Hi, all -
A new-to-me Nikkormat and 24/2.8 arrived late last week. Spent some time messing with the 24 to fix the loose focus ring, but ultimately decided I'd better test it first to see if it was worth the effort.
Now, I've wanted a 24 since I was new to photography, reading John Shaw books. And the I got the Nikkormat only because the 24 was so accessible. So, I bought into a new system.
Boy, am I glad I did.
Took the camera out this morning through a few favorite haunts in Birdsboro, PA. Light was a bit harsh, but I went anyway. These are all between f/5.6 and f/16.
The camera's a beaut. Meter seems about right, maybe over exposing a half stop or so, but I'm using a 1.4V battery, so that might be the issue. Easy enough to fix. The ergonomics are so nice that I'm actually pondering selling my M42 gear. This camera is that nice to use.
The 24/2.8 is probably the sharpest 35mm lens I've ever owned, surpassing my beloved Canon 28mm EF. Just brutally sharp. I love it. The perspective is intuitive, and absolutely fun. Requires a little attention to keep shadows out of the frame, but I'm loving it.
The film was Rite Aid 200, developed and scanned at CVS. Last couple times I went to CVS, the scans were horrible. I commented to that effect to the 20 yr-old tech today, and he gave me the best scanning I've ever gotten from a lab. For $5 total. I'm a happy camper.
One sad note, though: The 200+ foot tall water tower in Birdsboro, that's been a favorite subject for years and has stood over the town for an extremely long time, has apparently been demo'ed. It's gone. I'm truly bummed about it, too. But considering how much fun I had with the Nikkormat and the 24, I think I'll survive.
Thanks for looking.
Scott
A new-to-me Nikkormat and 24/2.8 arrived late last week. Spent some time messing with the 24 to fix the loose focus ring, but ultimately decided I'd better test it first to see if it was worth the effort.
Now, I've wanted a 24 since I was new to photography, reading John Shaw books. And the I got the Nikkormat only because the 24 was so accessible. So, I bought into a new system.
Boy, am I glad I did.
Took the camera out this morning through a few favorite haunts in Birdsboro, PA. Light was a bit harsh, but I went anyway. These are all between f/5.6 and f/16.
The camera's a beaut. Meter seems about right, maybe over exposing a half stop or so, but I'm using a 1.4V battery, so that might be the issue. Easy enough to fix. The ergonomics are so nice that I'm actually pondering selling my M42 gear. This camera is that nice to use.
The 24/2.8 is probably the sharpest 35mm lens I've ever owned, surpassing my beloved Canon 28mm EF. Just brutally sharp. I love it. The perspective is intuitive, and absolutely fun. Requires a little attention to keep shadows out of the frame, but I'm loving it.
The film was Rite Aid 200, developed and scanned at CVS. Last couple times I went to CVS, the scans were horrible. I commented to that effect to the 20 yr-old tech today, and he gave me the best scanning I've ever gotten from a lab. For $5 total. I'm a happy camper.
One sad note, though: The 200+ foot tall water tower in Birdsboro, that's been a favorite subject for years and has stood over the town for an extremely long time, has apparently been demo'ed. It's gone. I'm truly bummed about it, too. But considering how much fun I had with the Nikkormat and the 24, I think I'll survive.
Thanks for looking.
Scott