CGrindahl wrote:
I'm curious about when each of you arrived at this thread and what about it tickled your fancy enough that you kept coming back. The thread has been here 14 years and there definitely have been people who dropped in and then moved on. A few stayed until their lives came to an end. That will perhaps be something a few of us old timers will do...
There also have been times when this thread was faster than a speeding bullet. Those were the days Nikki was being sent around the world. We had on average for a few months of 120 posts per day. Imagine trying to keep up with that. Now it is a much more leisurely place. As I've said often, the thread really belongs to those who show up, so obviously it will be whatever those folks want it to be. I'm glad I started it but I'm also relieved that I haven't needed to be responsible for things.
So what brought you and what is working for you now? I'm curious....Show more →
Back in October of 2010, I bought a D7000 after being away from Nikon for a few years. I wanted some fast lenses that wouldn't cost me an arm and a leg because money was tight back then. I started thinking about my old film days with the F3 and fast glass I had albeit manual focus. I thought, I have a pretty advanced camera (for its day) with the D7000, why would I use MF lenses?
But I started researching and looking on ebay at old Nikkors mostly out of curiosity, and in the process this thread came into view. It didn't take me long at all to jump in. My first post (in the form of a question) was Dec 20, 2010 and immediately Curtis answered in a most friendly way. This encouraged me to keep posting and the rest is history. It is without a doubt, the friendliest bunch of people on the internet.
Ballard wrote:
Curtis already knows how I came to this thread, but for the others I’ll explain a bit.
I came to photography “through the back door.” I was working as a photographic chemist before I ever owned a camera, which is surprising since both my parents enjoyed photography. First camera was a Nikkormat with a 50/2 H. I still have that lens. Sadly, my cousin dropped the camera. The lens survived unscathed, a testament to their rugged construction; the camera top plate was badly dented and it stopped working shortly afterward. Over the years I acquired a few lenses.
Much later I worked in a high-end photo lab which did processing and printing for some well known professional photographers. I first worked in color printing and later set up a quality control program for the company. One side benefit was that I was around lots of professionals and had the opportunity to buy some of their lenses when they would get newer gear.
Over the years I went through several career changes and packed away all my photo equipment. I had photography burn out really bad. Fortunately I didn’t sell the lenses. I didn’t get interested in digital photography until my life partner was diagnosed with a cancer that we knew would be fatal. I knew that I had to find interests that would keep me engaged with life after his death, so I bought a D700. Looking around on the internet for any info about this new digital world, I stumbled onto this thread. Through the folks here I’ve been introduced to several lenses that I would never have considered before, such as the 16/3.5. I had always thought fisheyes were only for scientific photography and otherwise just made gimmicky looking images. So thanks for broadening my horizons.
I’m not getting out to enjoy this hobby as much recently, but whenever I do it really recharges me.
Ken doesn't mention that out of his enjoyment of this thread he reached out to me. His partner was traveling in southern Calfiornia and they'd decided to meet in San Francisco so Ken and I could meet. We hung out for a couple of days, having a delightful conversation. It turned out that while I was volunteering with the Living/Dying Project, spending time with folks as they approached the end of their life, David had been a hospice nurse and was at that time dealing with his own serious illness. That gave us much to talk about... leading to my assisting David in self-publishing two books he'd written. Through it all Ken and I got to know each other... a friendship that has deepened through time.
I've had the privilege of meeting a few folks who show up on this thread, sometimes because they're traveling through San Francisco and would like to meet. Old timers know I met Reagan and Ray when visiting Florida in 2012. Ray drove from the west side of the state and Reagan down the east coast for our day of eating, talking lenses, laughter, taking photos and drinking beer. WHAT could be better than that? I know many of the folks here have met in real life. That is a wonderful thing!
leighton w wrote:
Back in October of 2010, I bought a D7000 after being away from Nikon for a few years. I wanted some fast lenses that wouldn't cost me an arm and a leg because money was tight back then. I started thinking about my old film days with the F3 and fast glass I had albeit manual focus. I thought, I have a pretty advanced camera (for its day) with the D7000, why would I use MF lenses?
But I started researching and looking on ebay at old Nikkors mostly out of curiosity, and in the process this thread came into view. It didn't take me long at all to jump in. My first post (in the form of a question) was Dec 20, 2010 and immediately Curtis answered in a most friendly way. This encouraged me to keep posting and the rest is history. It is without a doubt, the friendliest bunch of people on the internet.
