Photography in (M)anual mode! The Carl Zeiss Distagon 2/35 ZF lens

I have been using a new lens for the past couple weeks! The Carl Zeiss Distagon 2/35 ZF. This lens has a Nikon F mount so it fits right on my Nikon DSLR. This lens only works in Manual mode, so it was a little intimidating at first! You have to adjust your Aperture, ISO, Focus, and Shutter Speed manually. Coming from my Nikkor lenses, this was a whole new world! This lens has been the best teaching agent of photography for me. It was a situation where I had always wanted to shoot manual, but was afraid I would miss the shot because of an incorrect setting. Well when you have no choice but manual, you learn real quick what settings work in what kind of shooting condition. For me, this lens was all about trial and error. Too dark, too light, too grainy, not in focus. As they say, practice makes you better! Ever since getting this lens, I think it has only come off my Nikon body maybe 3 times. I am that attached to it! It has really shown me why a lens that has say a f/2.8 all the way through costs 10x more than one that is a f/3.-5.6. It all makes sense now. I think until you shoot with a lens like that, it's hard to imagine there is a difference as great as the price. But believe me, there is!

I am currently saving to get a new Nikon Body, the D90. And I really hope I get it while I still have this lens, and I really hope I have both of them in time for the July 18th photowalk in San Jose!

If you have a chance to shoot with a lens like this and you are a beginner like me, I really really really encourage you to do so. I have learned more in the past month using this lens that the previous 6 using standard kit AF lenses.