Pre-Owned - Tokina 500mm f/8 Mirror Nikon F/non-AI (N/AI) Mount

Pre-Owned - Tokina 500mm f/8 Mirror Nikon F/non-AI (N/AI) Mount

The vintage Tokina 500mm f/8 RMC mirror lens with a Nikon non-AI (N/AI) mount is a compact manual-focus telephoto lens featuring a solid rear aperture ring that can physically damage modern Nikon DSLR cameras equipped with mechanical AI coupling tabs.

Key Characteristics & Risks

• Non-AI Compatibility Warning: The solid metal ring on non-AI lenses lacks the notched recess found on AI lenses. Mounting it directly onto older digital Nikon DSLRs (like the D7000, D800, or D700) will crush or bend the camera's metering tab.

• Optical Design: Uses a catadioptric (mirror) system that folds the light path, making the lens much shorter and lighter than standard 500mm refractors, while producing signature donut-shaped out-of-focus highlights (bokeh).

• Fixed Aperture: Operates strictly at a constant f/8 with no manual aperture blades to stop down, meaning exposure must be managed via shutter speed or ISO.