Loving my Film Nikon.

[raytoei]

i love my Nikon FM so much I bought a N90 to go with it.
I briefly thought about getting a FM2 but with N90 going like
$30 on ebay, it was a no brainer.

as for lens, I currently have a 50/2 preferring it over the scalloped
50/1.4 lens, and I have a 35-70 f3.5.

I am currently looking at either a 85/2 or a 105/2.5 for portrait work.

Coming from a RF background, I like my Nikon because of:

* Close Focus, some lens even focus down to crazy 35mm and up
* Faster Sync Speed, on the FM it is 1/125, on the n90 it is 1/250
* Faster shutter speed on the N90, allowing wide open shots outdoors
* Easier handling for Tele Lens. RF focusing requires imagination, SLRs are more WYSIWYG
* Cheaper Lens, everybody is after AF lens, making MF lens quite affordable

here's a grab shot, shot from the FM with 50/f2 lens,
Neopan 400 and developed in D76

raytoei

 

[Acolyte]

Hi, I would recommend you get the 105/2.5 instead of the 85/2. Had experience with both, sold the 85 as it was not quite sharp wide open until f5.6, where it became super sharp. Wide open it has this glow to it, which some might like for portraiture, but it wasn't my cup of tea. The 85mm is also quite similar in focal length with my 50 so I find it somewhat redundant.

Get the 105, it's one of nikon's legendary lenses beside the 28/2.8 ais. Sharp wide open, it's really amazing what this lens can do. Sorry I don't have any sample photos at the moment, will post some when I bookout this weekend.

Get the F3HP, you will love the viewfinder.

 

[keechoon]

Bro, get a AF 50mm f1.8D to go with the N90. With AF and aperature-priority, its way faster to grab shots in the streets than RF.

I succumbed to the speed and got a F80 with the 50mm a few weeks ago haha.

 

[zk-diq]

105 is a better choice.

It was once a famous portrait lens from nikon.

 

[Nikkornos]

I love the 105mm F2.5 AI. Its damn nice portrait lens. Really shine for B&W.
85mm F2 is over rated. Get the 85mm F1.8 AF version. Way better can use on DSLR.
I have both and can tell you don't bother with the F2 AI.

For 50mm, I have tried many versions from non AI to AF.
The latest 50mm F1.8AF is the one to go if your SLR supports AF.

I have the 50mm F2 AI and non AI, both were 'kit' lens with the Nikkormat FT2 and FT3.
I recently love the Arsat 50mm F2 very much. Mounted on the FM or F3 or F90x, the pictures have a great feel.
Don't miss this Nikon mount Russian lens. Its only $50. In many ways, I prefer it over the 50mm F2 AI.

 

[raytoei]

thanks for all the suggestions...actually, i was worried about the focal length
and wanted a more flattering image from the longer focal length...but now
i am not so sure, seeing the photos from the 50/f2

Using grainy Neopan 1600 in Prescycsol EF.

The image was too sharp, I had to flip the negative while scanning.

Not sure if you agree, but at shorter focal length, there is more depth,
especially in a contrasty lighting.

ps, the N90/F90 is a blast to use. Fantastic. But Heavy.
pps. now I am trying the F90 with Ringflash this week.

 

[Nikkornos]

50mm shows a more natural perspective.

For angmo, their features are very sharp. If you take the head shot, the nose will become too big and intimidating.
Especially for some European, the nose almost like pointing out.
85mm, 105mm or even the 135mm will solve this problem.

The 105mm is magical. My film and archive are now in Boston, and I hope to show you some pictures I took with it.
Really make a lot of difference. Of course, you need to stand back 8 ft to communicate with model.

 

[azzurri]

thanks for all the suggestions...actually, i was worried about the focal length
and wanted a more flattering image from the longer focal length...but now
i am not so sure, seeing the photos from the 50/f2

Using grainy Neopan 1600 in Prescycsol EF.

The image was too sharp, I had to flip the negative while scanning.

Not sure if you agree, but at shorter focal length, there is more depth,
especially in a contrasty lighting.

ps, the N90/F90 is a blast to use. Fantastic. But Heavy.
pps. now I am trying the F90 with Ringflash this week.

lovely shot and love the grains.

the 50mm f2 is one of the sharpest lenses in the nikon line up and yea, the f90 is an awesome camera to use. used to have the f90x but now using the f100. just as nice to use too

heavy? wait till you try the f4s or f5! :bsmilie:

guess you're used to rf

 

[Nikkornos]

Ok, here are two old model shots.
Don't bother checking where to get her because this was done in 1999 period.
(old film archives)
The 105mm or 135mm has the compression good for half or full body shots.

Nikon F90X 135mm F2 AIS
(I bought the F90x new in 1996).

 

[raytoei]

Nikkornos:

+1 +1 !!!!

 

[Nikkornos]

Brother Raytoei

Kam sia Kam sia

Getting the 105 2.5?

 

[raytoei]

the 105 2.5 is the sonnar, or a least the early ones... i am tempted.

here is a newbie question since i am new on tele....

i look at my full body shots on film, and i find that the image isn't zoom-able.
And i find that the 85 or 105 is best used for head & shoulders, half and 3 quarters.

for full body, use a wider lens

thanks

here is what i mean, this 3/4 short is probably the max before i lose resolution. do you experience this ?

 

[Nikkornos]

I don't understand what you mean by loosing resolution?

Using a wide lens distorts the proportion of the woman's body.
Either the head looks smaller, or the legs look too thin.
It will not stir up a man's basic interest. Sometimes, can be pretty much a put off.
Especially when the woman's leg is made to look bigger, it destroys the picture.

See the girl full body using 135mm again.
No matter how she post, I see her full body in good proportion.
(2002 period Nikon F90X)

 

[Nikkornos]

Same for this one.
If I used 50mm, then the head will look small and unbalanced.

 

[raytoei]

my angmor boh ho...

what i meant to say was, i find that i can't use the 90mm for full body without losing sharpness,
the max i can use the 90 is for head and shoulders, to 3/4 shots. I achieve sharpness for full body
only with wider lens. i wonder if this is due to old lens, or the fact that i have to stand so far away.

raytoei

 

[Nikkornos]

The 135 makes you bring out the best feature of the girl.
Usually its not about how the lens perform, its use which lens to bring out the girl.

 

[Nikkornos]

my angmor boh ho...

what i meant to say was, i find that i can't use the 90mm for full body without losing sharpness,
the max i can use the 90 is for head and shoulders, to 3/4 shots. I achieve sharpness for full body
only with wider lens. i wonder if this is due to old lens, or the fact that i have to stand so far away.

raytoei

Camera shake? set to 1/125

All the shots taken with mono pod even I used 1/250 or 1/125

 

[raytoei]

very nice!! i am going to look for something longer than my 70mm zoom...

 

[Nikkornos]

105mm F2.5 or 85mm F1.8

These two are excellent and not cut throat prices.

 

[Nikkornos]

Another thing, in the 90s or early 2000, models always smile so nicely.
And we tell jokes while shooting, laughing more than shooting.

These days the models like all want to fight or make big black fierce face. Why ah? :dunno: