bobbelbob wrote:
Buddy, some really nice close-up there. Are you happy with the D800?
The files are amazing. The sensor is amazing. The shutter release delay is something I really need to get used to. This camera is nowhere as snappy as the D3 was, which is understandable. I think however, that I can get used to that.
I guess I don't have an excuse for not showing up here given the powers that be have told me to "shelter in place" for the next three weeks. Of course, that comes after tens days of isolation I chose to do simply because I'd been feeling a bit under the weather and didn't want to expose anyone to whatever I "had" or "have." I stopped in to see if folks were talking about our new best friend, the coronavirus and found... folks sharing photos and talking about gear. AHHH, what a lovely place to relax a bit.
In truth, I've found myself motivated to take a few photos of late. This week as I take my constitutional... avoiding people as I stroll, I've been carrying the Df with a lens that has gotten little attention from me over the years... the 55 f/2.8 AI-s with a 12mm Vivitar extension tube attached. What happened was... I enjoyed myself!
I much appreciate what folks are posting and as always enjoying the friendly banter. Perhaps with so few distractions in my life I'll spend some time in this oasis of sanity... Nikon manual focus lenses can do that for a person.
A couple of photos taken with the setup I mention above. I was shooting manual mode at f/8, and 1/125th of a second... relying on Auto ISO to take care of me. I still enjoy my Df. I hand hold and rely on the old fashioned rocking method to capture a reasonably sharp image. Even at f/8 the focal plane is pretty thin with an extension tube which puts the front element of the lens VERY close to the object. It is fun!
I'm curious George about your decision to let go of the Z6. Perhaps you've already spoken about it on the thread and you can direct me to a post if that is easier than commenting right now. I know you've followed Samy down the rabbit hole of exotic gear, so perhaps that is what motivates this decision. The Z cameras have been around for some time now. Since those shooting with manual lenses have different needs than those who love their automatic focus lenses, we probably know a bit more now than we did when these cameras first came on the scene. Do you have anything you'd care to say on the subject. Inquiring minds want to know...
I'd noted your reappearance on the board awhile ago Buddy, but didn't jump into the conversation. I'm delighted you found an affordable D800 and are playing with it. You may recall that my experience with that camera didn't work out to well. Donald Jean asked if I'd take delivery of his D800 shortly after it was released because B&H wouldn't ship it to Italy because of the restrictions related to lithium batteries. I took delivery, removed the battery which I gave to a friend, but only after playing with the camera for a week. The design of the grip wreaked havoc with my fingers and hand after an hour or more walking around with the camera. I know not everyone encountered this problem but I also know that Nikon deepened the grips on later models, likely because others had a problem similar to mine. My disappointment remained for quite some time before comments from a few folks on this thread led me to believe the Df would work. They were right and I'm very happy I waited. Of course, like you with your D3, I was tickled pink with the D700, so waiting was not too painful.
Glad you're back and sharing your lovely work. Maybe I'll stick around a bit this time and we can catch up with one another. I imagine your little one is getting bigger... it seems to happen for all of us.
CGrindahl wrote:
I'm curious George about your decision to let go of the Z6. Perhaps you've already spoken about it on the thread and you can direct me to a post if that is easier than commenting right now. I know you've followed Samy down the rabbit hole of exotic gear, so perhaps that is what motivates this decision. The Z cameras have been around for some time now. Since those shooting with manual lenses have different needs than those who love their automatic focus lenses, we probably know a bit more now than we did when these cameras first came on the scene. Do you have anything you'd care to say on the subject. Inquiring minds want to know... ...Show more →
Hi Curtis. First of all, great to see you back!!!
There is nothing really super specific about the reason for letting the Z system go. Just really focused (pun intended) on using the older gear. The large format film and shooting with the old Leica thread mount lenses on the Leicas is really satisfying my photography drive. I am actually processing my own film so until the chemicals and film run out I have plenty of things to learn or relearn during the upcoming weeks of down time.
I was taking to Reagan last night and I guess it comes down to the EVF and using the old glass with the FTZ. Don't get me wrong, the system is great as far as final images and the Z lenses are just outstanding. But just not getting a lot of use from me right now. There was one large project I was working on that is now complete and another one canceled due to recent events. So not really a reason to hold on to it to have yet another system. Really don't need the autofocus now.
