jeff h.

On the Hasselblad website today, they have announced the release of a limited edition "On the Moon Since 1969" all-black, NEW digital back and mirror-less body (incredibly thin!) that allows one to feel an Apollo connection.

I just attended a college graduation with my beloved Nikon Df and my "trusty" Nikkor 24-120 1:3.5-5.6 D lens. Both were purchased new by me. To my consternation, I discovered that when the lens was zoomed out to 120mm, the autofocus constantly "hunted" for the correct focus. Zooming back to shorter focal lengths eliminated the hunting. I was able to take the photos I wanted by using manual focus, but the experience was disheartening. Upon returning home, I immediately tested every other lens I have, and they all instantly focused correctly. This seems to indicate my lens has some fault. Any ideas on what has gone wrong with my lens or lend/body combination? Thank you in advance for input.

<p>I recently (2014) purchased a new Nikkor 50/1.2 from B&H. I have always wanted to try this lens, and when I got a new Df body, it was the first "new" lens I purchased. This lens will allow you to turn night shots into daylight pictures. It has the biggest chunk of glass (in the front element) I think I've ever seen! The build quality is superlative, and the focus feel is phenomenal.</p>

<p>Here is my short answer: Get a FX Nikon.</p> <p>Now, for the long answer. After decades of using Nikon F, EM, FM2n, and N90s film cameras, my very first DSLR was a Nikon D80, which I purchased new from my local camera shop. I used it for eight years, and liked it so much that I picked up a second body for a fraction of what I spent on the first D80, in case I wanted to use two lenses simultaneously or let my son shoot alongside and share lenses with me.</p> <p>I always suspected that Nikon would make a FX camera that I really liked, so I kept using all my original film (FX) lenses; the only DX lens I bought was the nice Nikkor 16-85/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S.</p> <p>To my delight, Nikon released the FX Df body the same year I was starting to be really aggravated by the limitations of my D80: namely, poor low-light performance and lackluster image quality/sharpness. The Df release coincided with a milestone birthday, so I splurged. For me, the Df is the perfect camera. The single greatest factor that prompted me to buy this camera is the fact that it is backwards-compatible with nearly every lens ever made for the Nikon-F mount. I gained bigger/better images, without getting huge files that would have forced me to upgrade my computer storage capacity. The performance of the Df in low light is astonishing; I have taken photos in near darkness using a fast lens and high ISO, and it looks like the photo was shot during the day (well, at least during twilight!).</p> <p>You mention photographing your young child. In photographing children, fast shutter speed is your best strategy. The best photos I have of my own children were taken in ambient light, on a variety of lenses. Sporting/dance events are shot on second-hand 300/4D and 80-200/2.8D lenses. Portraits are shot on 85/1.8D, 105/2.5AIS, and 50/1.4 (D & AIS) lenses. Wide angle is shot on 20/2.8D, 24/2.8D and 35/2AIS . Macro is on an old Lester-Dine 105/2.8 (AIS) lens. A trio of older D zooms suffice for travel or all-in-one lens needs. Notice how many AIS and D lenses I mentioned: these are all optically fine (several are superb) lenses, and you don't need to pay for the latest version. There will not be a significant depreciation in the value of these lenses.</p> <p>So, I heartily encourage you to get a FX camera body and use FX lenses-- which do not have to be outrageously expensive to shoot fabulous photos.</p>

<p>Hi Paulo, this is a very interesting thread!<br> I've never photographed a war zone, but for years I carried an old Nikon EM and a Nikon 28E (or 45P) strapped to me with one of those binocular harness rigs while skiing, hiking, and traveling (a few times in places where the "rule of law" would have been slow to respond). I used a plastic bag to wrap the camera when it rained, and I just let it endure cold. It was cheap and effective (and, being both small and light, it didn't cave in my chest when I crashed while skiing). Thieves probably recognized it as having virtually no value. However, given your "bulletproof" prerequisite, I don't think the EM will work for you (the electronics are sketchy and the seals are all goo by now).<br> If I wanted a camera that I could count on to work every time, I'd get an original Nikon F. It's the Colt SAA .45 of the camera world. If I wanted a more recent camera, I'd take my FM2n. If I wanted digital, I'd take a Df (or about ten D80 bodies, since they're so cheap).<br> Years ago, I had a Leica R, and for years I had a M6. Both are long departed, as frankly I didn't get that much enjoyment from using them: to me, the R wasn't better than my Nikons, and I discovered that I don't really like the rangefinder method of focusing/viewing.<br> As an aside, with your resume, I imagine that you would receive a LOT of attention from the current North Korean government...your visit will very likely be, shall we say, extended.<br> Good luck, have fun, and post pictures!</p>