CGrindahl wrote:
As I've said often along the way, I may have started this thread thirteen years ago, but it has always belonged to everyone who chooses to hang out here... and there have been a great many women and men who have done so over the years. I've been AWOL for most of the last four years for reasons I won't go into here... but when I have dropped in it has been reassuring to find so many familiar names still sharing photos and encouraging others who are drawn to these remarkable lenses.
I've done a bit of shooting over the last year but having given away the iMac computer that was still able to run Adobe products I'd purchased and installed on a series of computers, I was left without familiar software to process images. I've resisted the demands of Adobe, have dabbled with Affinity Photo and now am playing a bit with Nikon's free software, NX Studio. I'm now able to do enough that I feel I can actually share images again. I don't know how active I'll be on this thread, but I still own 46 manual focus Nikon lenses, so it would be a shame if I NEVER used them...
I'll share two... the first my most recent shot. I noticed the moon just before it slid behind a nearby tree. I dashed to get my Df, mounted the 300 f/4.5 AI-s ED-IF, opened the door of my cottage and grabbed this shot... wide open at 12,800 ISO... not great, but I'm glad I caught it...
Then one more... with a sad story. This was taken along a trail I often hike in the watershed near where I live... a two mile loop. On June 29, 2023, I walked this trail and took a very bad fall... breaking off my two front teeth when I fell down a slope... my face smashing against the rocky trail. I was fortunate that rock didn't hit the middle of my forehead because it probably would have killed me. But I came away with no other broken bones. A week from today I go in for oral surgery to remove the roots of those teeth and to have a bone graft required for me to eventually have two implants. I won't be walking on these trails again, simply because at age 81... 82 next month... I don't have the agility or balance I did when I was younger. I also am wearing glasses for the first time in my life... but I still seem to be able to find focus with the little green light in the viewfinder. Life goes on... I'm happy to say.
Congratulations to everyone still participating in this conversation. Like Leighton I'm surprised it is still going on... but then we know turning the focusing ring makes photography a joy. Perhaps I'll see you all a bit more often in the coming months. Happy anniversary everyone! ...Show more →
So sorry to hear about the fall. Being 2 years behind you I've become very circumspect in walking anywhere remotely hazardous mainly because a fall at our age is very bad news. In addition hiking in the Knysna forests by oneslf is not a good idea as there can be cellphone blackouts and one could wait for days before someone walked the same trail.
Be careful old friend - hopefully the smile will soon be back.
Chris Dees wrote:
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.
I cannot believe I missed it! I will have to go back for sure. What a lovely town.
Chris Dees wrote:
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.
Hey Chris... long time no see... but then I've been the one absent from this thread and the last time I was in your neck of the woods was 11 years ago! I'm sure you remember because you picked me up at the Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam and gave Rinie and I a ride to Rotterdam. This...
I too photographed a wedding outside Town Hall in Delft... though not as a professional... rather as a friend of Rinie who'd arranged for me to attend. Yes, the inside of the building is amazing and I love the square.
Oosty wrote:
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.
On my way to the market this morning shot with the 55mm f1.2 SC. When I saw it at first it had some thin clouds in front of it and I couldn't stop in time. By the time I turned around they were gone. I shot it anyway.
Nahhh... not too good. I still suffer from long-COVID. And if that wasn't enough, I had prostate cancer surgery last Monday. Now I'm lying on the couch doing nothing for the time being.
We’re all getting old.
CGrindahl wrote:
Hey Chris... long time no see... but then I've been the one absent from this thread and the last time I was in your neck of the woods was 11 years ago! I'm sure you remember because you picked me up at the Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam and gave Rinie and I a ride to Rotterdam. This...
I too photographed a wedding outside Town Hall in Delft... though not as a professional... rather as a friend of Rinie who'd arranged for me to attend. Yes, the inside of the building is amazing and I love the square.
Hope all is well for you Chris. I'm afraid if we're going to get a photo of the store in Delft it will have to be YOU who provides it... ...Show more →
Oosty wrote:
So sorry to hear about the fall. Being 2 years behind you I've become very circumspect in walking anywhere remotely hazardous mainly because a fall at our age is very bad news. In addition hiking in the Knysna forests by oneslf is not a good idea as there can be cellphone blackouts and one could wait for days before someone walked the same trail.
Be careful old friend - hopefully the smile will soon be back.
I love it Peter... that old screen shot from our Zoom meeting three and a half years prompted me to reach out to you but I hadn't done so yet. Yes... coming to terms with aging isn't easy. Between my ears I'm still a young man, but don't ask the rest of my body. I'd already decided to stay off ladders, but somehow I thought hiking on trails I'd known for decades was something I could handle. The fall proved I was wrong. There is grieving associated with letting go of familiar places and activities. I recall the sign my boss had behind his desk that said "Old age and treachery will overcome youth and skill." I'm afraid that is true only up to a point. When the body changes everything changes.
