Yours is in fantastic cosmetic condition compared to mine! The glass makes up for my unit's shabby appearance.
I had 90 minutes to kill today whilst waiting for my daughter. So I took a trek down the local canal path.
I only fired off a handful of images on a dull afternoon so I doubt there is anything of note. I will check later but I am in Italian cull and edit mode at the moment.
Colin
CGrindahl wrote:
Great fun Colin. That lens is a monster, made more so with addition of an adaptor. But when I saw THIS photo I fell in love and absolutely could not resist...
Nikon gives us so many options at 135mm that it often is easier to use a smaller, lighter lens than to lug the f/2 around. But when playing with bokeh, these FAST lenses are always a delight. Have fun and lets us see what you find.
Reagan's name was mentioned a few posts back.
My wife and I were fortunate to have met him in Long Boat Key in 2018.
Ken informed me that LBK got trashed by hurricane Helene so heaven knows what further damage Milton inflicted upon the sand bar yesterday.
I am sure Reagan would have approved of the following couple of images - although I find it hard to understand how sunbathing on pebbles is comfortable.
CGrindahl wrote:
My friend called yesterday and suggested we drive up to the Napa Valley for lunch at a restaurant with a patio overlooking a vineyard... a restaurant we'd been frequenting for over twenty years. The heat wave had finally broken and it seemed a wonderful idea. We'd thought about visiting to celebrate my birthday recently, but I wasn't impressed by the menu and chose a nearby restaurant that features Middle Eastern food I love. But yesterday was simply to play and spend some time in the Napa Valley.
The meal was wonderful though it cost almost a hundred dollars... two people, no alcohol. My friend picked up the tab which was very generous. We walked out into the adjacent vineyard owned by the operator of the restaurant. There were still grapes on the vine. They tasted wonderful. A great dessert. But I told my friend about what I'd learned recently. Last year, an estimate 400,000 TONS of grapes were left on the vines... to eventually be picked and discarded. Diminishing sales of wine coupled with a great expansion in land devoted to vineyards has created the problem which is leading to vineyard owners walking away from the land which goes to banks who offered financing. California is having a hard time competing with lower priced wines from Chile and Australia. It was still a beautiful day. Here is a shot I grabbed, taken with the 105 f/2.5 P AI.
Curtis, you might recall, it was this very lens that brought me here to this thread. I was a Canon shooter of many years at the time and had just moved over to Nikon. I had a not so gently used copy of that lens that served me as a reverse mount for closeup macro shots on Canon lenses. I bought the lens at a used camera shop for this very purpose and I knew absolutely nothing about it. I found the old lens stored in the back of the studio while cleaning and was curious regarding it's history. You very kindly welcomed me and gave me a lot of information regarding the lens. I ended up with 3 iterations of the lens and the rest as they say is history.
Having had an occipital stroke in 2019 I find it much harder to focus the old MF lenses but the new mirrorless cameras, focus peaking, and Voigtlander lens have opened up a great new world for me in the MF department. Thank you, and welcome back!
CGrindahl wrote:
You've been much on my mind the last two days Ken as I followed forecasts that showed Milton heading in your direction. Please let us know how you are.
Yes, we've spent some time together on the thread. I recall the health challenges and the pure pleasure of enjoying a Chevrolet Corvette. Alas, you're getting to be an old man too so keeping life simple is important. Saying goodbye to friends seems to be part of the process. I've taken a few falls and broken things too. I'm recalling your broken ankles and the painful recovery process. I took a tumble on a trail and broke off my two front teeth. I was alone about a quarter of a mile from my car. Thirteen months later I had two artificial teeth mounted on the titanium posts that had been implanted after I had a bone graft. You get the idea. Being in a human body is both a delight and a challenge. But we're still ticking my friend. Hope you've survived this most recent hurricane without too much damage. Let us know....Show more →
Curtis, Glad you are well. I am too. The storm although very tragic for some left us up all night. We didn't sustain any real damage despite heavy winds and rain. The news outlets should have treated it as news, not entertainment. As Joe Friday said, “Just the facts” not the BS production made of it.
I will be 78 in a couple weeks and this past July I fell while jogging and broke my left hip. It healed well but my Doctor said “No Corvette!” … Right! I stayed out of it for a month then eased in and out without issues. Since August we have been to Arkansas for a week, Savannah, Georgia and Texas. The storm cut Texas short and made it back to Florida in two days. It was a fun drive.
Age is a state of mind. Sure there is a price to pay in aches but mentally it is worth it. To close I’ll tell you what my Doctor said two-three weeks ago. “You are not 20 you know!” I said you’re right I’m only 13!” She rolled her eyes.
