Reagan wrote:
WE didn't drive
A 175 ft Jet powered Catamaran was our transportation took about 4 hours
Reagan
Reagan, just looking at that jet cat made me feel ill! In 1998 my brother and I wnet on an offshore birding trip off Cape Point, South of Cape Town. The weather wasn't bad but there was a strong swell running in the morning when we left and it wasn't long before the first breakfasts went over the side! The ship was about the same size as yours and was choc-a-bloc with keen birders looking to add to their life lists. In those days I thought I had good sea legs having sailed from Cape Town to Rio aboard a 42' monhull in 1996 and having had a good sail the previous day crewing for an acquaintance.
What a difference - the two hulls made the ride really uncomfortable. Going out it was like riding on a goat track in a SWB Land Rover and we got close to the trawlers about 40 miles S of Cape Point when the weather started to turn foul and we had to make for home. It was easily the worst sea trip I've ever had. On the way back she was pitching dreadfully to the extent that the seas were breaking over the window on the upper deck and as we drove into them all one saw through the screen was a mass of green water. Of more that 100 people on board only 8 weren't desperately seasick - 7 crew and 1 fisheries inspector.
I've tried some new film/developer-combinations and would like to share a 08/15-shot:
Another image of the former grain-silos in my neighborhood. This time shot in evening light with the F3HP and PC-Nikkor 35/2.8.
Film was Ilford Delta 100 and the developer an improved Agfa-Atomal-variaton mixed up by a german „wizard” (he is running a lab for B&W-transparency-film).
I absolutely like the highlights here in this image.
My Essential Film holder showed up after a very circuitous route, and it is not only well thought out, but well made. I have been modifying my light panel with Lego & Alien tape purely for technical reasons concerning keeping the light panel parallel to the film plane. I have tried three different setups, and have been surprised at the variation of image quality. The Nikkor 105mm f4 ais micro + tubes was disappointing for 35mm film copying. The author of NLP (Negative Lab Pro) states that the lens is "incredibly important" - which makes sense. Currently an extremely old German 105mm f3.5 Novaflex bellows lens with more iris blades than I can count is the leader in image quality, but vignettes the corners. The overall leader is the Nikkor 55mm f3.5 AI which is a tad sharper than the others, but sees dust that the other two do not. This has boosted my opinion of it greatly; as I avoided it for the short working distance, and seemly poor IQ. I have other lenses to test.
Lego and Alien tape foot 1 of 2 to compensate for the panels knobs.
James Markus wrote:
My Essential Film holder showed up after a very circuitous route, and it is not only well thought out, but well made. I have been modifying my light panel with Lego & Alien tape purely for technical reasons concerning keeping the light panel parallel to the film plane. I have tried three different setups, and have been surprised at the variation of image quality. The Nikkor 105mm f4 ais micro + tubes was disappointing for 35mm film copying. The author of NLP (Negative Lab Pro) states that the lens is "incredibly important" - which makes sense. Currently an extremely old German 105mm f3.5 Novaflex bellows lens with more iris blades than I can count is the leader in image quality, but vignettes the corners. The overall leader is the Nikkor 55mm f3.5 AI which is a tad sharper than the others, but sees dust that the other two do not. This has boosted my opinion of it greatly; as I avoided it for the short working distance, and seemly poor IQ. I have other lenses to test.
I read somewhere that Nikkor enlarger lenses can be adapted for this type of work. It amy be worth exploring as they were extensively used in inexpensive (for the 1970's) Durst enlargers which are probably available for a song today. This set up looks very precise and good for the job - apart from the camera strap
I've just visited Mr Google and there are a number of interesting videos on the subject of enlarger lenses and one for macro that I enjoyed. This is the site
That's a funny looking camera, James! Congrats to your Essential film holder and thanks for sharing your thoughts about the lenses.
I have to admit that I use a Sigma 105mm-Macro lens for 35mm-„scans”. The 55/3.5 Micro Nikkor is my lens of coice for 4x5 sheetfilm. But maybe I will try the PC 85/2.8 for 4x5 (stitching several „scans” for higher resolution).
