Nikon

Relaxed (Nikkor-NOCT meets M9).

Inspiration, Nikon, Nikon 58mm f/1.2 NOCT, Portrait, Q&A, Teaching point

I thought this might be a fun follow-up to yesterday’s post.

A few years ago, I attached the Nikkor-NOCT 58/1.2 to the Leica M9, via a Novoflex adapter, and took this image.

Focusing involved guessing, because of course the Nikkor-NOCT is not rangefinder coupled.

Relaxed

↑Leica M9 + Novoflex adapter + Nikkor-Noct 58/1.2 @ f/1.2.

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Here is another test shot:

M9 + Nikkor-NOCT↑Leica M9 + Novoflex adapter + Nikkor-Noct 58/1.2 @ f/1.2.

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As can be appreciated in the second image, one of the nice things about the Nikkor-NOCT is its near focus ability,

—Peter.

Nikon 58MM F/1.4G: The Nikkor-NOCT, reloaded.

Inspiration, Nikon, Nikon 58mm f/1.2 NOCT, Teaching point

58mm Noct vs. 1.4 Prosophos

Well, not exactly, as this new AF-S NIKKOR 58mm lens has a maximum aperture of f/1.4 (vs. f/1.2), but Nikon promises:

“The AF-S NIKKOR 58mm f/1.4G is a lens that makes the most of advanced optical design technologies… to achieve high reproduction capability of point light sources even at the maximum aperture, and natural depth of subjects utilizing smooth and beautiful bokeh characteristics. With shooting of distant night landscapes, the lens minimizes the sagittal coma flare…”

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Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?  These were the coveted attributes of the Nikkor-NOCT.

Those of you who have been following this blog already know that the legendary Nikkor-NOCT was my favourite NIkon lens, and may very well be my favourite lens of all time:

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The Pirate 2

The Pirate

Swing

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Will the new lens be as impressive?

I hope so, given all the advances in lens design and manufacturing over the last several decades.  However, one thing I know for sure is that the new lens won’t have that silky-smooth manual focusing with which the old Nikkors were bestowed.

Either way, these are exciting times in photography.

Check out the specifications of the new AF-S NIKKOR 58mm f/1.4G here, and sample images here.

—Peter.

The package.

Inspiration, Nikon, Nikon 58mm f/1.2 NOCT, Street, Teaching point

😉

From a few years ago.

At the time, I was rather fond of this simple image but most people I showed it to only politely smiled… they clearly weren’t impressed.  Now, years later, I think I understand my attraction to it.

I like the way the gentleman’s legs parallel the skier’s skis, as does his downward gaze.  Interestingly, his figure and the dust bin beside him mirror the Purolator logo… something I hadn’t noticed at the time.

As an aside, it’s always nice to go back and re-visit our images but I’m always amazed at how many of my own, if taken today, would end up being deleted.

—Peter | Prosophos.

The package

↑Nikon D3S and NOCT-Nikkor 58mm @ f/4.

Alex’s teaching session.

2012, Guest Post, Inspiration, Nikon, Portrait, Teaching point

Today’s image comes from Alex, who signed up for a one-on-one teaching session with me.

Isn’t this image great?… It’s an impromptu street portrait taken yesterday, while we were on our photography lesson walkabout.

Now, I can’t promise that everybody will be able to take as nice a shot as this after spending 2 hrs with me (Alex is a natural), but I do promise that I’ll try to improve your photography skills to the best of my ability.

So, if you’re interested in signing up for a no-pressure, one-on-one photography shooting session with me, please click here.

Thanks Alex!

—Peter.

(please click on the image to view)

↑Nikon D40 with Nikon 35mm f/1.8 DX AF-S @ f/2.

My “Photographing your family…” article featured on Steve Huff Photo.com!

Favourite, Inspiration, Konica Hexanon 60mm f/1.2, Leica 35mm Summarit f/2.5, Leica 35mm Summilux ASPH FLE f/1.4, Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH f/1.4, Nikon, Nikon 58mm f/1.2 NOCT, Portrait, Print

My “Photographing your family with the BEST photo equipment” article was featured today on SteveHuffPhoto.com!

I’m once again honoured and would like to thank Steve for his ongoing support of my work!

If you want to see the article, as posted on Steve’s site, please click here.

For convenience, I’m re-posting the images below.

Thanks for reading,

—Peter.

(please click on the images below to view them LARGE)

In praise of blurry images.

2012, Inspiration, Konica Hexanon 60mm f/1.2, Leica 35mm Summilux ASPH FLE f/1.4, Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH f/1.4, Nikon, Nikon 58mm f/1.2 NOCT, Portrait, Teaching point

Sometimes I choose to post a blurry image.

Admittedly, most of the time it has been generated as a result of user (me!) error.  Occasionally, I’ve planned it.  Regardless of how it’s arrived at, there is something about it that has caught my eye.  Invariably, somebody will condemn it by pointing out the obvious: “it’s blurry”.  End of story.

Or is it?

Sometimes, the out-of-focus-ness is adding more than it’s taking away.

Sometimes, the emotive intent of an image is made sharper precisely because it is blurry.

You’ll find some samples below.  They’re all blurry — and they all have left an indelible impression on my mind.

[And you?… do you have a favourite blurry image?  I’d love to see it…]

—Peter.

(please click on the images below to view)

↑Nikon D3S and Nikkor-NOCT 58mm @ f/1.2.

↑Leica M9 and Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH @ f/1.4.

↑Nikon D3S and Nikkor-NOCT 58mm @ f/1.2.

↑Leica M9 and Konica Hexanon 60mm @ f/1.2.

↑Leica M9 and Leica 35mm Summilux FLE @ f/1.4.