A Walk with the Zeiss 25/2.8 (A Mini Lens Review)

1/200 second at f/2.8, ISO 200

A geeky post today, sorry. If you’re not into this stuff, I hope that the images are interesting anyway.

These street images were made while photostrolling with the Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 25mm f/2.8 ZF.2. All were shot with a Nikon D800E body. One of the things I wanted to see was how the optics would stack up against the high resolving power of this body. Even wide open, I was blown away by how sharp the thing is. But with a fair amount of chromatic aberration which even my untrained eye could pick out. However, this was easily take care of by Lightroom or, simply by stopping down.

1/640 second at f/4, ISO 200

One of the love-it-or-hate-it characteristics about this lens is the heavy vignetting at f/2.8. I mostly shoot with rather clinical Nikkor glass and thus found the romance imparted by the vignetting to be rather enjoyable.

1/640 second at f/2.8, ISO 100

 

 

Forest Light

Hoh Rainforest, 2012

1/20 second at f/8, ISO 800. Nikon D800E + Nikkor AF-S 24-120mm f/4.

Respite

Foggy Puget Sound, 2013

On Sunday, the fog that had shrouded the region for days lifted long enough for us to enjoy a couple of hours of clear skies and a pleasant sunset. About an hour after I made this image, we were engulfed again.

1/160 second at f/8, ISO 1600. Nikon D800E + Sigma 50-500 f/4.5-6.3.

Winter Monochromes

Some images that I made while messin’ around the other day…

circuitous

1/100 second at f/4, ISO 800. Nikon D600 + Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.4G.

big things start small

1/1000 second at f/2.2, ISO 800. Nikon D600 + Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.4G.

 

he went that way

1/250 second at f/2.8, ISO 800. Nikon D600 + Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.4G.

 

all bark and no bite

1/60 second at f/4, ISO 1600. Nikon D600 + Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.4G.

Skagit Bay Twilight

Skagit Bay, 2013

Yesterday, we’d gone out to the Skagit River to see the bald eagles. But the combination of patchy light and freezing weather kept them high in the trees, making for a rather disappointing outing. On the way home, we made a “maybe we can salvage the trip” detour through Fir Island to try to catch some snow geese. No luck either. But nonetheless, mother nature was generous with us.

Thank you, Sai, for accompanying me on my oft-nutty adventures!

2 seconds at f/11, ISO 100. Nikon D800E + Nikkor AF-S 24-120mm f/4.

Through The Trees

Olympic National Park, 2012

I shot this on the hike out to Second Beach with Sai and Ed last year. We were behind schedule and were hustling a bit but when the light from the setting sun cut through the mist and trees, stopping was a no-brainer.

1/3 second at f/8, ISO 800. Nikon D800E + Nikkor AF-S 24-120mm f/4.

 

 

View From The Top

Rainy Seattle, 2012

Some friends were passing through town on Thursday evening. It was their first time here so we did some sightseeing. The weather started off okay enough but things quickly went south and by the time we got to the Seattle Center, it was coming down pretty hard. I made this image from the observation deck of the Space Needle. The raindrops were blowing in sideways so I ended up shooting with the 50 mm, a fast lens with a deep hood.

Handheld at 1/15 second at f/2, ISO 1000. Nikon D800E + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G.

 

The Substance of Things Hoped For, the Evidence of Things Not Seen, Part 1

Kuan Yin Temple, Singapore, 2012

1/200 second at f/4, ISO 200. Nikon D800E + Nikkor AF-S 24-120mm f/4.
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Budai and Believer, Singapore, 2012

1/800 second at f/7.1, ISO 800. Nikon D800E + Nikkor AF-S 24-120mm f/4.
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Kuan Yin Temple, Singapore, 2012

1/320 second at f/7.1, ISO 800. Nikon D800E + Nikkor AF-S 24-120mm f/4.

 

Bangkok’s Chinatown

chinatown vendor i, bangkok, 2012

I made these images in Bangkok about a month ago. I’d been to Chinatown (also known as Yaowarat for the main arterial that runs through it) many times, but usually for dinner or a late night snack. After having seen a photowalk series by a local professional, I was inspired to make a daytime trip. It was the middle of the day and hot and humid as can be, but having found a willing accomplice (thank you, Yui!), we made the trip. These were some of the things that I saw.

All images made with a Nikon D800E + Nikkor AF-S 24-120 f/4.

hong kong noodle shop, bangkok, 2012

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fish maw, bangkok, 2012

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chinatown vendor ii, bangkok, 2012

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pepper neon, bangkok, 2012

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lor yaowaraj, bangkok, 2012

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Adrenaline Rush

Tuk-tuk ride, Bangkok, 2012

Bangkok has long been a special place for me. From close-by but exotic holiday destination to a place where Dad conducted business to an annual destination for Yui and I, it is now one of the places that I call home. Indeed, it is home to half of my extended family; my heart seldom wanders far.

One of the unique modes of transportation in Thailand is the tuk-tuk (pronouced “took-took” with abbreviated double-O’s). Powered by a small gas engine, it is a gaily decorated three-wheeler with a covered cab, driver in front, passengers (usually 2-3 but I’ve seen as many as 6-7) in rear. A highly maneuverable small vehicle, it is the perfect solution to the helter-skelter bustle of Bangkok traffic where everything moves at one of two speeds – full tilt, or full standstill.

As you can imagine, a ride in a tuk-tuk can be quite the adventure. In a profession where time is money, drivers accelerate quickly and stop abruptly, diving through whatever openings the traffic flow allows. I made this image about 2 weeks ago, on a trip to Bangkok’s Chinatown. I think it helps explain what a tuk-tuk ride is all about. 😉

4/5 second at f/22, ISO 100. Nikon D800E + Nikkor AF-S 24-120mm f/4.