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Secret Weapon

In my arsenal of glass, I have a few secret weapons—lenses that when used properly can execute superior images.

Although I rarely use it, I have a Nikkor f2.0 135mm Defocus lens. This has an extra setting that allows for added control to adjust the out-of-focus effect of the background.

This is also an extremely sharp and very fast lens.

The other day it was cloudy and the light was flat. Kris and I drove over to Strasburg to catch the morning excursion on its run back from Leaman Place. This is a train I can (and have) photographed ‘any day of the week’.

To make something of the dull morning, I made this series of photos with my 135mm Defocus lens. Only with the photo of the observation car did I used the Defocus ring to alter the foreground focus. The effect is subtle but makes for a stronger image.

Exposed with a Nikon Z6 with f2.0 135mm Defocus lens attrached using a FTZ adaptor. ISO 100, 1/800th sec, f4.0. No defocus effect.
Enlarged portion of the above photo to demonstrate the exceptional sharpness of the 135mm f2.0 lens.
Exposed with a Nikon Z6 with f2.0 135mm Defocus lens attrached using a FTZ adaptor. ISO 100, 1/800th sec, f4.0. No defocus effect.
Exposed with a Nikon Z6 with f2.0 135mm Defocus lens attrached using a FTZ adaptor. ISO 100, 1/800th sec, f2.8. Defocus effect set for foreground.
Exposed with a Nikon Z6 with f2.0 135mm Defocus lens attrached using a FTZ adaptor. ISO 100, 1/800th sec, f4.0. No defocus effect.

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