New York NYC May Meet-Up

[SuperUJ]

How about May 10th?

Will be out of the City on May 10th, the Mother's Day.

John

 

[jsrockit]

Will be out of the City on May 10th, the Mother's Day.

John

What works for you John?

 

[jsrockit]

Check out the shot from Maggies post last Monday. Basically straight out of the Monochrom without any post processing. The lens was a 50 Lux ASPH with a Heliopan 2x Yellow filter. The lighting was amazing. Got a great response with this shot and mucho-mucho remarks. Also we finally got the Spring 2015 Issue of "Grey" magizine. Still very surreal. Interesting that Ari desaturated the color to make his shots look like my Monochrom shots. Seven looks are presented with Maggie as a model. Other pro models are also featured and one Maggie is amazed to be in such company with because she is hugely famous.

Cool.... nice job. I'm happy for your GF. It's gotta be such a strange thing for her to be going through... but cool. Who took the April 20th one with her watch? I like that... R8 your main camera>? Wow.

 

[Calzone]

Cool.... nice job. I'm happy for your GF. It's gotta be such a strange thing for her to be going through... but cool. Who took the April 20th one with her watch? I like that... R8 your main camera>? Wow.

The April 20th shot was me and my Monochrom. I took the shot the day before. Absolutely no post processing, and the shot is straight out of the camera. You know me: a lazy slacker.

The R8 is just like my Monochrom: it seems like Leica built it especially for me. It has a lot of notority also. I guess it is a camera that not many people like, it truely came from the factory as a monster, and I love that it has the cool nickname, "The Hunchback Of Solms." LOL.

Sherry in conversation stated that the SL2 is even more overbuilt than a SL and is the most over designed camera that Leica ever built. Sherry personally shoots a SL that has a U.S. Navy engraving on the baseplate. She went on about how the SL2 is rediculas as far as the overbuild and is over the top to the point that they are hard to work on than other Leicas.

Anyways SLR's were always fast shooting for me. I'll bring the Noct-Nikkor so you can compare it against the AF 58/1.4 G lens. The cool and interesting thing about the 58/1.4G is how seamless you can go from autofocus to manual. Also I like that it is made in Japan and not in China for higher quality and not to save money.

Saturday I met this Canadian photographer who showed me his work on an I-phone. What was really interesting is that he had intense shadows in his color shots that displayed a very strong sense of vivid color and mucho high contrast. I would love to make images that captured that type of light. To me it was almost like a hybred of both color and B&W into a new media.

Cal

 

[jsrockit]

The April 20th shot was me and my Monochrom. I took the shot the day before. Absolutely no post processing, and the shot is straight out of the camera. You know me: a lazy slacker.

Well, it worked really well for that shot. My favorite one of her by far yet.

I'll bring the Noct-Nikkor so you can compare it against the AF 58/1.4 G lens. The cool and interesting thing about the 58/1.4G is how seamless you can go from autofocus to manual. Also I like that it is made in Japan and not in China for higher quality and not to save money.

Cool. If you can fit the 45mm in too that would be great. I use some lower end Nikon lenses (50mm 1.4g, 85mm 1.8g) and they are excellent. I mean I really like them a lot.

Saturday I met this Canadian photographer who showed me his work on an I-phone. What was really interesting is that he had intense shadows in his color shots that displayed a very strong sense of vivid color and mucho high contrast. I would love to make images that captured that type of light. To me it was almost like a hybred of both color and B&W into a new media.

Interesting, I'd have to see them in order to know what's going on...

 

[Calzone]

Cool. If you can fit the 45mm in too that would be great. I use some lower end Nikon lenses (50mm 1.4g, 85mm 1.8g) and they are excellent. I mean I really like them a lot.

John,

Remind me to bring the small and tiny 45/2.8P AIS closer to May 10th. So small that it is easy to forget.

My friend's work had a very cool look that I found compelling. Kinda new to me. Almost half B&W and the rest color, but rather vibrant. Interesting to note that he is an oil engineer and has travel to very far away places, but all the photography was consistent in the above blend of mediums. He shot mostly early and late in the day. I would say dusk and dawn exclusively in available light. This is something I think I can do.