Needless to say a large measure of the friendliness on this thread is attributed to your friendly way of relating to people. Who wouldn't want to be friends with someone who looks like Santa Claus in overalls?
In many ways we've been cohorts in this enterprise. You were the person who jumped into the Nikki adventure with both feet. We collaborated in setting up the framework and once I'd put together the guidance shared with participants, you volunteered to host photos taken along the way. The WWW link at the bottom of each of my posts is still connected to that set of images. Thanks for hosting those images and for keeping that collection alive. I'd encourage anyone who wasn't part of that adventure to take a look. We were having an amazing time together and the story of that lens that is now in Leighton's possession is classic. We did an amazing thing.
But now we're old codgers... still picking up a camera from time to time, still chatting on the thread... though that has been much more you than me the last few years. I appreciate the fact we still have things to talk about away from the thread. You're a good man Leighton. I have so enjoyed the wonderful window into your world you've shared with us, both on the farm and at the market. We've gotten to do that with one another. What a gift.
CGrindahl wrote:
I'm curious about when each of you arrived at this thread and what about it tickled your fancy enough that you kept coming back. The thread has been here 14 years and there definitely have been people who dropped in and then moved on. A few stayed until their lives came to an end. That will perhaps be something a few of us old timers will do...
There also have been times when this thread was faster than a speeding bullet. Those were the days Nikki was being sent around the world. We had on average for a few months of 120 posts per day. Imagine trying to keep up with that. Now it is a much more leisurely place. As I've said often, the thread really belongs to those who show up, so obviously it will be whatever those folks want it to be. I'm glad I started it but I'm also relieved that I haven't needed to be responsible for things.
So what brought you and what is working for you now? I'm curious....Show more →
Good to hear you’re still busy contributing to this thread Curtis,
I can’t remember and can’t find when I started to contribute to this forum, but I’m sure it’s more than 10 years ago.
I’m not so into MF lenses lately (migrated to the Z-mount), but I still have quite a lot.
Suffering from different health issues I don’t have much energy. Every time I think I must do something with my MF-lenses I’ve found an excuse not to do.
I browsed through the Nikki adventure and decided to go back and check the folder filled with photos I took at that time. I thought it might be fun to share a photo... maybe two from those days. I didn't share this on the blog... a fun shot of the sort I always enjoyed doing. I was shooting with the D700 at the time.
CGrindahl wrote:
I'm curious about when each of you arrived at this thread and what about it tickled your fancy enough that you kept coming back. The thread has been here 14 years and there definitely have been people who dropped in and then moved on. A few stayed until their lives came to an end. That will perhaps be something a few of us old timers will do...
There also have been times when this thread was faster than a speeding bullet. Those were the days Nikki was being sent around the world. We had on average for a few months of 120 posts per day. Imagine trying to keep up with that. Now it is a much more leisurely place. As I've said often, the thread really belongs to those who show up, so obviously it will be whatever those folks want it to be. I'm glad I started it but I'm also relieved that I haven't needed to be responsible for things.
So what brought you and what is working for you now? I'm curious....Show more →
My first visit to this thread was in 2011. A close friend of mine gave me his Nikon 55mm f3.5 Ai try. Not knowing if it would work on my D7000 body, I found this thread and decided to post and PM a question to some guy named Curtis. Turn the clock ahead 13 years and I am still here, reading the new posts, learning, making likes and comments, and adding an image or two of mine when I have something worth sharing. I have kept coming back, because since day one, this has been a terrific group of people to get to know, and to share with. I was part of Nikki's tour around the world in 2012/13. What a great experience that was! Over the years we have encouraged each other to buy lenses that we do not need, but love to use. For me, there is something special about using these manual focus lenses, seeing the subject come into sharp focus, controlling the background blur, and the feel of the lens construction itself. We can all thank Curtis for starting us down this road. It has been a great trip so far.
Thank you Curtis,
Scott
James Markus wrote:
I souped a roll of Technical Pan 25 last night that I found while cleaning the darkroom awhile back, and it turned out to be from 1998. That would make it the Nikon F3HP with the 35-105mm ais lens. I purchased expired Kodak chemistry off ebay - none of which looked bad. [...]
Jim, I used to love the amazing detail available with Tech Pan but found its extremely high contrast to be difficult for conventional photography. My recollection is that it was designed for astronomical work where the extreme contrast was an advantage. The emulsion was also on a base that more dimensionally stable than conventional films allowing very precise measurement for determining the position of astronomical objects.
