Using the X-Pro2 with a Nikkor 50mm non AI 1.4
It is a cool setup using the gorgeous Fujifilm X-Pro2 coupled with a vintage lens, in this case, the Nikkor 50mm non AI 1.4, what I considered a very sharp vintage lens, well, at least from what I have seen in the test pictures when adapted to a Fuji camera. In the spirit of putting limits to my learning process, I thought why not trying this combo out in the streets, not that I haven't done it before, but never before with a new sense of understanding that a self-imposed limit might bring new lessons and perhaps better pictures.
Indeed, it did. Using a manual lens, slowed me down a bit, which was fortunate for the many keepers I found, but more important for what happened afterwards. Once I loaded all my pictures in Lightroom I couldn't help pixel peeping the pictures to check that sharpness I was referring to before. Keep in mind that Fuji camera bring the "focus peaking” feature to ease focusing manual lenses, very useful throughout my photowalk. Truly, under the microscope, the picture did not have that fine sharp detail I have come to love out of my native Fuji lenses, but rather than inner-complain about the wasted opportunities for using a manual lens, again, I said: “what if I look at this pictures in black and white and give it that film look I like so much, perhaps that Kodak Tri X film look?".
I have to admit, it worked.
No longer I was looking at the pixels, or even the colors, but at the composition, the emotions from the different characters of the street, at the raw feelings derived from removing the distraction of color. So what looked like a mistake for using a manual lens, became another discovery, even more so for shooting with a 50mm lens, which in a crop sensor camera becomes a 75mm lens, not exactly your preferred lens for street photography. Nevertheless, it worked for me, far better than I expected.
Putting limits in my photography does bring a sense of purpose.
