Parkour! The Benefits of Simply Getting Out to Shoot

It has been a long winter. Last weekend, cabin fever got the best of me, and I drove into DC with my Nikon F2SB (loaded up with HP5+), 50mm f1.4 AI, 28mm f3.5 pre-AI, and 135mm f3.5 pre-AI lenses. Having literally no idea what I was going to photograph, I decided to park at L'Enfant Plaza and walk over to the Smithsonian castle.

 

As soon as I got out of my car, I noticed two young men practicing parkour at the Department of Energy building. Don't know what parkour is? (Click Here) to find out.

 

That was all I needed. I wound up following them around for two hours, shooting their acrobatic antics. I've only developed the first of two rolls of HP5 I shot, so there are more to come. Here are some that I liked from the first roll.

 

 

 

I ended up shooting mostly with the 28mm lens, getting as close as possible to the action. I also shot a few with the 50mm f1.4.

 

It took me a little while to get comfortable and find the right angles to shoot from. The first two traceurs, David and Garrett, were joined by Juan. All three of them were extremely friendly and welcoming of a tag-along.

 

This experience reminded me that finding an interesting subject is not always a contemplative exercise. I never would have dreamed up the idea of finding a local parkour group. I had to be out there looking. And now, I'm sure this is something I'll continue to photograph for some time to come.

 

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Serious Nikon Film SLR Resource

Image Source: http://www.destoutz.ch/nikon-f.html

 

I've had the opportunity to purchase some lovely Nikon SLRs recently, and taken it. I finally pulled the trigger on a new Nikon Df digital SLR, but that's not what I'm talking about.

 

One of my friends recently sold me a pair of old Nikons: an original F Photomic, which is in about the best cosmetic condition I could ask for, and an F2SB. The F2SB is also in great condition, and fully functional, but not quite as pristine as the F.

 

Anyway, in looking for information on these cameras, I came across this incredible website by Richard de Stoutz. Richard shares images of his extensive, and I mean extensive, Nikon SLR collection.

 

(Click Here) to check out destoutz.com

 

I love seeing people who are as obsessed as I am (or more) with using these great old cameras.

 

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Preparing to Travel to the Film Photography Project (FPP) Walking Workshop!

Image Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikon_F

 

I've had a crazy busy week, between too many simultaneous efforts at work, and my wife being out of town. I don't know how you single parents do it. Hats off to you.

 

Anyway, my daughter and I are headed out to Columbus, Ohio, tomorrow (5/17/2014, remember my delay in posting). She'll visit with family on Saturday, while I drive up to Findlay to take part in the FPP Walking Workshop. I'm really looking forward to it.

 

Here's what I've packed in camera gear: Nikon F (plain prism and waist level finder), Nikon F2, Nikkor 28mm f3.5, 50mm f1.4, and 135mm f3.5 pre-AI lenses, Agfa Record III 6x9 medium format folding camera, Leica CL and Rokkor 40mm f2 lens. Mini flash (Nikon SB30), light meter. Seems like an awful lot for one day of workshop, but what the heck. It's a film camera workshop, after all.

 

I'll be in Findlay by 10AM on Saturday, and will spend the night, heading back to Columbus very early Sunday morning to spend some time with my Mom, my 94 year old grandfather, and lots of other family. Sunday night, we'll be back on the plane headed to Dulles.

 

I hope to have plenty of nice film images to share in a week or two! I'm carrying my prepaid mailer for The Darkroom, so I can send my film off for processing directly from Ohio, avoiding one trip through airport security.

 

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SFTC Results - More From December's Nikon F2

I recently posted black and white results from the Nikon F2, a camera that really reminds me what I loved about camera equipment from the very start. Here are some color images (Kodak iso400 print film) from around my home here in Northern Virginia. The weather's been interesting lately, and I hope I captured some of the feel of it.

 

You may recognize this first composition, as I shot it in both color and black and white (see previous post). I strongly prefer the result in color, which surprises me a little.

 

 

Made with the Nikkor 135mm f3.5 pre-AI Lens (one of my favorites)

 

The next two were shot with the Nikkor 200mm f4 pre-AI lens:

 

 

The Old Mill

 

Now for a few shots from Manassas National Battlefield:

 

 

 

The next two are from a quick walk around our "nature walk," a small plot of wetland that one of the local developers set aside and built a boardwalk around:

 

And finally, two shots of my favorite human subject:

 

 

 

And so, this wraps up the results from the SFTC series from 2013. It's been a blast pulling out a different old film camera each month and spending enough time to evaluate its capabilities. I certainly reminded myself of a few old favorites and rediscovered one or two hidden gems that I just hadn't paid attention to lately. You'll be seeing more from some of these cameras in the future, and I have one or two more that didn't make it in the top twelve in 2013. So, stay tuned!

 

By the way, help keep this kind of photography possible - buy film! Support your local (or distant) processors who still provide their critical service!