If I remember correctly, Kodak supplied a developer to reduce the contrast for non-scientific work. What was the name of that developer? I wonder if they ever published info about the composition of that developer. Decades ago when I had access to a well equipped chemistry lab, I would sometimes make my own developers, but I have no interest in ever doing that again. That must be a sure sign of getting old.
mp356 wrote:
My first visit to this thread was in 2011. A close friend of mine gave me his Nikon 55mm f3.5 Ai try. Not knowing if it would work on my D7000 body, I found this thread and decided to post and PM a question to some guy named Curtis. Turn the clock ahead 13 years and I am still here, reading the new posts, learning, making likes and comments, and adding an image or two of mine when I have something worth sharing. I have kept coming back, because since day one, this has been a terrific group of people to get to know, and to share with. I was part of Nikki's tour around the world in 2012/13. What a great experience that was! Over the years we have encouraged each other to buy lenses that we do not need, but love to use. For me, there is something special about using these manual focus lenses, seeing the subject come into sharp focus, controlling the background blur, and the feel of the lens construction itself. We can all thank Curtis for starting us down this road. It has been a great trip so far.
Thank you Curtis,
Scott ...Show more →
What I remember about you when you arrived Scott was that you were pretty shy. In the early period you didn't have much to say on the board. I guess that happens for most of us when we arrive at a new place,. It can take some time to feel comfortable. I watched as that unfolded for you and was delighted about how you joined the conversation. Perhaps Nikki's journey around the world contributed to that.
There was the ongoing joke about weather in Buffalo, New York, as winter unfolded. I'm a bit of a fair weather shooter, but then that is what I have in the San Francisco Bay Area. Your winter photos reminded me too much of growing up in Minnesota. We also had the cohort from Florida sharing flowers and greenery in the middle of winter.
I was always appreciative of the photos you shared of trains. You're part of the crew Scott who have kept this thread alive all these years. I'm glad you found us.
Ballard wrote:
Jim, I used to love the amazing detail available with Tech Pan but found its extremely high contrast to be difficult for conventional photography. My recollection is that it was designed for astronomical work where the extreme contrast was an advantage. The emulsion was also on a base that more dimensionally stable than conventional films allowing very precise measurement for determining the position of astronomical objects.
If I remember correctly, Kodak supplied a developer to reduce the contrast for non-scientific work. What was the name of that developer? I wonder if they ever published info about the composition of that developer. Decades ago when I had access to a well equipped chemistry lab, I would sometimes make my own developers, but I have no interest in ever doing that again. That must be a sure sign of getting old. ...Show more →
Ken, Kodak's specific developer for Tech Pan was "Kodak technidol liquid developer". In the past I had never got such dense highlights, but I wasn't able to find the instructions online for temps and time. So I guessed 10 minutes at 65 degrees with very little agitation. The developer is a clear liquid with approximately 1 tablespoon in each envelope to make 8oz of working stock. I was thinking about how Rodinal keeps the grain from being over-accentuated, but keeps the lines sharp. It and Accufine were favorites at keeping contrast a bay, and worked in a wide variety of dilutions. I think that was my mistake, because 3 or 4 minutes probably would have got me better results. In the FM "Film is not..." forum I started a thread about finally digitizing old film - first post has 4 frames of tech pan from 1994. NLP (I used a DSLR to convert them) actually added contrast,, and this tree shot I used a flatbed. When I saw the results my first thought was "doesn't Farmers Reducer fix these errors - ah, it likely would make them grainy". I'll try the dslr conversion next.
Ballard wrote:
I just noticed that the last pics I posted here were resized and noticeably less sharp. After I link to my images on Flickr using the "Original Size" link is Flickr or Fred Miranda doing something of which I'm not aware to make the shots look fuzzier? If so what should I be doing? Some — even most —of the shots here are outstandingly sharp. When I look at what I posted, it's rather embarrassing.
BTW your Columbia River Gorge photos looked super sharp here.
CGrindahl wrote:
-- I know Harry and James have a very long history with these lenses and cameras but you've been a fervent explorer. I much appreciate that dimension of the thread... our curiosity can take us where it will...
