GeorgeBo wrote:
While going back through my photo archives looking for the last time we got any “real snow” around here, I came across this image. I can’t believe it has been 10 years since I took this shot! Reprocessed for posting here.
That is one of the best bad lands photos I have ever seen Ross. I was in the park after visiting Wall Drug in South Dakota, and didn't see the variety of colors, and luminosity that you have in your photo.
James Markus wrote:
That is one of the best bad lands photos I have ever seen Ross. I was in the park after visiting Wall Drug in South Dakota, and didn't see the variety of colors, and luminosity that you have in your photo.
Thank you, Jim! The RAW file is flat and lifeless, and I did find that 200mm f/4 lens didn’t seem to have the contrast and punch of other Nikkors such as the 180mm, so I had to rely on Lightroom to bring the image to life, mostly increasing contrast, increasing whites, decreasing blacks, and increasing clarity. I did not add saturation and added 10 points of vibrance which is pretty minimal. I used the Adobe Landscape profile which really helps bring up colors apart from any other adjustments.
EDIT: the location is the badlands seen from Zabriskie Point in Death Valley National Park, California
GeorgeBo wrote:
Congratulations on the new addition
Keep us informed on how you like it as you get familiar with it. Especially with the full flippy screen vs the tilt screen.
George
So far, I have been using the camera with the screen turned completely around so you can’t see it. I do see why some folks don’t like it though. I like the way the screen flips up on the Z5, but to view the screen in the same way on the Zf, it makes the camera harder to hold. The spot your left hand will want to go to support the camera weight is the swung out screen. On the Z5, you have the whole left hand side of the camera body to hold onto.
Some early test shots inside, I have been able to get usable shots at 1/10 of a second using the 40/2. The room is lit by three small 20w CF lights behind our TV. So, pretty dark. The in-camera jPGs are really nice. Colors are great and the sensor has a really nice look and feel to it. Almost feels like D700 files worked. It’s very nice.
Overall feel without a grip is like holding the FM2 film body. Layout is very similar, but a tiny bit lighter. The tiny LCD screen shows aperture of the AF lenses. Not sure what the MF lens would use that screen for. With the Neewer grip (the original one) it feels almost like the Z5 in hand. I imagine if I had the new Neewer grip (it adds a thumb support on the back of the camera) it would feel very much like the Z5…just with the shutter button in a different spot.
GeorgeBo wrote:
I think it has been a little while since we had Nikon lens eye candy. So here is my contribution to the cause
Large format APO Macro 120mm. Anxious to see how it performs at longer focus distance vs macro.
Wow, the AM-ED 120mm! I have always lusted after this lens, dreaming of using it on my PB-4 bellows to play around with shifts/swings (specifically this lens since at minimum extension, a 105mm lens wouldn't focus at infinity, but 120mm should be fine). By all accounts it's an amazing lens, and I look forward to your report on it. I eventually settled on a Schneider Kreuznach Componon-S 135/5.6, and I have been very happy with the results (and the MUCH lower price).
George, excellent photographs, the snow capture is awesome.
Peter, great captures of a beautiful country.
Ross, great capture of Death Valley, I have never been there.
The Frecciarossa at Santa Maria Novella, Florence. The speedster takes 1.5 hours to arrive at Rome, Termini.
Rome was undergoing extensive renovations (327 projects) preparing for Jubilee 2025 which made photography difficult in many instances. It was fortunate that some of the scaffolding and protective coverings were removed during our visit. The completed restoration works look amazing and a stark contrast to their prior state. I need to get busy and tweak some photos.
Remember the Nikkor 400mm f/3.5? These could sometimes be seen on the sidelines of football games back in my photoj days, before the advent of the 2.8 version. This is my boy Nate shot with that lens on D800.
NIKON D8000.0 mm f/0.0 lens400mmf/8.01/20s1000 ISO+0.7 EV
Yes, back in the 80’s this lens was John Shaw’s goto and a dream telephoto for most of us wildlife photographers.
