Hi all!! Been off the forum for a while. Checked in and went through 14 pages. Very enjoyable discussions and some awesome shots. I've been crazy busy with work, family. Now I've the fun part of farming peppers in front of me,tomorow we'll harvest some habaneros and hopefully we'll be able to cook some spicey sauce this weekend. I intend to document it all with som MFNG. I've been shooting some, but mostly with af-glass. I did get a little assignment shooting some pre-wedding shots, the wedding and a few more conceptuals..A LOT of work. And unfortunately not much with MFNG. Soon to come though.
Laura, I hope you are getting better and are able to move forward. I've had a couple of really though years, kids have been sick a lot in different infections, problem with the ears with the speech, you name it.. lost my mom and nearly my dad the same year, I'm slowly recovering from it all. It will get better, no doubt!!
Leighton and Curtis, your talk about not drinking alcohol had me pouring up a small glass of some imported Kentucky Bourbon (no logic, I know). I really enjoyed it
Hope all is good with you and hopefully I'll have some to share with you soon!
ljuset wrote:
A blue clematis blossom from our garden photographed with the AI-s 180 F2.8 with PN-11 extension tube.
Clematis are one of the few plants which can withstand the harsh conditions of Swedish winter and which the deer dislike.
Take care!
Eike
We have to wrap netting around our clematis or our deer (whitetail) will strip it clean.
Occasional lurker, first time poster with a question for this fine group. I’ve had some NAI Nikkors for a while (24/2.8, 35/2, 50/2, 55/3.5 & 105/2.5). I’ve used them on Sony’s plenty, and some other AiS lenses on a D610 and D800 fairly briefly. Now to my question, I’ve stared longingly at a Df for some time. The focus confirmation is nice, and I know split prisms exist, but still seems Sony with it’s EVF is a better platform for MF glass. Now Im not here to try an argument, rather I’m hoping you will all help me make a poor decision and grab a Df! Alternatively a Z6 is looking tempting, if only for the Non-CPU Lens Data programming.
Mathieu18 wrote:
Occasional lurker, first time poster with a question for this fine group. I’ve had some NAI Nikkors for a while (24/2.8, 35/2, 50/2, 55/3.5 & 105/2.5). I’ve used them on Sony’s plenty, and some other AiS lenses on a D610 and D800 fairly briefly. Now to my question, I’ve stared longingly at a Df for some time. The focus confirmation is nice, and I know split prisms exist, but still seems Sony with it’s EVF is a better platform for MF glass. Now Im not here to try an argument, rather I’m hoping you will all help me make a poor decision and grab a Df! Alternatively a Z6 is looking tempting, if only for the Non-CPU Lens Data programming.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts or advice!...Show more →
Hey Matt (and fellow North Carolinian),
I had the Df since its release date at the end of November 2013 and used it almost exclusively with Nikkor manual focus lenses. Used D8xx cameras for autofocus and video. I just sold and shipped off my Df yesterday to help fund the Z6 purchase. I plan on using the Z6 with FTZ adapter for my manual focus collection. Did not order a Z lens.
My experience with the Df was extremely positive. Most lenses were easy to focus with the exception of some slower mf zoom lenses. I did install a focusingscreen.com K3 split prism screen and that really brought back the feel of the older film cameras that I started out with back in the 80's.
I also, like others on this thread have tried mirrorless bodies with these great old lenses. I went down the Fuji route for a couple years and had a generally positive experience there after some hit and miss adapters. The focus peaking was a life saver for quick critical focus. And I emphasize "quick" because given a slower workflow I could achieve the same critical focus with the Df. But at the end of the day I just missed the full frame character of these lenses on a crop sensor body. For some reason I never went the Sony route so I can't comment on that.
Given all that above, I have to mention that at least for me and a few others on this thread, Nikon hit the mark with the viewfinder/focus screen combination of the Nikon D850. For some reason it is much better and provides quick manual focus with these old lenses. For lack of a better term, it just pops. If you have the opportunity you should really get some hands on time with one.
