EMH2025 wrote:
Lucky shot, this morning I decided to take my Nikkor Noct 58 mm F1.2 with a Z8 out on the driveway and aim at the adjacent mountains at 5 am and while shooting a dozen or so shots wide open this meteor was perfectly positioned centered for me as I was taking 2 sec shots. I didn't even bother with a cable release although it was on a solid tripod, I just thought I'd take a few photos. This is a legendary Nikon lens made for doing this type of photography and this is the type of photography that is the reason why I bought it. I thought it would be a nice predawn for the noct and I can not believe just how photographically lucky this to spend just a few minutes a dozen shots and a perfect centered bright meteor, maybe I should get a lottery ticket !
The Noct doing what it does best: Shooting the night sky wide-open! My best Noct shot is of Comet Hyakutake (1996), filling the entire frame on the diagonal. That same night, I also used my 24/2 to capture Hyatukake above a water-tower on the hill above my house in Denmark, with the rising nearly-full moon lighting the water-tower orange. The stars in the corner of the 24/2 image are like the wings of doves, completely distorted and smeared. The stars in the Noct image are all nice little points. The Noct earned its reputation that night..
One of the reasons we visited Jim and Katy yesterday was to pick up some camera stuff he had offered me. Two F-mount film bodies, five lenses, two hoods, assorted other stuff such as two polarizing filters, several other filters, a second focusing screen for the Photomic, two hot-shoe mounts, macro mount extender, macro auxiliary lens, owner's manuals, a photography book (now quite "vintage"), and a light-seal replacement kit for the F2. And as we are walking out his workshop he says to me "Need a tripod? Here, take this." Then he handed me a Panfrotto tripod, stronger and more rigid than the two Magnus tripods have. We had agreed that I'd pay him for all this. I didn't expect the tripod.
I had figured some would be redundant to what I already have, 50mm (1.4), 55mm, 105mm. It turns out that his are older and carry slightly different designations. They may be similar but maybe not; they are worth a test. Perhaps in the coming days.
I plan to put my Nikkormat back into service for color negative film, perhaps one or both of these bodies too. It should be a fun adventure. BTW, Jim is keeping another F model, some lenses, and the TLR Rolleiflex he showed me, as well as his Leica M4-P.
These pics (and the downed-tree shots above) were taken with my 35mm f/2.8....Show more →
Well, your friend certainly kept care of his gear: What a time-capsule!
One of the reasons we visited Jim and Katy yesterday was to pick up some camera stuff he had offered me. Two F-mount film bodies, five lenses, two hoods, assorted other stuff such as two polarizing filters, several other filters, a second focusing screen for the Photomic, two hot-shoe mounts, macro mount extender, macro auxiliary lens, owner's manuals, a photography book (now quite "vintage"), and a light-seal replacement kit for the F2. And as we are walking out his workshop he says to me "Need a tripod? Here, take this." Then he handed me a Panfrotto tripod, stronger and more rigid than the two Magnus tripods have. We had agreed that I'd pay him for all this. I didn't expect the tripod.
I had figured some would be redundant to what I already have, 50mm (1.4), 55mm, 105mm. It turns out that his are older and carry slightly different designations. They may be similar but maybe not; they are worth a test. Perhaps in the coming days.
I plan to put my Nikkormat back into service for color negative film, perhaps one or both of these bodies too. It should be a fun adventure. BTW, Jim is keeping another F model, some lenses, and the TLR Rolleiflex he showed me, as well as his Leica M4-P.
These pics (and the downed-tree shots above) were taken with my 35mm f/2.8....Show more →
I meant to apologize in an earlier note about bombing this thread so heavily these last few days, especially today. It's been a momentous week, photo-wise.
grantgoodes wrote:
The Noct doing what it does best: Shooting the night sky wide-open! My best Noct shot is of Comet Hyakutake (1996), filling the entire frame on the diagonal. That same night, I also used my 24/2 to capture Hyatukake above a water-tower on the hill above my house in Denmark, with the rising nearly-full moon lighting the water-tower orange. The stars in the corner of the 24/2 image are like the wings of doves, completely distorted and smeared. The stars in the Noct image are all nice little points. The Noct earned its reputation that night..
It was and still is a great lens- adapts well to Zs and others.... can be (though not this forum) also adapt F-M on the Leica with evf and its weight is less than the native M mount nocts. There will be a bright comet (maybe comets are always uncertain) in a couple of weeks 2026 A1 and it might see use for that as well.
I meant to apologize in an earlier note about bombing this thread so heavily these last few days, especially today. It's been a momentous week, photo-wise.
Tried running five cameras this afternoon and it about wore me out mentally four manufactures both digital and film. It's a good tired though, and i intend to continue for a bit on still life's.. Here are two from the D850 and 105mm f2.5 ais combo.
Huon Pine Bowl, Mortal and Pestal
added home made cutting board (Quilted Maple, Lace wood, Paduak, and Black Walnut)
I debated about whether to share this or not. When downsampled to this size, most of the detail is lost. I don’t care for the crop either, but I can’t link here with anything larger. Still having trouble renewing membership here.
This is a focus stack of 42 images with Bellows Nikkor-P 105/4 & D700. I’m not sure whether this is fun or an exercise in tedium.
AdaptedLenses wrote:
If anyone needs a new piece of glass and doesnt have one they should grab this Series E 75-150mm f/3.5, its a great short tele zoom.
I picked up a couple of lenses last week: one new, the other “new to me.” The “new to me” was a Nikkor. The “new” is in my left eye. I had been putting off cataract surgery for way too long. Keeping my fingers crossed that I get a lot of use out of both of them.
James Markus wrote:
Tried running five cameras this afternoon and it about wore me out mentally four manufactures both digital and film. It's a good tired though, and i intend to continue for a bit on still life's.. Here are two from the D850 and 105mm f2.5 ais combo.
I like how the colors and textures play off each other in the first shot Jim.
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BLLX wrote:
Speaking of the 85/1.4 ai-s - had a chance to test it on these two sweethearts
I see you color style extends to portraits as well, just lovely. The hair color is outstanding on my screen.
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Ballard wrote:
I picked up a couple of lenses last week: one new, the other “new to me.” The “new to me” was a Nikkor. The “new” is in my left eye. I had been putting off cataract surgery for way too long. Keeping my fingers crossed that I get a lot of use out of both of them.
James Markus wrote:
Tried running five cameras this afternoon and it about wore me out mentally four manufactures both digital and film. It's a good tired though, and i intend to continue for a bit on still life's.. Here are two from the D850 and 105mm f2.5 ais combo.
Beautiful still life - the colors are so nice on the first one
I debated about whether to share this or not. When downsampled to this size, most of the detail is lost. I don’t care for the crop either, but I can’t link here with anything larger. Still having trouble renewing membership here.
This is a focus stack of 42 images with Bellows Nikkor-P 105/4 & D700. I’m not sure whether this is fun or an exercise in tedium.
Amazing details
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Ripolini wrote:
It may not be the Sony 50/1.2 GM, but for a lens that’s half a century old, it’s still holding its own
AdaptedLenses wrote:
If anyone needs a new piece of glass and doesnt have one they should grab this Series E 75-150mm f/3.5, its a great short tele zoom.
