A bargain classic lens.

The Nikkor-S 50mm, f/1.4 lens I own dates from 1968 and needs no excuses. After adding a CPU and adjusting the LED focus confirmation light for critical focus accuracy at closer distances wide open, the results are a wonderful thing to behold. Contrast is high, definition outstanding and the chunky lens balances well on the large D700 body. I use a period Nikon HS-9 hood on mine which helps out with the lens’s modest single anti-reflection coating. But, really, no excuses need be made.

Electrifying, like the lens. At f/1.4. D700.

Whale time. Same gear.

Pretzels, Churros, Corn Dogs …. and sugared water. A highly disciplined display. Same gear.

Pier 39. Same gear.

At the mechanical toy museum. At f/1.4. Same gear.

Marie. Same gear.

Four. In the style of Keld Helmer-Petersen.

Chef and Waiter, at Scoma’s Seafood Restaurant. Same gear.

All snapped a couple of days ago around Fishermen’s Wharf, San Francisco. If you go to the north end where the fishing boats are moored you will find the authentic Fishermen’s Wharf rather than the awful tourist trap down the road at the end of the Embarcadero. There are a couple of really good seafood restaurants among the boats and Scoma’s (last snap above) is one.

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Go by sight, not reviews.

Read up on the 135mm f/3.5 Nikkor-Q I mentioned yesterday and you will find a fair measure of condescension directed at it. How can anything almost half a century old and under $70 be serious? Sure it’s not some f/2 hyper speed monster which comes with a handcart and bragging rights, but I must relate that when I took it for a spin yesterday it really spoke to me. Before long, we were singing. Such is the balance on the camera that the hardware quickly becomes invisible.

The first was one of those where you instantly know you have something special, hoping you press the button before the increase in your pulse rate blurs everything.

Lovers. At full aperture. D700.

Eat Crab. At full aperture. Same gear.

Pastels. At f/11. Same gear.

Gull and flag. f/5.6. Same gear.

I used my tailored lens correction profile for all of these, but it’s hard to tell the difference. A fine lens and not one you will weep over if it does not work for you, at the prices asked.

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Great street snapper.

First snaps through the 40 year old 35mm Nikkor, profiled yesterday.

Yesterday and tomorrow. D700, 35mm. Click the picture for the location.

Oyster vendor. Same gear.

Cheese shop. Same gear, at full aperture.

Flower. Same gear.

Looks like a keeper. The lens has a CPU installed, which took a few minutes, and I used my custom lens correction profile on import to Lightroom 4. The CPU allows the correct profile to be automatically selected and applied in LR or PS.

For a daily snap be sure to visit my photoblog Snap!