lens data in my D780 and took a picture (below) to see if I can get anything out of it. I will try to use the live view with magnification or focus peaking. It has a thin depth of field and the focus is tough to nail.

But it’s cool!

…and fun.

I’ll add in more photographs as I take them here.







  


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Resources


First image with the Nikon Reflex - Nikkor C 500mm f8 ~ handheld 


camera | lens | film | flash
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