March 2023

[Luc]

Test image with the (very nice and tempting) Z 400mm f4.5 S at f4.5 on my Z6. Lens was a loaner at a Nikon event yesterday.

Z6_DSC3077 by Luc de Schepper, on Flickr

[John Geerts]

Colourfull shot, Luc.

[John Geerts]

Spring hangs in the air

Z9 600mm f/5.6 K ED

[golunvolo]

In Spain we say "don't count on good weather until may thr 10th" but still, today people went to the beach. It was sunny and warm. Water reflection under the boats is one of my favorite subjects.
   Sunscreen is recommended 

  D850, 28mm 1.4e

[Fons Baerken]

The 105 MC is doing good service for you again, Fons

I just completed my modification of the iShoot ZMC105 tripod collar for the 105 MC so it can rotate +-90 degrees off horizontal. This works with all my Z cameras except for the Z9, because the protruding battery compartment lip on the latter prevents the collar to fit. If the rumours of the upcoming Z8 are to be trusted (sic!), that model would allow the tripod collar for the 105.  If Z8 has 60+ MPix too that would be perfect for the Rodenstock TV-Heligon. We'll see in due time what Nikon releases for us.

Thank you Birna, the MC 105mm f/2.8s such a fine lens to use.
A new 60mp camera will certainly require a new computer!

[Birna Rørslett]

I have that iShoo ZMC105 tripod collar. How did you modify so it rotates, please?

It's surprisingly easy. Just use a Dremel and cut out a grove on the inside. A 15min. job plus some extra sanding to smooth out the grove afterwards. My job is of course nothing compared to what Erik would have achieved, but it works!! The ugliness of the modification is hidden on the inside .... and I just let the collar sit permanently on the 105MC.

[Birna Rørslett]

Test image with the (very nice and tempting) Z 400mm f4.5 S on my Z6. Lens was a loaner at a Nikon event yesterday.

Resistance is futile At my dealer's, I just lifted the featherweight 400 and rattled off a few shots at 1/10sec  -- all were amazingly sharp. A no-brainer. Managed to push the price as well.

[Birna Rørslett]

In Spain we say "don't count on good weather until may thr 10th" but still, today people went to the beach. It was sunny and warm. Water reflection under the boats is one of my favorite subjects.
   Sunscreen is recommended 

I do have ordered my tickets, Paco Expect me in the evening of April 4th.

[golunvolo]

Excellent!

[Michael Erlewine]

It's surprisingly easy. Just use a Dremel and cut out a grove on the inside. A 15min. job plus some extra sanding to smooth out the grove afterwards. My job is of course nothing compared to what Erik would have achieved, but it works!! The ugliness of the modification is hidden on the inside .... and I just let the collar sit permanently on the 105MC.

I probably would not attempt it because it's not clear where goes the grove and what the grove does. I imagine it allows you to turn the lens. I will admire y ours, but probably continue to reorient my L-Bracket. LOL. Thank You.

I took this image of a spectrum from a prism on this sunny day. It reminded me that despite what we do to Earth, the light from the Sun, as shown by the spectrum, is pristine.

[Birna Rørslett]

Yes, the lens can be turned at will with the modified collar in place. The original concept did keep the sliders for A/M and the focus delimiter visible, hence you couldn't twist the lens + camera off the landscape orientation. Set the sliders at the beginning of the shoot and there is no problem. In fact, I could probably lock these sliders with epoxy glue, like I've done on other lenses such as the AFS 200/2.

[Paul.S]

Very nice winter image, Paul.

Thank you Luc. The pond is not far from my home and quite often provides very good photographic opportunities while walking my dog if I remember to take a camera with me.

[Ian Watson]

Preparing for surgery on a teddy bear.

Nikon Z6, 35mm f/1.8S.

[Hugh_3170]

Nice idea - kudos Birna.

Having now seen what is required, it is a shame that the manufacturer did not already have these grooves included in the collar - not a very hard or costly machining operation with todays NC equipment.

Edit:  An even bigger shame that Nikon did not design a mount for the lens in the first place!

Oh well...

It's surprisingly easy. Just use a Dremel and cut out a grove on the inside. A 15min. job plus some extra sanding to smooth out the grove afterwards. My job is of course nothing compared to what Erik would have achieved, but it works!! The ugliness of the modification is hidden on the inside .... and I just let the collar sit permanently on the 105MC.

[Hugh_3170]

Nice one.

Hope that the patient survived and is now doing well... 


I wonder if she will become a doctor or surgeon?

Preparing for surgery on a teddy bear.

Nikon Z6, 35mm f/1.8S.