Old Glass, New Camera

[GeneW]

Three months after my bypass I'm beginning to get back into stride with photography, literally. I've resumed my daily photo walks around the harbour and am now able to carry a heavier kit, within reason. My main project right now is testing out which of my AI and AIS Nikon primes work well on my D300 DSLR. Here are some samples from the last few days:

D300 with AF-Nikkor 24/2.8 (and Tall Bold)


Morning Light, AF-Nikkor 24/2.8


Morning, GO Station (transit train), Nikkor AIS 20/2.8


Mist on the River, Nikkor AIS 105/2.5


White Coneflower, Nikkor AIS 105/2.5


Spillway, Nikkor AIS 180/2.8 ED


Monarch Butterfly, Micro-Nikkor AIS 55/2.8


Reflections in a Stream, Nikkor AIS 200/4


Gene

[Deleted]

Gene:

I really like the reflections shot.

Wayne

[renaldo]

Looks like any of those lenses will do just nicely on the D300.

Glad to hear the health issue is on the mend. You must have gone "cabin berserk" not being able to take your walks.

[Deleted]

Gene:

I really liked the 20mm 2.8 on the D300. But I wound up selling mine recently to finance other ventures. I've got 12-24, 18-70 and 18-200 DX lenses that can cover that territory--although none are as compact as the 20mm. I have a 24mm f2.8 ai but may try to round up an AFD model and thats about the same as a 35mm lens on a film model. 35mm was always my "Normal" lens.

[nikonbob]

Gene

Good to see you resuming your daily photo walks and as usual I am liking your results. I am starting to play with my old glass on the D700 and am thinking I really don't need the designed for digital stuff. Good to see the old stuff is up to snuff in the digital age.

Bob

[herron]

I like evey one of those shots (publish that book, my friend, it will be a winner)!

I really like the look of that Nikkor 24/2.8 -- both the way it looks on the D300, and the way the image (Morning Light) looks at that focal length. Got to remember that it's about a 38mm film lens equivalent ... perfect for landscape shots ... and your framing of the sunlight in that image was superb, by the way!
;D

[GeneW]

Wayne, the AFD 24mm feels really good as a walkaround. Gives me that 'old-fashioned feeling'.

Renaldo, thanks. I DO get cabin fever on the days I can't get out for a walk!

Bob, there's a lot of mileage left in the old primes. Kinda like us, eh?

Ron, thanks. the 24/2.8 has become one of my faves on the D300. As Wayne said too, pretty much equivalent of a 35mm lens. Good for all kinds of general shooting.

Gene

[minoltaman]

Gene, awesome shots....the flower and the butterfly shots are really superb!!

That old glass is still sweet and sharp. Congrats on getting back out there!

I didn't know you were on flickr. I made you a contact. I'm Tommy Bass over there.

[GeneW]

Thanks Tommy. I love the old glass -- I have to. I can't afford to replace it all with modern glass :-)

I've reciprocated on Flickr. Didn't know you were there!

Gene

[Deleted]

I've shot quite a bit with my manual focus Tokina 80-200 f2.8 zoom. The only reason I would take it along on a strip is it's (a) heavy and (b) pretty long physically--which is also why I don't like the highly touted f2.8 Nikkor zoom (plus the fact I can't afford to spend $1,600 on a lens).

[Deleted]

Speaking of old glass, this is shot with my favorite 50mm Nikkor-- the f2. I hate to even say the word but the f2 has beautiful "bokeh."

[PeterW]

Speaking of old glass, this is shot with my favorite 50mm Nikkor-- the f2. I hate to even say the word but the f2 has beautiful "bokeh."

Nice picture, and you 're absolutely right, Wayne. That lens does have a beautiful bokeh because, to my mind, it doesn't have one!

If I may resurrect an old phrase 'differential focus', it does just what differential focus is meant to do, It throws the background out of focus. No doughnuts, no star shapes, no with-it Japanese art form to take your eye and your mind away from the main subject - just out of focus.

PeterW

[Deleted]

Exactly, Peter.

[mickeyobe]

". I hate to even say the word but the f2 has beautiful "bokeh."

??

Mickey