| NOTE: In an attempt to revamp & rearrange content in this website, there is now a newly developed section featuring various MF Nikkor lenses, please bookmark the new site for future updates. As for SLR bodies, please refer to: - Nikkormat, Nikon EM/FG/FG20, FM series, FE Series, Nikon FA, Nikon F, Nikon F2, Nikon F3 & Nikon F4 |

---

REFLEX NIKKOR 500mm f/5.0 Images courtesy of Chuck Hatcher For More Images Click Here.

This catadioptric long focus lens is designed to be used on the Nikon F, Nikon F Photomic-T, TN and Nikkormat camera. Where I thought the Zeiss's 500mm f4.5 was impressive enough in its maximum aperture of f4.5 but least expect was this oldie from Nippon Kogaku K.K.. The instruction manual was printed in '69 - so I assume it was a pre-F2 production CAT lens. I used to own two generation of the 500mm Reflex Nikkor and I never knew all this while that they produced such a big aperture reflex lens.

I don't called it small size (max. diameter: 12.5cm, length: 20cm) and neither it is light weight (1.6 kg) for its long focal length, the lens can still be conveniently carried, permitting hand- held use, and suited for sports, theater, landscape, animal photography and general photography. Specifications: Focal length: 500mm Max. aperture ratio: 1:5 Optical components: 4 groups, 5 elements Picture angle: 5° Picture size: 24 x 36mm Focused from infinity to 15 meters (50 ft.) Mount: Nikon F mount Attachment size:122mm(p = 1mm) Filter: 39mm(exclusively used) Hood: Screw-on type(exclusively used) Dimensions of lens: 125mm dia. x 200mm long Weight: 1.6 kg

Complete Setup Equipment (Click here to view another image by Chuck Hatcher)

Arrangement of Mirrors and Lens Elements Aperture: The lens has no aperture diaphragm, because of catadioptric type. To decrease the transmission of light in this lens system, a neutral density filter is supplied with the lens, which gives the brightness corresponding to one of the following f-numbers:

Denomination	Equivalent f-number
ND 2.5x	8
ND 3.2x	9
ND 4x	10
ND 5x	11
ND 6.3x	12.5

Note: The depth of field cannot be adjusted in this catadioptric system.

Exposure Measurement Use the stop-down method of exposure measurement. Filters A filter must always be in position at the rear of the lens,when the lens is mounted on the camera and ready to be used. Five filters, neutral density, UV, Yellow, Orange and Red, are supplied with the lens. These filters are specially designed to eliminate focus shift, when used interchangeably. When no correction is desired, the UV filter should be in position. L39 and ND filters can be used also for color photography; the others supplied, however are recommended and used exclusively for black-and-white photography.

Denomination	Type	Exposure Factor
		Day light	Tungsten Light
UV	L 39	1	1
Yellow	Y 52	2	1.4
Orange	O 56	3.5	2
Red	R 60	6	5
Neutral Density	Refer to earlier table at the top

Tripod Socket

A tripod is to be attached to the tripod socket on the side of the lens and not on the camera bottom to hold the balance. The hood serves not only to prevent injurious extraneous light, but also to protect the front glass. It is recommended to attach the hood at all times. Camera Turning For convenience in changing the position of the camera to horizontal or vertical, when using the lens with a tripod, the lens is provided with a fluted spring catch. Depressing this catch will enable the camera to be rotated 90 degrees, at which point it will click into lock position.

Leather Case: Insert lens into case front end downward, with one filter in position at rear of lens. The other four filters are tucked into compartments inside of the case lid.

| Previous | Next | Additional info on 500mm f8 and 1000mm f11

Relative:
Reflex Nikkor 1000mm f6.3
Reflex Nikkor 2000mm f11
Zeiss Mirotar 500mm f4.5

| Back | to Main Index Page

Home - Photography in Malaysia

Credit: Chuck Hatcher, for his generiosity for granting permission to use images of his 500mm f/5.0 Nikkor Reflex Lens; Miss Thrisilla for using her image appearing in this site. Robert Rotoloni images on the 1000mm f/6.3 used in this site. for this site. A contributing effort to a long lost friend on the Net - Made with a PowerMac, broadcast with a Redhat Linux powered server.