It is real strange to me that your port-a potty pic gets so much attention and reaction.
Wow, **two** people object to an arguable violation of rules
with an unsightly image, and that's "so MUCH..." ? The first
posting got edited out; no thanks to the 2nd objector for
bringing it back (to then complain about it!). (And in this regard,
it's annoying to have comments on pics re-copy the photo, in
terms of downloading the thread : saw it the first time, thanks;
don't wanna have to wait for the 2nd & 3rd & ... copy in "great
shot!" replies to download as well --just pass the praise/critique! :o)
I'm more surprised at the defensive reaction to the two reactions.
- - - - -
Beyond this, I'll report that recently Penn Camera announced that
their Tyson's Corner (Vienna) Virginia store had two copies of
this fabled lens, priced ca. $3k IIRC. ($2,890?)
I think a lot of your images rock, Greg. My only gripe would be that they seem a bit underexposed. But then again it could be your artistic visualization or my aging screen. Any which way - keep up the good work!
I appreciate you comments. As far as the darkness. Yes, adjust your moniter and the density is all part of my artistic vision. .
In truth I think most other's stuff is to light and washed out.
I guess it's personal preference. Or perhapsI need to get my internal light meter adjusted
Again , thanks for taking the time to comment on my work.
with Pk tube and SB-900 flash TTL cord bounce off roof.
Gregory, I was leaning towards the 24/1.4. But after reading this thread, I am torn. I really like the shadow detail in your 28/1.4 shots! In your opinion, what other advantages does the 28/1.4 have over the 24/1.4 (aside from the obvious like aperture ring)? What disadvantages does the 28/1.4 have vs the 24/1.4?
Talex wrote:
Gregory, I was leaning towards the 24/1.4. But after reading this thread, I am torn. I really like the shadow detail in your 28/1.4 shots! In your opinion, what other advantages does the 28/1.4 have over the 24/1.4 (aside from the obvious like aperture ring)? What disadvantages does the 28/1.4 have vs the 24/1.4?
Thanks!
Talex. From my experience, the strong points of 28/1.4 are its shadow details and coma control. Its cons is that, at wide-open, it's not as bleeding sharp as 24/1.4 from what I can see.
Gregory. Great stuff as usual. Keep up the good work!
Extracting shadow details is not an impossible task PP so the real issues here are the different angle of view, it's particular 'flavor' of rendering and characteristics such as coma control when shot wide open. I have a 24/1.4 and was a bit surprised by the degree of coma and color fringing seen wide open at night whereas the 28 purportedly controls this well. There is however, less unanimity on the 28's performance.
Talex wrote:
Gregory, I was leaning towards the 24/1.4. But after reading this thread, I am torn. I really like the shadow detail in your 28/1.4 shots!
Thanks!
It would be risky to base a purchase decision on an n=1, especially Gregg's work. He has a grasp of the 28 that would take you years of close study to master, minus one photo on this thread
Gregg also looks to have a particularly sharp copy.
Thanks you guys. I really appreciat ethe kind words about my work. It means a lot to me. It really does.
I started a new job and I am not allowed to bring my camera to work and it's really messing with my head. I was late one break taking pictures and the foreman finked me out. So now they told me no camera on the job.
I have been consoled myself to taking the odd shot with my cell phone . And As I live in another city fro where I work I have missed some really great stuff with the Nikkor 28 1.4 AF-D.
I don't want leave my Nikon D3 and the Nikkor 28 1.4 AF-D in the in the trunk all day.
But I did bring my Plaubel Makina and my Nikon FM2 and the Nikkor 35 1.4 and of course my cell blackberry cell phone. They don't mind the trunk during the day.
Looks like tomorrow I not working , so I am going to go back to the same location tomorrow morning. The light will be differnt and this time I will wear boots
Okay so about the the up side of the Nikkor 28 1.4 AF-D and negatives compared to the Nikkor 24 1.4 AFS .
First off I want to be totally honest, my Nikkor 28 1.4 not only has a cracked MF/AF ring the ring broke in half and fell off.
As I was telling my pal David who owns the nikkor 24 1.4 AFS and the Nikkor 35 1.4 AFS and is now setting his sights on the Nikkor 28 1.4 AF-D ( I have no idea where he would get such a notion) My Nikkor is very tempermental. if you try and focus on something closer than the minim foucs it locks out. And than I have push the little pins forward and than "jimmmy the focus ring and than use in manula focus . Than when suffecient time has passed, I can than push the pins back and try the AF again. It's really sweel. Most people would move on but not me.
And since I ofen use the Nikkor 28 1.4 -D in manual focus or on my film camera's
The other thing is I don't have hood for the Nikkor 28 1.4 AF-D, mine never came with a hood . I can't find a hood . I wish I had a hood.
If someone sends me a hood I would be there friend for life
And than there is the issue of the 72 mm polarizer that I have the front of it I would say about 90 % of the time when shooting wide open . So really in terms of the image chain when you put a another peice of glass the absolute sharpness of the naked lens is... well not the only game in town.
I miss Kodachrome 25 and part of me will never... repeat never forgive them for qite advertising it and quite promoting it ultimatly dropping it. Nice one Kodak.
Than you have the whole issue that the Nikkor 28 1.4 AF-D is 4 mm wider than the 24 1.4. This allows the background to be blured slightly more at the same distance to the subject @ 1.4.. And while 4mm donst sound like much in the feild 4 mm is quite a bit.
