Oosty wrote:
It's a shame the lens got damaged - there's nothing wrong with the image quality. Or maybe it's the photographer
There is a lot wrong with the image quality. you would think a lens that gets the high ratings you find for this one would be in focus corner to corner at f/8.0. Mine is soft in the corners. That's just the beginning. Honestly, I am not impressed with this lens. I doubt that all the issues I have with it are due to being banged around in shipment.
Chris Dees wrote:
Thanks Curtis, but I already have that one.
The one I'm after is a Nippon Kogaku one, before they where named Nikon.
Ahhh! Now THIS is why I say you're taking this much more seriously than I am... You are a true COLLECTOR who has narrowed his choices, which in this case is quite dramatic given the number of such lenses produced... 2998 of the 28 f/2 N and 2693 of the 35 f/1.4 N. You will no doubt pay a premium if/when you come upon one of those lenses. Given that the optical designs are same between older and later versions, you're buying the label rather than performance. Nothing wrong with that, for sure. Good luck Chris. There is bound to be a needle somewhere in that haystack...
That was the reason I bought the silver Df... These old Nikkors really sing on that camera. Prices will no doubt continue to soften Kevin, but then you have a baby who will be needing a new pair of shoes... MORE than once over the coming years...
In the meantime, you can pick up a film camera in silver that will do the same thing. At least you have a lab available to you so you can develop film... You'll work it out eventually my friend. In the meantime, and actually for the rest of your life, you can enjoy being a dad...
CGrindahl wrote:
That was the reason I bought the silver Df... These old Nikkors really sing on that camera. Prices will no doubt continue to soften Kevin, but then you have a baby who will be needing a new pair of shoes... MORE than once over the coming years...
In the meantime, you can pick up a film camera in silver that will do the same thing. At least you have a lab available to you so you can develop film... You'll work it out eventually my friend. In the meantime, and actually for the rest of your life, you can enjoy being a dad... ...Show more →
Baby needing new shoes is one thing. No skimping there, but if I had the choice between buying me a pair of new shoes, or a Df, the shoes can be made to last a while longer using a tiny bit of duct tape for sure
I want ALL of that pretty badly! Such a beautiful setup.
I've really tried to not get involved in those discussions about the SC 55/1.2, I really, really want that lens. And I end up sitting all night scanning the net for good finds. Right now I'm kind of relieved to know that my account balance would'nt let anything drastical happen anyway For the time being I'll just keep drooling....and crying..well, just a little...
CGrindahl wrote:
I ran across this as I was browsing Flickr... an oldie I probably posted here, but I love it and SO will post it again...
The 55 f/1.2 S.C. AI mounted on the Df with the oldie but goodie 5.8cm f/1.4 S sitting next to it. Such gorgeous lenses.
bobbelbob wrote:
I want ALL of that pretty badly! Such a beautiful setup.
I've really tried to not get involved in those discussions about the SC 55/1.2, I really, really want that lens. And I end up sitting all night scanning the net for good finds. Right now I'm kind of relieved to know that my account balance would'nt let anything drastical happen anyway For the time being I'll just keep drooling....and crying..well, just a little...
Keep on scanning. I eventually found mine for AU$ 172 shipped. It's far from perfect, but perfectly usable
I had a 105 2.5 AI... which I stupidly sold! But I've always wanted the all-metal one anyway so yesterday I snagged this one up. It also appears to have an AI ring mounted already. I just hope it's as good as my (now sold) 105 2.5 AI...
It is the same Gauss optical design as later versions Joseph, so you should be quite happy with its performance. Well done.
I have the AI-s lens, which was the FIRST Nikon manual focus lens I bought. I later bought a P.C. as you've done. When the pre-AI bug really hit me, however, I had to shop for the early P lens with the Sonnar optical design. That one has the narrow scalloped metal focusing ring. I'm very happy with the P lens but in reality, one never suffers with ANY of these lenses. Enjoy!
The f/1.8 needs a bit of loving care. It really is a mint condition lens but the lens hood looks a bit tacky in this image. I love them all but it is the P that gets the most attention, probably because it looks so nice on the silver Df.
