Kent T

I agree Michael. I have preferred my Nikkormats Ft and FTn over my Nikon F and F2. They just feel better to me for some reason and have been totally reliable over the years.

My Nikomat FTn just feels right to me, and is well built, solid, and a faithful companion. And the Nikkor 50 1.4 which I bought with it, are an extension of Kent. I use a Gossen Luna Pro with mine. This combo makes superb images reliably and consistently.

I recently bid on two Nikon Nikkormats, having long ago sold mine. To my surprise I won both, one in chrome finish, one in black, One came with a Nikkor 50mm H.C. , which I had used before and really liked, the other came with the “legendary” 55mm f/3.5 micro-Nikkor, which was in poor cosmetic shape, with multiple filter dings and dents, making attaching a filter, or even a lens cap impossible, That was ok, I’d used lots of macro lenses over the years, and was interested in trying this one, which I had read was really sharp up close, but not so great at distances. This post is about that classic lens rather than the classic bodies.

 

I noticed that both camera bodies had dried up light shields and mirror bumpers, so replacing those was my first task of the day. As I finished, my daughter called and we talked about the Netflix series, “Yellowstone” which we had both independently begun watching. It snowed last night, and when I hung up the phone and turned around in my chair I noticed a different snow maintenance truck about 100 ft. from my window, and it being a dull day decided my first shot with the micro-Nikkor lens, mounted on my Sony A7Rii would be a B&W thru my window of the truck. When I enlarged the shot on my screen, to my surprise, there was a sharp image of the truck with “Yellowstone” printed on the side (I really had to reduce the size of shots here so details are sacrificed)

 

The distance shot thru my window

 

 

Later in the day the sun came out, and I had a chance to try out several handheld color shots in a contrasty situation at 4-8ft at f/5.6, my usual shooting aperture. I was pleasantly surprised. The shots below are the full frame and a crop at the point of focus.

 

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I think I’ll be using this lens on both digital and film bodies when I go out for nature walks in the upcoming weeks. Thanks for your patience in reading of my early experience with this new (to me) lens and a happy new year to all..

 

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You make me want to own a nice Micro-Nikkor for my Nikomat FTn. Excellent photos. Enjoy using your nice gear. I love my Nikomat FTn and my 50/1.4 Nikkor very well. Makes beautiful images. I use a Gossen Luna Pro meter with mine.

Yes that is a good choice. Probably for college, or even high school.

 

Simpler cameras are probably better for younger kids, though.

Depends on the kid. Taught my Godson how to use a manual camera at age 7, and he has two Nikkormats, and a bevy of lenses as a teenager. And he knows how to use a Luna Pro very well (he also owns one).

The Konica S2 got put on hold while it gets some new light seals for the back door. They were looking pretty frayed and no point in having a disappointing light-struck first roll, right? I contemplated the Canon 7, but my beloved Contax IIa called out to me... after three and a half decades together still my favourite 35mm camera, I must admit.

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In company with my favourite meter these days.

[ATTACH=full]1411018[/ATTACH] Choice of HP5 or Delta 100 TBA depending upon weather conditions.

Fiddlefye,

Once that Konica Auto S2 is sorted, you'll love that camera. Superb lens, and the best parallax compensated view/rangefinder you'll see on a camera not a Leica M2 or M3. I say this as a Leica and Contax fanatic. I have a Kodak Retina IIa on it's way to me, hope to run a roll of Fujicolor Superia 400 through it after exercising the shutter. Schneider Xenon, here I come.

Here's another photo from the Olympus 35RC, Zuiko 45 mm, f2.8 lens. I used Fujicolor Superia 400 film, and f5.6, 1 1/125 and used my Gossen Luna Pro light meter.

Here's one from the Olympus 35RC with 45mm, f2.8 Zuiko lens, I used Fujicolor Superia 400 film, f5.6, 1/60 and a Gossen Luna Pro meter.

Rick- I also have a Tamron 24mm f 2.5 Adaptall II lens. It is indeed a fine performing lens. Currently I think I have my Pentax K adapter on it so it may see some action soon on my Pentax MX.

IIRC, the Nikon N2000 shared some common components with Nikon's first AF SLR: the 2020 (as marketed in USA). At the time AF systems were just getting started and there was a certain risk involved in investing too much at the beginning, but with Nikon's extensive line of manual focus gear the risk was minimal I think. Minolta pretty much went for broke with the Maxxum system. I look forward to seeing some images from the combination you posted. FWIW, I sometimes use the 24mm Tamron (via KA adapter) on my Pentax ZX-7 since with manual focus lenses I still have electronic focus confirmation,

A note: The N2020 is horrible as an auto focus camera, but is excellent as a manual focus AI/AIS camera. And in the USA, far more commonly available and cheaper. Turn the AE modes off, and it's even better.

Here's one from the Minolta SRT-101, 58 mm/f1.8 Rokkor lens. f5.6/1/60 second, I used Fujicolor Superia 400 film. And used my Gossen Luna Pro meter.

Here's a photo from my Olympus 35RC. 45 mm/f2.8 Zuiko, f5.6, 1 1/125 second, Fujicolor Superia 400 Film. I used my Gossen Luna Pro meter.

Here's one from Maryville, TN. Nikomat FTn, 50 mm, f/1.4 Nikkor, Kodak Ektar 100, f/5.6, 1 1/60 second, metered with my Gossen Luna Pro meter.

Don't forget there are excellent and relatively cheap Olympus Pen F/FT/FV bodies to be had, with a full range of lenses and other accessories (if you can find them). They scratch my occasional itch for tiny photography.

This is the answer. Does everything better than the 16mm concept, and takes standard 35 mm cartridges. Fun factoid, Rollei had a 16 mm, beautiful, jewel like in appearance. Slow but steady seller when the 16 mm ultra mini camera fad was an item, Sales for it suddenly fell flat, why, Rollei introduced the Rollei 35, which didn't have the 16 mm headaches, and again, took standard 35 mm cartridges. And was a sales success. Practicality and convenience wins out.

1973

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People have accused my images as being "post cardy". What do you think?

Nikkormat

I like "Post Cardy". And I love Nikomat/Nikkormat cameras, and Nikkor lenses. And a card carrying Nikomat FTn fanatic and owner. You're my kind of guy, but do explore some non Post Cardy views, and vary the visual diet.

For the 26th, somewhere along U.S. Route 60 in West Virginia (aka The Midland Trail). Canon AL1, Kodachrome 64.

 

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That photo blows my mind looking at it. Pure awesomeness. Miss Kodachrome. Thanks for sharing it.

Nikomat FTn, 50 mm, f1.4 non AI lens. Fujicolor C200 film, F5.6, 1/125 second. Gossen Luna-Pro meter. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Look Rock. Townsend, TN.

Some Nikomat FTn action, 50 mm, f1.4 Nikkor, Kodak Ektar 100 film, Maryville, TN bike shop mural. I used my Gossen Luna Pro meter.

For the 3rd, Maryville, TN. Bike shop mural. NIkomat FTn, 50 mm, f1.4 Nikkor lens. Kodak Ektar 100 film, Gossen Luna Pro.

2f this site fails it's our fault not some hidden power2 eric

 

The reality, the truth..

I am trying to keep this site alive, and relevant. I've drawn inspiration and education from it. In Portuguese. it is Agua Ge Beber (Water to Drink). It's like a fountain, and I need a drink (of creative inspiration). I enjoy this site. It has something for most everyone from novice to professional.