B&W film photography

Greetings:

I'm an old geezer in my 80's and film photography is what keeps me going.

I have used a Nikon FM10 for many years with great satisfaction albeit the lack of bells and whistles- light-tight box,lens,aperature and shutter + film. I have no need for more.

I have read reports on the 'photography internet' about the demise of the 50mm lens. My favorite standard which I use is the Nikkon f1.8.

I shoot in B&W ISO 400. I am interested in the experiences of other s using B&W and the 50mm lens.

Oh why don't I go digital? At my age I don't want to lay out the cash for all the gear required. If I were 35 years,that would be another story.

Anything to share? Thanks

altie

The 50mm lens is far from dead and is being re-discovered by digital photographers. The reason is that, with the reduced size format, it behaves like a 75mm lens and makes a superb portrait lens. Digital users are often amazed by the quality of these lenses.

If you wanted to try out digital for a reasonable outlay, then perhaps one of the "bridge" cameras such as the Fuji S9600 would fit the bill. A fixed 28-300mm lens (I think) and SLR viewing could suit you very well. It's an electronic viewfinder, so it's great in dimmer light.

You obviously have a computer as you have posted here, so you have the skills at your fingertips. There's an exciting new photographic world just waiting for you....

John

Brother John,

Thank you for your interest and response.

altie

I have bought myself a Zeiss ZF 50 1,4 last year, and its optical quality (not to mention mechanical), will easyly blow away any kind of a zoom. I use this pretty glass gem on a Nikon F6, mostly for portraiture, and have not found any issues in it to complain about.

Thanks for the response. The Zeiss 50mm 1.4 must have cost an 'arm and a leg',but I'm sure the quality probably cannot be matched by either Nikon or Canon.

altie

The Pentax 43mm Limited lens would give anyhting a run for its money. It is the first really serious redesign of the standard lens for a very, very long time.

Thamks,John

altie

The Zeiss 50 1,4 made my wallet about 600$ lighter, and of course, thats a lot for a non-AF standart lens. But remember the Leica Summilux... :)))

Hi Nicky

You bet and you're talking Big Bucks. I use a Nikon 50mm f1.8. Bought it from B&H years ago for a fraction of the Leica. It's really sharp and good for low light and where flash is NG.

thanks,

altie

Anyway, Zeiss cannot cost "chicken buxs", cos its Zeiss. But speakin about price/quality correlation - i think that sum is quite even for this lens! :))

Hey! If it were not top quality,it wouldn't sell.

altie

Thats hard to tell for sure. In the days of yore there was Contax, with Zeiss lens quality second to nothing, but Contax vanished into history, and Zeiss almost did... :))

Oops, forgot to mention Ilford. Thank Heavens B&W film protectors, they still are with us! :))

AMEN!

altie

Anyone have any info or experience with the Tokina SZ-X 205 28-105mm f3.5-4.8 ? All comments greatfully accepted.

altie

Hey guys, Wanna see a 50mm do magic? Try a Summicron on an M6. I have yet to see anything better, including the Summilux and/or Noctilux except were a candle is the only light source. :)

Hy! Sure thing, as soon as we all here chip in one, ha-ha! :))

Open your wallets,guys!

Ive got 25$ on me, who`s next? :))

In my opinion, Nikon Auto Nikkor S.C. 50mm F/1.4 could be a great fit to your BW photography positively.

Less cost and highest quality for BW. You may need John White to modify Non-AI mount to AI in order to fit your MF10. There're many of AI'd modified lens on ebay as well.

I am happy to use this lens on my FM2 and D200 all the time.

Some BW photo for your reference:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/219/511743206_5d67b09d71_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/208/511742192_eab3bd121d_b.jpg