I'm checking in to let you all know that I have finished the travel portion of my cross-country trek, and to add my piece to the recent discussion of Fuji bodies.
As many of you will recall, I am moving from the Toronto area to Vancouver Island (specifically Nanaimo), B.C. My wife and I just arrived in Nanaimo yesterday to end our 18-day drive across the country. We won't actually be moving into our new residence until June 1, and will be staying at a company-owned house in the meantime. So it'll be a while before I get my photo-processing desktop computer up and running.
On the last day that we had postal delivery prior to starting on our trip, I received a Fuji X-E2 that I had bought from a fellow FM'er (for less than $300) and for which I had already picked up an adapter for my MFNG. Throughout our road trip, my D800E remained in its bag and the Fuji did 100% of the photography that was not done by my wife with her cell phone while I was driving (I did all the driving). Now this does not mean that the D800E has been retired; it was just a lot easier to work with one camera body consistently while traveling.
I must say that I am extremely impressed with my affordable little Fuji, and I can understand why Leighton is so enthusiastic about his X-T2. My Fuji is a very simple and user friendly, lightweight tool that delivers superb results with relative ease. Focus peaking is a fantastic aid for manual focusing, and the ability to wirelessly transfer photos to my cell phone was indispensable for photo-blogging about my trip to my family and friends. Another lovely little feature that I used from an Alberta mountaintop was "motion panorama" which works like a charm to easily create panoramas with a single click of the shutter trigger.
Unlike Leighton, I am a bit of a hoarder and will not be selling my MFNG collection, nor do I expect to be buying any Fuji lenses. But my X-E2 will be seeing plenty of use with my MF Nikkor glass in the future. I have been surprised to discover that, like Leighton, I am very comfortable with the use of my "FX" lenses on a cropped-sensor body. At the widest end of the range, my 16mm f/3.5 ai fisheye made a fantastic 24mm equivalent, but with a special character (and it made easy work of those panoramas). My 24mm f/2.8 ai-s has become my standard lens for the Fuji body, and has spent more time on it than any other. The other lenses that proved most useful on our trip were the 35 f/1.4 N, 55 f/1.2 SC, and 85 f/1.8 HC, with the 200 f/4 Q coming out on a couple of occasions. This full kit fit easily into a Domke F3x slung over my shoulder.
For my little photo-blog, I processed the photos from the Fuji in the Lightroom app on my phone, and I am surprised how well they came out. So, rather than waiting for my desktop to be set up, I'm going to start posting some of those photos here now. I don't generally know which lenses I used for which shots, because I haven't yet found an efficient way to record that info with the Fuji (there is a workaround deep in the menus that I might be able to gain easier access to). The first photo below shows a statue in Sudbury, Ontario of iconic Canadian folk/country singer, Stompin' Tom Connors, and the second to fourth images show different views of a waterfall in Northern Ontario.
Just bought a lens myself this morning, one that I've never heard mentioned here.
Anyone have a 28-85mm f/3.5-4.5 ais?
I bought it mainly to use reversed as a guy on the macro forum is using it reversed as it reproduces between 1:4 and 3:1 which, if IQ is up to scratch is a very useful range of magnification. The only caveat being that obviously if the lens is stopped down to say f8 at 3:1 it's gonna be pretty gloomy viewing through the VF on the D600.
So just need to buy some of those small continuous LEDs on flexi arms that mount on hot shoe as a focus assist light and I'm good I reckon or I have one of those cheap LED ring flashes that can be continuous (not powerful enough to use as a flash anyway) that might do the job if I can mount it on the "wrong" end of the 28-85.
I think an 80-200 f4 ais may also be in my future, gotta love a smooth push pull zoom !
cadman342001 wrote:
Love those scalloped pre-AIs guys !
Just bought a lens myself this morning, one that I've never heard mentioned here.
Anyone have a 28-85mm f/3.5-4.5 ais?
I bought it mainly to use reversed as a guy on the macro forum is using it reversed as it reproduces between 1:4 and 3:1 which, if IQ is up to scratch is a very useful range of magnification. The only caveat being that obviously if the lens is stopped down to say f8 at 3:1 it's gonna be pretty gloomy viewing through the VF on the D600.
