NIKON CAMERAS & GEAR [ YES ]

Literature Available: Nikon Large Format Lenses Brochure

I have shot with Nikon cameras since the start of my commercial career, beginning with a black F3HP purchased new from the counter at 47th Street Photo in 1985. However, I no longer shoot Nikon DSLRs today because I switched to APS-C mirrorless after they became good enough. My first digital DSLR was the Nikon D200, and my last was the beautiful D700. My instructor’s camera was the D750 I selected and used, but it was the college’s property where I taught. My film “mommy camera” was the 35Ti, and it served me well, capturing precious memories of my son as he grew up. The 35Ti was small, quick, and precise, with a lens that suited my shooting needs. Even though I no longer shoot digital Nikons, I occasionally shoot an F3/T film camera. This time, Nikon large format lenses were my choice after returning to a large format kit a few years after I left it for medium format digital. I have a few Nikon filters I have used over the years. Here is a key to understanding what Nikon Filters are compared to Kodak filters.

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The Nikon F3 was a game-changer for me. I learned how to photograph with this camera after owning a Canon AE-1 as my first SLR. I have had more than a few F3 bodies over the years. The only brand new one arrived in 1985 after I made a career change to photography from commercial art. On all my commercial shoots, I had at least one F3 kit lying in wait as a backup to my medium format backup. Today a pristine silver T (Nikon calls them champagne) sits in a custom Porteen Gear bag waiting to be used. I shoot it a few times a year, keeping it because I love and honor its legacy. Nikon DSLRs came and went for me, but what beautiful image color files the Nikon DSLR cameras produced! I switched to Fujifilm once I felt it was good enough to replace the full-frame Nikon, but I miss the Nikon color.

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After medium format digital showed up, I sold off my 4×5 field camera kit to help finance new gear. After a few years, I regretted selling the 4×5 equipment and wanted to build a new kit when possible. In the past, I primarily shot with the German lenses, Schneider and Rodenstock, but now we were in new territory as the manufacturing of Copal shutters ceased. After a bit of research, I realized some of my favorite 4×5 landscape photographers were happy with Nikkor large format lenses, so I decided to give them a try, and glad I did. My ‘holy grail trifecta’ when shooting landscape and travel photography with my Ebony RSW is the Nikkor SW 75/4.5 S, Nikkor SW 90/4.5 S, and W 150/5.6 S. The Nikkor M 300/9 is set aside for when I travel with my Linhof MT and a few lenses. I also use a Nikkor W 210/5.6 on my Sinar in the studio for product shooting.

After years of shooting a Rodenstock Grandagon 90/4.5 with an Ebony 4×5, I knew I wanted to stay with f/4.5 with the Nikkor SW 90 because I did not want to deal with focusing issues or struggle with darkened corners on the ground glass. I found the SW 90/4.5 S for a fair price in excellent condition from an eBay seller, and I could not be happier. My SW 90 delivers sharp images, provides enough light to see while focusing, and arrived in a heavy-duty recessed lensboard. The W 150/5.6 S is small enough to stay on my Linhof MT when closed, which is convenient. The M 300/9 replaced my Docter 240/9 because I wanted the 90-150-300 range, and I am glad to have it in my kit.

Even though Nikon ended up taking a back seat to my digital needs, I am very happy it is my lens maker of choice for shooting 4×5″ and 6×17 these days.

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