Fierce joy because of an old lens

[Ronald_H]

Now and then I still shoot a concert. That's something I did a lot in the past, both with analogue and digital SLRs. Since I rediscovered film I like to bring an old Nikon to artists I like but aren't that famous (yet). Translation: No silliness with security etc.

Last year I found a non-AI 135mm f2.8 'Q' Nikkor on a camera fair. This only works on my FM and FE and is very old (1965). Only stop down metering is inconvenient. But is was also very cheap, so I bought it. Does it deliver? Oh yes:

The Belgian singer/songwriter Selah Sue. Nikon FM with 135mm f2.8 'Q' Nikkor (wide open). Fuji Neopan 1600 developed in Diafine, scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V.

 

[rxmd]

Nice one!

Maybe I'll go to Houten once again one of these years again, you always find something and I could use a 24mm for the Nikon 🙂

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Very nice!....love my old Nikkors!, have you tried a 105mm f2.5? - my favourite.
Dave.

 

[Ronald_H]

It was not bought in Houten, but in Doesburg 😉 I love to go to Houten though and buy stuff I don't need. After all this years I've got gear for any occasion. But a Hassy 500 C/M would be nice...

I did not try the 105mm f2.5. Is that a Macro lens? I don't have one of those yet, not much onto flowers and bees 😉

 

[Roger Hicks]

Gorgeous!

But I'd back the photographer against the lens/camera/film-dev combo any day.

Congratulations,

R.

 

[Ronald_H]

Gorgeous!

But I'd back the photographer against the lens/camera/film-dev combo any day.

Congratulations,

R.

Thanks Roger, that means a lot, coming from you. My B/W photography definitely has improved thanks to your articles and the Black and White handbook. You never know, I might build my own darkroom one day. But to be honest, I have an awful lot still to learn. Pictures like the one I posted motivate me greatly though.

 

[BillBingham2]

If you were not across the pond I would send one over to you. I have way too much stuff. It is the one thing I miss most of all from years back. While it's more expensive than a computer, it's a whole lot more fun.

I've always loved B&W because of the control it allows me. I was never been able to get a good color print from my own two hands. Slides just allowed me to capture the picture the way I saw it. Other than custom printing I never found any place that would print them as I shot them, always looking for the generic/normal/LCD exposure. Heck, if I want it to look dark make it print dark.

B2 (;->

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

I did not try the 105mm f2.5. Is that a Macro lens? I don't have one of those yet, not much onto flowers and bees 😉

No - not a macro ! but arguably a better portrait lens than your 135mm!😉 - very nice in Leica screw mount to!
Dave.

 

[shadowfox]

No - not a macro ! but arguably a better portrait lens than your 135mm!😉 - very nice in Leica screw mount to!
Dave.

Well Dave, since you said 'arguably' 😉
I'll take the 135mm any day for shooting portrait than the 105mm.

I know that the 105mm is very famous and no doubt it's a great lens, but I just like the focal length 135mm better for isolating the subject from the background.

Right now I have the perfect (for me, of course) Nikon manual focus kit with the 135mm Q, 35mm S, both f/2.8 and an F3 attached to the imposing MD-4 motor drive/sledgehammer 😀


Ronald, that's an image worth celebrating!

 

[BillBingham2]

....better for isolating the subject from the background.....

I would prefer a 180/2.8 ED or my long gone 300/4.5 ED-IF, now that's isolation.

B2 (%>

 

[shadowfox]

I would prefer a 180/2.8 ED or my long gone 300/4.5 ED-IF, now that's isolation.

B2 (%>

Bill, I'd call that extreme isolation 🙂
Plus I still like to handheld my shots. The 135mm Q is one heavy lens as is.