Hi--

In your review of the AF Nikkor 28/1.4 you write ...

"This sample showed some optical misalignment (visible in F3 and 8008 finders, and on film mostly around f2.8-4 where softness ... "

How do you determine that a lens has optical misalignment?

a) in the finder

With a good finder, like in the F3, with glasses corrected for
1 meter, it is possible to see gross misalignment, but...

b) on film

...this is the most reliable. I take a detailed infinity-subject
(so as to avoid distance-changes with angle changes) and put it
at the top edge of the frame (after careful manual focus), with the
"winder" edge upward. I then repeat the exposure after carefully
inverting the camera without changing settings (manual exposure and
focus...). This gives me the same fine detail along adjacent frame
edges (across the frame-gap), allowing easy comparison of corners and
edges for the same sharpness. I do this at f2.8 and f5.6 for WAs,
f2 for 50-85, and wide-open for longer lenses. Misalignment is
common in non-tele zooms, not uncommon in complex-design wides...

I take it that you don't care much for AF. I like it for some things but I'm holding on to my MF Nikkors (about 25). My friends think I'm crazy. My FE2(s) also.

Good plan! ;-) AF is getting better (F100 and F5), but often a pain,
and it slows me down - I would rather stay with what works. In lesser
cameras, the AF error is painfully obvious too often.

I have found that I can set my F5 for release priority with single servo focus mode and use the AF start button to focus. I also disable the AF function for the shutter release so I can recompose. This way you can shot like your manually focusing but in available darkness. you can use the near infrared assist of an SB-24 and focus even on a featureless wall with an 80~200/2.8 to about 70~80 feet. The wall thing is just a torture test; people are the main subject for this technique.

Yes, the one time I found AF essential was shooting flash down at
a crowd in the dark. Otherwise......;-)

I also like to hold my F100 in one hand and my SB-24 at arms length like press photographers did with Speed and Century Graphix (spelling? I can't spell worth a damn). I'm not an either or type of person. I like to shot Tri-x at EI 200 in D-76 12 and like to shot with fast lenses, wide open in existing light.

We are similar, mebbe...;-)

Thanks for all the very useful information. Great Site!

Regards,

Dave
photo.dhartman@pe.net

Thanks for the comments.