nikkor 45mm P f2.8

[Kalkadan]

There is a lot of chatter about this lens on the net.  Ken Rockwell says it is not so wonderful.  I have a lot of time for what Rockwell does, and some of his photography is first class.  However on this he is mistaken.  The 45mm P f2.8 which was introduced with the FM3A is a wonderful piece of glass.  Amazingly sharp and a lovely bokeh.

I took these with the 30 year old Nikon FE. The one of the wig and the shot of Anne at the piano are at max aperture of f2.8.  the one in the stairwell looking out at the Mall may be at about f4 or f5.6

The film was Arista Premium 400 ISO developed in D76 and scanned on a garden variety Epson RX650.  Btw, I am finding that the Massive development charts iPhone app is marvellous.  It has been cold (!) here and the tap water was at 18 degrees centigrade last weekend - the app made it a breeze to change the developing time on the fly.  And I have been following the Kodak pdf with respect to D76 with agitation for 5 secs every 30 secs - you have to keep on the ball but if consistent it seems to work.

[lesged]

Dan,

The lens looks fantastic to me. The one of Anne at the piano is so effective. Her head and sweater are wonderfully sharp and the sheet music and photos on top of the piano are just enough OoF to sense the details yet separate and accentuate the main subject: your darling wife Anne.

In the staircase shot, the figures seen through the windows are bokered enough to truly feel the space between the interior and the people. They really look far out-of-doors, yet you can discern what they all are doing.  

[Julio1fer]

Awesome B&W. The staircase shot makes me think of Paul Wolff.

[Nick Merritt]

These are lovely, artistic (not self-consciously so) shots, Dan.  Bravo!  I was thinking that if you'd focused on the sheet music instead, somebody could probably recognize the piece.

I have the old 45/2.8 GN lens and it's a cracker.  Since I got an FM3A a while ago I've been toying with getting the P lens for it, but they're too pricey.  Might have to reconsider, though, based on your demonstration of what it can do.

[Madrigal]

Dan- those are great shots. I'm with Les on the second shot (Anne).

I got the 45P with an F3 from someone on this forum oh, going on 2 years ago. I love that lens, and except for my need for macro shots, where the 55/2.8 is on it, that 45 is pretty much all I use.

For lens reviews, I automatically go to Bjørn Rørslett's site.  Once in, the lens reviews are found in the left-hand column (Lenses); the 45P is listed under the normal lens reviews, of course.

F3HP; 45P; yellow filter; Acros; Xtol

[Kalkadan]

Ah, Rose that is lovely.  A great sense of space and place.  I was amazed to find that I felt as if I was looking at a wide angle shot - say 28mm or so - when in fact it is the 45.  I agree with you: it is a very useful field of view.  And I think that, like you, this lens will spend a lot of time on my film Nikons.  As you suggest I shall pop ove to Bjorn Roslett's site and see what he has to say.  Btw, I see you used a yellow filter.  I just shot a roll on the 45mmP with a Red (R60) filter leaving it to the TTL meter of the FE to handle the exposure.  The results were awful.  Underexposed and muddy.  It was a very overcast day and quite a few were shot against the light.  Maybe I should have waited for good sunlight, over my left shoulder, illuminating cumulus clouds against a blue sky?  Did you dial in any exposure compensation when using the Yellow?

Les, thank you for that review of what you saw in the shots.  It made them even more interesting for me!

Julio - appreciated - I confess that I shall have to google Paul Wolff - Just did.  Is this the Paul Wolff who did the cover on Life in 1936 and that portrait of Hitler on the cover of Time?  Just found a short bio: "Paul Wolff (1887-1951)Paul Wolff was already a recognised photographer when he got his first Leica in 1926 - it was "Love at first sight".His book "Meine Erfahrung mit der Leica" became an international bestseller and was translated into many languages. As a pioneer of the Leica camera he formed the technique of the 35 mm photography in Germany in a decisive way".  What a photographer.  Don't these guys from yesteryear show us with all our fancy gear what a good photo looks like with perfect exposure of the bits that matter? (like our Les! Look at the surreal stuff his kids put up in a gallery for him!)

Nick, thank you for that first sentence.  How do you find the FM3A.  It sounds like a very attractive package.  The fact that I find most compelling about it is that it is a less than 10yr old version of my 30yr old FE!  and so the seals and meter should not need attention for ages.  Judging by the eternal youth of my FE that is.

[LarryD]

great shots. I looked at that lens recently at a second hand shop but they wanted way too much as it was a Nikon lens.... same day I got a Nikon mount off brand at another store for almost nothing... the Name helps.

[Nick Merritt]

Dan, regarding the FM3A, it's nice to have a close-to-new FE that works without batteries -- and since I love this series of camera, it was a no brainer for me to get it.  Particularly true, considering that the FM3A is the last manual focus Nikon (I don't count the FM10 since it's a Cosina -- very serviceable camera though it may be).  But truthfully, the earlier models just keep going; I expect those to give many more years of service.

[Graham Serretta]

Grays of Westminister still have new stock at £325.00 incl. VAT.

[Kalkadan]

Thanks Graham.  Unfortunately the exchange rate is against us at the moment 325GPB = 564AUD.

The AUD rate is much better against the USD.  For example 450USD = 498AUD.

I have a son in London at the moment and the temptation to pick up some "New" gear at Grays was almost overwhelming.  But I am being strong 

Dan

[LarryD]

Ya and getting new gear from Hong Kong seems to be real cheap at the moment for everyone.

[Madrigal]

 Btw, I see you used a yellow filter.  I just shot a roll on the 45mmP with a Red (R60) filter leaving it to the TTL meter of the FE to handle the exposure.  The results were awful.  Underexposed and muddy.  It was a very overcast day and quite a few were shot against the light.  Maybe I should have waited for good sunlight, over my left shoulder, illuminating cumulus clouds against a blue sky?  Did you dial in any exposure compensation when using the Yellow?

I have had this same experience more than once. I never compensated, and should have, apparently. The Contax works better with filters, so far. I wonder if there is a difference in the metering? I wonder does it use OTF metering?

Wait- OTF only involves the flash, right?