kris-bochenek Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 <p>It has been a while since I posted a camera related thread here. It was mostly due to us moving and few other factors that slowed me down with film processing and camera acquisitions. I promise to make up to you guys by posting some interesting models in coming weeks. Over last few months I've acquired some Nikkor lenses for very good prices. I got a 200mm f/4, 135mm f/3.5, some rings and extension bellows for my film cameras. I have a macro project going on now, but today, I'm sharing my results with 135mm and a 50mm f/2 Nikkor lenses. Few weeks ago my family and I took a drive to Chicago's Zoo (Lincoln park Zoo) just 2 miles from downtown Chicago. The admission is free, but you pay for parking, unless you take the train or buss. I wanted to shoot some film with my Nikkormat camera and two lenses. So, lets get started. First up is a shot taken with 50mm at the Zoo's entrance. Erik and Anita have just conquered this brass lion.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kris-bochenek Posted June 8, 2014 Author Share Posted June 8, 2014 <p>While inside, I soon learned that 50mm is not going to cut it for animal shots, so I switched to 135.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kris-bochenek Posted June 8, 2014 Author Share Posted June 8, 2014 <p>Anita was very into what she saw. She didn't even see me sneak up and take the shot.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kris-bochenek Posted June 8, 2014 Author Share Posted June 8, 2014 <p>As we approached Mercat habitat, one of them was quite relaxed and showed us his goods. I guess it's easy to achieve this state of relaxation when lions are not around.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kris-bochenek Posted June 8, 2014 Author Share Posted June 8, 2014 <p>This giraffe was reaching up for whatever that was she was eating.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kris-bochenek Posted June 8, 2014 Author Share Posted June 8, 2014 <p>The birds habitats are all indoors with artificial light, but I still took this shot at probably 1/50s.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kris-bochenek Posted June 8, 2014 Author Share Posted June 8, 2014 <p>Anita and Erik both marvel at the animals. This was Erik's first zoo trip and Anita's second.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kris-bochenek Posted June 8, 2014 Author Share Posted June 8, 2014 <p>Even a Yak (I think) has been immortalized in silver.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kris-bochenek Posted June 8, 2014 Author Share Posted June 8, 2014 <p>On the way back we came across Flamingo habitat - trust me they were all pink. Here I switched back to 50mm as I couldn't back far enough to frame the shot.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kris-bochenek Posted June 8, 2014 Author Share Posted June 8, 2014 <p>Now the goodies. The camera and lenses.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kris-bochenek Posted June 8, 2014 Author Share Posted June 8, 2014 <p>#2</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kris-bochenek Posted June 8, 2014 Author Share Posted June 8, 2014 <p>I used Fuji Acros for all the shots, cooked up in Rodinal 1:50. It was quite sunny with mostly direct light. The camera's meter worked fine, but I think that next time I will use my handheld one as I seem to get more consistent results. Overall it was a nice trip and the gear worked fine. I got the 135 for less than 20 bucks and it's in very good condition. I hope you enjoyed this short trip to Lincoln Park Zoo. If you ever stroll by Chicago, make sure to visit it. It's worth it.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
famico Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 <p>Very nice, Kris. Hope your children enjoyed the trip as much as I did seeing the pictures you took. And thanks for the memories of Nikon cameras and lenses from the past. It made me remember the Nikkormat EL I had many moons ago.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
User_5050610 Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 <p>Kris--thanks for posting! The pix are great. The Nikkormat EL seems to have one of the best meters ever-----it is capable of giving excellent exposure readings.<br> Thanks again!<br> Paul</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Helmke Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 <p>Very nice work. Come to think of it there is some HP5 and a Nikkormat Ft2 in the closet. Maybe I should give it a workout. <br /><br />Rick H.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuck_foreman1 Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 Nice sharp results there. The bird and the giraffe were super. I liked the candid shots of your children too! I often find myself tapped out and prefer to use 50mm and get in close. The 135 is often too big .. my own personal problem. That you got these lenses at such a steal makes me envious. I always styed away from Nikon becasue it was desirable and $$. A friend has now given me his Nikon 2000/F-301 outfit w/50mm 28mm and 500mm mirror and I really would like a short zoom but even on the Bay, Nikon gear brings a pretty penny. I hope I can find something as nice as your 135mm for USD20,00. Wow!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Seaman Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 <p>Lovely work with the Nikkormat, Kris, thanks for posting. I've got a very beat up old black FT, but the action of it is so buttery smooth I defy anyone not to pick it up and fire it off, just for the sound and feel of it.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick_drawbridge Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 <p>Charming post, <strong>Kris</strong>, with some fine pics of both kids and animals. The Nikkormat with the 50mm Nikkor f/2 is becoming one of my favourite cameras, having never owned a Nikon until recently; the combination just handles so well. Thanks for the post.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allard_wunderink Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 <p>Kris, those are beautiful photographs! I don't think that's a yak though, I think it's a takin.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDMvW Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 <p>My old Nikkormat EL is still one of my favorites too.</p> <p>Nice work with it.</p> <p>It's kind of "goat-antelope" called a Sichuan Takin, ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sichuan_takin ), BTW</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanKlein Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 <p>Very nice pictures. The tones are wonderful. How did you process, scan and edit?</p> Flickr gallery: https://www.flickr.com/photos/alanklein2000/albums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoryAmmerman Posted June 9, 2014 Share Posted June 9, 2014 <p>Nice work Kris. I Have an EL that I got as a rear lens cap for a 50/1.4. Turns out that the camera is fully functional, but the lens has sticky aperture blades. As soon as I finish the roll in my F2, the EL is next on the list. I've always thought that the 135/3.5 was a very underrated lens. I have an AI version that was the first manual focus lens I ever bought. I think I paid about $40 for it several years ago.</p> <p>That first picture of your daughter is really nice. I hope to be able to capture images like that of my own daughter when she gets a little older. A fact that mystifies my wife, who thinks that all portraits should be of someone grinning at the camera. Thanks for sharing with us.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kris-bochenek Posted June 9, 2014 Author Share Posted June 9, 2014 @ Alan. I processed the film in Rodial 1:50 for 13 minutes and scanned it on my Epson V500. Cory, it is true what you said about portraits no just being posed shots showing toothers but also shots showing emotions deep inside the photographed subjects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Gammill Posted June 9, 2014 Share Posted June 9, 2014 <p>Nice photos. I've shot a lot of Acros, but never tried Rodinal. I may have to try that as I have an unopened bottle of Rodinal. Thanks for posting.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_levine Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 <p>Those of that were die hard Nikkormat users in the 70's resented the "EL" tremendously. To this day I'm not sure why either? It's aperture preferred auto exposure , electronically controlled shutter just freaked people out. These did drain batteries quickly and that hidden battery chamber caused much drama once these found there way onto the used market. For those that don't know: the battery chamber is beneath the mirror. Unless you lock the mirror up you would never figure out where to replace the batt.<br> In a few years we all used FM/FE series cameras which no one seemed to resent. Electronic shutters and auto exposure became accepted quickly. But like any new technology it got a chilly response at first. Even the F2's were given the cold shoulder at first.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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