Perfect Focus

My intent this day was to test a new lens to see if it worked as advertised. It’s an inexpensive Meike 85mm F1.8 lens for my Nikon full-frame Z5.

It’s something I’ve wanted for some time to replace the 85mm f1.8 DX cropped sensor F-mount lens I use with my DSLR cameras. The price was great, but I worried that it wouldn’t be very sharp at f1.8 or that focusing would suffer if it lacked contrast wide open.

I took it along on a normal day photo search not sure what I might encounter.

Stopped by Generations to see what was happening with rehearsals for the Christmas show when I remembered the lens was in my bag. Perfect opportunity for testing.

Made several photos testing focus. Concentrated on eyes. It was quick to focus. I wasn’t concerned with getting a photo for the day. I only wanted to test the lens.

Then this happened. Perfect focus on the eyes. Arms outstretched. Good composition. Peak action. Good lighting.

Of course, I didn’t know about the focus until I checked the frames later that night. I was very pleased with the lens and even more pleased with the photo. However, I didn’t know the dancer or her parents or it would have been My Final Photo for the day. Didn’t want to publish it without asking.

I saved the edited photo to my phone as I do all my finished edits. Several days later I ran into a dance mom I know who recognized the girl and contacted her family who gave me permission to publish.

Now you get to see the photo and learn about my new lens.