I am done with Amazon. Ordered a lens (won't say what for fear of being banished from the thread)
Anyway, opened the box, zero packaging (if I had ordered a rubber ball it would have been wrapped in 4 inches of bubble wrap). I could tell right away that the lens box had been opened. Took the lens out, hood was attached, actual dirt on the focus and zoom rings, dust all inside the lens cap and dried water droplets on the front element, scratches on the hood. This was not a return, but a well used lens. I have bought EX lenses from KEH in better shape.
Of course it is going back. But will probably be put back on the warehouse shelf and sent to the next order. BTW, shipped and sold through Amazon, not a reseller on Amazon.
Curtis, I went to look for your comments and true to your belief, I was right near the center line and had Mother Nature been kinder would have been just a couple seconds shy of the longest totality available. And it was a nice spot too, no crowds whatsoever in the small town of Highland in the Dolphins West High School parking lot. The plan was to timelapse on one camera and zoom in with the other. Map Pic attached.
For fun I went back in time to find out what it was I saw as a child, I was about 7 years old and it was a partial. Funny how we can have memories like that. Star Chart attached. It was in 1972, and I remember looking at it without protection in my front yard, running around like only a crazy 7 year old could.
I also am attaching the 2001-2050 eclipse schedule.. I figure I have two more North American chances, lol. I will be better prepared with a telescope mount with solar tracking next time.. and I would gladly use the 500P, it's a wonderful lens for such events on a crop sensor... what will the camera model number be from Nikon in 2024?
Regarding opportunities, yes, there are things I need to do like I did yesterday. There are Breweries, aviation museums, and plenty more. Hoping to get that cockpit photo with the 8Mm again so cool and the people at the museum were so kind and patient! Will share some of those tomorrow if they turned out.
I am done with Amazon. Ordered a lens (won't say what for fear of being banished from the thread)
Anyway, opened the box, zero packaging (if I had ordered a rubber ball it would have been wrapped in 4 inches of bubble wrap). I could tell right away that the lens box had been opened. Took the lens out, hood was attached, actual dirt on the focus and zoom rings, dust all inside the lens cap and dried water droplets on the front element, scratches on the hood. This was not a return, but a well used lens. I have bought EX lenses from KEH in better shape.
Of course it is going back. But will probably be put back on the warehouse shelf and sent to the next order. BTW, shipped and sold through Amazon, not a reseller on Amazon.
Sorry about your dad, Eike. May you find refuge from the world as you page through the thread. Sometimes you just need to get away mentally, and collect your thoughts. Eventually you'll pick up that camera again.
ljuset wrote:
It is heart-warming to revisit this thread, after a long time of absence - thank you Ken (Ballard) for keeping in touch, and be able to indulge in all the wonderful pictures being posted.
Sadly, I cannot contribute anything as I have not picked up my camera for quite some time now due to heavy workload and my father being recently diagnosed with cancer in its final stage.
All the best and - I will try to visit more often again!
Eike
Laura - I was teasing Philippe. I don't know why but, for some reason, I had the idea that he was the sort of person that travelled light, maybe because he doesn't buy a lot of gear like some of us do, he tends to stick to his favourites, so I was surprised he'd doubled up on cameras and focal lengths - especially when it was just a day trip. But you've taken it to another level. Why would you need the D3 and the D700? And the D200? what was that about?
Peter - I like the moon shot. It looks almost fake, photoshopped, but it makes you look twice.
Curtis - I know this is a Nikon thread, but damn, that Canon 85 f1.2L looks fantastic! I love the Nikon 85mm f1.8, f1.4 even the f2, as much as the next person but that Canon is amazing. I think we need to start a Canon thread...for L lenses......that might get you out of your photographic funk.
Been MIA for several months, sold a bunch of stuff and haven't been doing much with photography lately just some random family photos here and there. Been keeping up with the thread and posting over on the 58mm thread. I still have a couple MF Nikkors in my bag, the 55mm, 105mm and 50mm 1.2. Trying to get motivated again. I have a mounted shooting event coming up so Ive been taking snaps here and there to get the muscle memory flowing. Its always nice to come to FM and see that this forum is still moving, you guys keep me inspired Anyways, I just wanted to stop in and thank you all for the inspiration and for keeping the stories flowing...
Here's some quick snaps from the past couple weeks as I emerge from a long layoff...these were taken with the DF and 55, 105 and 50mm
bruni wrote:
Curtis - I know this is a Nikon thread, but damn, that Canon 85 f1.2L looks fantastic! I love the Nikon 85mm f1.8, f1.4 even the f2, as much as the next person but that Canon is amazing. I think we need to start a Canon thread...for L lenses......that might get you out of your photographic funk.
Ben
You perhaps don't recall, but this thread came into existence primarily because I began selling my Canon L lenses to finance my Nikon adventure. Yes, the 85L is a great lens but I had the 24, 35, 50, 135 as well. Truth be told I eventually became bored shooting AF. Of course, it was only after beginning to play with the Nikkors we all love that I came to appreciate manual focus made the difference, at least in my photography. I sold about $10,000 in Canon gear that was then invested with Nikon. I've never looked back, though I did have a bit of angst about letting go of the 85L. But Nikon's "cream machine", the 85 f/1.4 D came close enough that I didn't mourn for too long. In fact, that Nikon lens remains as one of only two AF lenses that remains in my kit. And, when I finally made the investment, I learned the 85 f/1.4 AI-s is no slouch either.
From my trip to Turkey with Rinie a few years back. In reality, the 85 f/1.4 AI-s was the heaviest lens in my backpack and I concluded I was happier with the much lighter 105 f/2.5 AI-s. Today I might take Nikki's pre-AI sister instead...
Wonderful to see you Ani. Since you've been following this thread you know we recently passed the seven year mark, which is quite remarkable. But our longevity makes it possible for old friends to come for a visit when the spirit moves them. I'm glad you thought to drop in and share a few photos. Thanks again for sharing your 5.8cm f/1.4 S, which inspired me to buy a copy for myself. You don't list that lens so I guess after I returned it you passed it along. But nothing wrong with the simple kit you have at the moment. Perhaps you'll feel inspired to resume shooting for pleasure. I trust you'll share what you encounter in your beautiful world with all of us.
Peter, wonderful results from that odd lens. I was first introduced to it through the work of Don Jean, who posted a few photos taken in Venice. The strange donut shaped bokeh was fascinating to me. An old friend from the thread named Harry picked up a few lenses at a flea market and offered them to all of us. I bought a copy of the 500 f/8 from him. It came with the case and is in great condition. I quickly learned that hand holding that lens was a futile exercise so it wasn't until I eventually bought a monopod that I used it a bit. It does a reasonably good job, as your two photos demonstrate. It is the poor man's long lens... which gets even longer when you shoot with the D200. Thanks for sharing these images. Glad to hear things are getting back to normal following that devastating fire.
George, I find Amazon frustrating as well. I recall when General Motors concluded it was cheaper to pay settlements when the gas tanks of a few pickup trucks exploded rather than recalling the trucks and fixing the problem. Perhaps Amazon has figured not fooling with plastic and paper to protect products is worth the expense of having some gear returned, especially if they're inclined to just send it out again. I'm sure you'll post a scathing review but that won't likely stop folks from sending money that way. Good luck sorting it all out.
Thank you Curtis. I recently parted with the 5.8cm since I have the af version. I still own the copy I lent you with lens separation just don't use it. I will be sure to come back and share as much as I am able. 😉
