Olympus OM-D E-M1 MarkII + adapter + Reflex-Nikkor 500mm f/8N hand held, ISO 1600, f/8 at 1/250s; IBIS activated; no crop.
I suppose the IBIS is not bad at all, thinking of just 1/250 with an effective 1000mm hand held.
So good to see you back. Please give Sue my condolences on her loss. As older participants on this thread we're all to aware of our own mortality and I know you are an excellent counsellor.
...Overall the quality of images on the thread is as good as the best from the past. Some of the reason for the slow down is probably the drift away from Nikon cameras as their mirrorless offerings have fallen slightly behind the opposition. I'm sure they will be back.
All the very best to you and to Sue.
Peter
Hey Peter. Absolutely... getting older has an impact on how we hold everything on this journey. I spend time with a number of friends, all of whom are over eighty and the topic of conversation is the challenge of aging. We've had heart attacks, strokes, falls. One woman gave up her car at the encouragement of friends and insistence of her children. I can't imagine giving up my car but I know it happens. My brother was 94 when he died early last year and he joked "any day above ground is a good day." The volunteer work I've done over the last two decades through the Living/Dying Project definitely sensitized me to mortality, even to the fragility of our human incarnations. The youngest person I worked with was 33 years old. She died six months after being stricken by a disease doctors never quite figured out. The last person with whom I worked was 59 years old and he spent the last eight years of his life taking chemotherapy for stage four colon cancer.
I also think about you Peter because of the fire that swept through your region. California has fifteen fires burning now, the largest that has burned 844,000 acres as of today. It is 52% contained. Floods, fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, pandemics and earthquakes. Is mother nature telling us she doesn't want us here any longer?
Be well and stay safe my friend. Wonderful that you have things that continue to inspire you to learn and do more.
deang001 wrote:
Sorry to hear about Sue’s mother, Curtis.
Nice of you to stop bye and I hope all is well.
Thanks again for putting together such a wonderful thread.
Cheers!
Thanks Dean. Funny how quickly memories return of exchanges that happened years ago. I remember your early kit building and even recall some of the photos you shared. (I'm thinking of a photo taken with the 50 f/1.2 AI-s inside a streetcar.) I also recall how dedicated you were to buying pristine lenses, something that was a bit easier for a person in Hong Kong to do. You inspired me to be more discerning in my purchases.
I also recall conversations about Hong Kong and at the moment can't help but wonder what it is like for a westerner to be there now as China clamps down. Do you feel vulnerable at all, either personally or as a businessman? That you're sharing photos taken as you ramble about the city it appears there is no problem, but I'm curious... if you're willing to share.
I love your free spirit that has you always exploring new dimensions of photography... while remaining dedicated to these wonderful lenses so you can share your work with all of us.
An area in Michigan between Empire and Glenn Arbor was reclaimed by the federal government many years ago to create Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Park. Problem was that people had been farming that land for well over 100 years, and there were many farms. The government took a long approach. Buy the land at the then current value, and continue to live there until those living had passed on from this life. So, the children could inherit the land, but after that it would become federal land. The last photo is of the farm house a friend of mine grew up in, and when his dad sold - they all moved out. Slowly the land began reclaiming the farm houses, out buildings, and fields. Honestly, it was really sad to watch over the decades. Deer hunting on the land would refresh the lost landmarks in my mind. Charming places lost forever. Eventually, the park service went out and deliberately dismantled any evedence that mankind had been there. It isn't wilderness, because there never would have been so many large meadows. When I look at the land I see a past that no longer exists, and it is an odd feeling. These were shot in 1990 with the Nikon FM, Fuji 400 transparency film (first one), or bulk loaded Tri-X, and the 35-105 ais. Quality isn't very good, but I tried to clean them up a bit.
Great story James. It reminds me of a trip we took a decade ago to see where our mother grew up. Here the government just took land and that was that. These pictures convey a similar feeling.
I think it was a great idea to open up this thread to non-Nikon bodies. With the advent of mirrorless, life's happenings and Nikon's slow adoption, its longevity would be in doubt. Right now, the community spirit has it thriving and I have no doubt there are many more anniversaries to celebrate.
CGrindahl wrote:
Thanks Dean. Funny how quickly memories return of exchanges that happened years ago. I remember your early kit building and even recall some of the photos you shared. (I'm thinking of a photo taken with the 50 f/1.2 AI-s inside a streetcar.) I also recall how dedicated you were to buying pristine lenses, something that was a bit easier for a person in Hong Kong to do. You inspired me to be more discerning in my purchases.
I also recall conversations about Hong Kong and at the moment can't help but wonder what it is like for a westerner to be there now as China clamps down. Do you feel vulnerable at all, either personally or as a businessman? That you're sharing photos taken as you ramble about the city it appears there is no problem, but I'm curious... if you're willing to share.
I love your free spirit that has you always exploring new dimensions of photography... while remaining dedicated to these wonderful lenses so you can share your work with all of us. ...Show more →
Hey Curtis.
Yes, my kit building goes through vast periods of inactivity and then just explodes. These are fun lenses to use, but I love their look too, which is why I tried to get ones in nice condition. I remember how amused you were when I once revealed how I like to get all the lenses out from time to time, polish them, and just stare at them for a while .
I think these are the shots you’re talking about from 2011. What great memories … using the 50/1.2 Ai-S on the D700. Great combo. My 50/1.2 is actually in Sweden with a friend still. I’ll get it back one day. I threw a few more shots in with (and of) the 50/1.2 Ai-S for old times sake. A time when my wife actually liked real cameras and not iPhone cameras she uses today. What a pity.
