milt wrote:
Curtis, as you can see, I registered on FM in 2006 when I bought my D200. However, I never participated or posted pictures. Time passed, and in 2015, I bought a couple of manual lenses, and I use those lenses sporadically. One day, I was searching on the internet about manual lenses, and then the "Manual Focus Nikon Glass" thread came into my search. Initially, I was only checking out the posts and pictures until one day, I dared to post some pictures, and everybody was so welcome. I enjoy using my manual lenses, and my collection has increased (I will need eventually to sell some of my AF lenses)...Show more →
It happens like this Regina and frankly, I think it is beautiful. I came to FM in 2004 primarily to take advantage of the very active Buy and Sell board. It was there that I built my Canon kit. I bought cameras and lenses, earning a reputation as a dependable buyer. I had folks shipping thousand dollar lenses to me on the promise of my personal check. I loved those days and the folks who were engaged on that thread. Naturally, when I decided to try out the D700 I came to this site. I bought the camera and soon began adding AF lenses. Later, I noted the fact the 105 f/2.5 was listed on many signature lines. Those were displayed at that time with every post a person made. It was only after I began exploring manual focus lenses that I began to share photos.
When I started this thread I was very aware of how obnoxious I'd been at some other venues talking about other subjects. I felt as though I owned penance for that behavior and made a commitment to create a welcoming place where folks would feel comfortable sharing their experiences. We've had a few testy moments on this thread, but it was always my intention to avoid conflict. Quite a few participants here have spoken about what an inviting and warm place this thread has become. I'm very gratified that we've been successful in keeping things civil and even inviting. I'm glad to hear about your experience. This is worth caring for. Really, all that matters here is the we celebrate these lenses while being kind to those who show up on this thread. Glad you found us and chose to contribute to the conversation.
Almost three and a half years ago a number of folks from this thread came together to have a conversation on ZOOM. This was shortly after COVID hit and we decided to take advantage of this new opportunity to commune via the internet. This is a screen shot rather than a photo taken with a manual focus lens... BUT these are the folks who helped make this thread the place to be... I stumbled on the photo while browsing some old albums...
Throwing a couple of my 24mm, f/2.8, NC, Delft pictures into the mix.
As others have said - it is a lovely town. My wife's niece was on a 6-month foreign exchange program at the University studying architecture. My mother-in-law was desperate to go and attend her grand-daughter's 'mini-graduation' so we popped over for a long weekend.
CGrindahl wrote:
About a week after I started this thread I flew to the Netherlands to spend time with a friend who later appeared here... Rinie. I'd met her years earlier on another photography website called TrekEarth. Since I'd been talking about manual focus lenses, I decided to travel to Europe with ONLY manual focus lenses. I had five of them in my small camera bag, together with a recently purchased D700. I mention all of that to say I found the 28 f/2.8 AI-s my most used lens. This was all a huge experiment for me as I played with each of the lenses I'd brought... a 20 f/2.8 AI-s, the 28, the 50 f/1.2 AI-s, the 105 f/2.5 AI-s and a 135 f/2.8 AI. When a reviewed the thousands of photos I took during that ten day visit I found I'd used the 28 more than half the time. It is just such a fine focal length and great performer, both close and long. Glad you're having fun with it. I'll share one shot from that trip taken with this lens...
Remembering an easy & free repair 6 months ago to the 200mm f2 ai that felt great. Shot with the 50mm f1.2 ais. (lens had stopped focusing beyond about 200 feet - name ring had vibrated loose, and lacking a proper rubber cup wrench that large - used a silicone sheet and bowl to tighten it back up)
Wow, I check in this evening and we are back to light speed on the forum with all sorts of topics and images. I am mobile tonight so will look closer at the photos these last few pages when I get back to my computer tomorrow night. But loving this!
saph wrote:
I am getting old, I had no memory of the zoom call. Nothing like an in person gathering but still good to have been there.
I'd forgotten it as well Samy. I stumbled on that photo while looking through an album on Flickr. I'll have to go back and see if I have an old PM from Peter so I can send him a note. He too was a mature gentleman and none of us is immortal. I hope he's still with us even if he's not dropping by the thread. Quite a bit has happened for all of us in the intervening years I imagine. Life has a way to doing that for all of us. It doesn't stand still for anyone.
CGrindahl wrote:
I'd forgotten it as well Samy. I stumbled on that photo while looking through an album on Flickr. I'll have to go back and see if I have an old PM from Peter so I can send him a note. He too was a mature gentleman and none of us is immortal. I hope he's still with us even if he's not dropping by the thread. Quite a bit has happened for all of us in the intervening years I imagine. Life has a way to doing that for all of us. It doesn't stand still for anyone.
Oom Oosty(Peter) and I last chatted last year on a call. He was good but somehow can't find his number now. If I recall correctly, in his last few posts here he was offering his MF glass for sale as he was struggling with his eyesight. The D7100 he had bought was giving him much more happiness with AF.
Another from last Saturday, warming up the R1C1. I don't like it when there's great weather during the week and come weekend it's lousy. This weekend seems the same. 30 deg C yesterday and down to a windy 19 deg C today.
Df + AI Micro Nikkor 55mm f/2.8S + R1C1 | F8 ISO 200 -0.67EV
All nice pictures of Delft, but I don't hear anyone about the photo shop (just behind the church) with only old cameras and lenses. 😊
The town hall is also beautiful inside, I photographed a wedding there once.
What is that flower Siphewe ? Looks familiar from my time living in the UK...
Here's a pano of the main river in Mossman Gorge. The problem here in the Tropics is the harsh sunlight. I was early for the walk and pics of the swimming hole around 8am but even by 9am shots in the sun required hdr to try and tame the highlights vs deep shadows.
James Markus wrote:
That's complicated, but the most recent "monitor" acquired is a 32" full HD 1080p LED smart television I got on sale at Best buy for $110.
CGrindahl wrote:
Hope you're still with us Peter! Peter and Siphwe are both from South Africa. Laura, as always, is hiding behind a cat...
What a great bunch of people!
Hi Curtis - I'm still around, thankfully and in good health .
That was an amazing Zoom experience which I remember fondly.
As Siphiwe noted I'm active with AF kit on my D500 and Z5 and literally haven't shot anything using MF for the past year.
As with many things one's interests change and my photographic life was rejuvenated when I joined the Knysna Photographic Society, my local camera club and I've had a wonderful time with a really fine bunch of people many of whom are really good photographers.
I've explored macro, using in camera focus shifting and Helicon s/w, with some very satisfying results and have dabbled in mono and landscape photography. I'm on the committee and edit the monthly newsletter - both quite time consuming but enjoyable.
As I work on improving my skills I find AF a lot more convenient which doesn't mean I won't come back to MF at some stage.
I also felt that the MF kit I had was more compatible with the D200 than with the higher Mp cameras. I think the CCD sensor matched the lenses better than the CMOS does. Unfortunately the camera aperture lever broke and spares are unobtainable here.
I do lurk from time to time and have had to reset my password today to write this hence the lack of likes
Very pleased to see you back and I echo your comments about the politeness on this thread which probably accounts for its longevity and popularity.
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