What’s New: Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G

It’s nice to see that Nikon is focusing on prime lenses with this new release. What’s amazing is that this is taking place in the wake of Japan’s recent crisis.

This is an important addition to the Nikon lineup, as it adds a low-cost option for DX portraiture, or full-frame shooters taking a walk on the lean side. It may however be somewhat redundant to those who already own the AF-S 50mm f/1.4. If experience reveals that the 1.8 has superior bokeh, it might give it some competition. It will be interesting to see how it fairs in reviews.

Review: Nikon 28mm f/2.8 Series E

Nikon’s smallest, lightest 28mm AI-S lens offers impressive image quality at a modest price. Fine color rendition and contrast, no distortion and surprising sharpness make this manual-focus lens a true find on the second market.

Alternative Lenses for Nikon

If, like me, you enjoy working with manual focus prime lenses, at some point you may find that Nikon’s current list of F-Mount lenses is a quite limited. While the lenses that have survived are excellent examples, they are neither economical nor compact. However, there are alternatives for those willing to make some compromises in the name of classic photography.

Happy Worldwide Pinhole Day!

Nautica: Example of Lensbaby Pinhole/Zone Plaate Optic in pinhole mode.

Today, April 25, is Worldwide Pinhole Day. I had grand plans of attempting an infrared pinhole landscape, but the ensuing rain ended all that. So I decided on an indoor still life instead.

First Impressions: Nikon 28mm f/2.8 Series E

It was always part of the plan to eventually get a manual focus Nikkor AIS lens for my D90 and N80. The silky feel of a damped focus helicoid and the assuring click of an aperture ring are a part of the photographic experience one should still be able to experience even in today’s digital world.

Adapting Other Lenses to Nikon Bodies

While Nikon bodies do not serve as an ideal platform for use in experimenting with alternative optics, there are some interesting possibilities.

First Impressions: Gossen DigiSix Exposure Meter

For me, this little gem is not so much an exposure meter as it is a Photographer’s Swiss Army Knife. In addition to being a compact exposure meter, it also includes a clock, alarm, countdown timer and thermometer.

It Feels Like a New Camera

I must say, I’ve really been enjoying the AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8. It’s given new life to my D90, and is helping me work through my “Rangefinder” phase. I’m still not out of the woods yet, though.

Voigtländer Bessa: The Evolution of Film

Voigtländer Bessa R3A 135 Aperture Priority Rangefinder
Voigtländer Nokton 40mm f/1.4 lens

It’s a bold statement, but more positive than my initial title, “Voigtländer Bessa: Last of a Dying Breed”. There are currently three top players in the rangefinder market; the Leica M7, Zeiss Ikon, and Voigtländer Bessa R. This post is about the most affordable of the three, and the best value in terms of quality vs. price.

Cherry Blossom Festival

Yesterday was the Cherry Blossom Festival in Branch Brook Park, Newark. It’s always a photofest, and the perfect opportunity to put my AF NIKKOR 20mm 2.8D through its paces.

“A Holga Camera is a study in plastic imperfection, and to use it is an exercise in breaking free from dependence on technology, precision, and uber-sharpness. The slight softness of the images, uncontrollable vignetting and peculiar light leaks create a partnership between you and your Holga. These “flaws”, accompanied by your creative choices, result in a quasi-serendipitous form of art. A Holga stretches our visual perception. Using a Holga adds another facet to the way we see the world. We notice more things, and thus we examine and evaluate their status. A Holga is an educator teaching us a new visual vocabulary with which to describe out world. A Holga is a rule breaker. To use a Holga is to utterly change the terms of reference most people use to interpret Photography.”

— The Holga Credo, from the box of the Holga 120WPC Wide Pinhole Camera

First Impressions: Holga 120WPC

Pinhole photography works best with a larger frame size, and 4x5 is ideal. But processing 4x5 yourself can be a bear, and having it done commercially is expensive, especially for pinhole. So when I learned of this Holga 120WPC, it seemed a perfect solution. And when I was gifted with a $50.00 Amazon gift card, it seemed the perfect choice.

Museum Day

Yesterday I visited the Stieglitz, Steichen, Strand exhibit at the Met, and took along the D90 so I could get a feel for the AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G.