I ordered the Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S. It captures a useful range of distances, has excellent focus, and – weighing a bit under 1.5 pounds – isn’t too heavy to carry for at least a couple of hours.
So I chose focus and color camera settings good for landscapes, and went to Eisenhower Park in East Meadow for a test run of the Nikon Z9 + Nikkor Z 24-120mm combo.
NOTE: I used DxO PhotoLab 5.2 to process the above photos.
I went to The Art Guild’s Figuratively Speaking reception with my Nikon Z9 and BOB STUHMER, who had his colorful “Jack and The Beanstalk Giant” illustration in the exhibit:
Though a brilliant prime lens for capturing portraits, the 105mm is hilariously ill-suited as a solo pro lens for capturing events. That’s why I used my iPhone 13 Pro to capture the group photo near the start of this post. I would have had to back up into the next room to capture it with the 105mm lens.
But I was more interested in getting used to the new lens than the new Nikon Mount Adapter FTZ II that makes it possible to use my array of F-mount lenses on the Z series camera.
It was a fun challenge.
Manhasset, NY, U.S. March 13, 2022. The Art Guild’s Figuratively Speaking reception:
(above photo) At center, Juror of Awards STEVE LAMPASONA, & winners (L-R) • MELISSA MORA, Honorable Mention • MICHELE GARFIELD, Third Place • JAN GUARINO, 1st Place • ALICE RIORDAN, Honorable Mention • KAY VICKERS, 2nd Place • & JUDY VINE, Honorable Mention • pose at The Art Guild’s Reception for Figuratively Speaking Exhibit. (iPhone 13 Pro)
Here’s a portrait of First Place winner JAN GUARINO. The JPG is straight from the memory card:
I captured this portrait of a cheerful visitor during the awards presentation, but later on I couldn’t find her or anyone who knew her. Woman of Mystery:
MELISSA MORAwon an Honorable Mention for her printmaking Chine-collé “Don’t Let It Enter (1/4).” RAPHAEL, almost two years old, and his mom were two of her family members who attended the reception:
Some who helped make event happen: • SHELLEY HOLTZMAN, Co-President T.A.G. • LISA GROSSMAN, Executive Director T.A.G. • SONA HYDE Gallery Manager T.A.G.
Photo processing software
DxO PureRaw 2 covers the Nikon Z9 + Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 lens combo, so I used it to process the raw files before working further on them in any other software, such as Photoshop – On1 Portrait AI – and, from the Nik Collection: Silver Efex Pro 3 and Viveza.
NOTE: LINKS to others’ products & sites are for readers’ convenience only.
FEATURE PHOTO (at top of post): Manhasset, N.Y, U.S. March 13, 2022. L-R, Judge STEVE LAMPASONA and First Place winner JAN GUARINO flank her watercolor at The Art Guild reception for its Figuratively Speaking exhibition.