All makes sense to me George. I knew spending time with Samy when you guys visited Leighton was going to be trouble... Of course, you'd already been playing with the early lenses and if I recall correctly, you have history with Leica. No doubt, when we decided to open up the thread to other camera systems, it was bound to create what we now witness... a sort of wild west in which almost everything goes. Thanks heavens we have manual focus Nikon glass to keep the usual suspects together.
I was shocked when the Z cameras first came out and legacy manual focus lenses were treated so poorly. But then folks who enjoy the older lenses are not likely to get caught up in the latest and greatest anyway. So have fun with your setup and good luck passing that Z gear along. And enjoy playing with chemicals. And thanks for the welcome.
DeltaSigma wrote:
Buddy - funny you should mention focus stacking. Can't wait to see what you produce with your setup.
I have never tried focus stacking before but did so during my lunchtime break today.
Over the weekend I watched some videos on how to focus stack landscape images.
So I tried it of a couple of colorful plants in my back garden.
Each one 4-5 images, processed in LR then stacked in Photoshop before going back to LR for final tweaks.
So for today's ramble I decided to mount my VERY FIRST manual focus Nikon lens, with a PK-13 mounted as well, the venerable 105 f/2.5 AI-s. I bought that lens shortly after buying a D700 not because I was so smart. I simply saw the lens listed on many of the signature lines then included with every post. When I discovered I could pick one up for less than $200 I figured I should give it a try. I hadn't used a manual focus lens in about forty years! Needless to say, it was a happy experience and within a matter of weeks this thread came into existence. I've subsequently bought a few other 105mm lenses but this one will always have a special place in my heart. Besides that... it is a GREAT performer. Here are four shots from my walk, straight out of Lightroom and Photoshop CS6.
CGrindahl wrote:
I'd noted your reappearance on the board awhile ago Buddy, but didn't jump into the conversation. I'm delighted you found an affordable D800 and are playing with it. You may recall that my experience with that camera didn't work out to well. Donald Jean asked if I'd take delivery of his D800 shortly after it was released because B&H wouldn't ship it to Italy because of the restrictions related to lithium batteries. I took delivery, removed the battery which I gave to a friend, but only after playing with the camera for a week. The design of the grip wreaked havoc with my fingers and hand after an hour or more walking around with the camera. I know not everyone encountered this problem but I also know that Nikon deepened the grips on later models, likely because others had a problem similar to mine. My disappointment remained for quite some time before comments from a few folks on this thread led me to believe the Df would work. They were right and I'm very happy I waited. Of course, like you with your D3, I was tickled pink with the D700, so waiting was not too painful.
Glad you're back and sharing your lovely work. Maybe I'll stick around a bit this time and we can catch up with one another. I imagine your little one is getting bigger... it seems to happen for all of us. ...Show more →
Curtis, it is so good to read some words from you. The D800 takes a lot of getting used to. The D3 was actually the perfect camera for me, but with the D800 I'm trying to step up my photography just another notch. Oddly enough, it also throws me back to the Nikon FM days in a sense.
The shallow/narrow grip isn't too much of a problem for me. I usually either carry the camera in a backpack or sling bag, and when I handhold it, gripping the lens seems to be comfortable enough for my hands.
Anouk is growing up fast, and growing to be a real personality. Self confident, creative, inventive and quite brave. She keeps showing me how right our choices have been so far. It wasn't always easy, but trying to make the best of it seems to work out.
In due time, I expect some Anouk photos to show up here in the thread again.
CGrindahl wrote:
So for today's ramble I decided to mount my VERY FIRST manual focus Nikon lens, with a PK-13 mounted as well, the venerable 105 f/2.5 AI-s. I bought that lens shortly after buying a D700 not because I was so smart. I simply saw the lens listed on many of the signature lines then included with every post. When I discovered I could pick one up for less than $200 I figured I should give it a try. I hadn't used a manual focus lens in about forty years! Needless to say, it was a happy experience and within a matter of weeks this thread came into existence. I've subsequently bought a few other 105mm lenses but this one will always have a special place in my heart. Besides that... it is a GREAT performer. Here are four shots from my walk, straight out of Lightroom and Photoshop CS6.