I have been absent for a few weeks, the reason for this is that my closest family and best friend of 24 years has passed onto a better place.
Abner came to live at my house 24 years ago at age 18, completed the last year of high school at San Marcos, received an associate degree in theater at San Diego City College and worked at the nearby California Center for the Arts. After his dad passed from a long illness he left for medical school in Mexico, nearly completed his studies but had to come back to California after a violent kidnapping.
Not one to be defeated, he became a Nurse Assistant, then a Licensed Vocational Nurse, then a Registered nurse with a Bachelor of Nursing degree. At the time of his passing Abner was one year away from Masters in Nursing and becoming an independent Advanced Practice Nurse with his own clinic.
Abner worked hospice and was incredibly compassionate and effective helping families and the patient through the process of dying, he often came back telling me the life stories that patients confided on him, his patients did not suffer and the families were helped to find peace. Abner nearly died during the Mexico kidnapping, but having seen death he became an Angel of care for those dying.
Abner became the son I never had, lived in my home whenever he was not away at school, included me in all aspects of his life, and had many friends who loved him dearly and whose love was extended to me.
I wanted to convey some sense of who Abner was, but pictures are worth 1000 words.
(Nikkor on Nikon of course)
Here he is producing Don Quijote in Tijuana, every costume and the set was made by him. I financed his productions and we never made any money but it was great fun.
rafaelcasd wrote:
I have been absent for a few weeks, the reason for this is that my closest family and best friend of 24 years has passed onto a better place.
Abner came to live at my house 24 years ago at age 18, completed the last year of high school at San Marcos, received an associate degree in theater at San Diego City College and worked at the nearby California Center for the Arts. After his dad passed from a long illness he left for medical school in Mexico, nearly completed his studies but had to come back to California after a violent kidnapping.
Not one to be defeated, he became a Nurse Assistant, then a Licensed Vocational Nurse, then a Registered nurse with a Bachelor of Nursing degree. At the time of his passing Abner was one year away from Masters in Nursing and becoming an independent Advanced Practice Nurse with his own clinic.
Abner worked hospice and was incredibly compassionate and effective helping families and the patient through the process of dying, he often came back telling me the life stories that patients confided on him, his patients did not suffer and the families were helped to find peace. Abner nearly died during the Mexico kidnapping, but having seen death he became an Angel of care for those dying.
Abner became the son I never had, lived in my home whenever he was not away at school, included me in all aspects of his life, and had many friends who loved him dearly and whose love was extended to me.
I wanted to convey some sense of who Abner was, but pictures are worth 1000 words.
(Nikkor on Nikon of course)
Here he is producing Don Quijote in Tijuana, every costume and the set was made by him. I financed his productions and we never made any money but it was great fun.
...Show more →
I’m so very sorry for your loss. Although not blood related, I can’t imagine how it feels to lose a child. Some of the best family I have are not blood related, so I get the sentiment. Your pictures are a lovely tribute to someone who was obviously important in your life. I remember seeing him show up in your pictures over the years. You and yours are in my thoughts.
rafaelcasd wrote:
I have been absent for a few weeks, the reason for this is that my closest family and best friend of 24 years has passed onto a better place.
Abner came to live at my house 24 years ago at age 18, completed the last year of high school at San Marcos, received an associate degree in theater at San Diego City College and worked at the nearby California Center for the Arts. After his dad passed from a long illness he left for medical school in Mexico, nearly completed his studies but had to come back to California after a violent kidnapping.
Not one to be defeated, he became a Nurse Assistant, then a Licensed Vocational Nurse, then a Registered nurse with a Bachelor of Nursing degree. At the time of his passing Abner was one year away from Masters in Nursing and becoming an independent Advanced Practice Nurse with his own clinic.
Abner worked hospice and was incredibly compassionate and effective helping families and the patient through the process of dying, he often came back telling me the life stories that patients confided on him, his patients did not suffer and the families were helped to find peace. Abner nearly died during the Mexico kidnapping, but having seen death he became an Angel of care for those dying.
Abner became the son I never had, lived in my home whenever he was not away at school, included me in all aspects of his life, and had many friends who loved him dearly and whose love was extended to me.
I wanted to convey some sense of who Abner was, but pictures are worth 1000 words.
(Nikkor on Nikon of course)
Here he is producing Don Quijote in Tijuana, every costume and the set was made by him. I financed his productions and we never made any money but it was great fun.
rafaelcasd wrote:
I have been absent for a few weeks, the reason for this is that my closest family and best friend of 24 years has passed onto a better place.
