I'd like to put together an FX kit that is strictly for MF lenses and I'm looking for camera recommendations. Given that this is for MF only, I don't need the latest AF capabilities, crazy-high ISO (although decent would be nice), and super-high MPs. I'm leaning towards a used D700 as I like the layout, love the ergonomics, and have seen it used in this thread quite a bit with great success. I'd also consider the D600/10 but the ergos and build aren't as nice and the price is a little higher.
Background: I sold all of my Nikon gear except for my MF lenses 2 years ago when my son was born, went to Mirrorless for the size, but never fell in love with the system, so I'm moving back to Nikon. I have the D500 and a variety of nice zooms that I use to chase the kiddo around with and take bird pics. The D500 has, to me, perfect ergonomics, which is why I'm leaning towards the D700 as it's very similar.
The MF Nikon kit in my profile is up-to-date, but the rest is not as I get an error every time I try to update it.
So, two questions: 1) does anyone have an FX recommendation for a camera to be used with only manual focus lenses other than what I listed above, or a recommendation between the D700 and D600/10? 2) I'm also looking for a wide angle MF lens between 15-20mm. The 15mm f3.5 is in my budget if I can find one, but I'd love other suggestions as well.
Welcome Jay. You came to the right place and will likely get responses from a number of folks who spend time on this thread.
Since you're enjoying you D500 it makes perfect sense to stick with a prosumer camera like the D700 or D800. I didn't like the grip on the D800 so I stayed for many years with the D700. I found it to be just about the perfect camera for shooting with manual focus Nikkors. In fact, most of my kit building was done when I was shooting with that camera. The one drawback in doing so, however, is that you require lenses that were either produced as AI or AI-s lenses, or that have been converted to AI either through installation of a Nikon AI conversion kit or cutting the aperture ring. I have an aversion personally to cutting aperture rings so it meant I had to work very hard when I wanted to buy the earlier pre-AI lenses. When I eventually bought the Df, that problem went away since I could mount any but the very earliest lenses without an AI conversion. I'd recommend the Df, but it is a more expensive option. I believe you'd be perfectly happy with the D700. I still own one, though I only use it when taking photos of the Df with a manual focus lens attached...
I discovered this unposted comment as I closed browser windows before hearing to bed. I know many folks have commented already so my offering is rather superfluous... but here it is nonetheless. Good luck finding your camera AND lens. I agree with Ken H, the 15 f/3.5 is a fine performer but has a huge front element that would be daunting to handle carefully. The 18 or one of the many 20mm lenses would work well. I'm very happy with both the f/3.5 UD lens and the f/2.8 AI-s.
gbohannon wrote:
Hello gang. Hope everyone is having a good weekend and for those in the US, maybe a long one for Memorial Day. Today I had the honor and blessing to attend a memorial service where my late mother-in-law was recognized in her church. Some of you may remember she passed away last summer. She was a lover of photography as you could easily see in her house full of family pictures everywhere. In her early adulthood she worked processing film and hand coloring photographs and just loved taking pictures. We went by the old homeplace today for a cookout and get together with family. The flowers she always tended to were in fully glory all on their own and seemed a little more vibrant this year. Below is a shot of one right out the backdoor. Life goes on.
Thanks for letting me share here. She never did get a full grasp of how the internet worked or the big deal about it. But I am sure she would have loved seeing all the great images posted here.
mp356 wrote:
I am late to the party today. Went to a local farm market. Was inspired by Leightons work. Taken with the 25-50 Ais. Thanks for looking.
Scott
Looks like a great setup for a farmers' market. Must be nice being under a structure such as that.
DeltaSigma wrote:
Do you ever have days when the photography thing just doesn’t click? I have just had one.
With fair weather forecast I decided this morning to go and shoot the Newbury 10k race. Some 800 runners in attendance. Although I had a plan on where to shoot from my day came unstuck for various reasons. The main one being at the 7K mark where I expected the runners to pass through a lovely tree lined avenue only to find that the Marshalls ushered them ono the pavement where I was standing. The weak sun was in the wrong place and I was presented with a less than ideal back drop with a very narrow view.
Anyway here are a few shots from the 180mm ED. The mass start down the main street and the best of a bad bunch of action images.
Just for Reagan: the leading lady runner - who was only a few places behind the leading group of men.
