Happy SUNday! – classic glass made new

January 14, 2024January 14, 2024Chris and Carol Leave a comment

The “easy” way to get a nearly 500mm lens. With a modern mirrorless digital camera, an inexpensive adapter, and a classic lens initially made in the film era, you have a super telephoto lens you may already own.

A Nikkor-H Auto 300mm f4.5 telephoto lens from around 1970 mated to my 2016 Fujifilm X-T2 mirrorless digital camera via a Fotodiox NIK-FX lens adapter.

The Fuji T2 uses an APS-C sensor with a crop factor of 1.5. So when attaching film-era lenses, simply multiply the lens focal length; here, it’s 300mm by the crop factor (1.5), resulting in a 450mm lens. More about crop factors can be found here https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/tips-and-solutions/understanding-crop-factor

The Fotodiox adapter I’m using here was purchased directly from them for under $30 (no affiliation). I use Fotodiox because they have an easy-to-navigate site that makes buying easy. Any third-party lens adapter maker will do so shop around. Some adapters can be expensive, so know what you want and need before overbuying.

Autofocus. In my situation here, my camera lens combination can no longer use autofocus, and any type of image stabilization is also lost (unless your mirrorless camera has built-in IBIS). So it’s back to old-school photography – manually focusing the camera and adjusting the aperture, ISO, and shutter speed to get the correct exposure – the fun stuff!

It wasn’t the best day for shooting with a long telephoto lens as the sun was obscured by a thick layer of cirrus clouds – not much color going on. The long focal length of this lens compresses distant objects creating an exciting look. This row of townhomes at the beach was quite distant from my vantage point, and close objects were not in focus (shallow depth of field).

Check your camera collection – maybe there’s new life for your old lenses and a new perspective for your next photo outing.

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Comments are always welcomed, as I’ve learned quite a bit from reader feedback. As always, thanks for stopping by, and while you’re at it, feel free to visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com (CC Design Studios hosted by Etsy). – Chris Whelan

Please respect that all content, including photos and text, is this blog’s property and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris, Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris.

Big glass from 1970 – Nikkor H Auto 300mm

January 13, 2024January 13, 2024Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Today’s Lens Camera Combo

Fujifilm X-T2
FotodioX Nik-FX Adapter
Nikkor-H Auto 300mm f4.5 Lens
Nippon Kogaku Japan – 1970
35mm Equivalent 450mm

FotodioX NIK-FX Adapter on Fujifilm X-T2.

35mm equivalent is a 450mm telephoto. Seen here as an out of the camera JPEG image. ISO 1600, 1/1900, f5.6.

I enjoyed my first outing with this massive lens on my T2 but without any type of image stabilization I had to bump the ISO and shoot at a high shutter speed to get the images in focus (no tripod).

The neighbor’s chimney top as seen from my studio at 450mm. It was a rather dull day with high cirrus cloudiness blocking any chance of brighter colors. Hopefully, the sun will shine brighter tomorrow so I can get out and about again.

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

The best addition to my camera collection in 2023

January 1, 2024January 1, 2024Chris and Carol 2 Comments

The best addition to my camera collection in 2023. I’m a big-time Canon and Yashica collector, so getting into the Nikon brand has been a fun experience. Lots to learn, which has made it a challenge.
Nikon F2A (F2 Photomic A) with a Nikkor 50mm f2 lens. Pictured with the AS-1 Flash Unit Coupler and AR-1 Soft Shutter Release.
The F2 body is from early 1973, and the DP-11 metered viewfinder is from 1978.

Pictured is the Nikon Speedlight SB-16B, which is too big on the AS-1 adapter. When a flash head is this big, it’s best to go with a flash with a handle. The SB-16 features a bounce, swivel tilt head, and forward firing flash below the main flash. When mounted on the F2, the TTL flash feature is unavailable like it would be on the later F3. It’s still an automatic flash with two settings and a manual flash mode.

The Nikkor 50mm f2 is a great lens – you don’t always need a faster lens when shooting with a higher ISO (ASA back then). I find it plenty sharp enough, especially at f4 and 5.6.

