Author Topic: Nikkor 35/2.8 PC (late version)  (Read 7186 times)

Airy

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Nikkor 35/2.8 PC (late version)
« on: November 27, 2019, 18:41:46 »
This lens was mentioned en passant in the thread about the 35/2.8 non-shifting lenses.
It is one of my least used lenses. That's because:
  • I have too many lenses;
  • As a general purpose lens, the Zeiss 35/2 is vastly superior.
Still, it is not a bad lens, though somewhat lacking contrast. Some residual CA is visible near the edges. Some distortion is visible, which is more annoying on a shift lens than on a standard one. Overall, it is optically better than, say, the 28/3.5 PC, but less useful.
One thing I like is the diaph pre-set, allowing to quickly switch from wide open (for focusing) to stopped down at the preset value (for shooting).

Here a few samples from today, all with significant shift :

Airy Magnien

Airy

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Re: Nikkor 35/2.8 PC (late version)
« Reply #1 on: November 27, 2019, 18:43:52 »
Note : first two f/8; last one f/5.6 but DOF does not suffice ("ENFANCE" sign is sharp, but the street signage is not; maybe I backfocused a bit)
Airy Magnien

John Geerts

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Re: Nikkor 35/2.8 PC (late version)
« Reply #2 on: November 27, 2019, 19:11:37 »
Thanks for reviewing, Airy.  I have a very late Ai-S sample as well,  shall put in on further test with the Z6 and D850 when I am able to find some time. What I quickly observed with the lens was pretty good, but as you mentioned, the Zeiss 35/2 is tough competitor and benchmark.  ;)

Akira

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Re: Nikkor 35/2.8 PC (late version)
« Reply #3 on: November 27, 2019, 19:21:51 »
The images look neat, with the accompanying atmosphere appropriate for each.

I've read that leaving a wee-bit of the convergence in the vertical lines is a tip to use shift lenses or large format cameras to make the images look natural, which seems to be true to your images here.
"The eye is blind if the mind is absent." - Confucius

"Limitation is inspiration." - Akira

Airy

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Re: Nikkor 35/2.8 PC (late version)
« Reply #4 on: November 27, 2019, 19:26:06 »
Indeed, that's what I usually do. If the lines are parallel, that's rather by accident ;)
Airy Magnien

Airy

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Re: Nikkor 35/2.8 PC (late version)
« Reply #5 on: November 27, 2019, 19:41:40 »
the Zeiss 35/2 is tough competitor and benchmark.  ;)

Sometimes, the shift can make a difference... not often but sometimes.
Besides, I love that "slow shooting", with a handheld PC lens. Passers-by sometimes wonder why I'm that slow, at the risk of becoming a sidewalk nuisance...
Airy Magnien

Airy

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Re: Nikkor 35/2.8 PC (late version)
« Reply #6 on: November 28, 2019, 23:10:10 »
Some more from today. First, a sort of brickwall shooting; f/8. No obvious optical aberration, even when pixel-peeping. The catenary wires, while not exactly in focus, have clean edges.
Airy Magnien

Airy

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Re: Nikkor 35/2.8 PC (late version)
« Reply #7 on: November 28, 2019, 23:11:31 »
A few new buildings, using or mimicking older substance (remparts, XVIIth century, built by Spain at the time)
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Airy

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Re: Nikkor 35/2.8 PC (late version)
« Reply #8 on: November 28, 2019, 23:12:32 »
Some more remainders from the old town. Lille, in case you did not guess.
Airy Magnien

Airy

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Re: Nikkor 35/2.8 PC (late version)
« Reply #9 on: November 28, 2019, 23:14:07 »
Léon Trulin, taken hostage and executed in 1915. This is an attempt to use the PC lens at a wider aperture - do not expect wonders.
Airy Magnien

Airy

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Re: Nikkor 35/2.8 PC (late version)
« Reply #10 on: November 28, 2019, 23:15:20 »
Various building and boutiques, not far from the Opera house.
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Airy

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Re: Nikkor 35/2.8 PC (late version)
« Reply #11 on: November 28, 2019, 23:19:10 »
Shot at f/8 with very little or no shift. Should be more contrasty, but the result remains usable.
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Airy

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Re: Nikkor 35/2.8 PC (late version)
« Reply #12 on: November 28, 2019, 23:22:51 »
Interior of the neo-gothic cathedral and its modern complements. Sigh. By the way, the organ has four manuals and more than 100 stops : it used to be in the former main auditorium of Radio France, in Paris. The façade has been re-"styled" to fit here ; the pipework as designed to provide okayish results in a rather dry auditorium, but does not deliver the goods in this church with long reverberation time and inflation of low frequencies.
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Airy

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Re: Nikkor 35/2.8 PC (late version)
« Reply #13 on: November 28, 2019, 23:24:37 »
The place in front of the cathedral somehow delivers more piece of mind, at nighttime of course.
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Airy

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Re: Nikkor 35/2.8 PC (late version)
« Reply #14 on: November 28, 2019, 23:28:16 »
So, that was the 35/2.8 PC doing its shifting antics by night. As I had the Noct (the original one) in my bag, here are a few shots from the same stroll. f/2.8, f/1.2, and f/1.4, respectively
Airy Magnien