Something I always remember from your shots that I've copied and enjoyed was the "through-the-window" of shops images. You always had really cool ones.
Things have changed a lot here in HK for sure. We’re actually exiting the place at some point over the next couple of years. We’ll keep a small office here, but the majority will be moved. Not much has changed for me, really, but it’s been a downward spiral for the average Hong Konger’s freedoms for sure. We decided to move because you just don’t know what’s around the corner when communists run the place. No trust. It's such a pity because it was one of the best cities in the world.
I’m plotting my move to Tokyo ... hopefully by the end of next year I'll be there I’m sure I’ll get to know every second-hand camera shop in the city.
So I received the Z fc and tried the 50 1.4 AIS on it. It looks good, and it's a nice handling camera. Unfortunately, I think this camera is not for me. Not the camera's fault, but I feel that the DX sensor doesn't give MFNG's justice. These glasses really sing on an FX sensor, so I put the Z fc back in the box.
Also, I don't like how the adapter adds a considerable length to the otherwise small MFNGs! I might just get another Df after all... or maybe a Z6ii
Shot a bit less with MFNG the last weeks, and most shots are not fitting for this thread.
Here's a walking-by-shot: this ensemble of building-styles can be found about 2 minutes from my doorstep. And I've tried several times to get a good imageof this.
A few days ago I had the nearly 50 yaers old Nikkor PC Auto 105/2.5 on the D750 when walking by and tried a snap. I was not happy with it - a pigeon started and I shot another image:
A question for users of the Nikkor-W-lenses: there's a metal-field-camera on the way to me (Wista 45) and I would like to get a 180 or 210mm lens for it - kind of a long standard lens for 4x5.
Has anyone here used one of those? I already have other LF-lenses and both focal-lenghts might fit into the arsenal/stable.
A 150mm (tempting because of the #0 shutter) is too close to my other lenses and a 240/250 either to large or to „dim” (in case of the f/9-offerings) for my taste.
Georg, I have the Nikkor-W 180 5.6. You are right that's about 60mm equivalent.
Here's a couple pics I have done with it. The first one (Edgar Allan Poe statue) might have been at f/8, with a Wista, the second one with a Linhof Technika, probably f/16 or f/22.
Can't seem to find a Nikkor LF lens that doesn't perform well.
A question for users of the Nikkor-W-lenses: there's a metal-field-camera on the way to me (Wista 45) and I would like to get a 180 or 210mm lens for it - kind of a long standard lens for 4x5.
Has anyone here used one of those? I already have other LF-lenses and both focal-lenghts might fit into the arsenal/stable.
A 150mm (tempting because of the #0 shutter) is too close to my other lenses and a 240/250 either to large or to „dim” (in case of the f/9-offerings) for my taste.
I understand your thoughts James, but eventually Nature will reclaim the area. Re-wilding is something that needs to be adopted wholescale to get us out of the crisis facing Mankind right now.
Took a walk along the point and over the Story Bridge to the CBD
I was aware that you are deep into LF-Nikkor-lenses but didn't know much you own ;-))
I will dive into the world of japanese ebay-sellers when the Wista 45 SP is finally here.
Your fine images with the 180mm are tempting.
Sorry for my poor English and thanks again,
Georg.
PS: the other great son of Baltimore (a statue) might be my first subjet with the new lens - Frank Zappa. He got a memorial in a small town nearby.
saph wrote:
Georg, I have the Nikkor-W 180 5.6. You are right that's about 60mm equivalent.
Here's a couple pics I have done with it. The first one (Edgar Allan Poe statue) might have been at f/8, with a Wista, the second one with a Linhof Technika, probably f/16 or f/22.
Can't seem to find a Nikkor LF lens that doesn't perform well.
I was aware that you are deep into LF-Nikkor-lenses but didn't know much you own ;-))
I will dive into the world of japanese ebay-sellers when the Wista 45 SP is finally here.
Your fine images with the 180mm are tempting.
Sorry for my poor English and thanks again,
Georg.
PS: the other great son of Baltimore (a statue) might be my first subjet with the new lens - Frank Zappa. He got a memorial in a small town nearby.
I went to a Frank Zappa concert at the University of Maryland back in the 70's. What a concert!
A question for users of the Nikkor-W-lenses: there's a metal-field-camera on the way to me (Wista 45) and I would like to get a 180 or 210mm lens for it - kind of a long standard lens for 4x5.
Has anyone here used one of those? I already have other LF-lenses and both focal-lenghts might fit into the arsenal/stable.
A 150mm (tempting because of the #0 shutter) is too close to my other lenses and a 240/250 either to large or to „dim” (in case of the f/9-offerings) for my taste.
This is highly subjective but I had a 180mm and traded it for a 210mm, and I was a lot happier with the longer focal length. I have 65, 90 147, 210 and 380 with the 210 most used.
GeorgeBo Thanks, I'm glad you like them, they are from 2013. I can't imagine the place getting any better than it was back when I took my glorious walk.
I was completely unprepared for this view of grain about to be harvested, what a wonderful sight! I presume this is wheat.
HCE HCE wrote:
This is highly subjective but I had a 180mm and traded it for a 210mm, and I was a lot happier with the longer focal length. I have 65, 90 147, 210 and 380 with the 210 most used.
GeorgeBo Thanks, I'm glad you like them, they are from 2013. I can't imagine the place getting any better than it was back when I took my glorious walk.
I was completely unprepared for this view of grain about to be harvested, what a wonderful sight! I presume this is wheat.
D800 28mm f/2.8 AI-S
It is a beautiful area around there for sure. Honestly, I wouldn't mind rewinding back to 2013
. 
