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- Nikon D100, Quantaray 28-80mm f3.5-5.6 @ 56mm

Sidewalk Sale, Union Street, SF

- Nikon D100, Tokina 17mm f3.5 ATX

Lottery Dreams

- Nikon D100, seen on Fillmore Street

After Sunset at the Palace of Fine Arts

I shot this earlier this month using my Canon digital camera. I wish the lens was just a little wider. File needed to be lightened up a little with Photoshop.

New Addition To My Nikon Collection...

...and the best part is that it was essentially FREE!

Last week, I spied an ad on Craigslist for a Nikon N50 with lens and Nikon SB-28 Speedlight for $50 (!!!). So I did some research on the N50 and learned that it is an entry level body from the 90's. I've been thinking about finding a replacement for my aging, but still working SB-24 Speedlight, and the SB-28 would definitely be an improvement. I knew that the SB-28 by itself normally sells for over $100 used. If this deal was real, it would be a great price for the three pieces of gear. I researched prices of used N50's, and found that they normally sell for $60 and up depending on condition.

So, I emailed the seller and said that if everything worked, I would come by after work to pick up the camera and strobe. The seller replied to confirm the address, but I noted that he never confimed that everything worked.

When I got to the house, I examined the equipment. The N50 powered up, but I noticed that the lens seemed to be sluggish. I noted that the lens was a cheap, Quantaray 28-80mm. I was most interested in the SB-28, and I found that it was in almost new condition. The strobe powered up and I was able to test fire it. Without further ado, I handed over the $50 and left.

When I got home, I examined the camera more closely and I found to my dismay that the focusing ring on the lens was frozen. To check the camera, I swapped on one of my Nikkor lenses, the 50mm f1.8D. I was pleased to find that the N50 seemed to work fine. I downloaded a N50 user manual to learn how to operate the camera's very odd user interface (all buttons, no dials). I learned that the camera can operate in both "simple" mode and advanced mode that allows program, shutter, aperture, and full manual modes...not bad for an entry level camera. So, I was pleased that I had a fully functioning body and a like-new SB-28, all for $50.

I almost trashed the lens, but I thought better of it, and the next day I decided to see if I can fix it. As it turned out, all I had to do was tweak the AF screw on the back of the lens a little, and it freed up the focusing ring. I mounted it back onto the N50, and it worked!!! This Quantaray lens (manufactured by Sigma) is very poorly constructed, but at least the glass is clean. I think it's used value is around $40.

The N50 is the polar opposite to my F4s, one is entry level, while the other is the flagship of that era. Where the F4's shutter mechanism is well damped and ultra smooth, the N50 goes "KERRPLOPPP..ZZZZZZZZ" when the shutter is tripped (very loud). On the other hand, the N50 is probably half the weight of the F4, and since it cost me nothing, it would be a great go-everywhere, toss it in the trunk kind of camera.

Of course, you know that I like cameras of all vintages and qualities because I believe that it's up to the photographer to get the most out of whatever equipment is available. So I like to play with all different sorts of gear.

I will get the test rolls back soon, that I shot with the N50 and share the results with everyone. I hope you enjoyed this little camera story.

--Warren

Waikoloa Sunset

This typical sunset shot was taken a few years ago during a business trip to the Big Island. Dolph should remember this, we went there for a conference.

Technical: Konica Hexar w/ fixed 35mm lens, Kodak Royal Gold 200

--Warren

Contruction Zone, Redwood City, Argus C4

This was taken in Feb, 2004 on a test roll from an ancient American built rangefinder camera from the 1960's, the Argus C4. The C4 has a fixed, 50mm lens.

I'm also testing the picture upload service of Blogger. It seems to work well.

--Warren

Blogger's New Photo Hosting - Test

I'm posting this as a test of Blogger's new feature for hosting photos. Wow, no more flicker or Photobucket. You can upload directly from your computer to Blogger!

Wide shot - Before and after

Before



After





This is the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park. Photo was shot on a Canon digital camera and stitched with Canon software. I shot this on an overcast day which washed out the sky (first photo) and then added a blue sky with Photoshop. The difference in the two photos is interesting. Is the photo with the blue sky believable?

Fillmore St. Sidewalk Abstract, Nikon D100 

Sunset on the Golf Course, NIkon D100, Tokina 17mm, 1/250 f8

One of the characteristics of this particular lens is the very well controlled flare. I shot this directly into the sun, and there was just the slightest hint of flare that I could have easily cloned out in Photoshop, but I left it in here to show you. If I had shot this with my Sigma 15-30mm zoom, I think the potentially large flare problem would have made such a shot unusable.

--Warren

Shadowy Self Portrait, Nikon D100, Tokina 17mm f3.5 ATX

It looks like this person is dwarfed by a gigantic downed tree stump, but it's just my own shadow. This was shot today during a before-dinner walk in Lincoln Park, SF. I couldn't wait to try my new Tokina 17mm lens.

--Warren

Portrait of Dolph, July 18, 2005, Nikon D100

Dolph was in town! He came by for a visit and brought his Lowepro photo backpack full of new toys. Here he is holding his new D70. Yes, I know, the direct flash (built-in) threw some harsh shadows, but sometimes you just have to go with what you have at the moment.

--Warren

Ugly Duck - Nikon D70 w/300mm 

Posted for Dolph!!!, Road to Swamp, Nikon D70

Hey folks, Dolph just bought a D70!!! Another new Nikonian! This is his first picture with it.

The only things I did to it in Photoshop were to resize it to max 760 pixels on the long side, and a little bit of USM (unsharp mask).

--Warren

Twilight from Fort Point

Photo made with the Sony camera last week.

Landmarks Take 2, 7/4/2005, Nikon D100

You may remember the original picture that I posted a while back. That one was taken on July 4th of 2003, two years ago. This July 4th, I went to the same spot to do another version. For those of you who are not familiar with the City, the three buildings in the background are famous SF landmarks, Coit Tower, Transamerica Pyramid, and the Bank of America building. I guess that I am insinuating that the carousel is or should also be a SF landmark.

Take 1 is here:

http://fpcf.blogspot.com/2005/02/landmarks-san-francisco-nikon-d100.html

--Warren

Another fog shot

Photo from the Marin side of the bridge with a Canon digital.

Building Abstract #2, Downtown SF, Nikon D100 

Portrait of Gail, July 4th 2005, Nikon D100 

Coit Tower and Flag, July 4th 2005, Nikon D100, Tamron 24-135mm 

Building Abstract, Downtown SF, Nikon D100, Tamron 24-135mm 

Darren, July 2, 2005, Nikon D100 

Ford GT Elements, Nikon D100, 24mm f1.8