I'm going to blame my dad for this addiction. Isn't that what all the kids do? Parents re-enforce it with the dreaded curse "I hope you have children just like you". Well, that happened times 7. In 1971 dad bought a Nikon F photomic with 3 lenses - 35, 50, and 105mm. "Look but don't touch", to the kid with a closet darkroom in the basement won on a dinner table bet. So I obeyed, but wanted to use it and never did. Went to work for a newspaper in 1979 that had so much Nikon gear it was amazing, and if you needed something not on hand - you could get a PO from your department head and run off to the camera store to spend other people's money. It was a glorious time.
Then all the photogs could talk about was auto focus. Who had the best? Did Canon's really watch your eyeball to determine the subject you wanted in focus? I embraced all the tech AF, MF, and Digital, and the last one left me standing alone. None of the other photographers wanted to learn a new system of creating images. I added Canon to my Nikon gear specifically because they could share MF Nikkors - which saved money, and the need for duplication. Story was that there were 90 million MF Nikkors out there - all becoming more and more affordable. So, in an odd way, purchasing a Canon 5DmkII led me to this thread. Curiosity, and my dad's forbidden fruit thingy made me an addict. I have a problem - there Step #1
CGrindahl wrote:
Needless to say a large measure of the friendliness on this thread is attributed to your friendly way of relating to people. Who wouldn't want to be friends with someone who looks like Santa Claus in overalls?
In many ways we've been cohorts in this enterprise. You were the person who jumped into the Nikki adventure with both feet. We collaborated in setting up the framework and once I'd put together the guidance shared with participants, you volunteered to host photos taken along the way. The WWW link at the bottom of each of my posts is still connected to that set of images. Thanks for hosting those images and for keeping that collection alive. I'd encourage anyone who wasn't part of that adventure to take a look. We were having an amazing time together and the story of that lens that is now in Leighton's possession is classic. We did an amazing thing.
But now we're old codgers... still picking up a camera from time to time, still chatting on the thread... though that has been much more you than me the last few years. I appreciate the fact we still have things to talk about away from the thread. You're a good man Leighton. I have so enjoyed the wonderful window into your world you've shared with us, both on the farm and at the market. We've gotten to do that with one another. What a gift. ...Show more →
You're too kind, as usual.
Speaking of Nikki. I think I posted this several years ago, but I'll post it again. I think most on this thread have heard of Joe McNally, world renown photographer. I read a post he made on his blog one day about the venerable 50mm f1.4 Ais. About how good it was and that he still owned one. This was just a little while after the Nikki adventure had ended. I thought, what the heck, I'll message him, (never expecting to hear back) to share the blog link and tell him about what we had all done. The next day I got a message from him and he said what a cool idea and that it encouraged him to break out his old 50. Anyway, I thought that was cool.
Chris Dees wrote:
Good to hear you’re still busy contributing to this thread Curtis,
I can’t remember and can’t find when I started to contribute to this forum, but I’m sure it’s more than 10 years ago.
I’m not so into MF lenses lately (migrated to the Z-mount), but I still have quite a lot.
Suffering from different health issues I don’t have much energy. Every time I think I must do something with my MF-lenses I’ve found an excuse not to do.
Chris, good of you to drop in. I always love when you post photos of your part of the world. Please take care of yourself and drop in more often.
James Markus wrote:
I'm going to blame my dad for this addiction.
[...]
So, in an odd way, purchasing a Canon 5DmkII led me to this thread. Curiosity, and my dad's forbidden fruit thingy made me an addict. I have a problem - there Step #1
No, Jim. I hope nobody ever invents naloxone for the addiction of "gear acquisition syndrome."
Someone on that famous auction site found a treasure in one of those antique stores. Asking close to nuttin I did the BIN, because that special sheen said - "I'm a good camera that's mis-understood". I did not know (turns out there are million things I didn't know) That Zeiss made SLR's - Introducing the Contaflex II (Shades of my old 1936 Exa I) with a surprise inside (like Cracker Jack's) - three-quarters of an unused roll of Kodachrome 64. Shot with the 85mm f1.4 ais
James Markus wrote:
I'm going to blame my dad for this addiction. Isn't that what all the kids do? Parents re-enforce it with the dreaded curse "I hope you have children just like you". Well, that happened times 7. In 1971 dad bought a Nikon F photomic with 3 lenses - 35, 50, and 105mm. "Look but don't touch", to the kid with a closet darkroom in the basement won on a dinner table bet. So I obeyed, but wanted to use it and never did. Went to work for a newspaper in 1979 that had so much Nikon gear it was amazing, and if you needed something not on hand - you could get a PO from your department head and run off to the camera store to spend other people's money. It was a glorious time.