Cal

POST SCRIPT: I think the 45/2.8P AIS being Nikon's most contrasty lens and being known for saturated colors kinda makes a great lens for me to attempt to replicate the inspired work of my Canadian friend. The lens is only 5 elements and with a simple Tessar design combined with the Nikon Intergrated Coating this lens renders in a particular way with both high contrast and rich colors.

I think I definately will have a D3X very soon. I kinda firmed up a deal on a very fresh one that has very few actuations that comes boxed and is in like new condition.

 

[Calzone]

GEAR ALERT: Tomorrow I'm securing a Nikon D3X. Should be really awesome with my Noct-Nikkor. How's that for an art camera.

Yesterday I went to Chealsea after work to see some shows. Interesting to note is at Sundaram Tagore Gallery (first floor of same building as Aperture Gallery) is a Sabastion Salgado exhibit. Many of the images were earlier displayed at ICP and were part of the Genesis exhibition, but understand that in Chelsea you can see prints that are framed without any cover glass. This really reveals the IQ in a great-great way. Beyond stunning. Show hangs till May 16th.

The very dark mountain valley landscape and this bedowin man amung desert dunes are smartly displayed together where the play in contrast and light verses darks is kind breath taking. No glare or cover glass to obstruct thes mamouth prints. Definately my favorite.

Dan W. really needs to see how this gallery did not cheeze out like ICP. Dan's harsh criticism of ICP is and was valid.

Cal

 

[jsrockit]

GEAR ALERT: Tomorrow I'm securing a Nikon D3X. Should be really awesome with my Noct-Nikkor. How's that for an art camera.

That should be a funny sight... "Fashion Cal." Next thing you know you'll have a flash!

It'll be cool to see my 58mm 1.4g vs. the Noct-Nikkor. Somehow, I think you'll still like your version better.

 

[SuperUJ]

What works for you John?

In May, the 24th or 31st should work for me. Also need to consider that the 24th fall in the Memorial Day weekend. As May is a eventful month ... if the 10th works for the others, please go ahead w/o me. I will join in the meetup in June.

John

 

[Calzone]

That should be a funny sight... "Fashion Cal." Next thing you know you'll have a flash!

It'll be cool to see my 58mm 1.4g vs. the Noct-Nikkor. Somehow, I think you'll still like your version better.

John,

The Noct-Nikkor will always have F1.2 and a half stop advantage. Also because I owned and used it for such a long time it will feel natural for me. Generally auto****-us does not work for me.

Know that the Noct-Nikkor is optimized for shooting wide open, and is best shot between f1.2 to F4.0. At 5.6 it is not so great and other slower lenses are better. Tung sums it up: It is a lot like a Noctilux meant to favor being shot with open apertures, and meant to be shot in low light.

The AF 58/1.4G and Noct-Nikkor are also specifically designed for low coma so using them for night shooting makes sense to avoid lava lamps in your shots. The 75 Lux I owned was very good in this reguard because it used the game type of heavy glass that was used in the Noctilux.

The signature of the Noct-Nikkor use to be very novel, but from Dirk's posting of shots taken with the AF 58/1.4 it seems the signature of the Noct-Nikkor has a rival. I think this was Nikon's intent.

Cal

BTW if I get a flash I will get the biggest monster I can get to stun my victums.

 

[jsrockit]

The AF 58/1.4G and Noct-Nikkor are also specifically designed for low coma so using them for night shooting makes sense to avoid lava lamps in your shots.

That will be cool... since all of my lenses show lava lamps or worse. Should be a good winter lens too.

 

[Calzone]

That will be cool... since all of my lenses show lava lamps or worse. Should be a good winter lens too.

John,

We live in a great city, but only a few lenses handle the bright sources of light well in urban areas: Noctilux; 75 Lux; Noct-Nikkor; and now the AF 58/1.4G.

The Nikors might not have the sharpest corners, but they don't have the light falloff like a Noctilux. These lenses are specifically designed for bokeh and smooth OOF. Their rendering is kinda unique. I also favor the slightly longer reach of 58mm.

Cal

 

[jsrockit]

I also favor the slightly longer reach of 58mm.

I've come to find that I do as well... well, 55mm... we will see about 58mm. It comes tomorrow... it should be fun.

 

[Range-rover]

Nice to hear you guy's joined the big monster club!