Curtis,
Indeed it great to see the flower-master back in action.
For my recent flower shots it was a toss up between the 55/2.8 micro or the 105/2.5.
I found the micro lens first so it had the camera time.
This is a close-up of a mass of sprouting Scabiosa.
Being a parent is surely one of the most rewarding and challenging things a person can do. I've been much immersed in psychotherapy over the last year and one of the things I've been exploring is what we need as infants from our family of origin. I didn't grow up in an evil family by any stretch of the imagination, but there were significant deficits that affected my life. I find it amazing that so many folks I discuss this topic with already understand basics about what an infant needs... safety, security, encouragement and support, confidence in their own personhood which comes from parents who are willing to celebrate their lives. Deep respect to every parent who is willing to step beyond their own comfort to care for the needs of these vulnerable infants and children. It sounds from what you write Buddy that your daughter is getting exactly what she needs.
Thanks Colin. I mistakenly said I'd used a Vivitar tube with the 55 f/2.8 AI-s... it was a PK-12. I'm reminded after shooting this afternoon with the 105 why I preferred it as a micro lens with addition of an extension tube. The 55 is just too close for me. I'm one of those lovers of shooting close who simply doesn't have the patience to use a tripod, so everything I do is hand held. I know when I spent time on the thread I created in the Macro World Forum Shooting with Tubes that serious macro users were aghast at my audacity. I know I'll never be stacking shots and I won't be trying to capture tiny subjects but the joy of photography is we get to do it exactly the way that works for us.
Am loving your shots from Scotland... as always. I've not been around so am not current with what is happening with folks on the thread. I hope your father is doing well. These are trying times for older folks and I definitely include myself in that cohort.
I hadn't been to the tubes thread in a few years, just checked it out, there's definitely current activity going on.
CGrindahl wrote:
Thanks Colin. I mistakenly said I'd used a Vivitar tube with the 55 f/2.8 AI-s... it was a PK-12. I'm reminded after shooting this afternoon with the 105 why I preferred it as a micro lens with addition of an extension tube. The 55 is just too close for me. I'm one of those lovers of shooting close who simply doesn't have the patience to use a tripod, so everything I do is hand held. I know when I spent time on the thread I created in the Macro World Forum Shooting with Tubes that serious macro users were aghast at my audacity. I know I'll never be stacking shots and I won't be trying to capture tiny subjects but the joy of photography is we get to do it exactly the way that works for us.
Am loving your shots from Scotland... as always. I've not been around so am not current with what is happening with folks on the thread. I hope your father is doing well. These are trying times for older folks and I definitely include myself in that cohort. ...Show more →
I just dropped a couple of the photos above on that thread for old times sake. Extension tubes are definitely EXTENDING my interest in photography...
Glad to see you on the thread Samy. I know you and George have been doing yeoman work on the thread. Hope you're well and weathering this great coronavirus adventure. I wish us all well along the way.
gbohannon wrote:
Samy put me in a deep and wide rabbit hole for sure. That Staunton trip was dangerous
G
Well you two, Leighton and I have a destiny with danger on May 30th. No need to postpone Staunton. The CV will either be over by then or we’ll all be dead.
That fact was not lost on me George. We really should count that as one of the many successes that have come out of meeting other members of this thread. My visit to Florida a few years back when I met Reagan and Ray definitely increased lens lust... I brought lenses specifically to tempt those two and Ray took the bait. Reagan marches to a different drummer and I've never quite figured out the tune being played...
The ONLY question eternally is "are we having fun yet..." Whatever floats your boat, as they say. We get to see the results... unless of course the muse takes you into AF land, as happened with Leighton... at least for a short while. You've got to have a Nikon manual focus lens to play this particular game.
Ken Hill wrote:
Well you two, Leighton and I have a destiny with danger on May 30th. No need to postpone Staunton. The CV will either be over by then or we’ll all be dead.
Nice to know you have something in the wind and hopefully there will be some survivors among the usual suspects. Of course, Ken, you have other things on your mind, right? I've definitely been thinking about you as I watch videos about the mid-engine Corvette. You've put your order in, right?
