Incoming!

[bmilcs]

Fail wrong post.

So, I really like the camera. It's awesome. Takes great shots.

However, the lens isn't ideal. I like to get really close to my subject. Should I opt for a close-up lens attachment or spring for another lens? If so, what type would be best for "macro" type shots where I can keep the camera right on top of the subject --- around 6" away.

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[bmilcs]

I think I'm catching on pretty quick. I love how easily accessible all the essential settings are - aperature, shutter speed, iso, white balance. I don't even have to take my eye out of the viewfinder.

 

[fast14riot]

Sounds great!

Nikon calls their macro lenses "micro" but the 60/2.8 micro nikkor is a great lens, as is the 105/2.8. Also, don't forget you can step back and use a long zoom or tele which will compress a scene and increase depth of field. No need to be right on top of your subject.


-X

 

[Blooze]

I've got one of the older 55mm/2.8 micro lenses and that thing is tack sharp. Excruciatingly sharp sometimes.

 

[Legion]

I've got one of the older 55mm/2.8 micro lenses and that thing is tack sharp. Excruciatingly sharp sometimes.

Is that the AF or the MF version?

 

[Blooze]

Is that the AF or the MF version?

This one.

 

[Legion]

That's the one I have. It is quite a rare and collectable lens. They didn't make it for very long before going to the 60mm, but it is regarded as one of the sharpest they ever made.

 

[Legion]

Cool score today. A new Manfrotto Pro field jacket. I'm super chuffed, because they were really expensive (well over $500), and Manfrotto don't make apparel any more (at those prices, I guess they were not big sellers.)

It is probably to coolest jacket I have owned. Kevlar lined, expandable pockets, hidden memory card wallets.... and it looks pretty sharp. I have a couple of their other jackets, and they are really nice as well, but this one is the keeper.

 

[Legion]

I almost forgot, in all that excitement. I was also given a nice leather half case and wrap for my Fuji. The only problem is it doesn't allow for my strap that attaches to the tripod hole. Ah... first world problems...

 

[fast14riot]

Like that half case! I have been wanting a few nicer ones of those for my rangefinders, and possibly for some of my SLR's.


-X

 

[Alacrity59]

Too much stuff living on the coffee table because it pretty much won't fit into my old bag.

Here is my new bag . . . OK it is from the Lowepro website and not my kit.

 

[Blooze]

Received my Retina IIc back from Chris Sherlock today. It looked really good on the cosmetic side before I sent it to New Zealand, but the internals match the outside now. The shutter sounds very close at 1 second now and doesn't stick at all. Everything moves very easily including the focus and cocking lever. Best of all is the viewfinder. Wow, just wow! I stepped out 30 minutes after the sun went down in our backyard tonight and was able to align the focus patch on things. So clear. I can't wait to run a roll of film through it now that everything is adjusted. Major props to Chris for the awesome CLA.

 

[Blooze]

Picked up an old Pentax KM with a K series 55mm/1.8 lens today for $10. Lens has a good coating of dust on the inner element, but no scratches on the outer elements. I think it will most likely only be a problem when shooting into the sun or maybe a bit of contrast loss. Camera works perfect and the shutter speeds sound good. It's basically a K1000 with a self-timer and a dof preview button.

 

[djh]

Received my Retina IIc back from Chris Sherlock today. It looked really good on the cosmetic side before I sent it to New Zealand, but the internals match the outside now. The shutter sounds very close at 1 second now and doesn't stick at all. Everything moves very easily including the focus and cocking lever. Best of all is the viewfinder. Wow, just wow! I stepped out 30 minutes after the sun went down in our backyard tonight and was able to align the focus patch on things. So clear. I can't wait to run a roll of film through it now that everything is adjusted. Major props to Chris for the awesome CLA.

Picked up an old Pentax KM with a K series 55mm/1.8 lens today for $10. Lens has a good coating of dust on the inner element, but no scratches on the outer elements. I think it will most likely only be a problem when shooting into the sun or maybe a bit of contrast loss. Camera works perfect and the shutter speeds sound good. It's basically a K1000 with a self-timer and a dof preview button.

Double nice!

 

[bmilcs]

Bringing up an old point. I've been randomly looking at the 50 1.4. I have the 60 2.8 and it is excessively sharp . Love it.

What do you guys prefer? The 35 1.8 or 50 1.4?

 

[Legion]

Bringing up an old point. I've been randomly looking at the 50 1.4. I have the 60 2.8 and it is excessively sharp . Love it.

What do you guys prefer? The 35 1.8 or 50 1.4?

On what camera?

 

[bmilcs]

On what camera?

Sorry - the Nikon D7000.

Things change fast and now I'm contemplating a Tokina 11-16 ultra wide angle f2.8 for my D7000. Looks. Freakin. Sweet.

 

[fast14riot]

I like 24 to 35 mm for street and general scenery photography. 11-16 is going to be rather wide for most general stuff, but this is art! I think everyone should own a 50 prime for every camera. It's probably my most used lens. Many of my cameras I have only one lens for, and it's a 50. Usually because it's an older system and lenses are scarce, or in the case of my Leica R, expensive lol!


-X

 

[bmilcs]

50mm on a cropped? Right now, I own 3 lenses:

Nikon 35mm 1.8g > roughly 50mm on APS-C [use this 70% of the time]
Nikon 60mm 2.8d > 90mm micro on APS-C [20%: all SOTD shots]
Nikon 70-300 VR II > 5% of the time [10%: sporting events and so on]

The 35mm is a fantastic lens. I almost returned it being the noob that I am and glad that I got it back. It's perfect for most scenarios. A 50mm 1.4D [75mm equivalent] would be a nice portrait lens. It has better bokeh compared to the 35mm right? I wonder how the optics compare.

 

[fast14riot]

Haven't used the 50/1.4, but I use the 50/1.8 on a crop and it makes an excellent portrait lens. I prefer to have a sharper lens and soften in post than a soft lens. The 50/1.8 is an excellent inexpensive lens, usually about $89 from KEH. Much lighter too with the smaller front element.

Maybe pick up the 35DX for cheap, it's a nice lens.. I don't really like a true 50 for portraits, the 75 on a crop is an excellent focal length though. My next is going to be the 105/2.8. Though I also use my older 70-300 for portraits too. Backing up 15-25 feet will compress the field and eliminate distortion from wide angle lenses.

I shoot 35mm film as well so I don't usually use DX lenses.


-X