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<blockquote data-quote="STM" data-source="post: 758941" data-attributes="member: 12827">I have not used this lens in a while, opting for my 600mm f/4 ED IF AIS Nikkor instead, but it really can produce some really outstanding images and is but a tiny fraction of the size and weight, at 1lb 5 oz, compared to that 14lb beast. This is the newer version, though I have owned the much larger old clunker as well. I have heard lots of complaints from folks that it is practically impossible to get a sharp image with this lens but I guess they are not just used to focusing manually. This one was taken hand held at 1/200 sec hand held the D850 at 1/200 at ISO 400.&nbsp;&nbsp; Granted I do have microprism/split image focusing screens (from focusingscreens.com) in my D500, D750 and D850 so focusing is easy, even at the f/8 maximum aperture (and only aperture for those not familiar with catadioptric lenses). The depth of field on this lens, however, is very shallow, especially at the distance I shot this image, around 12 feet, so it is best to try to find a specular highlight or some very fine detail to really nail the focus. I also don't find the out of focus &quot;donuts&quot; characteristic of mirror lenses to be objectionable, though I know some do, and at times they can really add a unique touch if there are a lot of specular highlights in the background.[ATTACH]356392[/ATTACH]A world of difference![ATTACH]356401[/ATTACH]</blockquote>

[QUOTE="STM, post: 758941, member: 12827"] I have not used this lens in a while, opting for my 600mm f/4 ED IF AIS Nikkor instead, but it really can produce some really outstanding images and is but a tiny fraction of the size and weight, at 1lb 5 oz, compared to that 14lb [I]beast[/I]. This is the newer version, though I have owned the much larger old clunker as well. I have heard [I]lots[/I] of complaints from folks that it is practically impossible to get a sharp image with this lens but I guess they are not just used to focusing manually. This one was taken hand held at 1/200 sec hand held the D850 at 1/200 at ISO 400. Granted I do have microprism/split image focusing screens (from focusingscreens.com) in my D500, D750 and D850 so focusing is easy, even at the f/8 maximum aperture (and [I]only[/I] aperture for those not familiar with catadioptric lenses). The depth of field on this lens, however, is [I]very[/I] shallow, especially at the distance I shot this image, around 12 feet, so it is best to try to find a specular highlight or some very fine detail to really nail the focus. I also don't find the out of focus "donuts" characteristic of mirror lenses to be objectionable, though I know some do, and at times they can really add a unique touch if there are a lot of specular highlights in the background. [ATTACH=CONFIG]356392._xfImport[/ATTACH] A world of difference! [ATTACH=CONFIG]356401._xfImport[/ATTACH] [/QUOTE]

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