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