After adding an APS-C Nikon body some time back for critter chasing, I dared to see if they might have a full-frame body that can autofocus accurately. Once I found one, there was no further reason to hang on to my well-worn Leica stuff.

So I’ve made a complete brand change, partly motivated by my usage scenarios, but also fueled by the difference in the philosophies of the two gear makers. What attracted me to Leica in the beginning was R glass, made when the company was focused on photography gear. Over the last dozen years, I’ve watched as they’ve ventured into smartphones, cufflinks, leather goods, toys, watches, etc.; emphasizing “brand positioning,” while the practical value (to me) of their photography gear has become rather diminished.

And what I’ve learned in the course of all this has changed my perspective about how lenses are conceived. As a manual focus shooter, I was quick to add some AI-S lenses to the arsenal. Nikon continued making several of them up until just a few years ago, and I was able to source a few still new in box.

Yes, the reviews for many of them harp about “soft wide open,” “better stopped down,” “lots of coma,” and so on. But Nikon has a series of articles written by two of the company’s veteran, most accomplished desgners that explains much of this. The characteristics described above were not failures of the designs, but rather the intent of them.

The folks who created these optical formulas not only intended for them to have some of the traits for which they’re criticized; they very carefully calculated how much of each trait each lens would exhibit. The result is a series of lenses which, when understood and used properly, are capable of some incredible aesthetics in rendering.

Heading down another rabbit hole? Yep, looks like it. But at least this time I have a map with me!

Nikon Zf/85mm f2 AI-S . . .