Glad you dropped by. From what Siphiwe says above it appears manual focus lenses are no longer serving you. I understand the challenge but the Df viewfinder and a green dot seem to keep me in the game... so far, so good. Be well Peter.
Chris Dees wrote:
Nahhh... not too good. I still suffer from long-COVID. And if that wasn't enough, I had prostate cancer surgery last Monday. Now I'm lying on the couch doing nothing for the time being.
We’re all getting old.
Sorry to hear that Chris. With a great deal of care and good fortune I was able to avoid COVID. My former wife is immune compromised so we supported one another in staying healthy. I would grocery shop for her, always wearing a mask, of course, then I would do my laundry at her home. She also cut my hair. She was the only person with whom I spent time without a mask... for over two years..
Prostate issues I know about though when they did a biopsy a number of years ago the test was negative. It seems to be a part of the male body that is vulnerable. Take good care of yourself. I'll be recovering next week from oral surgery. Perhaps we can commiserate with one another on this thread as we convalesce...
leighton w wrote:
On my way to the market this morning shot with the 55mm f1.2 SC. When I saw it at first it had some thin clouds in front of it and I couldn't stop in time. By the time I turned around they were gone. I shot it anyway.
Must seem strange to be heading out to the farmers' market early in the morning after managing it for so many years and operating a stall with your produce. All you're taking is your camera!
I'm shocked at the many farmers who drive long distances to sell at our local market... leaving in the middle of the night to get there and set up their tables for produce as well as canvas awnings to protect everything from the sun. I look forward to seeing your photos. I may have to take my camera tomorrow morning when Sue and I visit the market... (probably with a 55 f/1.2 S.C. AI mounted on the Df.) We think of the market as our version of attending church. I doubt there is any church in Marin County that attracts as many people as the farmers' market does...
Chris Dees wrote:
Nahhh... not too good. I still suffer from long-COVID. And if that wasn't enough, I had prostate cancer surgery last Monday. Now I'm lying on the couch doing nothing for the time being.
We’re all getting old.
So sorry to hear this, what a time you've had. Hope the prognosis is good.
If you decide you want another D200, I'd be happy to facilitate a purchase from the likes of KEH or MPB.
Oosty wrote:
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.
CGrindahl wrote:
Must seem strange to be heading out to the farmers' market early in the morning after managing it for so many years and operating a stall with your produce. All you're taking is your camera!
I'm shocked at the many farmers who drive long distances to sell at our local market... leaving in the middle of the night to get there and set up their tables for produce as well as canvas awnings to protect everything from the sun. I look forward to seeing your photos. I may have to take my camera tomorrow morning when Sue and I visit the market... (probably with a 55 f/1.2 S.C. AI mounted on the Df.) We think of the market as our version of attending church. I doubt there is any church in Marin County that attracts as many people as the farmers' market does... ...Show more →
It was strange for the first few years, but it doesn't bother me in the least anymore. There are vendors who are trying to get me to come back to manage again, but I just look at them and smile.
NightOwl Cat wrote:
If you decide you want another D200, I'd be happy to facilitate a purchase from the likes of KEH or MPB.
I think Fred is angry with me since he is unwilling to allow me to read Peter's response except through the quote Laura uses to offer her services should he wish to pick up another D200.
I'm delighted Peter that you've found a way to keep itching that photography bug. I hear from Leighton and others shooting with manual focus lenses on other camera systems that offer digital viewfinders that it is easier to get focus. I'm not interested in buying another camera so I'll just shoot with my Df until I can't see what I'm doing any longer.
Glad to hear your health is good. I would say essentially the same for myself. I would benefit from dropping a few pounds but everything else seems to be working. I visited a doctor recently and was asked to list the medications I'm taking. She smiled when I said there is only one... the lowest dose blood pressure medicine on offer. She noted that many of her patients arrive with a long list. I chalk it up to my good Norwegian genes AND to my pescatarian diet...
Perhaps Fred will relent so I can see your posts in the future. I may hang around here for awhile...
Chris Dees wrote:
Thanks. As a precaution, the lymph nodes in the abdomen have also been removed. I will get the results on Wednesday. 🤞🏻
I didn't realize the procedure was so recent Chris. All the best this Wednesday. I get the sense from talking regularly with Rinie, who has taken a multi-year journey through your health care system, that the care your receive is first rate. Let us know how you're doing my friend.
leighton w wrote:
It was strange for the first few years, but it doesn't bother me in the least anymore. There are vendors who are trying to get me to come back to manage again, but I just look at them and smile.
Ahhh, the joys of retirement. You actually get to decide what you want to do with your time AND what you DON'T want to do. Enjoy the market!
I'd already decided to stay off ladders, but somehow I thought hiking on trails I'd known for decades was something I could handle. The fall proved I was wrong. There is grieving associated with letting go of familiar places and activities. I recall the sign my boss had behind his desk that said "Old age and treachery will overcome youth and skill." I'm afraid that is true only up to a point. When the body changes everything changes.