I am looking forward to the Z6 and decided on it for two or three main reasons (didn't need the high megapixel count of the Z7 since I have the D850). The focus peaking, full frame, and IBIS. I have a number of fast long primes (135/2, 200/2, 300/2.8 etc) and I am anxious to being able to use them more efficiently on the Z6. Especially low light wildlife shooting down east and the Outer Banks. I do have the great 200-500mm auto focus lens but something keeps me coming back to manual focus and will still be able to use it on the FTZ adapter and D850 for those birds in flight trips.
gbohannon wrote:
Hey Matt (and fellow North Carolinian),
I had the Df since it's release date at the end of November 2013 and used it almost exclusively with Nikkor manual focus lenses. Used D8xx cameras for autofocus and video. I just sold and shipped off my Df yesterday to help fund the Z6 purchase. I plan on using the Z6 with FTZ adapter for my manual focus collection. Did not order a Z lens.
My experience with the Df was extremely positive. Most lenses were easy to focus with the exception of some slower mf zoom lenses. I did install a focusingscreen.com K3 split prism screen and that really brought back the feel of the older film cameras that I started out with back in the 80's.
I also, like others on this thread have tried mirrorless bodies with these great old lenses. I went down the Fuji route for a couple years and had a generally positive experience there after some hit and miss adapters. The focus peaking was a life saver for quick critical focus. And I emphasize "quick" because given a slower workflow I could achieve the same critical focus with the Df. But at the end of the day I just missed the full frame character of these lenses on a crop sensor body. For some reason I never went the Sony route so I can't comment on that.
Given all that above, I have to mention that at least for me and a few others on this thread, Nikon hit the mark with the viewfinder/focus screen combination of the Nikon D850. For some reason it is much better and provides quick manual focus with these old lenses. For lack of a better term, it just pops. If you have the opportunity you should really get some hands on time with one.
I am looking forward to the Z6 and decided on it for two or three main reasons (didn't need the high megapixel count of the Z7 since I have the D850). The focus peaking, full frame, and IBIS. I have a number of fast long primes (135/2, 200/2, 300/2.8 etc) and I am anxious to being able to use them more efficiently on the Z6. Especially low light wildlife shooting down east and the Outer Banks. I do have the great 200-500mm auto focus lens but something keeps me coming back to manual focus and will still be able to use it on the FTZ adapter and D850 for those birds in flight trips.
Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated. I’m rather similar, mostly prefer MF lenses. Actually my only AF right now is the RX1. I use AF for kids family and generally MF for everything else. Actually recently sold a modified A7RII and went back to an A7II which does most of what I need. But a Z6 and 35/1.8 could fill all those roles. Admittedly, also very tempted to get some Zeiss ZF lenses with real aperture rings. Anyway...
One thing I realized playing with the D610 and some ZF lenses on a FE, the split prism is really only useful with center point, focus and recompose. Made me realize I appreciate an EVF to put the focal point at a rule of thirds intersection for example, and focus there.
Sounds like I’m not alone thinking the Z6 is better option. Your comments on the D850’are interesting but I don’t need thatbresolution or price. Sounds like I’ll sit tight and enjoy my A7II till the end of the year and see if I can try a Z6.
Thanks again for the thoughts.
gbohannon wrote:
Hey Matt (and fellow North Carolinian),
I had the Df since its release date at the end of November 2013 and used it almost exclusively with Nikkor manual focus lenses. Used D8xx cameras for autofocus and video. I just sold and shipped off my Df yesterday to help fund the Z6 purchase. I plan on using the Z6 with FTZ adapter for my manual focus collection. Did not order a Z lens.
My experience with the Df was extremely positive. Most lenses were easy to focus with the exception of some slower mf zoom lenses. I did install a focusingscreen.com K3 split prism screen and that really brought back the feel of the older film cameras that I started out with back in the 80's.
I also, like others on this thread have tried mirrorless bodies with these great old lenses. I went down the Fuji route for a couple years and had a generally positive experience there after some hit and miss adapters. The focus peaking was a life saver for quick critical focus. And I emphasize "quick" because given a slower workflow I could achieve the same critical focus with the Df. But at the end of the day I just missed the full frame character of these lenses on a crop sensor body. For some reason I never went the Sony route so I can't comment on that.