Do you have a new favorite Nikon?
Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Comments are always welcomed as I’ve learned quite a bit from reader feedback. As always, thanks for stopping by, and while you’re at it, feel free to visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com (CC Design Studios hosted by Etsy). – Chris Whelan

Nikon F3 HP

August 7, 2023August 7, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Hi all! I have a nice one-owner Nikon F3 HP 35mm SLR film camera for sale in my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

This one was made in July 1983 according to the date code stamped internally.

I’ve also added a few more Nikons in my shop as well as some nice photo gear, film, and color sales brochures (and instruction manuals). Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

A pair of classic Nikons.

July 27, 2023August 9, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

A pair of classic Nikons ready for their first adventures with me.
On the left is a Nikon F Photomic-T with a Nikkor-S Auto 50mm f1.4 lens with an age-appropriate cap. The camera body is from 1967 and the finder is from 1965. A more appropriate finder for this body would have been the TN. The lens is from 1968. On the right is a Nikon F2A Photomic with the DP-11 finder (that’s what makes it an “A”). The F2 body is a late 1972 to early 1973 model and the finder is from at least 1977. The lens is a Nikkor 50mm f2 from 1978. The strap is NOS that I just happen to like the color scheme on it. The brown half-case on the Photomic-T is a mid-sixties case.
Both meters have been checked and they are accurate – a film test will tell more but on older metered cameras such as these, I shoot color negative film with a wide exposure latitude (Fujifilm 200 and 400).
There you have my entire Nikon collection (almost). I’ve just added the last piece, a gorgeous early F from 1964 which I’ll soon show off. LOL
Thanks for stopping by, Chris
My camera shop is at www.ccstudio2380.com

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Nikon F 35mm SLR Camera with Photomic-T Finder from 1967

July 5, 2023July 5, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

It’s one of those camera profiles that even non-camera people will recognize (old movies, vintage print advertisements) instantly. The original Nikon F with a metered (light meter) viewfinder head.

Nikon F set from late 1967 with matching instruction booklets (and cap).

Nikon F Photomic-T with Nikkor-S Auto 50mm f1.4 lens. It’s been used but not abused through the years – notice the brassing around the ASA dial on top.

Original advertisement for the Nikon F from 1960. It’s shown here without the metered viewfinder (Photomic).

Actress Katharine Ross with her Nikon and motor drive.

I haven’t had the opportunity to shoot with my new to me Nikon but it’s in the queue. Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

One subject, three cameras – surprising results!

April 23, 2023April 23, 2023Chris and Carol Leave a comment

I thought I’d share a few images from a quick photoshoot from the other day. The subject is a seed cone of a still young (about 4 years old) bald cypress tree that I grew from seed in a pot that’s presently sitting in my front yard.

See if you can guess which of these three cameras took which picture. All three were digital cameras – Canon, Nikon, and Sony. Only very minor post-production was used (no Photoshop or anything like that). The available daylight changed as the afternoon wore on so they’ll be slight differences in the quality of the lighting. There’s a wide range, and I mean a wide range in the number of megapixels of the camera’s sensors from 7.2MP to 30.3MP. Give it a go.

Did you guess?

OK, image number 1 was taken using a Nikon Coolpix P90 12.1MP bridge camera with a CCD sensor (1/2.33″) and a 24x optical Nikkor zoom lens. ISO 64, f3.2 at a full wide angle (4.6mm) using the macro mode. I think the capture is colorful and sharp and it holds up well zoomed in on a crop. Released in 2009.

Number 2. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W7 7.2MP digicam with a Super HAD CCD sensor (1/1.8″) and a 3x optical Carl Zeiss zoom lens. ISO 100, f2.8 at 7.9mm in macro mode. The level of detail is amazing and the edition of the colors is very pleasing. It holds up very well zoomed in on a crop. Released in 2005.

Number 3. Canon EOS R full-frame mirrorless camera with a CMOS sensor at 30.3MP. The lens was a Canon RF 70-200mm f4L IS USM zoom lens. ISO 250, f4.5 at 200mm. I think I may have missed the best focus by shooting at f4.5 handheld at 200mm since when zoomed in on a crop the cone loses some of its sharpness especially compared to the other images. Released in late 2018.

My pick for the best shot is image number 2. It’s the most pleasing composition in my opinion. Overall the Sony handled the subject the best and was actually the easiest to shoot with.