There is a reason why sports or fast action photographers require fast glass and super accurate auto-focus systems on bodies that crank out the frame rate. I was told by a work associate who shoots a lot of triathlons that you need to capture a runner with both feet off the ground since their poise is more graceful. Pre-focussing a MF lens doesn’t allow for many good shots where the runner is isolated and they have a good pose.
Although disappointed with my low number of keepers I have learnt something from today’s challenge – stick to landscapes…….
Those are tough events to shoot Colin especially with MF and I like your keepers. Back when I was covering some running events I had to use the 70-200/2.8.
Ballard wrote:
Glen, I especially like the last window in monochrome.
Colin, you're getting me interested in IR digital photography. How much does the IR conversion cost?
Ken - sorry for the late reply. If you want to experiment in IR without buying another body you can always pick up an IR filter (Hoya R72 for example). But since it is mounted in front of the lens it does block a lot of light so a tripod is almost a must for all but the brightest days and higher ISO. When used on a DSLR, you will have to prefocus (no offset required) and then mount the filter because the viewfinder will be dark. However, for landscape shots it can work quite well.
I keep going back and forth on getting a converted body, but when I do, will probably go with a mirrorless version.
Example below shot with a Hoya filter and converted to BW in SEP.
gbohannon wrote:
Those are tough events to shoot Colin especially with MF and I like your keepers. Back when I was covering some running events I had to use the 70-200/2.8.
George,
Sacrilege I know, maybe this is the excuse I need to by some AF telephoto glass!
I just checked the results and this athlete won the ladies event in a time of 39:48.
She was 9th overall trailing the winner by just under 2 minutes. This frame, from a burst of 3 or 4, has slightly sharper focus than the colour one I posted earlier.
Now gentlemen, you know better than to be using that "af" gutter talk around here!
Here is a final set of images from Fort William. To the best of my recollection, the first and last were taken with the 24 f/2.8 Ai-s, and the middle one is courtesy of the 55 f/1.2 SC, all with the help of the Fuji X-E2 and processed on my cell phone in the Lightroom app.
Philippe you've found quite the tranquil place. Very nice indeed.
Glen good captures.
Colin nothing to be apologizing for ... great race shots.
Jack I have mixed emotions regarding snow birds but I guess as long as there is no state income tax I'll put up with them!
Well today is most of what we saw for several weeks. "Red Rocks" from the Chapel in the mountain in Sedona which is nicely built into the mountain. With the Df.
Just remember Ken, the thread is active WHEN FOLKS POST PHOTOS...
You're doing you part and so are quite a few others. I guess we're slowly emerging from the winter doldrums, at least in the northern hemisphere. All good. It helps, of course, when folks who've been on sabbatical return to share their work. I guess you could say that is what happened to me. But it is nice to hear from Chin and Peter O. Now if you we can get a Nikon camera in Reagan's hands all will be right with the world...
An offering from a few days ago taken with the 135 f/3.5 Q AI with the PK-12 extension tube attached.
Ken Hill wrote:
I love it when this thread is active!
Philippe you've found quite the tranquil place. Very nice indeed.
Glen good captures.
Colin nothing to be apologizing for ... great race shots.
Jack I have mixed emotions regarding snow birds but I guess as long as there is no state income tax I'll put up with them!
Well today is most of what we saw for several weeks. "Red Rocks" from the Chapel in the mountain in Sedona which is nicely built into the mountain. With the Df.
Ken as an ex Florida resident (25 years+) I understand where you are coming from!
Great shots of Sedona. It is a magnificent place although it can be a "little touristy", but most Floridians are used to that.
Keep the pictures coming and have a safe trip.
Jack
GroWeb wrote:
Now gentlemen, you know better than to be using that "af" gutter talk around here!
Here is a final set of images from Fort William. To the best of my recollection, the first and last were taken with the 24 f/2.8 Ai-s, and the middle one is courtesy of the 55 f/1.2 SC, all with the help of the Fuji X-E2 and processed on my cell phone in the Lightroom app.
MontanaKid wrote:
Ken as an ex Florida resident (25 years+) I understand where you are coming from!
Great shots of Sedona. It is a magnificent place although it can be a "little touristy", but most Floridians are used to that.
Keep the pictures coming and have a safe trip.
Jack
Jack we're back safe and sound with a lot of shots to process. Where in Florida did you live?
You're absolutely right about Sedona and tourists. They don't like them at all! I break the ice by saying I'm from central Florida and "hate tourists" which usually does the trick! But was overcharged at a hotel and a restaurant lousey service at another means we won't be going back. /K
Believe it or not, there's onions in there!