Given all that above, I have to mention that at least for me and a few others on this thread, Nikon hit the mark with the viewfinder/focus screen combination of the Nikon D850. For some reason it is much better and provides quick manual focus with these old lenses. For lack of a better term, it just pops. If you have the opportunity you should really get some hands on time with one.
I am looking forward to the Z6 and decided on it for two or three main reasons (didn't need the high megapixel count of the Z7 since I have the D850). The focus peaking, full frame, and IBIS. I have a number of fast long primes (135/2, 200/2, 300/2.8 etc) and I am anxious to being able to use them more efficiently on the Z6. Especially low light wildlife shooting down east and the Outer Banks. I do have the great 200-500mm auto focus lens but something keeps me coming back to manual focus and will still be able to use it on the FTZ adapter and D850 for those birds in flight trips.
Welcome Mathieu and thanks for asking a question that elicited George's excellent answer. Sometimes we talk about whisky but most often we talk about Nikon manual focus lenses and how best to employ them. With the invitation a couple of years ago to those shooting with other cameras, our conversation often covers territory you've broached. This is excellent information for all of us. I continue to shoot with the Df and have yet to decide what to do about these new Nikon offerings. I'll be waiting to hear what George, Rafael and perhaps you have to say about the Z6 before I act. Since I don't own a high megapixel alternative, the Z7 may be the way to go. Despite George's glowing tribute to the D850, I can't quite imagine myself carrying another full sized FX camera. The Df has spoiled me in that regard.
Glad you stepped into the conversation. Enjoy yourself... you're among friends.
Mathieu18 wrote:
Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated. I’m rather similar, mostly prefer MF lenses. Actually my only AF right now is the RX1. I use AF for kids family and generally MF for everything else. Actually recently sold a modified A7RII and went back to an A7II which does most of what I need. But a Z6 and 35/1.8 could fill all those roles. Admittedly, also very tempted to get some Zeiss ZF lenses with real aperture rings. Anyway...
One thing I realized playing with the D610 and some ZF lenses on a FE, the split prism is really only useful with center point, focus and recompose. Made me realize I appreciate an EVF to put the focal point at a rule of thirds intersection for example, and focus there.
Sounds like I’m not alone thinking the Z6 is better option. Your comments on the D850’are interesting but I don’t need thatbresolution or price. Sounds like I’ll sit tight and enjoy my A7II till the end of the year and see if I can try a Z6.
Seems like George has answered your question. I'm a Fuji X-T2 shooter and I really enjoy my old Nikkors with it. The new X-T3 seems (on paper) to be even better, especially with the improved viewfinder.
The combination of Nikkor lenses on these bodies with all the dials is a lot like my old F3.
The only other comment I'll make is about focus peaking, found on all mirrorless cameras. What I love about it is that I can compose an image and focus without having to move a focus point or focus and recompose. You just look at the subject you want in focus and turn the focus ring until it lights up with the peaking lines, brillant!
CGrindahl wrote:
It is a marvel how folks create lives for themselves. I watched a short video intern last evening with a young woman from Portland who had lived three years in a community in Mexico teaching at an English speaking school. She left that town and moved to another country to do the same thing. When my friend who retired to India was visiting Thailand last year I did a bit of reading about Chiang Mai where he stayed. It is a center for "digital nomads" from around the world who work online from there while enjoying the expat life. One fellow bought goods from India and sold them through Amazon, making thousands of dollars a month while living in a country that cost a relative pittance to enjoy.
Yes, there is hard work in viticulture though it also carries a romance as well. But perhaps it's not the folks working in the field, but rather those with wealth who are attracted to such environs. Because I'm so close to Napa Valley I see it in the restaurants with their extensive wine cellars, hosting elaborate meals in private dining rooms or on patios overlooking vineyards.
I remember visiting a restaurant in Yountville and calling ahead to ask their corkage fee since I intended to bring a bottle of wine. It was reasonable so I brought the wine. When I showed the bottle to our host his eyes widened and he gave me a big smile, saying "we wouldn't dream of charging a fee for THAT wine." It was a 1974 Staggs Leap Cabernet Sauvignon, a vintage one year AFTER the wine that won in Paris. I'd bought that bottle for around seven dollars shortly after it was released. I believe it was the last bottle remaining from my great wine adventure of the mid-seventies. It was an amazing wine I shared with my nephew and his wife. It was probably the wine that launched them into their wine adventure.
