Ross Martin wrote:
Continuing to go through my files from 2012 and processing forgotten images taken with manual focus Nikkors. Hoping to leave in late January for a Southwest trip with 28/55/105/180 tagging along and competing for time with my Sony GM glass. This Utah fall image was with the 180mm f/2.8 ED. I just bought another one and received this week and have been reminded how good it is optically with beautiful color, contrast, and sharpness that seems competitive with today’s lenses.
Fantastic Ross!
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James Markus wrote:
Remembering the 135mm f2.0 ai, and how even paired with the modified TC-16A (for my eyes sake) it still makes beautiful images on the D800. My eyes continue to improve while other bits decay. Ah age - what a vicious two edge sword. Somethings better and others not so much. This is another grand son
Stunning results Jim, with a TC even! What a great looking kid!
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mp356 wrote:
A Cooper's Hawk out the window with the 180mm f2.8 Ais. A lucky photo catch! Thanks for looking.
Scott
"Luck is When Preparation Meets Opportunity". Great shot Scott.
James Markus wrote:
Ross, Thanks. You'all going on about the 180 had me looking up the 135 - which I think renders the same. I now have three 180's - geesh. The crinkle finish AF (which I thought was the best Nikkor 180 - until I compared it to the much older factory ai'd Nikkor-P - nope. (Identical image quality) Recently added the 70-180mm micro Nikkor which has more elements (18) than any Nikkor I have ever owned. And it's really sharp - a one of a kind macro lens that Nikon only made less than 20,000 of them for seven years.When they came out in 1997 they were really pricey, but have come way way down (less than $300 for a mint copy)
Edit - turns out the 70-200mm f2.8 afs vr has 21 elements. Sold that a long time ago.
James Markus wrote:
Ross, Thanks. You'all going on about the 180 had me looking up the 135 - which I think renders the same. I now have three 180's - geesh. The crinkle finish AF (which I thought was the best Nikkor 180 - until I compared it to the much older factory ai'd Nikkor-P - nope. (Identical image quality) Recently added the 70-180mm micro Nikkor which has more elements (18) than any Nikkor I have ever owned. And it's really sharp - a one of a kind macro lens that Nikon only made less than 20,000 of them for seven years.When they came out in 1997 they were really pricey, but have come way way down (less than $300 for a mint copy)
Edit - turns out the 70-200mm f2.8 afs vr has 21 elements. Sold that a long time ago.
cadman342001 wrote:
Hang on Jim, you have 3 180mm but not the ais ED?
Great pics of your grandson with the 135 btw.
Andy
I know, right? I have a problem with only 55mm, a really bad 105mm, and now 180mm problem are the extent, but what if it spreads? I did join Fred's "Buy and Sell", but will I do the later?
Three of a lens isn't a problem. James Markus wrote:
I know, right? I have a problem with only 55mm, a really bad 105mm, and now 180mm problem are the extent, but what if it spreads? I did join Fred's "Buy and Sell", but will I do the later?
Out of the 24 species of ducks seen at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge around that day, I came across 2, a solitary Bufflehead, and tons of groups of American Coots. I check the ebird website, and people will update each location with the species that they came across per day.
Z7 II, 400 5.6 ED AIS. This lens has been my walk around birding companion for more than 10 years. I have only one of this lens Well I do have a 400 5.6 K lens also, which is equally or slighly more sharp, but then a bit heavier for carry around comfort.
Often its interesting watching behaviour. Our friend in Brazil, Jose studies and documents it, but for an amateur like me its just fun to observe.
A smaller group of the coots was approaching a bigger flock. As the two flocks got closer, one of the smaller group rose up in the air menacingly and flew right at the bigger group. The larger flock quickly reversed direction and the battle was over before it began. If I remember correctly, this flock above was the one that got intimidated. The flock with the angry bird was only 5-6 coots vs this group.
Hey, question for the tilt shift gang… Have any of you used the 24mm PC-E adapted to the Z series bodies?
I tried my old 28mm PC on the Z8 yesterday. Really disappointed in the performance shifted. Super mushy away from center of frame.
Funny, no issues with it on the larger medium format Fuji sensor or on the F mount Df or older F mount bodies.
EDIT: I am wondering if it has something to do with IBIS and shifting? Because none of the other bodies I used it on in the past has IBIS. Was not tripod mounted. Will have to do some tests later with IBIS on and off.
mp356 wrote:
Thanks Ray. Lucky timing it was. I had my gear out looking it over when the hawk decided to visit. Does anyone else just sit and look at their gear?
I thought looking at the gear and handling it was the main purpose. The pictures are just a happy consequence.
Your rainy night shots definitely give off Blade Runner vibes
DeltaSigma wrote:
I have no idea what was going on here - proposal or street performer?
Anyway, I kept on walking (and I missed critical focus with the 50/2)
Well I do have a 400 5.6 K lens also, which is equally or slighly more sharp, but then a bit heavier for carry around comfort.
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