Spring

Nikon D50 + 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 lens.

Nikon D700 + Nikkor-P 105mm f/2.5 lens.

Nikon D2Xs and AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-210mm f/4 lens.

Nikon D2Xs and Nikkor Zoom 35-70mm f/2.8 AF lens.

Canon EOS 30D + 18-55mm lens.

Nikon D300s + Nikkor 180mm f/2.8 AF lens.

Nikon D300s + Nikkor 180mm f/2.8 AF lens.

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 50mm f/2 AI lens made sometime between 1977 and 1979. During the 1970s it was implicit that when you bought a single lens reflex camera it came with a 50mm or 55mm lens. Keen photographers subsequently added a wide angle prime lens (usually 28mm) and a telephoto prime lens (usually 135mm). On the day I photographed these daffodils I took those three lenses. Yet after taking this picture I switched to the 28mm and then the 135mm. I have noticed this before: the 50mm is a great lens but is not my preferred focal length and the best way of getting the good of it is not to pack any other lenses. The Nikkor-H f/2 dates from 1963 and was in production for 16 years. The design is an orthodox Gaussian configuration of six elements in four groups. The Nikkor-H.C indicates only a new lens coating and was introduced in 1972. Later - in 1974 - a better lens coating was introduced, along with a rubber focussing sleeve and a diamond pattern ridged aperture ring. Minimum focus was reduced to 45cm from the previous 60cm and the H.C designation was dropped. The lens was now known simply as the Nikkor 50mm f/2. Nikon classified it as a ‘K’ version. It lasted until 1977 when the lens was modified to AI standard, but remained the same in all other respects. The AI version continued until January 1979, having been superseded by the slightly faster f/1.8 version in 1978. The design of that lens has six elements in five groups.

Canon EF 35-105mm f/3.5-4.5 lens on a Canon EOS 30D camera. ISO 100; f/8; 1/250th; lens at 35mm (field of view equivalent 56mm).

Blackthorn blossoms early; it is well ahead of Hawthorn. Canon EF 35-105mm f/3.5-4.5 lens on a Canon EOS 30D camera. ISO 400; f/10; 1/250th; lens at 35mm (field of view equivalent 56mm).

That leaf has stuck resolutely to the bench for months through storms and snow. Nikon D700 and Tamron SP 35mm f/1.8 Di VC USD lens.

Photographed with a Canon EOS 30D camera fitted with a Helios-44 lens originally on a Zenit-E film camera. The Helios is a Soviet copy of the Carl Zeiss Biotar 58mm ƒ/2 lens.

Canon EOS 30D + Canon EF 35-105mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. Aperture-priority set to f/8. ISO 400. 1/60th, Lens at 62mm equivalent to a field of view of 116mm in full frame.

Photographed near Lacock with a Tamron AF 70-210mm f/2.8 SP LD lens on a Nikon D700. This lens was in production from 1992 to 2003. Aperture priority; 800 ISO; f/8; 1/160th; lens at 160mm.

Photographed with a Tamron AF 70-210mm f/2.8 SP LD lens on a Nikon D700. This lens was in production from 1992 to 2003. Aperture priority; 800 ISO; f/11; 1/250th; lens at 210mm.

Photographed with a Tamron AF 70-210mm f/2.8 SP LD lens on a Nikon D700. This lens was in production from 1992 to 2003. Aperture priority; 800 ISO; f/11; 1/160th; lens at 70mm.

Photographed with a Tamron AF 70-210mm f/2.8 SP LD lens on a Nikon D700. This lens was in production from 1992 to 2003. Aperture priority; 800 ISO; f/5.6; 1/1600th; lens at 160mm. Benefits from pressing 'z' for a bigger picture.

Photographed with a Tamron AF 70-210mm f/2.8 SP LD lens on a Nikon D700. This lens was in production from 1992 to 2003. Aperture priority; 800 ISO; f/11; 1/640th; lens at 70mm.