Were I a young man I could easily be tempted by the world your brother lives in... though there are a great many young people starting distilleries and creating unusual spirits. That could be fun as well... So many ways to live a life!
Yes, breweries everywhere, and I am not complaining..... The craft distillery business is a tough one. You start up and make vodka and gin to pay the bills while you wait 4-6 years for your whiskey to mature. It's tough because the market is flooded with decent vodka and gin. Then you finally get your whiskey, and thank your lucky stars if it is almost as good as Buffalo Trace for only double the price. You are surviving on the charity of your customers, as well as the human trait of people wanting to be different. The reality is, the bourbon makers of America make very good bottles of juice for very reasonable prices and have been doing so for generations. If I were a rich man and wanted a retirement hobby to keep me engaged, a whiskey distillery it would be. If I wasn't a rich man and needed to make money out of the endeavor, beer would be a safer choice, although that market is saturated as well.
My brother makes great Pinot, always scoring around 91-94 points. It ranges from $28 to $48 a bottle, depending on the terroir. He sends me samples to distribute to my friends, well, the wives mostly, us guys are beer and whiskey drinkers, and they love it, but they would never dream of buying bottles of wine for $35 when Total Wine has 8000 selections cheaper than that. So my brother survives mostly on the fact that Oregon is off the charts in supporting local businesses. That and rich Japanese people.
gbohannon wrote:
Hey Matt (and fellow North Carolinian),
I had the Df since its release date at the end of November 2013 and used it almost exclusively with Nikkor manual focus lenses. Used D8xx cameras for autofocus and video. I just sold and shipped off my Df yesterday to help fund the Z6 purchase. I plan on using the Z6 with FTZ adapter for my manual focus collection. Did not order a Z lens.
My experience with the Df was extremely positive. Most lenses were easy to focus with the exception of some slower mf zoom lenses. I did install a focusingscreen.com K3 split prism screen and that really brought back the feel of the older film cameras that I started out with back in the 80's.
I also, like others on this thread have tried mirrorless bodies with these great old lenses. I went down the Fuji route for a couple years and had a generally positive experience there after some hit and miss adapters. The focus peaking was a life saver for quick critical focus. And I emphasize "quick" because given a slower workflow I could achieve the same critical focus with the Df. But at the end of the day I just missed the full frame character of these lenses on a crop sensor body. For some reason I never went the Sony route so I can't comment on that.
Given all that above, I have to mention that at least for me and a few others on this thread, Nikon hit the mark with the viewfinder/focus screen combination of the Nikon D850. For some reason it is much better and provides quick manual focus with these old lenses. For lack of a better term, it just pops. If you have the opportunity you should really get some hands on time with one.
I am looking forward to the Z6 and decided on it for two or three main reasons (didn't need the high megapixel count of the Z7 since I have the D850). The focus peaking, full frame, and IBIS. I have a number of fast long primes (135/2, 200/2, 300/2.8 etc) and I am anxious to being able to use them more efficiently on the Z6. Especially low light wildlife shooting down east and the Outer Banks. I do have the great 200-500mm auto focus lens but something keeps me coming back to manual focus and will still be able to use it on the FTZ adapter and D850 for those birds in flight trips.
I may end up with a Z6 or whatever replaces it one day, but you will have to pry my Df out of my cold dead hands. That's just a camera I never see selling, god willing.
Max Power wrote:
I may end up with a Z6 or whatever replaces it one day, but you will have to pry my Df out of my cold dead hands. That's just a camera I never see selling, god willing.
I was the same way until I went down the rabbit hole of getting Nikkor Leica Thread Mount lenses that I was using on the Fuji X-Pro2 and then eventually the Leica M. The true rangefinder scratched the itch that I never could relieve Really never used the Df much after that. If I had to have only one camera it would be the M, simply for the shooting experience. Of course I don't have photography as a profession either.
I can't believe how the prices have risen on the LTM lenses. Crazy high now compared to a few years ago. Will be interesting to see if the Z cameras will cause the old Nikkor F manual lenses to see a resurgence on the used market.