Rafael - I like both for different reasons. Your rig makes the FTZ look tiny!
George - I have been enjoying your images from Germany.
Leighton - agree what other have said about the 50/1.2 images. The door is wonderful.
Jay - spectacular forest images.
A view towards Whitehall from St James's park in London.
By the time we got out and about the sun had all but disappeared so the muggy conditions were not the best for IR.
Ken, excellent photos from Mammoth Springs with the Noct. That sure looks relaxing. Once upon a time did some trout fishing in the White River and that was a beautiful area and lots of fun.
These are from Connecticut. The last two were taken at a small vineyard which are popular wine tasting spots.
The Witch Hazel truck:
Nothing runs like a Deere:
Could not pass up the chickens which I rarely see outside the grocery store.
DeltaSigma wrote:
Rafael - I like both for different reasons. Your rig makes the FTZ look tiny!
George - I have been enjoying your images from Germany.
Leighton - agree what other have said about the 50/1.2 images. The door is wonderful.
Jay - spectacular forest images.
A view towards Whitehall from St James's park in London.
By the time we got out and about the sun had all but disappeared so the muggy conditions were not the best for IR.
Serge the spring was disappointing as the water is usually clear and was not. WE passed along the White River on several day trips. It is very scenic indeed!
Scott love the log shots as seen in nature. Terrific!
Joey tremendous palisades and wondering what's at the rear right edge of the photo.
Reagan called and got me tweaked on the Retro Z. Had not been paying attention. I think it needs to accommodate F lenses to fill my needs.. Perhaps Nikon won't abandon its legacy of lenses..
The series of shots were taken at Crystal Bridges near Bentonville Arkansas. It's a museum built by the Walton family for exposing the people to the arts. It is free. The canopy is above the Restaurant name "11" in honor of the museums opening at 11:11 ON 11/11/2011!
The pictures taken within the Frank Lloyd Wright house are VERBOTEN as no photo's are allowed. Shot with the very forgiving 16mm 2.8.
I had to Google this cool looking museum.
Didn't realise that Walton=Walmart so no shortage of disposable income.
Colin
Ken Hill wrote:
Serge the spring was disappointing as the water is usually clear and was not. WE passed along the White River on several day trips. It is very scenic indeed!
Scott love the log shots as seen in nature. Terrific!
Joey tremendous palisades and wondering what's at the rear right edge of the photo.
Reagan called and got me tweaked on the Retro Z. Had not been paying attention. I think it needs to accommodate F lenses to fill my needs.. Perhaps Nikon won't abandon its legacy of lenses..
The series of shots were taken at Crystal Bridges near Bentonville Arkansas. It's a museum built by the Walton family for exposing the people to the arts. It is free. The canopy is above the Restaurant name "11" in honor of the museums opening at 11:11 ON 11/11/2011!
The pictures taken within the Frank Lloyd Wright house are VERBOTEN as no photo's are allowed. Shot with the very forgiving 16mm 2.8.
So many likes. I'm quite taken by the chickens and the logs. Life sure goes on in this thread.
I'm currently not excited about the rumoured c(lassic) Nikon, especially if it is expected to use the rather large and expensive Z lenses. It may be one awkward handling camera that few will buy, but it's a subject best left to the numerous speculation threads on this board.
I shot Z50 again. I really like the ease of focusing MFNG there. I used the Nikkor-P 105mm f/2.5 wide open, just so I could easily remember the aperture used. Okay, the nice oof areas and bokeh balls helped.
Z50 + Nikkor-P Auto 105mm f/2.5 | F2.5 ISO 400 -0.33EV
Z50 + Nikkor-P Auto 105mm f/2.5 | F2.5 ISO 200 -0.33EV
Z50 + Nikkor-P Auto 105mm f/2.5 | F2.5 ISO 200 -0.33EV