Bob

 

[Calzone]

I've come to find that I do as well... well, 55mm... we will see about 58mm. It comes tomorrow... it should be fun.

John,

Today is a good day for both of us.

The D3X has less than 5K actuations and is a USA not grey market camera.

Also know that Epson for sure is coming out with a replacement for the 3880. The rumor proved to be true.

Cal

 

[Villanova]

Salim,

It was an interesting half an afternoon hanging out with my friend Luis Mendez. I met many photograpghers who came to pay respect to a Godfather of street photograpghy. I met allt types from crazies to the working pros. Not only does everyone know Luis it seems, but Luis seems to know everybody.

At one point Luis asked me if he could buy me a bottled water, and I told him I could not drink when out because I have a small bladder. At that point it became sureal as Luis handed me his Crown Graphic to hold while he went to get his lunch, and suddenly I stepped into Luis' shoes. It did not take long for someone to notice that I was impersonating Luis, and that I had his camera. Dream like it was a great and strange experience, and I think a great honor.

Anyways I kinda learned that staking out an area is a valuable way to do street photography. I met a lot of people from all over the world, made some new friends, and it seems that I kinda learned that I do have some of that Luis Mendez charm where people just come up to you and want to know who you are and what you are about.

I still wore the Crown Graphic while Luis ate lunch, so the experience lasted for about 40 minutes. It was like a dream.

Cal

BTW the Spring 2015 issue of "Grey" magazine came out. More surreal than I could ever imagine.

Also generally we do not schedule Meet-Ups on Saturdays. Pro mone says that the First Sunday is not good for him, but we still have the 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st, all Sundays open for a possible Meet-Up.

Woah, great story. I've seen Luis outside B&H for years and never bothered talking to him. I regret that now. I know there was a nice article about him somewhere on the internet. Maybe the New York Times?

Fantastic news about Grey. Can you post some of your images from the shoot?

 

[Villanova]

Found it:

A Camera and an Eye, Both One of a Kind

 

[JeffNYC]

John,

The AF 58/1.4 definately has the dreamy OOF like my Noct-Nikkor. Using your "Monster" DF is a very cool rig. From the images I've seen from Dirk it is very Noct-Nikkor like and does especially well at night. Low coma performance is like the Noct-Nikkor again which is great for night shooting, especially in NYC.

This is what I'm talking about when gear can inspire.

The cover shot was taken by Ari Seth Cohen, a friend of ours. It was all very sir-reel when I dropped off Maggie for the photo session at a loft in the photo district. There was a whole crew that included a make-up artist, a hairb stylist, and even an assistant to help dress "Maggie." I excused myself, but the session was basically an all day event. All the clothing was lent to Valentina by the extream high end of the luxury market. Maggie is featured with six other looks within the issue.

A little back story is that Ari is known for his book called "Advanced Style" which feastures fashion on older women. Valentina, the editor and stylist, is this very hip and young multidiciplined art director type from Italy. Ari's book has a very strong backlist, and Ari suggested that I should consider doing a book using the shots I have of Maggie. It is very much a great idea as it is flattering. This is another project that I must start working on that could easily lead to other things.

Anyways, it seems that at some fashion related events that Maggie and I are kinda known now, and we get treated like celebraties. Lyn is meeting with all these people that are up and coming designers and people from all over the world. Basically Maggie's blog has kinda taken over our lives.

Cal

I used the 58mm f1.4 in Coney Island the other day. (sunny). It really gives you a few characteristics. Very sharp when you need it to be........ and a dreamy look at f2 and below.

It focuses fast enough.. Silent...

Jeff

 

[jsrockit]

John,

Today is a good day for both of us.

The D3X has less than 5K actuations and is a USA not grey market camera.

Looks like we each have something new to use over the weekend.

Also know that Epson for sure is coming out with a replacement for the 3880. The rumor proved to be true.

Cal

I told you this last week in a PM.

 

[Calzone]

Looks like we each have something new to use over the weekend.



I told you this last week in a PM.

John,

You kinda mentioned a new printer, but I did not understand that it was the replacement for the 3880.

I might have to buy another 3880 as a back-up. Not sure the replacement will be better than what I now use. Also not sure if it will be developed for use with Piezography or future use with Cone Color Inks.

Maybe I'll wait. Sooner or later I'll need a color printer for Printing D3X files.

Cal