So just need to buy some of those small continuous LEDs on flexi arms that mount on hot shoe as a focus assist light and I'm good I reckon or I have one of those cheap LED ring flashes that can be continuous (not powerful enough to use as a flash anyway) that might do the job if I can mount it on the "wrong" end of the 28-85.
I think an 80-200 f4 ais may also be in my future, gotta love a smooth push pull zoom !
Thanks for the update Glen. Quite an adventure you and your wife are pursuing... and with a Fuji camera as well. I guess we're just going to have to get used to it...
I shot with DX cameras during my time with Canon, first a Digital Rebel, then a 20D then a 1D. I used FX lenses and got by okay, but the world definitely opened up for me when I bought the 5D. I shot a bit with Rinie's D200 that I bought on her behalf. I told her at the time that IF Nikon produced an FX body I'd definitely give it a try. First came the D3, then the D700. I resisted for some time, but eventually gave in. That was February, 2010. This thread came into being seven months later after I'd spent some time with Nikon's manual focus lenses.
Perhaps if my life dictated that I begin shooting with a smaller camera, I might explore Fuji DX offerings... but at the moment I have no need to do so. Moving from the D700 to the Df, I've gotten quite a bit of relief in terms of weight AND I've had the opportunity to shoot with a really outstanding sensor, that from the D4. I'd honestly be most interested in a second iteration of the Df with a D5 sensor, but I'll have to wait to see what Nikon has in mind with its next camera offerings.
Good luck exploring your beautiful new home. I was never on Vancouver Island, though I lived a few years in Seattle. It is supposed to be quite wonderful.
CGrindahl wrote:
Is that true elsewhere in your life Leighton, or do you have "collections" of other things you don't use regularly? Too many hammers? Too many chisels? Too many anything? Inquiring minds want to know.
I ask in part because I've been doing a bit of Spring cleaning/organizing and find myself with things that were important to me at an earlier time in my life that I'd still not quite ready to get rid of. When we stay in one location for an extended period of time it is natural to accumulate STUFF...
I feel the same way as Leighton actually, and often feel somewhat guilty that I have 'neglected' certain lenses. Which is probably why I have a pared down lens inventory.
Living in a shoebox apartment in the city will do it for ya (homes here are some of the most expensive in the world, even if I saved on eating all that smashed avocado toast in the morning), plus my 13-month-long jobless stint after I graduated played a huge part in my parsimonious lifestyle, dividing between need and want.
I only have 3 kitchen knives (chef's, ceramic and fruit), 1 frying pan, 1 stockpot and 1 sauce pot. For the four people in my home (upgraded since my folks are often around taking care of Raylan) I also only have 4 pairs of chopsticks, 4 spoons, 4 knives, 4 bowls and 4 plates, plastic children's utensils notwithstanding. I have 4 bedsheets for 2 beds, 4 chairs, 4 pillow sheets for 4 pillows, and the list goes on...
I have also gone back to read the Fuji convo over the past few pages; I too have positive things to say about my (new) experience with the X-T20. Most have been covered by the rest, but I did buy one of those Metabones Speed Booster adapters by accident. It's like a reverse TC (0.71x iirc), so my MF Nikons retain the same FL as on full frame. Don't let a crop sensor stop you.
What I would recommend is getting a larger body Fuji, the XT-2. I have the lighter X-T20 and the balance is a bit off using the heavier MF Nikons. Heavier in relative terms because the made-for-Fuji lenses seem to be lighter and more compact. I do like the articulating LCD and liveview though, I get to interact with Raylan instead of keeping my face behind the camera, keep an eye on the focus peaking colours popping up and then just press the shutter when ready.
You are a true COLLECTOR who has narrowed his choices, which in this case is quite dramatic given the number of such lenses produced... 2998 of the 28 f/2 N and 2693 of the 35 f/1.4 N. You will no doubt pay a premium if/when you come upon one of those lenses. Given that the optical designs are same between older and later versions, you're buying the label rather than performance. Nothing wrong with that, for sure. Good luck Chris. There is bound to be a needle somewhere in that haystack... 
For the time being I'll just keep drooling....and crying..well, just a little... 
But I've always wanted the all-metal one anyway 
