Unpopular Camera Brands

Reputation in the world of cameras, is a strange thing. It can build from having been a quality producer/manufacturer for generations. It can come from famous people endorsing the brand. It can come from a sense of self belief. You can however make top quality products that can equal or some times, out perform the popular ones and this goes unnoticed.

If you are a camera manufacturer, particularly one of the big three (Sony, Canon & Nikon), you appear to fail to see what any other camera brand is doing. You work at your own pace, introducing new cameras and lenses at your own speed. You endeavour to make the best product you can to appeal to your loyal fanbases.

The second tier of brands (Fujifilm, Panasonic, OM systems (Olympus), Sigma and Pentax) have to work harder to get the attention of professionals and enthusiasts. They have to show it’s feasible to switch from the big three and trust their products.

Then there are the top end manufacturers (Leica and Hasselblad) who produce high end very expensive and exclusive cameras and lenses. They can charge exorbitant prices for their products as they are hand made and carry a certain caché that commands a high fee.

Old Town above Hebden Bridge - Panasonic S5II + Pentax 28mm f2.8

Certain YouTubers, poke fun at the second tier manufacturers attempts to sell their cameras and lenses. It’s as if they have to compare themselves to the output of the big three in order to gain some degree of approval. They compare the latest camera or lens with one from the high three and ask you to wonder if it is as good as a Canon/Nikon/Sony equivalent. You have to match their standards otherwise, they don’t quite reach their lofty heights. Don’t get me wrong, the big three make some really beautiful cameras and lenses. They sort of deserve their positions as the go to brands but is it all smoke and mirrors? I have tried cameras from pretty much every main brand apart from Nikon. For a long time, I was a Fujifilm user and loved their quality cameras and lenses. I have used Sony, Canon, Leica, Panasonic, Olympus (briefly) and Pentax. I now shoot with Panasonic and Pentax. They do everything I need them to and are both more than able of producing top rate images to the limit of my capabilities (who sometimes makes a mess of things).

Nutclough Woods, Hebden Bridge Pentax K70 + Pentax 50mm f1.7

At one time, Pentax were probably the leading camera manufacturers in the world. Their cameras and lenses were the envy of most other brands. Nowadays, they occupy a corner of the camera market usually in the shade. They do however, continue to make top built, rugged, feature packed cameras. Their lenses render colour and detail beautifully and they have the added advantage of being backwards compatible with their lens mount. You can attach a Pentax mount lens from the 1970s to their modern bodies without an adapter. I think the only other brand that boasts that is Leica but correct if I’m wrong.

Panasonic Lumix make stunning, weather sealed cameras that out perform some of the big three as hybrid cameras. They are well known for their ability to make excellent video cameras. As stills cameras, they are criminally underrated. Some of my favourite shots were taken on Lumix cameras. They do the simple things well and make highly capable cameras and stunning glass.

Rochdale Canal - Panasonic S5 + Panasonic 50mm f1.8

However much you point out the excellent build quality, the feature packed camera bodies and lenses and the manufacturers desire to listen to its customers, the big three will always hog the limelight because that’s how they keep there. Ricoh Pentax , Fujifilm and Panasonic LUMIX tend to listen to users and introduce features that photographers have asked for. I’m not sure that any of the big three ever do this. They tend to approach photographers as customers who should be happy to receive whatever new innovations they have come up with and just be grateful for what they’ve got.

Quick Break Haifax - Panasonic S5II + Panasonic 85mm f1.8

I have ended up happily using two stellar cameras from Pentax and Panasonic. I don’t feel as if I’ve compromised in any way on quality by going with these cameras. I never felt as if Fujifilm were the poor relations of Sony/Canon/Nikon. Now I’m in the business of taking photographs professionally, I wonder if the camera I choose dictates my ability to work as a professional photographer? Results are ultimately what gets you work and I am trying to focus on honing my craft rather than what tool I use to perform in the craft. I use 40 yr old lenses that stand up to the latest and greatest advances in lens technology. I see this as a bonus afforded to me that the major players would sniff at. Would I like to own a top of line Sony camera or Nikon, maybe so? Until that day comes, I say give the also ran guys a chance. You may be pleasantly surprised!

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