 

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Results from December's SFTC Camera, the Nikon F2 - in B&W

For my final Skeletons From The Closet selection for 2013, I used the awesome Nikon F2. I purchased this one from KEH for ~$120 in EX condition. It's actually unbelievably close to like new in condition, and I believe an incredible bargain.

 

Here are some of the shots I made with the F2 in December, all on Kodak TMax 400 black and white film. I've noted the lens used where I'm sure I remember it correctly.

 

First, a few from a walk in Washington, DC:

 

 

Made With Nikkor 50mm f1.4 pre-AI Lens

 

Made with the Nikkor 28mm f3.5 pre-AI Lens.

 

 

December was a busy (at work) and cold month here in Virginia, but I did get out for a couple of hikes. The remainder of the images in this post were made on two separate hikes nearby home.

 

 

The preceding four images were made with the 200mm f4 pre-AI lens. I purchased that lens from Camera West for $75 in absolutely beautiful condition.

 

 

 

And finally, a shot I made at a Buddhist temple in Warrenton, Virginia.

Incense, by Reed A. George

Nikon F2, Nikkor 50mm f1.4 pre-AI Lens

 

It is terribly fun to use the F2. I have two of them now, both with the first photomic viewer and meter, the DP-1. I've found that the meter can be a bit unpredictable (and slow to react), so I usually carry a lightmeter along, in my pocket. However, I realized a great improvement in meter performance when I switched to Duracell DL1/3NBPK Ultra Photo Lithium/Manganese Dioxide batteries (see link to purchase them at Amazon below). These batteries are designed for camera systems, and really seem to put out a more consistent voltage than alkalines, especially as they age.

 

The F2 handles like a dream to me. I love using manual focus lenses. Since the F2 is designed for pre-AI lenses, I've gotten to explore several inexpensive yet well-preserved lenses for very low cost. And the results are spectacular in my opinion.

 

I do find myself considering the purchase of the new Nikon Df, which will work with essentially all of the historic Nikon lenses, including Pre-AI. However, similar to my Monochrom(e) experiments using the Leica M4-2 film camera, I have plenty to shoot with the F2. I'll keep using this camera into 2014.

 

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Nikkor Lenses From The Past

This morning I read a nice post on Bill Fortney's blog, about him finding some pages from a 1970 Nikkor catalog, complete with pricing that he hand wrote after getting quotes from the local camera store.

 

 

Image Source: http://billfortney.com/?p=9521#comment-16639

 

Bill has used many of these older lenses, including AI-equipped manual focus lenses on the digital D700 and D800 bodies with great effect. One of his favorites is the 80-200mm f4.5. I have its cousin, the AIS 80-200 f4, which I recently picked up for $100. That's actually kind of a high price for this lens, but I'm glad I got mine; it's a beautiful example. Here's a shot I made with that lens on the D700:

 

Enthusiastic Young Soccer Fan, by Reed A. George

Nikon D700, AIS 80-200mm f4 Manual Focus Lens

 

Bill also fondly mentions a lens I've never seen or tried - the 25-50mm f4. I'll have to keep my eye open for that one.

 

I'm also still enjoying my pre-AI lenses on the F2 film body. More images from that coming soon.

 

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SFTC Results - December's Camera, the Nikon F2

Today I'll share some images with my new Nikon F2 Photomic, which I bought from KEH for $120. It's in amazing condition, very close to like new in my opinion. For these shots, I used one of Nikon's least-loved lenses, the 43-86mm f3.5 zoom.

 

(Click Here) to see the post introducing this month's camera.

 

I mean, people HATE this lens. Many call it Nikon's worst lens, and blame this lens specifically for the long-standing belief (fact) that prime lenses provide far superior image quality to zooms. You can find plenty of haters of this lens online with a simple google search. Mine also came from KEH, for the princely sum of $30, and also looks brand new.

 

Anyway, here are some shots, all made on Kodak 400 color print film.

 

Lounging, by Reed A. George

Nikon F2, Nikkor 43-86mm f3.5 Zoom Lens

 

Now, the shot above isn't tack sharp, but I think it works well at presenting skin tones, and is perhaps appropriate for portraits (which don't need every blemish to show up in sharp relief).

 

Here are a couple at the long end of the zoom, which are also a little soft:

 

Winter Leaves, by Reed A. George

Nikon F2, Nikkor 43-86mm f3.5 Zoom Lens

 

And here are two below that show just how sharp the 43-86mm f3.5 can be at middle(ish) focal lengths. I've applied sharpening in Lightroom to both images, but not to an extreme level (maybe a little more than I usually apply with other lenses, but not significantly more).