Thanks for stopping by, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Nikon Coolpix P90 – time to pass it along

April 22, 2023April 23, 2023Chris and Carol 4 Comments

As the title implies I’m selling a favorite camera that I’ve used on and off over the years. The Nikon Coolpix P90 12-megapixel bridge camera with a very powerful (and sharp) Nikkor 24x optical zoom lens. It’s served me well and hopefully, someone else will want to give it a new home.

Sharp Nikkor 24x Optical Zoom ED VR lens (26mm to 624mm 35mm equivalent).

King of his rock! ISO 64, f5.6, 1/329, at 59.9mm. Handheld with no post-production. As captured.

Bald cypress early Spring cone. I usually don’t see cones on such a young tree (about 4 years old). Macro setting f3.2 at 4.6mm.

CCD sensors produce film-like images. Again, no post-production.

To get an idea of how powerful the zoom is. These two images were taken at full wide angle and then full telephoto.

The camera can close focus down to within 1 cm of the front lens element!

Amazing 24x Optical Wide-Angle (26-624mm) Zoom-NIKKOR ED Glass Lens – quality optics provide exceptional images. The lens is built on a proud heritage of producing precision camera optics that deliver superb color and razor-sharp results. This amazing lens offers unbeatable compositional freedom with its wide-angle (26mm) to super telephoto coverage (624mm). Sweeping landscapes can be captured as well as zoomed-in close-ups of the action taking place on the baseball or soccer field!

4-Way VR Image Stabilization:

Nikon’s Optical VR Image Stabilization compensates for the effects of camera shake by moving the image sensor. This produces clearer, sharper results in lower lighting or unsteady conditions.
Motion Detection automatically detects moving subjects and adjusts the shutter speed and the ISO setting to compensate for camera shake and subject movement.
High ISO 6400 capability gives you sharper results when shooting in low light or capturing fast-moving subjects. This creates new opportunities to take sharper, more natural-looking photos in lower light conditions. ISO 3200 and 6400 are available at 3MP or lower resolution.
Nikon’s original Best Shot Selector (BSS) automatically takes up to 10 shots while the shutter is pressed and then saves the sharpest image.

Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, and Manual Exposure Modes give you ultimate control over your pictures. The D-SLR-type mode dial on the top of the camera provides quick access to greater personal and creative control. Now, you can adjust the camera’s settings for any type of light conditions and get as creative as you want!

Thanks for stopping by and if you’re interested please check it out in my camera shop CC Design Studios at http://www.ccstudio2380.com. Thanks, Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

Friday Fotos! – Nikon D800 set

December 24, 2021December 24, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

My wonderful Nikon D800 DSLR will be listed shortly in my online camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

At 36.3 megapixels, this full-frame camera is hard to beat. I’ve paired it with a super sharp AF Nikkor 24mm f2.8 D lens which is one of my favorite combinations to shoot with in the tight quarters of the historic district of downtown Fernandina Beach, Florida.

Nikon D800 “superset” with AF Nikkor 24mm f2.8 D Lens and MB-D12 Battery Grip.

Low shutter count on this powerful “beast” of a camera.

I’ll be listing this set very soon in my shop at a very attractive price. Stay tuned and thanks for stopping by! – Chris

Comments are always welcomed as I’ve learned quite a bit from reader feedback. As always, thanks for stopping by and while you’re at it, feel free to visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com (CC Design Studios hosted by Etsy). – Chris Whelan

New Arrivals

June 15, 2021June 15, 2021Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Hi all… thanks for stopping by! Just in time for Father’s Day I’m offering a nice 10% discount on almost everything in my shop – CC Design Studios at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

Lots of unique items from our vast collection of photo gear and other collectibles from our travels over the years. Here’s a small sample…

We also have a bunch of gear and cameras that haven’t been listed yet. If there’s a particular item you’ve been searching for lets us know as we just might have it. Contact us here or at ccphotographyai@gmail.com

Please respect that all content, including photos and text, are the property of this blog and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris, Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris.

Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris

Yashica cameras and so much more!

Category Nikon Nikkor Lenses

Happy SUNday! – classic glass made new

Big glass from 1970 – Nikkor H Auto 300mm

The best addition to my camera collection in 2023

Nikon F3 HP

A pair of classic Nikons.

Nikon F 35mm SLR Camera with Photomic-T Finder from 1967

One subject, three cameras – surprising results!

Nikon Coolpix P90 – time to pass it along

Friday Fotos! – Nikon D800 set

New Arrivals