Quantaray 500mm f8 Mirror
Most Quantaray lenses were made by Sigma and some were made by Tamron and Tokina. This lens performs like a Sigma Mirror lens. It is reasonably sharp if you can hold it steady. It has the typical ringed bokeh we see from mirror lenses. Contrast is surprisingly high. While it is not a Zeiss or even a Tamron in quality, it is still far better than any of the off-brands flooding the market.




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Nikkor Q 200mm f4
Filter Size:
Lens mount:
Aperture Range:
Close Focus:
Macro Ratio
Year Introduced:
Tested with...
52mm
Nikon Non-Ai
f4-f32
2 meters
n/a
1961
Eos 6D - Full Frame

The Nikkor Q 200mm f4 is legendary. That's why I bought one. On the 6D it handles well. Focusing is easy and camera shake is not too bad for a 200mm.
So, is it a good lens? Yes, especially for a single coated lens. It's affordable, too.
At f4 it is sharp without any noticeable distortion or vignetting. At f8 it is stellar. Corners are sharp at all apertures.
Contrast is excellent at all apertures. Colors are typical Nikon.
At f4 it can fringe a little in harsh light, but you won't see it in a print.
The most important aspect of a 200mm is its ability to isolate subjects from the surroundings. I chose the woods to test this lens' ability to isolate and I am quite pleased with it. If you can achieve isolation is a busy forest scene you can achieve it anywhere.
Bokeh is typical for a 200mm. At f5.6 and up it can get a tad busy but doesn't become distracting. Thankfully you won't need to sharpen images from this lens.
I dare say this would be a great landscape lens.

f4

f5.6

f4 - 100% crop

f5.6

f4 - fringing

f4 - subject isolation

f4 - subject isolation

f5.6 - 100% crop

f5.6 - 100% crop

f4 - 100% crop