Tag Archives: nikon

35 Years Of Professional Photography!

Things have been so busy that I forgot to celebrate a work anniversary! This autumn, marked 35 years of professional photography!

It’s amazing to think that I started my career in 1989! My first newspaper was the Ealing Gazette. Such a special place that to this day I’m lucky to keep in touch with great friends and colleagues from those days. Full of fond memories of getting my first break thanks to the chief photographer Stan James.

Five years into my career. Tools of the trade. 1994.

The last 35 years have been primarily as a photojournalist, adding corporate, commercial as well as short film making as the decades continued.

It’s a job I absolutely love and cherish. Still getting an immense buzz from that gut feeling of knowing one has captured a good photograph, as the shutter button is released. I’m thankful that I still get that creative rush from seeing a publication and getting client feedback.

This photograph was made five years into my career; trusty Nikon FM2, Leica M6, press card and a Domke photographer’s vest!

It’s astonishing to realise I’ve been published in practically all the world’s main newspapers, picked up a World Press Photo award, the British Press Awards Photographer of the Year title and get exhibited in around 90 countries; something the 19 year old me would never have fathomed!

Thank you to everyone along the way who has made this such an immensely wonderful career.

Nikkor 8mm Fisheye On A Leica M Type 240

The Joy Of Mirrorless Cameras

The inside of a washing machine drum, photographed on a fisheye lens. July 07, 2014. Photo: Edmond Terakopian Shot using a Nikkor 8mm Fisheye lens on a Leica M (Type 240), using a Novoflex Nikon to Leica M adapter.

The inside of a washing machine drum, photographed on a fisheye lens. July 07, 2014. Photo: Edmond Terakopian
Shot using a Nikkor 8mm Fisheye lens on a Leica M (Type 240), using a Novoflex Nikon to Leica M adapter.

One of the joys of mirrorless cameras is the ability to mount practically every lens made by every manufacturer, using the appropriate adapter. The Leica M rangefinder, being the mother of all mirrorless cameras (going back to 1954), made the perfect camera to try out my old, vintage Nikkor 8mm f8 fisheye lens. Especially as the camera has a full frame sensor so can display the circular fisheye perfectly. With the Leica M (Type 240)’s Live View, the camera was ideal.

Nikkor 8mm Fisheye Lens On Leica M (Type 240) Test, using Novoflex adapter. London. July 06, 2014. Photo: Edmond Terakopian

Nikkor 8mm Fisheye Lens On Leica M (Type 240) Test, using Novoflex adapter. London. July 06, 2014. Photo: Edmond Terakopian

Nikkor 8mm Fisheye Lens On Leica M (Type 240) Test, using Novoflex adapter. London. July 06, 2014. Photo: Edmond Terakopian

Nikkor 8mm Fisheye Lens On Leica M (Type 240) Test, using Novoflex adapter. London. July 06, 2014. Photo: Edmond Terakopian

Photographing the inside of a Bosch washing machine drum. Nikkor 8mm Fisheye Lens On Leica M (Type 240) Test, using Novoflex adapter. London. July 07, 2014. Photo: Edmond Terakopian

Photographing the inside of a Bosch washing machine drum. Nikkor 8mm Fisheye Lens On Leica M (Type 240) Test, using Novoflex adapter. London. July 07, 2014. Photo: Edmond Terakopian

My favourite lens adapters are made by Novoflex (available in the UK from Speed Graphic). With a lot of research and help from the wise folks at the Leica Users Forum, we deduced that the Nikkor would fit (it has a very deep rear element. When used on an SLR, the mirror has to be locked up before the lens is mounted).

***DISCLAIMER – you need to realise that mounting any non standard lens to your camera has it’s own risks. Do your research carefully as you will have to take full responsibility if anything goes wrong! I am not liable for any mistakes, accidents or damage and do not encourage you to try this!***

Nikkor 8mm Fisheye Lens On Leica M (Type 240) Test, using Novoflex adapter. London. July 06, 2014. Photo: Edmond Terakopian

Nikkor 8mm Fisheye Lens On Leica M (Type 240) Test, using Novoflex adapter. London. July 06, 2014. Photo: Edmond Terakopian

These are early days and I’m going to explore using this circular fisheye, but I wanted to share the journey so far. The only proper picture I’ve made so far is the washing machine drum, but there will be more to come, so keep an eye on my Flickr page!

More Nikkor 8mm Fisheye on Leica pictures HERE.

Nikkor 8mm Fisheye Lens On Leica M (Type 240) Test, using Novoflex adapter. London. July 06, 2014. Photo: Edmond Terakopian

Nikkor 8mm Fisheye Lens On Leica M (Type 240) Test, using Novoflex adapter. London. July 06, 2014. Photo: Edmond Terakopian

Nikkor 8mm Fisheye Lens On Leica M (Type 240) Test, using Novoflex adapter. The stairwell. London. July 06, 2014. Photo: Edmond Terakopian

Nikkor 8mm Fisheye Lens On Leica M (Type 240) Test, using Novoflex adapter. The stairwell. London. July 06, 2014. Photo: Edmond Terakopian