Then all the photogs could talk about was auto focus. Who had the best? Did Canon's really watch your eyeball to determine the subject you wanted in focus? I embraced all the tech AF, MF, and Digital, and the last one left me standing alone. None of the other photographers wanted to learn a new system of creating images. I added Canon to my Nikon gear specifically because they could share MF Nikkors - which saved money, and the need for duplication. Story was that there were 90 million MF Nikkors out there - all becoming more and more affordable. So, in an odd way, purchasing a Canon 5DmkII led me to this thread. Curiosity, and my dad's forbidden fruit thingy made me an addict. I have a problem - there Step #1...Show more →
I always appreciate stories like this. I remember that you were working for a newspaper. What an adventure that must have been, playing with new gear as it came on the scene. Yes, it has been fun to consider the development and introduction of these lenses. As I recall we've had photos posted of old advertisements for some of these lenses. I know that when I bought my first camera, a Nikkormat purchased in 1969 before I got on a Greek freighter and headed to Greece, that I purchased Soligor lenses because the Nikon lenses were too rich for my purse. Yes, having waited this long to pursue this delightful hobby, I've been able to take advantage of those falling prices. I had a rule in the beginning that I'd never spend over $300 for a lens... but that was before I began selling Canon gear. My first big purchase was the 85 f/1.4 AI-s followed by the 105 f/1.8 AI-s and the 135 f/2 AI-s. That was about six months after this thread was started. I guess I figured by that time I could release the Canon gear to cover my Nikon adventure.
Whether this can be considered an addiction I'll leave to someone else to determine. No doubt the hunt for this or that lens can be captivating. Success always meant announcing the purchase on this thread and hearing from others who really understood what this is all about. So you found the right crowd to hang around with James. I recall you've had some health challenges along the way. It is nice seeing you enjoying photography and sharing it on the board. As my brother often said before he died at age 94, "Every day above ground is a good day."
Honestly Samy, your problem has been that you started buying OTHER gear. It can't possibly be true that buying manual focus Nikon glass is addictive. Rather, it is evidence one has a great commitment to value and a fine aesthetic sense.
I'll keep telling myself that. Of course, it feels as though my buying days are over. Rather I feel a need to thin the herd, though I haven't actually taken concrete steps to do so. I've only sold two lenses in the last five years and both of those were "surplus" lenses since I owned three in one case and two in the other. But I have a cabinet filled with lenses I haven't used in a decade... embarrassing to say that but it is true.
Have fun Samy. You clearly have a discerning eye...
CGrindahl wrote:
I had a rule in the beginning that I'd never spend over $300 for a lens... but that was before I began selling Canon gear. My first big purchase was the 85 f/1.4 AI-s followed by the 105 f/1.8 AI-s and the 135 f/2 AI-s. That was about six months after this thread was started. I guess I figured by that time I could release the Canon gear to cover my Nikon adventure.
Whether this can be considered an addiction I'll leave to someone else to determine. No doubt the hunt for this or that lens can be captivating. Success always meant announcing the purchase on this thread and hearing from others who really understood what this is all about. So you found the right crowd to hang around with James. I recall you've had some health challenges along the way. It is nice seeing you enjoying photography and sharing it on the board. As my brother often said before he died at age 94, "Every day above ground is a good day." ...Show more →
Sounds like we have similar policies, and a similar journey. I remember looking at Nikon brochures (which were "free" as long as you didn't end up buying something!) and drooling over the 85/1.4 and 105/1.8 in particular, but they were out of my budget for a new purchase, and never showed up used in my then home of Copenhagen. I stuck with "lesser" lenses like a used AiS 105/2.5 and an AI'd 24/2.8, and honestly was very happy. When DSLRs and the discontinuation of MF Nikkors started the freefall in used lens prices, I was finally able to grab some of those icons of my youth. Like you, I began with the AiS 85/1.4, which though I also own the AF-D version, is still one of my favourite chunks of glass. I really didn't want to buy the 105/1.8 as I already had the f/2.5 lens, but broke down recently, and am not at all disappointed (again, just a lovely jewel of a lens). The only siren-call I have resisted is for a Fisheye-Nikkor, but otherwise am so happy with my small stable of classic MF Nikkors.
