Testing Out: Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm f/2.8D

Finally got my hands on this very good copy of the lens. It works on FX body, and probably works on the mid-range DX body too. On the FX body, just dial to the smallest aperture, and the camera will do the rest.

The Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm f/2.8

 If you are not aware, this lens is the grandmaster of fast zoom, the predecessor of the very popular 24-70mm lens. Like its successor, its optical performance is excellent (as I have read). However, unlike its successor, it is not costly. I bought this lens for slightly less than SGD$300 from eBay. This lens is light and compact. The built is solid and it feels solid. 

The lens on a Nikon D750.

I acquired this lens for use in occasional assignments, since having switched to the FX system recently, rendering my DX 17-55mm (almost) useless. (Although D750 has a feature where it auto switch to crop mode upon detecting a DX lens being mounted, but that defeats the purpose of using a FX body, right?)

This lens zooms by translating, instead of twisting, the barrel. It also has a macro mode at 35mm, but apparently there is no autofocus function at this mode. Interesting eh?

I quickly went to try out the lens in my neighbourhood.

At F8, + 0.3EV, 35mm, ISO 400. Aperture Priority.

At F2.8, + 0.3EV, 35mm, ISO 400. Aperture Priority.

At F2.8, + 0.3EV, 35mm, ISO 400. Aperture Priority. Perhaps I still not familiar with the lens, I took many attempts to take this shot. The focusing plane seems thin. Perhaps a smaller aperture might be better.  

At F2.8, + 0.3EV, 35mm, ISO 400. Aperture Priority.

Alright, I hope I will have better samples once I get used to the lens.

~yzhifa

Photowalk - Vicinity Around Singapore River (2 Aug 2015)

Long overdue, but took these photos while walking around the Singapore River.

Set-up: Fujifilm X-T1 with XF 35mm f1.4

Since it was a week before our Golden Jubilee SG50 National Day, I was trying to compose photographs with nation-building theme.

The Singapore River was an excellent choice, since commerce started here in the early days.

There were many bridges with historic value along the river. They were very good subjects for photography. Skyscrapers made good backdrop too.

Here goes.

It takes more than bolts and nuts to build a nation. 

Outside Fullerton Hotel.

A composition on Anderson Bridge with the Victoria Concert Hall.

Below Esplanade Bridge. Shadows of the bridge formed a symmetry, creating an interesting view. Maybe it looked like a tunnel, maybe it looked like a 'K'. The latter was what I thought when I took this picture.

U-turn. Below Esplande Bridge. Notice how the bridge took up most of the frame, and the U-turn sign appeared to be prompting a change of direction? Indeed, sometimes it takes courage to start all over again. 

A scene on the Jubilee Bridge, looking at Marina Bay Sands (MBS).

Finally, a Japanese (I think) couple having their wedding photo-shoot near the Merlion. I was glad that the Fujifilm lens performed superbly!

Stay tuned for more! :)



~ZF

The Fujifilm X-T1 + 35mm F1.4 in Bangkok

Here's a line of tuktuks waiting outside of the Platinum Plaza in Bangkok.

Taking The Fujifilm X-T1 For A Spin In New Zealand!

Recently bought a used Fujifilm X-T1 and brought it to my recent honeymoon trip in New Zealand!

I have been eyeing to switch to the mirrorless system for quite sometime. I tried the Olympus OM-D EM5 and did not quite like it. But it is different with the Fujifilm X-T1. I used the HS50 EXR before and know that Fujifilm camera produces very nice colours and their film simulation algorithm is very good. Also, the sensor size is larger than the Olympus.

For this trip I brought the XF27mm f2.8 and the XC50-230mm with me. It is a huge reduction in load if I were to bring my Nikon Gear (D7100 + DX 35mm... and I do not have a telephoto that is fit for travelling.. my only telephoto on the Nikon is the Tamron 150-600mm).

I must say, I enjoyed the trip thoroughly. Enjoyed the friendliness of the New Zealanders, enjoyed the awesome landscape, enjoyed the company (my wife), and enjoyed being able to take photographs for keepsake with the Fujifilm X-T1.

So, here are some pictures to share.

I like the Classic Chrome Film Simulation very much, and used it extensively for the trip.

Enjoy!

The lighthouse at Cape Reinga. 

A sign at Cape Reinga showing some of the major cities in the world.

A burrow at Hobbiton :)

A New Zealand Falcon at Wingspan. Follow the link to the website of this organisation that seeks to conserve these threatened birds. BTW this picture was taken with the XC 50-230mm. 

A herd of sheep.

A Red Panda at the Auckland Zoo.

ZF

Taken during a child's 1 YO birthday in 2014.

Kids' birthdays like this are interesting. You see the young parents busied themselves, their kid(s) being passed around to different groups of friends - sometimes the parents themselves do not know where their kids(s) were. And you see grandparents becoming all young and playful again, such as the one shown here.

It is a wonderful thing.

Finally, you'll see photographers like me frantically trying to capture those precious moments.

Gorgeous Sunset at Punggol

Taken recently using the Nikon D7100 with Tamron 150-600mm.

Cropped and adjusted using Faststone.

PhotoWalk - National Design Centre

Taken on Level 5 of the National Design Centre. Hope you like the framing.

Taken with the Sony Xperia Z1.

~yzhifa

PhotoWalk - CHIJMES, Singapore

The festive mood lingers. Here's some at CHIJMES. 

Taken with the Sony Xperia Z1.

~yzhifa