graytrekker wrote:
Maybe that's my problem right there - I need to buy some longer primes, right Curtis?
I might have some suggestions...
One lens that I consider a desert island lens is the 180 f/2.8 AI-s which is the poor man's alternative to the 200 f/2 in its various iterations. When I was first building my kit I put a cap on how much I'd spend... $300 was the figure I came up with. In reality, most of my early lenses were much less expensive than that. The 80-200 f/4.5 AI that I rave about was $88 including $9 for shipping. The 50-135 f/3.5 AI-s was $105 including shipping. My first 180 was just a tad under $300. I loved the lens so much that after Dean began buying mint condition lenses I decided it was worth replacing that lens with a cleaner copy. I ended up responding to a craigslist ad and drove about thirty miles to the small city where I'd worked for fifteen years and met this professional photographer who was letting go of his manual focus Nikkors in the lobby of a bank. The manager inquired whether I needed anything and I assured him I was customer who may need to cash a check. The fellow showed up with a camera bag filled with pristine lenses, including a 180 with its original box. I'd figured that rather than carry large amounts of cash that we could negotiate our deal and I could go to the teller's window and cash a check for that amount. I ended up buying 3 lenses and the check was north of a thousand dollars... $1,175 to be exact. The 180 contributed $300 to that total.
Remember, if you shop for the 180 look for the AI-s which has ED glass. Earlier versions will have their charm, but the AI-s is a stellar performer in every way.
If you want to steal a lens, the one to buy is the 135 f/3.5 Q with the AI-conversion kit... like this one now on offer on E-Bay...
Needless to say, our friends on this thread will be happy to assist you in spending your money. Blessedly, as hobbies go, this is not horribly expensive. Happy shopping Doug...
Pandemic Photo Challange #11. This does not hold a candle to Curtis's flower images or the work of others, but this tiny wild violet popped up in the backyard. Taken with the 55 f3.5 Ai and M2 tube. Thanks for looking.
Scott
I think I might get rid of my 24/2.8 and replace it with the f/2 version, and stick with my Nikkor-H 28/3.5 for that focal length. I like MF lenses that are a little soft in the corners. If I need clinical precision, I’ll just reach for one my modern f/1.4 primes.
mp356 wrote:
Yes I have the 24 f2 Ai and really like it. Reagan would not part with his 28 f2 I am sure. I think it is under his pillow at night.
This is another pair of oldies shot with the 180 f/2.8 AI-s the first with a 36mm extension tube attached, the second with 48mm. This lens does everything well, including close work with tubes.
One lens that I consider a desert island lens is the 180 f/2.8 AI-s which is the poor man's alternative to the 200 f/2 in its various iterations. When I was first building my kit I put a cap on how much I'd spend... $300 was the figure I came up with. In reality, most of my early lenses were much less expensive than that. The 80-200 f/4.5 AI that I rave about was $88 including $9 for shipping. The 50-135 f/3.5 AI-s was $105 including shipping. My first 180 was just a tad under $300. I loved the lens so much that after Dean began buying mint condition lenses I decided it was worth replacing that lens with a cleaner copy. I ended up responding to a craigslist ad and drove about thirty miles to the small city where I'd worked for fifteen years and met this professional photographer who was letting go of his manual focus Nikkors in the lobby of a bank. The manager inquired whether I needed anything and I assured him I was customer who may need to cash a check. The fellow showed up with a camera bag filled with pristine lenses, including a 180 with its original box. I'd figured that rather than carry large amounts of cash that we could negotiate our deal and I could go to the teller's window and cash a check for that amount. I ended up buying 3 lenses and the check was north of a thousand dollars... $1,175 to be exact. The 180 contributed $300 to that total.
Remember, if you shop for the 180 look for the AI-s which has ED glass. Earlier versions will have their charm, but the AI-s is a stellar performer in every way.
If you want to steal a lens, the one to buy is the 135 f/3.5 Q with the AI-conversion kit... like this one now on offer on E-Bay...
Needless to say, our friends on this thread will be happy to assist you in spending your money. Blessedly, as hobbies go, this is not horribly expensive. Happy shopping Doug... ...Show more →
+1 regarding the 180/2.8 ED. It's an extrodinary lens. I remember when the D800 came out and many were saying these lenses wouldn't be able to keep up with the new high MP sensors The 180/2.8 @ 2.8 almost has a 3D effect that not many lenses have. It's brilliant.
I had the best photographic experience of my life with this lens back in 2012 in Cambodia. We were setting off from Siem Reap to Kompong Phluk (a flooded village), and at the very last second, I thought I'd better take the 180/2.8 just in case. Good thing I did as I used it 90% of the time. It was an unforgettable experience cruising down this river on a small old boat manually focusing this lens on my D800e.
Posted these many years back on this thread before I'm pretty sure ...
deang001 wrote:
+1 regarding the 180/2.8 ED. It's an extrodinary lens. I remember when the D800 came out and many were saying these lenses wouldn't be able to keep up with the new high MP sensors The 180/2.8 @ 2.8 almost has a 3D effect that not many lenses have. It's brilliant.
I had the best photographic experience of my life with this lens back in 2012 in Cambodia. We were setting off from Siem Reap to Kompong Phluk (a flooded village), and at the very last second, I thought I'd better take the 180/2.8 just in case. Good thing I did as I used it 90% of the time. It was an unforgettable experience cruising down this river on a small old boat manually focusing this lens on my D800e.
Posted these many years back on this thread before I'm pretty sure ...
gbohannon wrote:
Always a good day when the other half asks if you want to go shoot some photos
Yes, always a good day. I definitely count myself very blessed to be married to her. For example, we went back out to shoot flowers the other day after we rode by them on a bicycle ride (she went to get more outside time, and to see the flowers again). I took a tripod but the wind was blowing the entire time so I handheld everything. After 10 minutes or so she just grabbed the tripod and carried it for the rest of that session.
More output from the foggy morning. This was the type of shot I had visualized when I was packing the gear that morning, and was thrilled when I saw it at the local park that we frequent for running and cycling. 50-135 (it was very much a Leighton lens day).
