The Nikkor 50mm 1-1.4 G, me and the Sony by domenicododaro

The Nikkor 50mm 1-1.4 G, me and the Sony

Here we are. My little beloved Nikkor, what did they do to you? I was in love, before meeting those walkiries, the Leicas... And they are perfect, aren’t they. While your slight barrel distortion makes you feel a little fat... Oh well, long live the imperfection, I’m short five feet four inches, after all, nobody is perfect!

***

Finally finished the third fortnight: here’s the full little story.

SHAPES

He loved hard contrasts. White whites and black blacks: a fair, comfortable way to sort things and people. Good from evil, nice from ugly, day from night... Oh, he could go on for ages. Away from dubious shades and fuzzy greys, a neat, clear cut between the glorious clarity of harsh sunlight and the darkness of deep shadow.
Questions, he had many. And for each question the proper answer. The world at his feet was a magnificent geometric riddle, to be worked out from his firm beliefs.
A prison? He would never refer to his opinions like that.
He had never changed any, after all. Why on Earth should he barter his own theoretical framework for anything less convenient.
Hanging on known patterns and never letting go: the secret recipe of serenity.
Not that doubts would refrain from visiting his mood, from time to time.
It happened in dreams, and not so often, though. A few times his sleep, that was the sleep of the good and the just, was visited by some erratic visions, something peeling off his soul.
Just a little excess on proteins at dinner, maybe. Nothing to be concerned about, or that couldn’t be managed with an Alka-Seltzer and a chamomile tea.
Symmetry was his credo, composure his religion, balance his rite, that didn’t cost him much effort to profess.
He didn’t need to look for the light at the end of the tunnel, rather he wouldn’t see the tunnel.
Robust were the doors of the safe where he used to keep the tools of his trade of living. A tidy, secure space where anxiety would not be admitted.
He felt safe. Rational, orderly, smart, organized, aware, conscious, accountable. What better adjectives could one possibly fathom for himself? Responsible for his own clear choices: yes/no, on/off - no matter how chaotic it could seem to get to the control.
Until, somehow, unexpectedly, that switch turned off all of a sudden. Things continued to show off their shapes with unsuspicious clarity, only to reveal, to his horror, that their content was lost.
Just a little crack on the rim of his otherwise perfectly round existence. An annoying ding, a glitch over which his mind would inevitably stumble. Why didn’t he react the only reasonable way: throwing away the darn problem. Why, now, did he bother to wonder.
As a matter of fact, without knowing why, he continued to wonder. About imperfections. About nuances. Looking for things he didn’t know existed. And they coexisted: beauty in decay, smile in painful days, tears in happiness.
New questions started to be asked with answers not at hand. His whole universe began to warp. To resist, he tried. But his first attempt, to shape time into a tempo and return a known rhythm to his life, failed miserably.
He felt like shrinking. The world was changing: size, proportions, distances. No more customary reference points. Just himself and the vastness of the unknown.
He and the unknown. One thing only. Many faces, angles, shapes: too many to count. Finally, he didn’t care to be accountable, and just let go. Was this freedom? Perhaps. Or perhaps not. So what?
I love your dedication to the Nikkor, belittled by the Leicas, the walkirias. Your mirrored image looks great! I’ll read the entire story tomorrow. In the meantime Fav!
March 19th, 2020  
I have one of those - it's 'imperfections' are more properly called character!
March 19th, 2020  
Sounds like there is a future author there! Don't look at all fat here!
March 20th, 2020  
Aw...an ode to one of my favorite lenses. Which I barely use anymore now that I have my mirrorless. I love your image (and the glasses).
March 20th, 2020  
interesting ...
March 20th, 2020  
Harry Potter, all grown up! Love this picture, so well done...makes me want to install one of those mirrors in our bathroom!
March 20th, 2020  
Great expression and creation
March 20th, 2020  
Imperfections are areas where a great many innovations are born. Wonderful composition and story.
March 20th, 2020  
there's a little bit of sean penn going on there, DD. are you losing weight or you just haven't been to the barber's? 😊
March 20th, 2020  
@summerfield hahaha - the second, I fear... barber shops closed since 9 March!
@joysabin thank you!
@jgpittenger thank you very much!
@featherstone26 haha thank you very much! They are very convenient for the makeup... and for photographs!
@pdulis thank you!
@taffy I fear the two Leicas have won with no battle... buy an adapter, I am using them on the mirrorless Sony alpha!
@maggiemae Hahaha I try to correct my personal barrel distortion with gym! Sooner or later I’ll be published in English, too...
@vignouse you’re right... but I had to correct the barrel distortion in each of the more geometric shots! Darn it!
@caterina thank you so much for the credit opening!
March 20th, 2020  
You look good together!
March 20th, 2020  
Ha ha, very cool shot, like your expression!
March 20th, 2020  
Why and How is everyone wearing the specs I wish I’d seen when I chose my new ones? O me miserum!
March 20th, 2020  
@lostphojo haha thank you very much!
@sharandrah thanks a lot!
@s4sayer haha it’s a pair of RayBan from 5-6 years ago, almost vintage lol
March 21st, 2020  
Great reflection image, liked reading the full story
Which lens is next?
March 21st, 2020  
@leonbuys83 Thank you, Leon, sorry for the late reply. the Nikkor 20mm f:2,8
March 22nd, 2020  
finally got a chance to read you most enjoyable and cleverly illustrated story. most enjoyable.
March 22nd, 2020  
@helenhall Thank you very much, Helen. My apologies for the belated reply!
March 24th, 2020  
I've been really enjoying your stories and have not been commenting and sharing my enjoyment with you. Thank you for still gracing my photos with your likes and comments! Stay safe!
March 27th, 2020  
@kuva Thanks to you, Megan. I am! We are, actually. You too, take care of yourself. I like most of your photos, so why not commenting and “faving” them?
March 27th, 2020  
What an enjoyable story. Please write more. I would buy a book of your writing!
April 6th, 2020  
@wendytel Thank you so much! Now this is a big compliment!
April 6th, 2020  
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