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.

Mirror Or Not?

I’m an experienced chop and change merchant. I have extensive knowledge and experience of switching camera brands and systems. The only digital format I haven’t tried is medium format and that’s mainly because I can’t afford to. If someone gave me £10,000 to buy a camera system, I would seriously contemplate medium format. As it is, my budget is very limited. I rely on selling and trading to get the gear I use. About four months ago, I moved to Canon DSLR from micro four thirds Panasonicville. I wanted to rekindle a love of DSLR cameras and how they work. The Canon native glass is top notch, even the budget end 50mm f1.8 and 40mm f2.8. The autofocus and shutter systems are very quick. They don’t have IBIS but a few of the lenses have OIS so it’s there if you need to steady things.

I have spent the time since, using DSLR’s and mainly, loving them. There are a few drawbacks but on the whole, the shooting experience is very satisfying. I have mainly used mirrorless cameras in the past as I like to occasionally use vintage film lenses but the disadvantages of mirrorless are rarely talked about. The battery life is invariably worse, the start up time is slower and autofocus isn’t always as quick as with DSLRs. The camera world is nearly all mirrorless nowadays and the major brands (Canon and Nikon), have ceased to bring out new DSLR models or lenses. Everything is mirrorless with both having to create a whole new line of lenses to suit new mounts.

I recently sold one of my DSLR bodies to get a Canon EOS R mirrorless camera. It was the first full frame model Canon brought out and is a great starting point for them. it has its drawbacks but every camera I have ever owned had them. My dalliance with Leica full frame was great but not without its woes. I wanted to stay with Canon and have the ability (with an adapter), to use my existing EF glass. It connects flawlessly and works very well on the EOS R. Yes, the old problems with mirrorless are present on the EOS R but on the whole, I really like using it. I do think Canon have the best menu system of any manufacturer I have tried and it crosses over from DSLR to mirrorless, without missing a step.

My two camera system is now a Canon 6D Mark II and the EOS R. They are both lovely to use and similar in the quality of image they produce. I can’t decide as to which I will use for video work as the specs are similar. I have shied away
from looking at the R6, R5 or R6 II, as I’m not entirely sure I need IBIS as yet. Is the DSLR a dying breed of camera, probably? Are they irrelevant to today's photographers, no. The flagship Canon 1DX Mark III is an astonishing camera, that can often outperform most of the current Canon mirrorless cameras. It is far tougher and has a massive shutter life expectancy.

I know I have done these sort of gear centered reviews before and then gone and switched. I’m not telling you to go Canon or that I love them like no other. I haven’t ever explored the mysterious world of Sony full frame and there may come a day when I do. I do think using DSLR’s, is a very joyful thing and they are capable of producing stunning images, despite their ageing technology. As mentioned earlier, I do use old film lenses on occasions and we are talking 40-50 year old lenses. The images you can capture with these can be as good as any modern lens. Many filmmakers use vintage glass as they produce a more ‘filmic look’. Sharpness and precision are nice but not the be all and end all. Just because your camera is older than five years and may have a mirror, it doesn’t render it obsolete. Maybe there is a place for the continuance of DSLRs ? Maybe to harness what they do really well with what a modern mirrorless camera can achieve, is the way forward?