I've fallen for manual focus lenses and I blame all of you!

[gryphon1911]

So, I go to a Chinese Lantern Festival here in OH.  I took the D500 and my Tokina 11-16/2.8, having shoot this event before, this is an appropriate focal length for how I like to shoot it.

Not wanting to be completely unprepared, I also brought the Nikon 35mm f/2D and just because, I brought the Nikon 105mm f/2.5 AI lens.  Didn't think I would need it, but there was room in the bag and I like to be prepared whenever possible.

There was a packed stage show and I was pretty much stuck in the seat I was in.  11-16 and 35 were way too wide, the 105 was sometimes too tight, but sometimes you just have to get what you can given the situation.  Thought there might be some struggles with manually focusing, but the D500 did quite well.   Not like using it on the Df...but manual focus lenses on the Df are just , well awesome to use.

Shot at either f/2.5 or f/4, I got these three shots.  Using manual focus lenses more and more, practice - is the only reason I got these shots.   Even a few months ago, i would have quit in frustration on these moving subjects.  Not too shabby what the "ancient" manual focus lenses can do.

[Bent Hjarbo]

Well done, nice shots.

[gryphon1911]

Thanks

[tommiejeep]

Nice job Andrew.  I've not been shooting as much lately but started using MF much more when I bought the Df and then the Sony a7ii.   I use the Samyang 135 f2 (makes for interesting FL) on the D500 reasonably often but have not tried it for moving targets.  Must give it a try.  The 105 f2.5 Ai and DC105 f2D are favourites along with the 200 f4 Ai.  Just picked up a 35 f1.4 Ais (as partial trade for the D3S) but have not even had a chance to use it 
Many thanks for posting.
Tom

[John Geerts]

Great results, Andrew. nice colours. If you'r used to manual focus, it is actually very quick, as you can decide where the focus will be.

[gryphon1911]

Nice job Andrew.  I've not been shooting as much lately but started using MF much more when I bought the Df and then the Sony a7ii.   I use the Samyang 135 f2 (makes for interesting FL) on the D500 reasonably often but have not tried it for moving targets.  Must give it a try.  The 105 f2.5 Ai and DC105 f2D are favourites along with the 200 f4 Ai.  Just picked up a 35 f1.4 Ais (as partial trade for the D3S) but have not even had a chance to use it 
Many thanks for posting.
Tom

Would be interested to see what you do with that Samyang 135mm.

[Akira]

You put the venerable 105/2.5 to good use, Andrew!

I'm kind of relieved to know that the purple spotlight is really tough to handle for anyone.

[Ann]

Andrew:

Such a varied collection of photographs, all shot in very different environments and under very different conditions.
Each image shows so much virtuosity and is also evidence of a highly-tuned "Seeing-eye".

[gryphon1911]

You put the venerable 105/2.5 to good use, Andrew!

I'm kind of relieved to know that the purple spotlight is really tough to handle for anyone.

You are not kidding.  Those theatrical LED lights are intense!  They are a tough hue to fight!!

[gryphon1911]

Andrew:

Such a varied collection of photographs, all shot in very different environments and under very different conditions.
Each image shows so much virtuosity and is also evidence of a highly-tuned "Seeing-eye".

Thank you!!  I treasure my "fun" shooting days.... No deadline, no expectation other than that which I impose upon myself.  I find that I tend to be very creative in those times and can use those experiences to enhance other aspects.

[gryphon1911]

Nikon 180mm f/2.8 ED AIS
Nikon Df

Head a movie while I was waiting on my wife at the coffee shop.

[Akira]

Shot with Ai200/4.0 with GH5.  Both were cropped to some extent.

[Akira]

...and this is the 100% crop of the jet.  Notice the the exhaust air?

[gryphon1911]

...and this is the 100% crop of the jet.  Notice the the exhaust air?

That's pretty good for an ancient lens.  Lol

[Akira]

That's pretty good for an ancient lens.  Lol

Indeed, yes!  I suppose that older Nikkor works more nicely with m4/3 for two reasons: m4/3 uses the sweetest spot of the full frame for which they were designed, and the older Nikkors were designed for the resolution rather than the contrast.

I had good results with the even older Nikkor-QC 200/4.0.