EUREKA! M2 newbie tames the wild Nikkor.

[Sanders McNew]

So, in an earlier thread that I am too
embarrassed to continue, I sought help
on focusing an M2 with a 50mm f/1.4
Nikkor, shot wide open, and the subject
off to the side. And of course you all
came through with answers.

So this afternoon, after our B+H run, I
dragged my wife across the street to the
Cheyenne Diner and shot a roll with her.
I offer you the fruits of my new and
improved focusing style:

I owe thanks to Limpovitj and Roland for
their wise advice.

Now that I have figured it out, I am in
love with this Nikkor -- it is everything
I could ask for in a portrait lens.

Sanders

 

[Paul C. Perkins MD]

Yeah? Well don't forget the fabulous body . . . The M2 . . . I've had a black finish M2 since 1972 . . . Really!!!

 

[spiderfrank]

Sorry, but here the fabulous body... Isn't the M2!! ;-)
Very nice shot, smoth and sweet!

 

[Honus]

You certainly nailed the focus on this one, Sanders. With eyes like that, focus is important.

 

[Limpovitj]

Glad I could help - and this picture is even better than the other one!

 

[Sanders McNew]

Paul, you are right, the M2 is a fine
instrument indeed.

Robert, may I take this moment
to say you have the best username
and avatar on the Internet? 🙂

Sanders

 

[ferider]

Good stuff, Sanders 🙂

 

[dshugar]

wow - that is sharp!

 

[tomasis]

wow, I suspect that you're extremely good not only taking on pics also developing film and print. simply stunning shoot. I guess that you learned that from medium format?

 

[tbarker13]

The more pictures I see with this lens, the more I find myself craving one.

 

[splitimageview]

Very nice. The Nikkor is nice too. 🙂

 

[chris91387]

great image.

can you link us back to the earlier thread where you got such helpful advice?

- chris

 

[payasam]

Fine picture. I wonder if I can do as well with a recently acquired M2 as I did with an M3 from 1985 to 2002.

 

[Sanders McNew]

can you link us back to the earlier thread where you got such helpful advice?

I told you it was too embarrassing.

Oh all right.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55743

 

[Sanders McNew]

I wonder if I can do as well with a recently acquired M2 as I did with an M3

Interesting question. A few people suggested that I
would have fewer focus problems with the M3 than
the M2. But that seems wrong to me. The 50mm
window in the M2 is smaller, so the rangefinder spot
takes up a larger part of the window than it would
on the M3, yes? (The answer must be yes unless
the rangefinder spot is bigger on the M3.) So, I
don't have to move the M2 as much to focus on a
spot at the periphery of the 50mm frame with an
M2 as I would on the M3.

I can see how it would be easier to focus in the
middle of the screen with an M3, but am I wrong
in thinking that focusing a 50mm lens at the
periphery will involve less camera movement
with the M2?

Sanders

 

[ferider]

The rangefinder spot is bigger on the M3, Sanders. My experience is that
they are both similar to focus for the type of photo that you show.
You can "convert" your M2 into an M3 by using a magnifier if you want to try.

In my experience, the M3 really adds something for 90mm. For 50 there is
not much difference. BTW, when will you get that 85/2 ? 🙂

 

[WoolenMammoth]

sanders-

you are not theoretically wrong, but in practical use, especially if you are working wth people on the fly, the relative distance in corner framing between an m2 and an m3 really isnt worth talking about IMO. Thats my experience at least and have spent a long time on that battle...

 

[payasam]

Are we perhaps speaking of curvature of field, which some lenses demonstrate more than others?

 

[john neal]

Sanders,

You have done it again! I missed your earlier post, but would have been quite (i.e. more than) happy if that had been my own result - but I know you are a stickler for these things 😉

I see you are rapidly descending the slippery Leica slope with yet more classic kit! Would that I still had my M2, but I have some consolation in that I traded my M3 for a M6 classic last week, and it is nearly as easy to use. I dream of owning the Nikkor, but lack of funds prevents at the moment. I know where there is one that has been built into a Leica M focussing mount and correctly collimated down to 70cm. If I can find the funds I will buy that one just to get the sonnar signature in a quality lens.

Tell me, is that still Fomapan? I really must try that. I have been looking to find some in bulk, but failed. I know that Silverprint have 135 cassettes at a rasonable price, so will have to buy abrick from there.

Again,

Please stop showing the rest of us how average we really are 🙂

Thanks for some great shots.

 

[Sanders McNew]

John, hey, thanks for the kind words. 🙂

The lens is delicious. And because it lives
in a LTM, I can use it on the IIIa as well,
although it feels a bit big and heavy on
that body.

Yes, the film here is Foma 200, exposed
at EI 80 to 100, and processed in a 1:50
Rodinal solution (68F) for 8+ minutes.
You can buy it online at B+H or Freestyle.
B+H sells it in 100-foot rolls, and I would
guess that Freestyle does as well.

Sanders