Tag: Nikon FM2n

Straggler

ruminator
This capture is from a test roll with the Nikon FM2n and a Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 lens, on Ilford XP-2. This is one of the few leaves left on this old willow tree.

A few weeks ago I carried the Nikon FM2n that sat on the shelf for several years. Long ago, my photographer connection, errr buddy, pushed this camera on me from his inventory. He indicated that it was a suitable object of lust for film photographers and I considered it a back up for some of my other film cameras.

Time moves on and I find myself connected to Nikon cameras at this point in my life. Well, connected to Nikon film cameras (and dSLRs). All of these use the ancient Nikon F-mount, so all of my legacy glass is useful.

I have not looked at any of the new Nikon Z cameras. I am so heavily invested in Fujifilm that I am not sure I want to change systems. I certainly do not want to buy a new set of lenses for what I do with my Fujifilm cameras.

But, I digress. While hiking with The Girl one afternoon, we crossed the Mexican Ditch at one of the irrigation structures (where we often cross) and I paused for a moment to see if anything caught my eye. I noticed this solitary willow leaf, clinging to the branches of a winter-sleeping willow. So I paused, checked the framing, adjusted the exposure to suit myself, and made the capture. I also made a few more captures, before we headed off to finish our hike and return home.

The negative scans were uploaded to the processor’s website last weekend. I am still working through them, looking for frames that recreate the emotion I felt when looking at the scene. This one will do for today.

I sure enjoy hiking with The Girl, as challenging as she can be. Sometimes I also find an interesting scene. I am grateful.

Life is good.

Test Shot with Nikon F3hp

ruminator
It might not look red in this capture, but the flaking red paint is there. Captured with the Nikon F3hp and a Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 at either f/5.6 or f/8 on Kodak Ektar, then post-processed to black and white in PhotoLab 7.

Right after it arrived, I put a roll of (long expired) Kodak Ektar 100 in the F3 and set the ISO for 50 (one stop over exposed). The rule of thumb is that the colors will be off and the film less sensitive. So, I went with it.

I mounted a Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AIS to the body, put a strap on it, and The Girl and I headed out for a hike. The hike was good and I made a few captures along the way.

Over the next few days I continued working through that 36-exposure roll. When it was finished, there were a few frames left on the roll in the F2. So It was carried a couple more days.

In the end, I sent three rolls of film to The Darkroom for processing. The scans were posted Saturday, so I downloaded them and began my review. One roll from the Nikon FM2n, one from the F2, and one from the new-to-me F3. There are actually a few frames in the lot that are keepers.

I selected the frame above to illustrate the results. It is a conversion from the Ektar roll that was done in PhotoLab. I continue to learn that tool.

I simply prefer film. Digital is so much more convenient and the technology so much better. But the analog look is what I prefer.

I like my Nikons and the Nikkor glass. I definitely like photography. Right now, as busy with other stuff as I am, it gives me a few minutes of respite from work to do something creative.

I am grateful. Life is good.