I agree with you on all counts. I think a D850 is in my future. Your feedback on it's use with MF is very interesting to say the least. The 850 checks off a lot of my boxes, but it will be a while before I purchase one. I will reserve judgement on the Z6 until a lot of actual "known to me" user feedback is available. I know this sounds funny as the "original" is not even here yet, but I am actually more curious as to what may develop with future versions of the Z6/Z7. I cannot see me ditching my DSLRs, but who knows what a few years may bring. I was still happily using film until Canon released the 20D and digital rocked my analog world. I grabbed a 2nd D810, used, in beautiful low count condition when Nikon announced the D850. I ordered a 2nd Epson 3880 printer to match "old faithful" the very day Epson announced it was no longer in production. An Epson P800 with roll paper capacity was finally ordered the day "old faithful" died. My camera choices are reflective of my other equipment use.The studio is all Mac, but as to equipment or OS, I am always at least 1-2 versions back. I am a beta tester for several image processing softwares, NOT camera bodies!
I see this and I immediately think of Mags Bennett's Apple Pie.
Yeah all this talk is making me thirsty...
gbohannon wrote:
Now don't go all highfalutin on us now...
If you want some good spirits you need to try some I have from a local "distillery". Can't say where, but the light of the moon may have been involved. Infused with damson plums.
Very smooth and if you take it back country camping with you it doubles as camp stove fuel
Loving the conversation on every topic slipping through these pages. When discussion about wines comes to the word "terroir" I know we've become serious...
Max, Lagunitas Brewery started in a garage in a small community about eight miles from where I live. They eventually moved to Petaluma because the county health department objected to all the "tainted" liquid they were pouring into the adjacent creek. Now they have a distillery in California, one in Chicago and one in Seattle, brewing some of the most delicious ales whose labels carry their equally delicious sense of humor. Here's the story of their "Undercover Investigation Shut Down Ale..."
I'm with you Mary... being an early adopter can be both expensive and aggravating. Fortunately, regarding the Mac OS, my good friend Alan who moved to India two years ago, is a Mac geek who advises all his friends on computers. He has for years participated in Apple's testing program for new software and so I defer to him when the decision to upgrade arrives. It is a bit more complicated for me since I'd like to continue running Adobe Creative Suites 6 for as long as possible. I have no interest in paying Adobe eternally for access to their cloud. Alan is clear that the day WILL arrive when an Apple OS will render CS6 unusable. I thought High Sierra might be the culprit when I had difficulty loading InDesign but eventually it loaded and worked quite well. CS6 InDesign is a 32 bit program and Apple is moving to supporting only 64 bit software. Blessedly, Affinity has already released both Photoshop and Illustrator equivalents and just released their publishing beta. I believe these will offer users on Macs alternatives that are capable of doing the job. I'm hopeful.
I paid full price for two cameras, both Canons... the Digital Rebel which launched me into the DSLR world and the 20D. After shooting with a 1D I invested in a used 5D a few years before finding my way to Nikon. Both the D700 and Df were bought used. I'm content with waiting and taking advantage of prices that soften with time. You can always find cameras in outstanding condition used. I buy used cars the same way...
So if a Nikon mirrorless comes my way, it will be a year or two from now... I'm patient, despite my advancing years...
I'm with Curtis and Mary on not being early adopters of the Z series, since I don't need what they offer (want is another matter), and the expected IQ gain over my m43 travel set comes with a large penalty in weight and bulk for similar focal length flexibility. I did buy both my D700 and D800 new, simply because they offered something that I needed (or maybe strongly wanted would more accurate) at that time. The jump to the D700 from a D200 saw much dynamic range and usability gains (viewfinder, battery life, really wide angle access since I never purchased any DX ultrawides). The jump to the D800 to pair with the D700 was an IQ leap in terms of pixels, and dynamic range, and high MP in DX mode; when travelling I'm content with simulating telephoto reach with DX mode with the D800, not so much on the D700.
The native Z lenses don't look that much smaller than the equivalent F lenses, so the weight/bulk savings for now seem to come from the body alone. Will be following the Z6/Z7 stories / tests / development closely for sure, and look forward to the pics and reports especially from the contributors to this thread.
