leighton w wrote:
This may be of interest to some.
I rather doubt that anyone is going to be selling Nikon manual focus lenses to put bread on the table, but I could be wrong. Even if they are, I don't think I'm in the market for any more lenses. I just checked, however, in the interest of helping folks on this thread who have some mad money to spend. There are quite a few 16 f/2.8 AI-s lenses available on E-Bay at the moment at decent prices. Check this one out...
Today it is raining so I'll have to share photos from the last few days, all of which were shot with the 300 f/4.5 Ai-s ED-IF. I've always been sufficiently happy with this lens that I've not gone on the hunt for what many consider the best MF lens at this range, the AI ED lens. I believe John in Seattle who is long gone from our midst and Chuong have copies. Chuong may even have more than one. If one is intent on the hunt, there are a few Nikon manual focus lenses worth chasing after, but my hunting days ended quite a few years ago...
Here we go with the PK-13 as companion. This is a rather sweet combination because I maintain enough distance that I can capture the entire flower rather than simply one element of it. The longer the tube, the closer you have to be to find focus... in case you were curious.
It rained until a short while ago. While talking with a cousin on the phone I noticed the raindrops on ivy through the front window of my cottage... a window that has not been washed for at least a year. I had the 300 mounted with the PK-13 so as soon as the call ended I took a couple of photos. It worked! I'm very happy with this lens I bought for $297, back in the days when I held to a maximum of $300. It was after selling my Canon lenses that I had funds to buy the more expensive lenses in my kit.
Of all my 55mm 1.2 the 223XXX is the least mint but still EXC++, I did not like it because it was dusty, but I knew it could be cleaned and how. Did not want to pay, but I was hesitant to clean it because Nikon uses a lot of adhesive on the screws of these old lenses to keep them together, I end up ruining lenses when I bust the screw heads.
Decided to go for it, judicious use of solvent on q tips did the trick, the lens is now pristine inside. Tested it after reassembly and it performs quite well, not my best 55mm but decent.
Here are the lenses, most of you have seen them multiple times, this 223XXX is the only non-ai, it had the ai ring at some point but I took it for a better lens, the other non-ai is 972XXX which cannot be converted.
Below are test shots, go look at flickr 100% if you care for that, don't have a Z7, so non-ai are tested at 24MP.
Look at the detail and depth of field at different key apertures, 1.2, 2.0, 5.6. At 1.2 it is sharp but 'veiled' at 2.0 and up it is an excellent performer.
at 1.2 there is a lot of detail on the tress that can be seen at 100%, at this magnification it looks washed out but it is not, it is veiling or low contrast. My 195XXX is better, as sharp at 1.2 as at 2.0, but it is new condition and has never been touched by hands other than at Nippon Kogaku factory.
Beautiful 55s Rafael. I missed out on the S.C I was eyeing in Feb. Definitely seems more than good enough by F2.0. Lovely neighbourhood. Topology not much different than parts of Durban. I could live here.
I have "only" two 55/1.2's and although quite nice not in "Rafael-condition".
The S.C is an unique one and possible a one of a kind; it's AI-ed and chipped!
Only a dandelion, but it works. The dandelion was shaved and some glass had to be cut as well to fit.
Shot with an AI-d and chipped 55 as well.
BTW I forgot to clean the lenses before taken an image.
Here´s a couple. First ones taken with D800 and the 80-200mm f/4.0 ais with vivitar extension rings. Last one taken last night on a short walk just outside my neighborhoods with the 50/2.0 ai-version....
Polishing up on the close focusing skills something the 28/2.8 AIs excels at. The first was a bit of a challenge as the tiny flower was dancing in the breeze.
Steve, good to hear from you and see the Nikon on Nikon pics!
Jay, the Venus and Pleiades is fantastic! It almost looks like Venus is emitting a flare to the right, but that must be some or the other diffraction artifact.
George's wrist strap, Buddy's knives and transparent computer, Steve's guitar strings. And of course cool gear shots from Rafael and Chris. Glad to see folks here have fun with a variety of hobbies. Some day I may get back to building model planes. I think I still have a kit sitting around, unbuilt from many years ago.
Philippe, always nice to see your street pics!
Chuong, loved that leaf skeleton!!
Peter (SA), superb NaCl macro.
Peter (Wisconsin), great racing scenes as always.
Rafael there's a LG gram 17" also? Will have to look into that some day. The 15" really does weigh a gram, or feels like it.
George, keep on posting those LTM pics, good to see that old technology chugging away.
saph wrote:
George's wrist strap, Buddy's knives and transparent computer, Steve's guitar strings. And of course cool gear shots from Rafael and Chris. Glad to see folks here have fun with a variety of hobbies. Some day I may get back to building model planes. I think I still have a kit sitting around, unbuilt from many years ago.
Philippe, always nice to see your street pics!
Chuong, loved that leaf skeleton!!
Peter (SA), superb NaCl macro.
Peter (Wisconsin), great racing scenes as always.
Rafael there's a LG gram 17" also? Will have to look into that some day. The 15" really does weigh a gram, or feels like it.
George, keep on posting those LTM pics, good to see that old technology chugging away....Show more →
Samy, the LG gram 17 has the same body size as my hp 15.6" but is much thinner and lighter, packs a SSD, fast memory, an i7 that does my photos quicly, long battery life, fast start, and best of all glorious bright 2560 by 1600 17" display. Get one!
Did I say before how much I miss the trusty green dot of the Nikon DSLRs? This was a struggle, the darned highlights don't work when you need such precise focus. And enlarging the viewfinder image isn't so great while handholding.
