The Right Tool.

• The search for the ideal camera or system, has been an ongoing challenge for me. I have worked my way through many systems, only to find there’s that almost undefinable part that’s missing in most. About 9 months ago, I switched to Nikon. I used the D810, D750 and D700 for many months. I loved how they rendered colours, the ease of operation and the feel of the cameras in hand. They were heavy, the lenses were bulky but I managed just fine. Then four months ago, I broke my ankle. The road back to mobility has been a slow and arduous one at times but it had its photographic casualties. The kit I used was too heavy to manage with restricted movement. I decided to switch to their mirrorless versions and it has been a revelation. The bodies are light, well built, rugged and comfortable. The z mount lenses are stellar and balance beautifully on the bodies. The menu systems and button layout, virtually identical to the DSLR predecessors.

I have an old Pentax K70 and a few lenses just to keep my DSLR hand in but my main work is done with the Nikon bodies. They are a great mix of many makes I have tried in the past and afford me the comfort of reliability. They do what I want them to without over complicating things. I have a feeling Nikon was kind of dragged into the world of mirrorless rather like their main competitor, Canon. Sony, Panasonic, Olympus and Fujifilm were years ahead in mirrorless technology but Nikon rather dragged its feet. Now, they stand as equals to the top brands and have produced some awesome products. They allowed the transition of Nikon devotees to be relatively smooth. I have stuck with the 24mp bodies as I prefer to have better low light performance than more megapixels.

I did a blog post previously about megapixels and the upward movement to higher and higher numbers. The more megapixels you cram on a sensor, the less space there is and this can affect the noise levels in shots. I can crop with a 24mp camera and still produce decent sized prints. I have considered switching from the z6 to the 45mp z7 but I’m not sure I need to. The only real reason I would go for a larger number would be if I moved over to medium format and that’s not about to happen anytime soon.

The important thing a professional photographer should realise is that a camera body is a tool. It is designed to enable you to create images whether they be commercial and or artistic. I enjoyed using the DSLR Nikon bodies but unfortunately I can’t carry that weight around with me at present. The only downsides to mirrorless is having electronic viewfinders as I prefer optical ones and the reduced battery life. I tell myself I was used to mirrorless long before I started using DSLR bodies and rarely suffered with flat batteries. Tell yourself that the camera and lens are a means to an end and not what makes you a good photographer. I could shoot with a 100mp Hasselblad and not produce images better than my Nikon or even Pentax cameras. Yes, they would give me lots of scope and incredible detail but they won’t improve my composition or subject choice. If someone gave me a Hasselblad and a couple of lenses, I would be over the moon but I’m not at the stage of camera manufacturers giving me gear.

I am content to work with my full frame Nikon and APSC Pentax cameras. I can do photo shoots, street photography and landscape photography. They allow me to work in inclement weather without worrying about damaging my gear. They are light enough to carry whilst walking and reliable enough to use in all cases. They are the right tools for the job at this moment in my burgeoning career.

The accident and recovery have been a setback and I can’t pretend I have much catching up to do but I’m slowly getting back to normal. I just have to build my rugged side up to match the gear I use. My body is as much of a tool as the equipment I use to work. At least I know I can depend on my cameras to turn up even if I take a while longer to regain full mobility.

Does Size Matter?

The image above was taken with a 36.3mp camera. That is as big a sensor I have ever owned. By modern standards, that’s a middle of the road sized sensor, given that many top end full frame cameras are at 61mp and medium format cameras at 100mp. I bought the camera partly on reputation and also that it was a very good deal. The 36.3 mega pixels, allow me to crop my image quite considerably and still retain a decent file size. The question is though, does it make for better quality images than say a 12.8mp camera from the same manufacturer?

