CharlesDAMorgan
Veteran
Padre mio after his first haircut in months.
Leica M5, Summarit 50mm f1.5 at f2.8, Foma 200 at 125 in PMK Pyro
Leica M5, Summarit 50mm f1.5 at f2.8, Foma 200 at 125 in PMK Pyro

p.giannakis
Pan Giannakis
Yes, it could be I did not focus correctly, I had been working for hours. It is also possible that he moves his head.
It is with the all-black Nikkor-S.C 50mm f/1.4, a very rare version, only 300 made. Sonnar type.
I like the shot because his eyes are right behind the shiny spots on his glasses. This gives him a strange look, as from a horror movie. Not intended, but I like the effect.
Erik.
Actually it looks quite sharp to me. I asked from curiosity because sonnar lenses are known to backfocus wide open.
p.giannakis
Pan Giannakis
A comparison of two lenses wide open. Same film (took it out of the Olympus and put it on the Nikon F4). Both lenses wide open.
Zuiko 50 f/1.4
AF Nikkor 50 f/1.4
Zuiko 50 f/1.4
AF Nikkor 50 f/1.4
Erik van Straten
Veteran
Actually it looks quite sharp to me. I asked from curiosity because sonnar lenses are known to backfocus wide open.
No, this is a special lens made to match black Nikon rangefinder cameras. The lens is extremely light. Focusing is very precise.
Probably Nikon intended to make a small series of black Nikon S cameras in 1953 or so. The S cameras are very heavy. Therefore Nikon made this lens very light, so the combination would be not too heavy.
However, the development of the S2 was advancing, so Nikon gave up the idea of making a black S. They made a small amount of black S2 cameras instead and sold some of these "All black Nikkors" with those black S2's.
It seems that Nikon made 12 different versions of the Sonnar type 50mm f/1.4. They finally gave up and made a Gauss type for the rangefinders.
Nikon S2/All black Nikkor 50mm f/1.4/TMY400-2/AdoxMCC110
Erik.

Erik van Straten
Veteran
A comparison of two lenses wide open. Same film (took it out of the Olympus and put it on the Nikon F4). Both lenses wide open.
Zuiko 50 f/1.4
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AF Nikkor 50 f/1.4
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The Zuiko looks sharper to me, but the images are a bit small to see. Beautiful shots!
I thought that the F4 could focus very well. I've only tried autofocus on the G1 (was very good).
Erik.
p.giannakis
Pan Giannakis
No, this is a special lens made to match black Nikon rangefinder cameras. The lens is extremely light. Focusing is very precise.
Probably Nikon intended to make a small series of black Nikon S cameras in 1953 or so. The S cameras are very heavy. Therefore Nikon made this lens very light, so the combination would be not too heavy.
However, the development of the S2 was advancing, so Nikon gave up the idea of making a black S. They made a small amount of black S2 cameras instead and sold some of these "All black Nikkors" with those black S2's.
It seems that Nikon made 12 different versions of the Sonnar type 50mm f/1.4. They finally gave up and made a Gauss type for the rangefinders.
Nikon S2/All black Nikkor 50mm f/1.4/TMY400-2/AdoxMCC110
Erik.
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You have a few quite special cameras and lenses in your possesion Erik and it it obvious that you cherish them. You also put them to good use.
To my eyes, the Nikkor AF is sharper wide open - i need to scan some test shots it did between the two - but the Zuiko has a very nice signature for sure.
The Nikon F4 is very different to the G1 you remember -actually it weights more than the S2 and the G1 together (believe it or not). AF is very good - the F5 can break cheap lenses (broke my cheap sigma 28-70) - but i trust the F4 more with black and white film - the F5 will delibrately underexpose in high contrast to save the main colour in the scene - the F4 works better for me with B&W.
Another one - AF Nikkor 50 f/1.4 wide open on the F4.
Erik van Straten
Veteran
Pan, did you ever try an F6? I've heard a lot of good things about the F6.
I have a Nikon F and a Nikkormat FTn, but I hardly use them. I used the Nikkormat a lot in the 1970's. Later I got completely into the rangefinders.
Erik.
I have a Nikon F and a Nikkormat FTn, but I hardly use them. I used the Nikkormat a lot in the 1970's. Later I got completely into the rangefinders.
Erik.
p.giannakis
Pan Giannakis
Pan, did you ever try an F6? I've heard a lot of good things about the F6.
I have a Nikon F and a Nikkormat FTn, but I hardly use them. I used the Nikkormat a lot in the 1970's. Later I got completely into the rangefinders.
Erik.
The F6 is so way out of my budget that i doubt i will ever get one. Never had the chance to handle a nikkormat either but i had the chance to play with an F in the past - very substantial camera, it made a good impression to me.
Edit: The Leica M3 is very similar in size with the OM4. Here is a picture that shows how big those cameras are.

Greyscale
Veteran

Pentax Spotmatic SL, Super Takumar 55/2, Kodak 5222 expired 1993, EI 64, FA1027 11 minutes by Mike Novak, on Flickr

Pentax Spotmatic SL, Super Takumar 55/2, Kodak 5222 expired 1993, EI 64, FA1027 11 minutes by Mike Novak, on Flickr

Pentax Spotmatic SL, Super Takumar 55/2, Kodak 5222 expired 1993, EI 64, FA1027 11 minutes by Mike Novak, on Flickr
Erik van Straten
Veteran
The F6 is so way out of my budget that i doubt i will ever get one. Never had the chance to handle a nikkormat either but i had the chance to play with an F in the past - very substantial camera, it made a good impression to me.
Edit: The Leica M3 is very similar in size with the OM4. Here is a picture that shows how big those cameras are.
![]()
That F5 is too big for me, but the OM-4 looks very nice. I've always liked the Pen FT, but enlarging half frame is very demanding.
Erik.
JohnWolf
Well-known

M6 | C-Biogon | HP5+
Erik van Straten
Veteran
Great shot, John!
Leica MP/Summicron 35mm f/2 8el replica/TMY400-2/Ilford MGFB
Erik
Leica MP/Summicron 35mm f/2 8el replica/TMY400-2/Ilford MGFB
Erik

p.giannakis
Pan Giannakis
Nice play with lines and shapes Erik.
Erik van Straten
Veteran
Thank you, Pan!
Erik.
Erik.
JohnWolf
Well-known
Thank you, Erik. Much appreciated.
John
John
p.giannakis
Pan Giannakis
Olympus OM4 - Zuiko 28f/3.5
ilford Delta 400 in HC110
ilford Delta 400 in HC110

Erik van Straten
Veteran
Wow, Pan, so beautiful this countryside.
Erik.
Erik.
p.giannakis
Pan Giannakis
Thanks Erik, we are very lucky living around this place.
Anthony Harvey
Well-known
Thank you so much, Pan and Eric, for your wonderful photos here and everywhere else in RFF. You seem to me to have such a similar vision and feel for composition and the human touch, that I always look forward to seeing your photos.
p.giannakis
Pan Giannakis
Thank you so much, Pan and Eric, for your wonderful photos here and everywhere else in RFF. You seem to me to have such a similar vision and feel for composition and the human touch, that I always look forward to seeing your photos.
Thank you Antony for your kind comment, much appreciated !
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