Spring

Nikon D50 + 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 lens.

Nikon D700 + Nikkor-P 105mm f/2.5 lens.

Nikon D2Xs and AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-210mm f/4 lens.

Nikon D2Xs and Nikkor Zoom 35-70mm f/2.8 AF lens.

Canon EOS 30D + 18-55mm lens.

Nikon D300s + Nikkor 180mm f/2.8 AF lens.

Nikon D300s + Nikkor 180mm f/2.8 AF lens.

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 50mm f/2 AI lens made sometime between 1977 and 1979. During the 1970s it was implicit that when you bought a single lens reflex camera it came with a 50mm or 55mm lens. Keen photographers subsequently added a wide angle prime lens (usually 28mm) and a telephoto prime lens (usually 135mm). On the day I photographed these daffodils I took those three lenses. Yet after taking this picture I switched to the 28mm and then the 135mm. I have noticed this before: the 50mm is a great lens but is not my preferred focal length and the best way of getting the good of it is not to pack any other lenses. The Nikkor-H f/2 dates from 1963 and was in production for 16 years. The design is an orthodox Gaussian configuration of six elements in four groups. The Nikkor-H.C indicates only a new lens coating and was introduced in 1972. Later - in 1974 - a better lens coating was introduced, along with a rubber focussing sleeve and a diamond pattern ridged aperture ring. Minimum focus was reduced to 45cm from the previous 60cm and the H.C designation was dropped. The lens was now known simply as the Nikkor 50mm f/2. Nikon classified it as a ‘K’ version. It lasted until 1977 when the lens was modified to AI standard, but remained the same in all other respects. The AI version continued until January 1979, having been superseded by the slightly faster f/1.8 version in 1978. The design of that lens has six elements in five groups.

Canon EF 35-105mm f/3.5-4.5 lens on a Canon EOS 30D camera. ISO 100; f/8; 1/250th; lens at 35mm (field of view equivalent 56mm). I am working within the limitations of the focal lengths provided by this lens. I very much like the lens and wonder if I would like it just as much on a full frame camera. Two factors hold me back. First, I'm not enthusiastic about wide angle photography or getting up close and personal; I've always favoured the telephoto end and you get bags more of that from a lens on a crop sensor camera. Secondly, even an old Canon EOS 5D dating from 2005-2008 (the original 5D) costs around £300 secondhand and is a depreciating asset. The 30D I'm using now was about £70. So I think I'll continue as I'm going.