 

Dragon, by Reed A. George

Nikon F2, Nikkor 43-86mm f3.5 Zoom Lens

 

Bell Detail, by Reed A. George

Nikon F2, Nikkor 43-86mm f3.5 Zoom Lens

I can't find anything to complain about here. Especially when you consider that this combination of the pro-level camera and "kit zoom" of the past, which commanded very high prices in its day, is mine for $150 total. Amazing capability. When I was a kid, I lusted over a camera like this. Now, they're available for very low investment, if you're willing to deal with film. I am.

 

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Brian Sweeney Writes About the Nikon Df - and Buys One!

Nikon Df

Image Source: http://www.the.me/nikon-df-hands-on-the-closest-slr-to-a-leica-minus-rangefinder/

 

Brian Sweeney is a Leica and Nikon photographer whose name is pretty well-known on the photography forums. I've written in the past about Brian's work with vintage lenses, namely the Zeiss Sonnar, on Leica rangefinders.

 

(Click Here) to read my previous post.

 

It seems that Brian was won over by the new Nikon Df DSLR, which is modeled after Nikon film SLRs of the past, sports an ideal (in my opinion) sensor size and resolution for low noise and high quality image performance, and even allows us luddites to use our oldest pre-Ai Nikon lenses.

 

(Click Here) to read the Brian's post on THEME.

 

Brian believes that the Df is for Nikon what the M-E (M9) and M Monochrom are for Leica - real, practical digital answers to their excellent film cameras of the past.

 

Brian takes us through the evolution of his perfect kit (for personal work that is; Brian has used digital for professional work since 1993) in three major steps:

 

1. Originally, his chosen camera bodies were a Nikon F2AS (SLR) and Nikon SP (rangefinder).
2. Then, the Leica M9 replaced the SP for him.
3. Now, Brian's chosen kit is a Nikon Df (SLR), Leica M9 (rangefinder, for color work) and Leica M Monochrom (rangefinder, for black and white work).

In his post on THEME, Brian shares an image shot with the Df at an incredible iso setting of 20,000. Of course, it's impossible to evaluate how that image would look printed, but on the screen it sure looks fine. Not even nearly possible with the venerable film cameras.

 

Having Brian buy into the Df is an influential factor for me. Until now, he's been unconvinced by any potential digital replacement for his F2. That's a long time waiting. There must be something to this Df thing.

 

I still am in love with my Nikon F2. I'm still in love with my Leica film cameras, even though I own and enjoy the digital Leica M9. My current problem is one of too much gear and not enough time to shoot. But, I did get to handle a Df at McClanahan's Camera in Warrenton, Virginia recently. I cannot say that the camera hasn't been on my mind ever since...

 

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Final Skeletons From The Closet Camera (for 2014?) - Nikon F2 Photomic

Nikon F2 Photomic

Image Source: http://imaging.nikon.com/history/chronicle/history-f2/index.htm

While Nikon is inviting us to "fall in love again" with the new Nikon Df, I've fallen in love with a much older beast, the F2. It all started so innocently - I used my Nikomat for a month, as my selection for the Skeletons From The Closet (SFTC) series in September. (Click Here) to read about that camera, or search "Nikomat" here on the blog to see some results from that month. Next thing I knew, someone approached me with the fact that they had a nice F2 and 80-200 f4 AIS lens that they'd be willing to sell. Well, of course, I convinced myself that I needed a second Nikon body that could use the non-AI lenses I had for the Nikomat. Then a deal on a 135mm f3.5 lens came along (ok, I came to it, in my local camera store - $50 for a gorgeous example). Then, a 200mm f4 non-AI for $75 on a visit to the camera store in California. Hey, it was vacation - of course I went to the camera store. And finally, not quite satisfied with my first F2 (it's got a few blemishes and probably needs a CLA), I tried an EX condition one from KEH for ~$120. The KEH unit is literally like new. I can find only one tiny scratch, and the film transport is smooth as can be. So, having spent a few hundred dollars, I now have more early Nikon equipment than I could carry. And, I love it.

 

When I bought the KEH camera, I saw an EX condition 43-86mm f3.5 lens for $30. Sure, I'll try that too. More on that later. Just let me say that I'm sitting here looking at an image from that MUCH-maligned lens (known as the "worst lens" Nikon has ever made!), and it looks pretty decent to me. Again, my copy looks and feels like new. I'm not sure it was ever used.

 

I got a little behind in my writing, and didn't take any pictures of my F2 yet. I hope Nikon won't mind me borrowing the image above from their site. That's basically exactly how my camera looks, brand new.

 

So, this is the last SFTC camera selection for 2014 - the venerable Nikon F2 Photomic. I'll be sure to carry it around and shoot some pics this month to share. I have not yet decided whether to continue SFTC into 2015; if so, it will be on a less regular schedule. However, I do really enjoy the concept, and see no reason to kill it as long as I've got other cameras to try, or desire to revisit some of the best of those I used in 2014.

 

And, oh yeah, I'm not ruling out falling in love with that new Df as Nikon suggests!

 

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