I have Nikon cameras ranging in sensor size from 12 to 36 and I’m not entirely sure that the number of pixels, determines the quality of image. There doesn’t seem to be an exponential growth in quality, the more mega pixels my camera has. I have more scope to crop with a bigger sensor but do I lose anything at the same time. My Nikon d700 (that took this image above) is a very interesting camera in the Nikon pantheon of cameras. Nearly every modern digital sensor is made by Sony by way back when Nikon designed the d700 and d3 cameras, they went to Matsushita (a branch of Panasonic) to supply the sensors. This resulted in two models that render light and colour very differently to most other digital cameras. It’s a big heavy camera that is a professional grade camera and a joy to use.

The image above is from a Nikon d750. This is a 24mp DSLR and 24 is often described as the sweet spot of pixels and full frame sensor format. It has more in common with my 36mp Nikon d810 but is smaller and marginally lighter. It handles low light as well as both of the others and is rugged and a pleasure to use. The delight of these Nikon cameras, is that they are all very reasonable and professional grade gear. They do create slightly different looks but none have a particular edge over the other. The lack of megapixels in the d700 is made up for with an extraordinary filmic quality of its images. The d810 produces highly detailed images that allow the photographer to crop at pleasure. I like to use a 5:4 crop (pretending it’s a medium format image I subconsciously assume ?) .

I like to have several bodies that I can use for different purposes. I like the option rather than doing everything on one body. I’ve recently sold all my Panasonic gear and got a very cheap Nikon z6, to use mainly for street photography. For my photo shoots, I’ll probably use the d810 and d750 as they are good for portraits and in low light. The d700 is my indulgence. I love it because it does something the others don’t.

Does size matter then? Not really is my conclusion obtained from not very exhaustive research. I’m happy using Nikon cameras, lenses and that seems to be the common denominator. I can share batteries among 3 cameras, lenses over all 4 and a menu system common to all. It makes life simpler and easier to switch from model to model. How many megapixels is not my primary thought but having a range does help.

Joy In Simplicity.

I had an epiphany a couple of weeks ago. No, I haven’t got religion or had a visitation from outer space. I realised something. What if I could have one system for landscape projects and video; and one for street, portrait and daily use? Simple really. The only problem is how do I get both without breaking the bank? The answer came to me one day. What if I slimmed down my micro four thirds set up and keep what I need for video & landscapes and go old school for my portrait, street and daily use. The solution started to become clearer. I put one of my micro four thirds cameras up for sale, sold a lens I wasn’t really using and bought a cheap full frame DSLR. My problem with full frame DSLR’s is the size and weight of them. Generally, the lenses are big and heavy. The bodies are invariably very big and heavy and I end up back in the situation I was in six months ago. I didn’t want to be lugging big bags of gear around with me and causing a recurrence of my neck and shoulder pain.

I searched, researched and found my solution. I went for the Canon 6D. Its a small, light, full frame DSLR with a respectable 20.2mp sensor. It is cheap as it’s getting on but built very solidly. I found one online with a 50mm f1.8 lens at a very good price. I bought the kit along with the highly rated Canon EF 40mm f2.8 pancake lens (also very cheap). I took possession of the items a few days ago. Ive only been out three times with this setup but what a revelation. The camera is very comfortable, lighter than my GH5II and a joy to use. I am a novice with DSLR’s and have much to learn but my first impressions are very favourable. I opted for a full frame because of the ability to work in low light. I also like the fact there isn’t any maths involved when working out the focal length of your lens. No crop factors or calculations as to what focal length your lens actually is. A 50mm lens is 50mm. Talking of the 50mm, it’s a lovely sharp lens. very light, very cheap and surprisingly capable. The 40mm is a sensation, super sharp and good in low light too.