I have several thousad image on P>C which is ... turn off right now with some of best work with the Nikkor 28 1.4 AF-D . There is one of lady crossing the street at night and it's fall with all the tree's turn color and just snowed and the snow reflects the street lights in an earthly glow. I wish I could share. As it's one my best shots with this lens I have taken.
And I have growing pile of film with images taken with the Nikkor 28 1.4 AF-D and my Nikon F3T MD-4 and Nikon F2 and my Nikon FM2 which has just found it's way home.
I really , Really love using the Nikkor 28 1.4 AF-D on my film camera's. The viewfinder is so bright and the that little edge in brightness and the bigger view finder of the film camera over the Digital bodies really helps ime see the whole frame and snap the lens into focus.,
My pal David let me borrow his F5 when I did the Nikkor 28 1.4 AF-D Vs the Nikkor 24 1.4 AFS and he almost never got it back. But that would mean moving and changing my name and handle on the Fm forum and the Nikon cafe. But as my son who also got to use the Nikkor 28 1.4 AF-D on the Nikon F5 said. Best thing ever.
Gregory, thanks for your detailed response, and your honest feedback on some of the weaknesses of the 28/1.4 in real-life use.
Still, there is something about the 28/1.4 shots that is beyond just sharpness and shadow detail. I probably lack the vocabulary to express it, but there is a character about those images connect with me on an emotional level.
I am now very keen on getting my hands on a nice clean copy (maybe its just my GAS acting up again). I've seen these going on the bay for around $2100. It seems the street price has been declining since the 24/1.4 came out.
Remember too that a used lens with electronic contacts and a screw-drive AF mechanism, bought on eBay from an unknown seller and perhaps over a decade old, might require maintanence to bring it up to good working order and that's a potentially costly extra expense compared to a new lens.
Talex wrote:
Still, there is something about the 28/1.4 shots that is beyond just sharpness and shadow detail. I probably lack the vocabulary to express it, but there is a character about those images connect with me on an emotional level.
One clue to the 'look' that Greg achieves may be this:
NikkorAIS wrote:
And than there is the issue of the 72 mm polarizer that I have the front of it I would say about 90 % of the time when shooting wide open . So really in terms of the image chain when you put a another peice of glass the absolute sharpness of the naked lens is... well not the only game in town.
When not polarizing, a CP filter acts as a neutral density filter. I think this partly has something to do with the 'atmospherics' he imparts to the images, in addition to what other PP tweeks. What you see is his vision and the lens is but one tool that he doubtlessly utilizes here.
J.Liam is on to something for sure. I use the 72mm polarizer as a ND filter. Often times I am At 1/8000 even on the lowest ISO on the D3. However, today I loaded the Nikon FM2 with Velvia 50 asa so the polarizer wasnt necessary.
As far as post processing I bump the contrast and drop the highlights until i don't lose detail/tonalllity in the snow/highlights. Somtimes I boost the color to mimic what I would get shooting chrome. Like I said I process in I-photo which is really lame, I dont even own photoshop. Never have.
Today we had some signs of spring in Alberta. It was awsome to get out and listen to the ice/and snow melting.
Nikkor 28 1.4 AF-D on Nikon D3 with 72mm polarizer.
J.Liam, that is certainly good advice. I was probably going to do as you suggested, but I checked ebay 1st and saw an nice 28/1.4 with a buy-it-now price of $2045. I said to myself, "what the heck", and make an offer for $1800. He counter-offered for $1845, and I took it. After my $100 coupon from ebay, my total plus shipping is $1758. Wow. That was an irresistible price for me. I figure if this lens does not suit me after all, I probably won't lose any money by reselling it.
Gregory, thanks for sharing your exposure technique and your post processing technique. I admire your style, and I would like to try it out with this lens.
Congratulations on your new lens. And thank you for the compliment on my work . Anything I do to help let me know.
As far as the wife I suggest A. blaming it on me. Something like "it's Nikkor AIS fault would be appropriate". And than i would suggest leaving the camera behind and spending the whole weekend focusing on her. I have a black belt in how screw up relationships by focusing to much on photography and not so much on them. Makes for some good images not so good for if/when your significant other thinks you love the camera/lens more than her.
Unlike me, I am sure you can find the balance.
Looking forward to seeing your work on this thread,
Thanks for the tip on how to explain this to the wife. I suppose many of us on this board are not only skilled with photography, but also skilled at making nice to the wife when she sees yet another piece of gear.
I loved my 28mm f1.4 on film for much more than a decade. However, I didn't feel that the lens was really quite up to digital use at f1.4 or f2 were I really needed it to shine, and so sold it. Certainly my Canon 24L f1.4 Mk2 is better at these apertures , and so I assume the new Nikkor 24mm f1.4 is a better lens also.
However lovely the Nikkor 28mm was, if I were still with Nikon I would get the new 24 instead.
S.P.E.E.C.H.L.E.S.S...
Amazing FOV and optics
35mm 1.4 FOV too narrow for my taste
I like 24mm 1.4 FOV, but bokeh is not as nice as 28mm 1.4
IMO 28mm 1.4 is the optimum wide FOV and bokeh
If only 28mm 1.4 price is not skyrocketed to stratosphere..
Threads like this is dangerous to my credit cards
.
. And As I live in another city fro where I work I have missed some really great stuff with the Nikkor 28 1.4 AF-D. 
