Winter Hats

Last August 2013, I took a walk through Shibuya and took many photos of people in hats and blogged about it in a post titled, Thinking about hats.... Seems that I am experiencing a sort of artistic déjà vu and shot more people in hats in Shibuya with the same trusty 30-year old 85mm f/1.4 AI-S Nikkor.

However, these samples were not of the straw variety favored in the summer, but were suited for a Tokyo winter although the fashion inspiration had to cross the pacific from the American west. Seems that the original hat of the West, the “Boss of the Plains” is admired for its fashion sense and practicality in the land of the rising sun.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f2.8, ISO 100, 1/80 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S f4.0, ISO 100, 1/250 sec.

Midtown Maple Leaf Illumination

The Christmas Illuminations are up at Tokyo Midtown. Not sure if I fully understand the theme this year, but according to the Midtown event website the theme is "Midtown Cruise," allowing you to journey away from Earth and out into Space!

Although the contrast and sharpness are good considering the challenging conditions, the colors tend to blend a little and the maple leaf takes a back seat to the bokeh from the Christmas lights. The performance by the 24 mm f2.0 AI Nikkor is amazing considering this glass is about 35-years old.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f2.8, ISO 1600,1/80 sec.

Koi in a glass bubble

After a delicious late morning pancake breakfast in Nakameguro, I was walking back to my car when I spotted this interesting koi (goldfish) wind chime. I'm not sure it actually can chime, but I liked it none the less. Anyway, I shot it with my positively ancient Nikkor 24 mm f2.0 AI (Nikon produced the AI version from 1977-1981). Other than the flare, it seems that the lens was performing remarkably well. The sharpness and contrast look great, and the bokeh wasn't as bad as some have complained about. It amazing that this lens performs so well in spite of the fact that it was designed over 35-years ago for film cameras!

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ 5.6, ISO 200, 1/250 sec.

The raw shot was a little too wide and the flare on the top right was a little annoying, so I cropped it.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ 5.6, ISO 200, 1/250 sec.

Thinking about hats....

Before the family returned in August, I walked through Shibuya with friends and spent some time taking photos of people passing through. For some reason, I was drawn to people wearing summer hats. Straw hats are one of the most popular styles worn by men, women, young and old to beat Tokyo's summer sun and heat while looking fashionable.

I spent most of the day with two manual focus lenses in my camera bag. However, once my trusty 85mm f/1.4 AI-S Nikkor was mounted, it stayed on my D600for the remainder of the day. You've just got to love the bokeh and sharpness on this classic lens. It's hard to believe that this lens was first produced by Nikon back in 1982 and only retired from production in 2006. I have had the pleasure of shooting with this classic lens since about 1987. Back then I used to shoot it with a Nikon FE2. The 85 balances and performs well on my D600, but I do miss the sound of the titanium shutter and whir of the MD-12 motor drive.

Nikon D600with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f5.6, ISO 100, 1/250 sec.

Nikon D600with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f2.8, ISO 100, 1/320 sec.

Nikon D600with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f2.8, ISO 100, 1/400 sec.

Nikon D600with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f2.8, ISO 100, 1/500 sec.

Nikon D600with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f4.0, ISO 100, 1/250 sec.

Nikon D600with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f2.8, ISO 100, 1/500 sec.