I know the 6D has its haters. Only one card slot and not rugged enough for professionals. It’s solid enough for me and one card slot is fine as I’m not planning on doing any wedding or serious landscape photography with it. Even if I did decide to do those things, I’d just have a spare couple of sd cards in my bag. The whole kit was cheaper than what I am selling the Panasonic G9. I still have the GH5II and a few lenses. It is a brilliant camera and even better video camera. I am happy with that and what it can do. It feels more of a tool whereas the Canon 6D feels more of a joy to use. I carry the small Peak Design camera bag around with me just in case there’s a moment I want to capture. I might get myself a cheap 28mm to complete the set but it is simple, fast and pleasurable to use. The shutter is on silent mode but still sounds pleasantly reassuring. I am only a couple of hundred shots in with it but I feel already, this one is a keeper. If I fell on hard times and had to sell all my MFT gear, I would still have a brilliant, professional grade full frame camera to use, for fraction of the price of a modern full frame mirrorless system. The camera and two lenses weigh very little. Even if I added a 28mm, it would still be lighter than my GH5II with three lenses. It isn’t without its flaws and limitations but I don’t need perfect. I am a novice professional photographer that wants to get better at his art. I want to pick up a camera I don’t have to worry about being precious with and go and take photographs. I want it to be about creating, not accumulating gear.

Pentaxia

‘Oh right, he’s switched systems, again’. Yeah I hear you thinking this guy can’t stick with one thing. He must be frustrated or believes a new camera will make him a better photographer. Don’t think I haven’t thought this many times over the years. Searching for that perfect system that helps me deliver what I see in that split second before taking the shot. Have I been masking my inner dissatisfaction, am I chopping and changing to make me feel better?

I have moved over to the niche world of Pentax. Once, a titan in the world of photography, a technical innovator of such things as the SLR, new lens construction, championing the use of 35mm film. Pentax have resisted the move towards mirrorless, preferring to stick to producing DSLR cameras (mostly APSC format). In 2016, whether it was pressure to take on Canon and Nikon ; they introduced the Pentax K1. A 36.4mp full frame DSLR with IBIS , pixel shift technology, astrotracer ability; they entered the competitive professional camera market. It is fair to say, I have had my eye on this camera for about 2 years. I’ve been through the Fujifilm system, had a six month dalliance with the Panasonic/Leica L mount to arrive at where I am today.

Took delivery of my new used Pentax K1 last week. It was made in 2017 according to its serial number but doesn’t feel outdated. It’s heavy but very comfortable. Solid, precise and very well made. There were two main reasons I took the leap into Pentax. Firstly, I already own and use the Ricoh GRIIIX. That is a stellar camera with outstanding image quality and the partner company of Pentax. My K1 shares the same image processor as the Ricoh. Secondly, Pentax DSLR cameras are backwards compatible with every K mount lens right back to the 1970s. I have owned several vintage k mount lenses and to have a camera that doesn’t require adapters is a bonus.

Pentax users are described as Pentaxians. They inhabit a world at odds with the conventions of modern digital photography. These woolly coated creatures of middle earth, scuttle about in woods carrying their frankly weird cameras with them. What the big players often overlook however , is the amazing image quality Pentax cameras can deliver. My friend Baldur who now lives in Norway, is a Pentax user. He’s one of the best photographers I’ve met and his choice of camera has never seemed to hold his creativity back. It got me thinking a month or so ago, what if Baldur had a point about Pentax cameras? Like most camera gear lurches, I do a lot of background research as to what I’m getting into. The K1 has sat in the background, tantalising me with its beguiling qualities. I realised that if I was to move into this system, it would require some new learning. I have been such a confirmed mirrorless users for so many years now, it would take a big leap to go to a DSLR. I’ve leapt and what are my first impressions?

Image quality is beyond anything I’ve ever used. The detail, the ability to recover that detail is jaw dropping. The files are bigger so you can now crop and not lose quality. The lens choices are numerous. I started off with two old Sigma lenses. I didn’t have high hopes but they perform beautifully. My old vintage glass is wonderful on it and it confirms my choice. It isn’t that heavy but it is that quality you want in any camera. You just want to take it out of the your bag and take pictures. All the images in this post have been taken with my K1. Am I finally settled on a camera system? There’s no point saying definitively yes but is it the best system I’ve ever used? Probably yes. I have now entered the realm of Pentaxia. I shall be monitoring my feet for excessive hair growth and am ordering some long pipes to sit and blow smoke rings quietly of an evening in a hidden wood or scenic hillside.