The current kit...

[sir pball]

Cameras, L-R: Nikkormat EL wearing a Nikkor-S 50/1.4 and Hanimex flash, Nikon D7100 wearing a Nikkor AF-S 18-300/3.5-6.3 VR and Nikon SB-800 flash, Nikon D5100 wearing a Tamron 18-270/3.5-6.3 VC.

Lenses, L-R: Zoom-Nikkor 35-200/3.5-4.5, Nikkor 35/1.8, Micro-Nikkor 55/3.5.

My favorite is actually the Nikkormat; with the 50mm lens and Tri-X 400 pushed to 1600 it's not "retro" in any way…it's an absolutely period-correct 1972 punk/street rig. Camera, lens, and film were all available before Blondie dropped their first album.

And yes I do plan on getting out and shooting, but family pictures are always fun!

[sir pball]

1. I shared this elsewhere and someone asked me where my portrait lens was...

So out of spite I have just bought a super-clean Nikkor-P Auto 105mm f/2.5 non-AI, for a whopping $189 all-in, which will work perfectly on my Nikkormat and is no different optically (it lacks the AI groove, but that's a non-issue) from the lens that shot Afghan Girl.

I'm very much looking forward to getting some Porta 400 and seeing just how beautiful people can be.

[George McGovern]

3. Real nice bodies/lenses/flashes! The 105 f/2.5 should be fun! Way to go sir pball.

I no longer shoot film and hadn't heard of Portra 400. So I looked it up.

"Portra 400 is widely regarded as one of the best all-around color negative films available, largely due to its incredible exposure latitude. It handles overexposure exceptionally well, maintaining highlight detail and smooth tonal transitions, while still offering flexibility in less-than-ideal lighting.
The film is known for its warm, natural color palette, medium contrast, and excellent skin tone reproduction. Colors are clean and balanced, making Portra 400 a great choice for portraits, weddings, travel, landscapes, and everyday photography. Its versatility is what sets it apart – it performs just as well in
bright daylight as it does in overcast or lower light situations."
https://thedarkroom.com/film/portra-400/

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Wow, my dear sir pball! That's quite a collection.

What did you use to get this picture?

[usonian]

4. I enjoy your post. There's always something to learn.

It's late, so I'll share some of my photographic journey later on.

It started in 1970 and had a rather quick intersection with my Coast Guard days.

Since I had a physics degree, optics came naturally to me, and I self learned optical engineering (well, everything) and worked at that for some time.

I especially like the simpler lenses made up to the 80's or so, and can copy you the design forms for all lenses of that era.

Contained in "Photographic Lenses" by Neblette.

The 55mm micro nikkor was my first slr lens. It is ultra sharp.

Quiz. Do you know what the suffix letters, as in Nikkor-P, Nikkor-H, and so on signify?,No lookup or asking Claude.

Details at 11.