BTW Ross, I will take this time to say it: Like many others, I have admired your landscapes for a long time now. You are one of our very best landscape photographers
bs kite wrote:
Yes, back in the 80’s this lens was John Shaw’s goto and a dream telephoto for most of us wildlife photographers.
BTW Ross, I will take this time to say it: Like many others, I have admired your landscapes for a long time now. You are one of our very best landscape photographers
Robert
Robert, thank you sincerely for that encouraging word! I feel blessed to be pursuing my true passion for many years, thanks to my wonderful wife who has been a big supporter of my photography since we were in high school ❤️
Ah yes, the great John Shaw. I always loved reading about his thoughts on various Nikon gear, and I think I still have one of his nature photography books.
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Patrick Kolb wrote:
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, Portland, Oregon
Nikon Z8 and 200mm f4 Ais lens f11
Glad to see you here, Patrick, and shooting old Nikkor glass! Big fan of your black & white work. I’ve recently added a set of old Nikkors and have been revisiting images I made with AI-S lenses a dozen years ago. They still shoot beautifully, and the feel in hand adds much to the process. I’ve often wished there was a 45 to 60mp Nikon mirrorless body that was traditionally shaped with the DSLR thickness so that no adapter was required for F mount lenses, as the adapter slightly detracts from the aesthetic for me, but I know that will never happen. In the meantime I just added an FM2 so I can get that classic native mount experience. I may eventually add a Df back into the mix, but when I owned one before I did not gel with it.
Zf and 10.5cm f/2.5 P tick mark lens. Key light is Godox AD600 Pro II, with a Godox BFP projector attached for "special effects". There's also a Godox AD200 Pro II for fill on the left with a softbox, and another Godox AD200 Pro II as hairlight, using barndoors and a blue gel, just because. I am using the new Godox X3 nano trigger, which I am really liking. Very easy to manage multiple lights with its more modern touch screen.
The BFP projector uses a Godox lens with the Canon EF mount. Of course I tried to replace it with a Nikkor using an adapter, but the flange length difference means I couldn't get the light in focus.
No I am not starting a portrait photo business Just another sinkhole to be mired in.
Serge, love the woman's awestruck pose, the man (maybe here spouse) capturing it on his phone, and then you capturing the whole scene!!
serge07 wrote:
Hi, everyone:
Leighton and Ray, terrific moonscape photography.
George, excellent photographs, the snow capture is awesome.
Peter, great captures of a beautiful country.
Ross, great capture of Death Valley, I have never been there.
The Frecciarossa at Santa Maria Novella, Florence. The speedster takes 1.5 hours to arrive at Rome, Termini. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54273129626_525c3f3959_h.jpg
Rome was undergoing extensive renovations (327 projects) preparing for Jubilee 2025 which made photography difficult in many instances. It was fortunate that some of the scaffolding and protective coverings were removed during our visit. The completed restoration works look amazing and a stark contrast to their prior state. I need to get busy and tweak some photos. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54272241842_f981a418c3_h.jpg
X-E1 + 28mm f/2.8 AIs
Serge...Show more →
300mm f2.8 ais indoors - Phoebe, abandoned by her mother at about 5 weeks old under a deck. They took some boards off the deck to get her - spitting and acting tough. She is crazy about me, and after 10 years she has warmed up to Barb. If I get a low blood sugar she sits on my left leg and stares straight into my eyes. Lately she leans on me purring wildly. I think she is trying to fix one of her sources of food.
James Markus wrote:
300mm f2.8 ais indoors - Phoebe, abandoned by her mother at about 5 weeks old under a deck. They took some boards off the deck to get her - spitting and acting tough. She is crazy about me, and after 10 years she has warmed up to Barb. If I get a low blood sugar she sits on my left leg and stares straight into my eyes. Lately she leans on me purring wildly. I think she is trying to fix one of her sources of food.
The 300/2.8 is a lens I think about selling every now and then…then I see the wonderful output it produces and I say nope… Now that I have the Zf, I really think I need to take it out some. Might start shootings some birds and squirrels as we have lots of those around. I only wish it wasn’t so heavy.
