Nikkor 1000mm F11

[DigitalSparrow]

Shot on a tripod with a Fujifilm X-E1 playing around in my sunroom. Was shooting the bluejays in a tree when the foxes appeared on another corner of my yard. I bought this lens on a whim to add to my expanding mirror lens collection. Lots of donuts on the first picture but I didn't mind.

 

[Vic Chapman]

To be honest - and I'm sure you wouldn't expect less - these prove what I've said before. Unless fitted to an IBIS body the use of anything over 105mm handheld or 400mm tripod mounted seems to be pretty much a waste of time. I tried my Sigma 50-500mm mounted via tripod foot and fitted to my Fuji XP1/XT1 and I found it impossible to focus even using the LCD because of vibration. Even 30 secs after last touched the setup I could see slight movement in the LCD. A fast shutter speed might counter slight movement when taking the picture by remote but you still can't focus properly in the first place.

 

[Tom Caldwell]

Quite an achievement with that lens - well done. I can imagine just how big a conventional 1000mm lens would be.

 

[DigitalSparrow]

Not all photos have to be perfect to be enjoyed. Yes, there will always be difficulty in focusing this type is lens. I switched to the Olympus E-M1 and my bigma when I realized that the foxes were sticking around.

I beg to differ about what is or is not a waste of time. But I will always respect and appreciate opinions and comments.

 

[surfmurf]

Taken with Nikon D500 and 500mm f/8 Reflex



Glad to read the conversation here. I am anxiously awaiting my 1000mm f/11. I have both versions of the 500mm f/8, and have used it with and without the TC-200 converter to achieve photos that "I enjoy" I must disclose that I am a hobbyist and sure my bar is lower than most. The 500mm with TC is as i understand it essentially a 1000mm f/16. I shoot it on the Nikon D500, Df, and adapted Fuji X-T3. If the 1000mm f/11 performs as well as the TC-200 + 500mm f/8, I will be satisfied; however, I am hoping for a "slight" improvement based on the fact that it will be a non-converter generated image, and the additional stop from f/16 to f/11. Actually I occassionally run the Metabones on the Fuji which allegedly should step the f/11 down to an f/8. I have used this method with the 500mm f/8 to achieve an effective 500mm f/5.6 and I am a believer.

I find that an ISO of 1000 and SS of 1000 is the sweet spot for my experiences.

 

[AE Conrady]

Interestingly, on the first picture, the (female) fox seems to look directly into your camera. A lot of animals would do this, perhaps because they find the camera/lens reflecting light intresting or just irritating. But not with a 1000mm lens on APS-C. Most animals wouldn't realize a photographer at that distance. What puzzles me is that this large distance is not enough to let the fox mom feel safe.

 

[surfmurf]

Hello,

Does anyone know how to calibrate the Nikkor 1000mm F11 to be able to achieve infinity focus? My focus stops at about 150 yards (137 meters). The indicator on the lens indicates going beyond infinity, but focus is short. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

 

[vyoufinder]

That first fox's eyes are gold. I mean green. Wow. That's a great shot.

 

[Ching-Kuang Shene]

Hello,

Does anyone know how to calibrate the Nikkor 1000mm F11 to be able to achieve infinity focus? My focus stops at about 150 yards (137 meters). The indicator on the lens indicates going beyond infinity, but focus is short. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

This lens can focus pass infinity. If you have infinite focus issue, check your adapter.

CK

 

[surfmurf]

Hi and thank you,

I am shooting on a Nikon D500, so there is no adapter. I also shoot on a Fuji, but get the same results. If I only had the issue with the Fuji, I would have explored adjusting the adapter, but since I have the same issue with the Nikon, I believe the issue is with the adjustment of the lens.

 

[surfmurf]

Hello,

Does anyone know how to adjust the infinity focus in the Nikkor 1000mm f/11? If you know, I would really appreciate a discussion/description of the process for doing so.

Thank you

 

[Ching-Kuang Shene]

Hello,

Does anyone know how to adjust the infinity focus in the Nikkor 1000mm f/11? If you know, I would really appreciate a discussion/description of the process for doing so.

Thank you

If your lens cannot focus to infinity on a Nikon SLR/DSLR, your lens has a problem and perhaps no one can help you. SUGGESTION: Send your lens to a shop for service. There are so many reasons such as the primary or secondary mirrors misaligned or something else.

CK

 

[surfmurf]

Thank you - that is exactly what I did. In the meantime, I found another copy of the lens that is cleaner and focuses perfectly!!!! (for half the price)!!! I am eager to explore the night sky and red-tailed hawks!!!!

 

[Frank N1]

Hi there, I am thinking of getting the Nikkor 1000 F11 myself. Just wondering if you got better results than you did with the 500 F8?

 

[kathala]

Yes! If you refer to the Nikon 5oo/8, I'd rate the 1ooo/11 as academically sharper outright. If you want to compare equal magnification, i.e. a 5oo + tele converter vs. the 1ooo/11, the latter clearly wins.

