Mirror lenses!

The Minolta MD 250 Reflex is more in my DNA than the Minolta AF 500 Reflex. Not much experience with such long lenses. Anyway, here is a set with LA-EA5 on A7Riv for auto focus:

1: 115 has dual flower pots

Exposure Time: 0.004 sec (1/250)
ISO: 3200

If you can take pictures of birds, why not mail boxes? Well, because they are boring?

2: Double mailbox

Exposure Time: 0.004 sec (1/250)
ISO: 640

I like alliteration, it works as inspiration for an image.

3: Faceless fashion

Exposure Time: 0.004 sec (1/250)
ISO: 3200

Thanks Paul!
I agree the 250 is 'easier' than the 500. When I made the shot of the church tower I was astonished how close you get with the 250, let alone the 500. But the more you use the 500, the easier it should get. Keep at it Paul! 🙂

darosa wrote: Impressive first results Fred, especially given the less than optimal circumstances. Love "Camouflage"!

Thanks Leo! There are many enjoyable and inspirational shots in the thread to get it even better!

Very satisfying results I would say.
In terms of composition #2 stands out.
You took the perfect viewpoint and used it well.
Donut bokeh (though only slightly) really adds to #3
So far the 600mm seems fine to me.
Up to the next batch

I'm glad to see so much activity here; I hadn't expected it. And the images are very good. Mirrors are challenging but you folks are conquering them well.

I think the more you use them and get comfortable with technique, the better you'll do with handholding and monopod use.

I've still got more to post. I wanted to post images from each of the mirrors I use and still have some to add.

Mike, you stated that the Nikkor-Reflex 500/8 (New) is the best reincarnation of the Nikkor 500 Reflexes. I don't know if this is based on personal testing or here-say, but this Reflex-Nikkor C 1:8 500mm is plenty sharp and leaves nothing to be desired. This lens is a keeper, now I need to get a decent F to FE adapter so I can stop using the tilt adapter that I have been using.    

From Scheveningen harbour, with state of the art tripod, A7iii.

1: Volvo Ocean Race

Exposure Time: 0.02 sec (1/50)
ISO: 640

2: The net

Exposure Time: 0.017 sec (1/60)
ISO: 640

3: Blue net

Exposure Time: 0.04 sec (1/25)
ISO: 640

4: Red and black

Exposure Time: 0.025 sec (1/40)
ISO: 640

5: Lighthouse

Exposure Time: 0.01 sec (1/100)
ISO: 640

6: Fence

Exposure Time: 0.033 sec (1/30)
ISO: 640

Edited by Snegren - 02 January 2022 at 15:55

Snegren wrote: Mike, you stated that the Nikkor-Reflex 500/8 (New) is the best reincarnation of the Nikkor 500 Reflexes. I don't know if this is based on personal testing or here-say, but this Reflex-Nikkor C 1:8 500mm is plenty sharp and leaves nothing to be desired. This lens is a keeper, now I need to get a decent F to FE adapter so I can stop using the tilt adapter that I have been using.     From Scheveningen harbour, with state of the art tripod, A7iii.

Excellent images. Be happy, very happy with what you have. I just now arrived home from my shoot today and planned an update to my assessment of the Nikon (new) orange stripe.

I have been so impressed with the Nikon that I didn't hesitate to recommend it to friends. In the facebook mirror group where I participate, I have praised the lens there and posted several images. Two, maybe three others also praised the lens. My friend and shooting buddy bought one in like-new condition, visually equal to mine. Today was his first outing with the lens. It clearly isn't as good as the copy I have. We swapped lenses so that we could both assess the lens and both agree that mine focuses much easier and is sharper. It was clear and unquestionable. There are no signs of the lens having been dropped or tampered with in any way. I expected greater consistency with Nikon quality.

One lens falling outside the norm is not an indictment of the whole but now I don't know which is the exception, his or mine. While others praise the lens, I don't personally know how well theirs compares to mine. Also, I have wondered about what I have read where some individuals reported the Nikon as average. That can suggest issues with sample quality or user technique; I know not which.

Obviously, I'm backing off from my praise of the lens until I learn more of consistent results. For now, I will consider myself very fortunate and continue to enjoy my copy.