Abner came to live at my house 24 years ago at age 18, completed the last year of high school at San Marcos, received an associate degree in theater at San Diego City College and worked at the nearby California Center for the Arts. After his dad passed from a long illness he left for medical school in Mexico, nearly completed his studies but had to come back to California after a violent kidnapping.
Not one to be defeated, he became a Nurse Assistant, then a Licensed Vocational Nurse, then a Registered nurse with a Bachelor of Nursing degree. At the time of his passing Abner was one year away from Masters in Nursing and becoming an independent Advanced Practice Nurse with his own clinic.
Abner worked hospice and was incredibly compassionate and effective helping families and the patient through the process of dying, he often came back telling me the life stories that patients confided on him, his patients did not suffer and the families were helped to find peace. Abner nearly died during the Mexico kidnapping, but having seen death he became an Angel of care for those dying.
Abner became the son I never had, lived in my home whenever he was not away at school, included me in all aspects of his life, and had many friends who loved him dearly and whose love was extended to me.
I wanted to convey some sense of who Abner was, but pictures are worth 1000 words.
(Nikkor on Nikon of course)
Here he is producing Don Quijote in Tijuana, every costume and the set was made by him. I financed his productions and we never made any money but it was great fun.
rafaelcasd wrote:
I have been absent for a few weeks, the reason for this is that my closest family and best friend of 24 years has passed onto a better place.
Abner came to live at my house 24 years ago at age 18, completed the last year of high school at San Marcos, received an associate degree in theater at San Diego City College and worked at the nearby California Center for the Arts. After his dad passed from a long illness he left for medical school in Mexico, nearly completed his studies but had to come back to California after a violent kidnapping.
Not one to be defeated, he became a Nurse Assistant, then a Licensed Vocational Nurse, then a Registered nurse with a Bachelor of Nursing degree. At the time of his passing Abner was one year away from Masters in Nursing and becoming an independent Advanced Practice Nurse with his own clinic.
Abner worked hospice and was incredibly compassionate and effective helping families and the patient through the process of dying, he often came back telling me the life stories that patients confided on him, his patients did not suffer and the families were helped to find peace. Abner nearly died during the Mexico kidnapping, but having seen death he became an Angel of care for those dying.
Abner became the son I never had, lived in my home whenever he was not away at school, included me in all aspects of his life, and had many friends who loved him dearly and whose love was extended to me.
I wanted to convey some sense of who Abner was, but pictures are worth 1000 words.
(Nikkor on Nikon of course)
Here he is producing Don Quijote in Tijuana, every costume and the set was made by him. I financed his productions and we never made any money but it was great fun.
SiMuMe wrote:
I'm looking forward to it, Colin. I still want to do a random sample of historical photos to confirm if this is a recent thing or I really didn't turn it on, ever. I just use stuff, and start tinkering when I'm unhappy. Even with that history though, this was quite an embarrassing discovery.
Phew, turns out I've had it on as recently as April 2024.
rafaelcasd wrote:
I have been absent for a few weeks, the reason for this is that my closest family and best friend of 24 years has passed onto a better place.
Abner came to live at my house 24 years ago at age 18, completed the last year of high school at San Marcos, received an associate degree in theater at San Diego City College and worked at the nearby California Center for the Arts. After his dad passed from a long illness he left for medical school in Mexico, nearly completed his studies but had to come back to California after a violent kidnapping.
Not one to be defeated, he became a Nurse Assistant, then a Licensed Vocational Nurse, then a Registered nurse with a Bachelor of Nursing degree. At the time of his passing Abner was one year away from Masters in Nursing and becoming an independent Advanced Practice Nurse with his own clinic.
Abner worked hospice and was incredibly compassionate and effective helping families and the patient through the process of dying, he often came back telling me the life stories that patients confided on him, his patients did not suffer and the families were helped to find peace. Abner nearly died during the Mexico kidnapping, but having seen death he became an Angel of care for those dying.
Abner became the son I never had, lived in my home whenever he was not away at school, included me in all aspects of his life, and had many friends who loved him dearly and whose love was extended to me.
I wanted to convey some sense of who Abner was, but pictures are worth 1000 words.
(Nikkor on Nikon of course)
Here he is producing Don Quijote in Tijuana, every costume and the set was made by him. I financed his productions and we never made any money but it was great fun.
Rafael, sorry for your loss. Your story also tells us what a great caring person you are. That young man had more than just a friend in San Diego.
Harry Palmer
rafaelcasd wrote:
I have been absent for a few weeks, the reason for this is that my closest family and best friend of 24 years has passed onto a better place.
Abner came to live at my house 24 years ago at age 18, completed the last year of high school at San Marcos, received an associate degree in theater at San Diego City College and worked at the nearby California Center for the Arts. After his dad passed from a long illness he left for medical school in Mexico, nearly completed his studies but had to come back to California after a violent kidnapping.