 

[3dpan]

Yes! If you refer to the Nikon 5oo/8, I'd rate the 1ooo/11 as academically sharper outright. If you want to compare equal magnification, i.e. a 5oo + tele converter vs. the 1ooo/11, the latter clearly wins.

I wonder if we can kick-start this thread (again).

I'm interested in a long mirror lens with respectable IQ.

I recently started a thread on the Jintu 900/8 mirror, lots of interesting discussion. but nothing specific on the Nikon 1000mm f11.

I am encouraged by your comments on the sharpness of the 1000/11 wrt the Nikon 500/8, which seems generally highly regarded as well.

 

[Igor Sotelo]

Yes! If you refer to the Nikon 5oo/8, I'd rate the 1ooo/11 as academically sharper outright. If you want to compare equal magnification, i.e. a 5oo + tele converter vs. the 1ooo/11, the latter clearly wins.

I wonder if we can kick-start this thread (again).

I'm interested in a long mirror lens with respectable IQ.

I recently started a thread on the Jintu 900/8 mirror, lots of interesting discussion. but nothing specific on the Nikon 1000mm f11.

I am encouraged by your comments on the sharpness of the 1000/11 wrt the Nikon 500/8, which seems generally highly regarded as well.

Would say that the Reflex-Nikkor 1000mm f/11 is similarly sharp and contrasty as the Nikkor 800mm 5.6 ED IF AI-S @ 5.6 or the Nikkor 500mm 4.0D II ED IF AF-S @ 4.0. Honestly was quite surprised by the results.

Would recommend keeping the ISO reasonably low, high shutter speed, a tripod, and to focus carefully, the focus handle is essential to control vibration.

The 1000mm f/11 works with a TC-301, after removing the rear filter, f/22 is very limiting and I’m not sure if it adds detail.

I didn’t test previous Reflex 1000mm Nikkor’s, like the one with built-in filters or the 500mm variants.

 

[3dpan]

Yes! If you refer to the Nikon 5oo/8, I'd rate the 1ooo/11 as academically sharper outright. If you want to compare equal magnification, i.e. a 5oo + tele converter vs. the 1ooo/11, the latter clearly wins.

I wonder if we can kick-start this thread (again).

I'm interested in a long mirror lens with respectable IQ.

I recently started a thread on the Jintu 900/8 mirror, lots of interesting discussion. but nothing specific on the Nikon 1000mm f11.

I am encouraged by your comments on the sharpness of the 1000/11 wrt the Nikon 500/8, which seems generally highly regarded as well.

Would say that the Reflex-Nikkor 1000mm f/11 is similarly sharp and contrasty as the Nikkor 800mm 5.6 ED IF AI-S @ 5.6 or the Nikkor 500mm 4.0D II ED IF AF-S @ 4.0. Honestly was quite surprised by the results.

Would recommend keeping the ISO reasonably low, high shutter speed, a tripod, and to focus carefully, the focus handle is essential to control vibration.

The 1000mm f/11 works with a TC-301, after removing the rear filter, f/22 is very limiting and I’m not sure if it adds detail.

I didn’t test previous Reflex 1000mm Nikkor’s, like the one with built-in filters or the 500mm variants.

Thank you.
Sounds like a bit of a "sleeping beauty".

 

[kathala]

I'm interested in a long mirror lens with respectable IQ.

That is sadly the search for the needle in the haystack.

I recently started a thread on the Jintu 900/8 mirror, lots of interesting discussion. but nothing specific on the Nikon 1000mm f11.

All I found on the Jintu was https://www.dyxum.com/dforum/900mm-mirror-lens_topic119213.html

and manufacturer sample pictures with 1000 pixel width - that says a lot ...

I am encouraged by your comments on the sharpness of the 1000/11 wrt the Nikon 500/8, which seems generally highly regarded as well.

I can't help thinking many Nikonians were fanboys rather than critical of actual optical performance. I love the looks and mechanics of old Nikons, but most lenses, especially the more extreme ones, are terrible. I had quite a few of them. The 1000/11 seems less terrible, but clearly, any modern 400/2.8 (or good xx-600 zoom) plus AI interpolation and sharpening will give much more detail.

 

[Igor Sotelo]

I'm interested in a long mirror lens with respectable IQ.

That is sadly the search for the needle in the haystack.

I recently started a thread on the Jintu 900/8 mirror, lots of interesting discussion. but nothing specific on the Nikon 1000mm f11.

All I found on the Jintu was https://www.dyxum.com/dforum/900mm-mirror-lens_topic119213.html

and manufacturer sample pictures with 1000 pixel width - that says a lot ...

I am encouraged by your comments on the sharpness of the 1000/11 wrt the Nikon 500/8, which seems generally highly regarded as well.

I can't help thinking many Nikonians were fanboys rather than critical of actual optical performance. I love the looks and mechanics of old Nikons, but most lenses, especially the more extreme ones, are terrible. I had quite a few of them. The 1000/11 seems less terrible, but clearly, any modern 400/2.8 (or good xx-600 zoom) plus AI interpolation and sharpening will give much more detail.