I do find George's comments on the D850 viewfinder screen very interesting, though the price of admission for a D850 is still too high for me right now especially in light of the appearance of, and potential benefits of the Z series. Mildly contemplating replacing the D700 with a second D800/D800E at the prices they are commanding right now though, would bring me back to one set of batteries, charger, and identical controls and menus.
I just decided to show some love to my 85/2 AI-S, one which IMHO is a very underrated lens. Its size is very sweet but so is the IQ, even wide open. Just a few images, nothing special, all at f2.
Wonderful giving some love to the 85 f/2 AI-s. You're right, it doesn't get much respect. As your early shots demonstrate the lens produces a lovely, soft bokeh which I find pleasing. Know, it is not an 85 f/1.4 but then it is much smaller and comes with a price tag that surely makes it attractive to a great man. I'm afraid when we sent Nikki around the world SIX years ago, I believe it developed a great following and many opted for a pre-AI H. or H.C. with the scalloped metal focusing ring and the later lens never got much attention. But you've offered folks a reminder Mihai... something we do for one another quite often. Thanks.
pbraymond wrote:
I'm with Curtis and Mary on not being early adopters of the Z series, since I don't need what they offer (want is another matter), and the expected IQ gain over my m43 travel set comes with a large penalty in weight and bulk for similar focal length flexibility. I did buy both my D700 and D800 new, simply because they offered something that I needed (or maybe strongly wanted would more accurate) at that time. The jump to the D700 from a D200 saw much dynamic range and usability gains (viewfinder, battery life, really wide angle access since I never purchased any DX ultrawides). The jump to the D800 to pair with the D700 was an IQ leap in terms of pixels, and dynamic range, and high MP in DX mode; when travelling I'm content with simulating telephoto reach with DX mode with the D800, not so much on the D700.
The native Z lenses don't look that much smaller than the equivalent F lenses, so the weight/bulk savings for now seem to come from the body alone. Will be following the Z6/Z7 stories / tests / development closely for sure, and look forward to the pics and reports especially from the contributors to this thread.
I do find George's comments on the D850 viewfinder screen very interesting, though the price of admission for a D850 is still too high for me right now especially in light of the appearance of, and potential benefits of the Z series. Mildly contemplating replacing the D700 with a second D800/D800E at the prices they are commanding right now though, would bring me back to one set of batteries, charger, and identical controls and menus.
You may not have been here Ray when I was going through my D800 phase. Don Jean lives in Italy and at the time wanted to buy a D800 from B&H but at the time there were prohibitions on sending packages that had lithium batteries in them. New York had passed a law, obviously directed at the disreputable camera sellers that said you CANNOT remove anything from the box for a new camera, so B&H apologized but said they wouldn't remove the battery and hence couldn't send him the camera. He asked if I'd be WILLING to take delivery, play with the camera to my hearts content, then mail it to him WITHOUT the battery. How could I say no?
So I had a week with the D800 and to my surprise, hated it. The grip had been modified and for my hand I found myself cramping when carrying the camera for any length of time. They changed the depth of the front grip and greatly reduced the ridge on the back side of the camera. Needless to say I was happy to have had the chance to use the camera before buying. I packaged the camera without the battery, which I gave to a friend, and mailed the package to Don. He didn't seem too enthralled with the camera either because I don't believe he kept it for a long time. Of course, he'd been shooting with the D3s, so he was spoiled by that.
I'm glad it works for your hand. The friend who happily received the battery still uses the D800. He's a pro who always shoots with a tripod, so no problem for him either. In the meantime I found a home with the Df and am quite happy there... at least for now.
. The craft distillery business is a tough one. You start up and make vodka and gin to pay the bills while you wait 4-6 years for your whiskey to mature. It's tough because the market is flooded with decent vodka and gin. Then you finally get your whiskey, and thank your lucky stars if it is almost as good as Buffalo Trace for only double the price. You are surviving on the charity of your customers, as well as the human trait of people wanting to be different. The reality is, the bourbon makers of America make very good bottles of juice for very reasonable prices and have been doing so for generations. If I were a rich man and wanted a retirement hobby to keep me engaged, a whiskey distillery it would be. If I wasn't a rich man and needed to make money out of the endeavor, beer would be a safer choice, although that market is saturated as well. 