Not one to be defeated, he became a Nurse Assistant, then a Licensed Vocational Nurse, then a Registered nurse with a Bachelor of Nursing degree. At the time of his passing Abner was one year away from Masters in Nursing and becoming an independent Advanced Practice Nurse with his own clinic.
Abner worked hospice and was incredibly compassionate and effective helping families and the patient through the process of dying, he often came back telling me the life stories that patients confided on him, his patients did not suffer and the families were helped to find peace. Abner nearly died during the Mexico kidnapping, but having seen death he became an Angel of care for those dying.
Abner became the son I never had, lived in my home whenever he was not away at school, included me in all aspects of his life, and had many friends who loved him dearly and whose love was extended to me.
I wanted to convey some sense of who Abner was, but pictures are worth 1000 words.
(Nikkor on Nikon of course)
Here he is producing Don Quijote in Tijuana, every costume and the set was made by him. I financed his productions and we never made any money but it was great fun.
rafaelcasd wrote:
I have been absent for a few weeks, the reason for this is that my closest family and best friend of 24 years has passed onto a better place.
Abner came to live at my house 24 years ago at age 18, completed the last year of high school at San Marcos, received an associate degree in theater at San Diego City College and worked at the nearby California Center for the Arts. After his dad passed from a long illness he left for medical school in Mexico, nearly completed his studies but had to come back to California after a violent kidnapping.
Not one to be defeated, he became a Nurse Assistant, then a Licensed Vocational Nurse, then a Registered nurse with a Bachelor of Nursing degree. At the time of his passing Abner was one year away from Masters in Nursing and becoming an independent Advanced Practice Nurse with his own clinic.
Abner worked hospice and was incredibly compassionate and effective helping families and the patient through the process of dying, he often came back telling me the life stories that patients confided on him, his patients did not suffer and the families were helped to find peace. Abner nearly died during the Mexico kidnapping, but having seen death he became an Angel of care for those dying.
Abner became the son I never had, lived in my home whenever he was not away at school, included me in all aspects of his life, and had many friends who loved him dearly and whose love was extended to me.
I wanted to convey some sense of who Abner was, but pictures are worth 1000 words.
(Nikkor on Nikon of course)
Here he is producing Don Quijote in Tijuana, every costume and the set was made by him. I financed his productions and we never made any money but it was great fun.
rafaelcasd wrote:
I have been absent for a few weeks, the reason for this is that my closest family and best friend of 24 years has passed onto a better place.
Abner came to live at my house 24 years ago at age 18, completed the last year of high school at San Marcos, received an associate degree in theater at San Diego City College and worked at the nearby California Center for the Arts. After his dad passed from a long illness he left for medical school in Mexico, nearly completed his studies but had to come back to California after a violent kidnapping.
Not one to be defeated, he became a Nurse Assistant, then a Licensed Vocational Nurse, then a Registered nurse with a Bachelor of Nursing degree. At the time of his passing Abner was one year away from Masters in Nursing and becoming an independent Advanced Practice Nurse with his own clinic.
Abner worked hospice and was incredibly compassionate and effective helping families and the patient through the process of dying, he often came back telling me the life stories that patients confided on him, his patients did not suffer and the families were helped to find peace. Abner nearly died during the Mexico kidnapping, but having seen death he became an Angel of care for those dying.
Abner became the son I never had, lived in my home whenever he was not away at school, included me in all aspects of his life, and had many friends who loved him dearly and whose love was extended to me.
I wanted to convey some sense of who Abner was, but pictures are worth 1000 words.
(Nikkor on Nikon of course)
Here he is producing Don Quijote in Tijuana, every costume and the set was made by him. I financed his productions and we never made any money but it was great fun.
I bought a Nikkor-H 85mm f/1.8. It was pretty. That's the reason.
It's a chunky bugger. It's quite tricky to focus wide open. The point of critical focus is just outside the rangefinder's solid green-dot zone on the Df. Just when the triangle is wavering, that's the spot. I've never had something like this before and took a number of tries to find it.
I also mounted it on Z5+FT-Z+ In-body VR. Focusing was much easier, and rich in "boring salt". There'll be a time when I'll warm up to this fully. For now, Df is much more satisfying.
I'll take a picture of it but here are some testing pictures from it. It's got some nice attributes wide open. Centre sharpness is good. It vignettes, which I have no plans to correct. There's a bit of swirl in the bokeh and some nice(to me) bubbles.
I hope is was good. 
Seems like they're vineyards popping up all over in Virginia. 
