This is going to be a subjective post, but I won’t turn it into a tribute to my camera brand of choice. Instead, I’m talking about the difficulties that led me to a particular brand more than any other.
The camera system I use is not perfect for everyone. But for me, the pros of my camera system far outweigh any cons. I’ve been through quite a bit of trouble in my career as a photographer. I started taking pictures of my friends on skateboards and BMX bikes when I was a teenager, around 2005. The shooting scene was very different then. Digital is becoming mainstream and affordable for the average person, while some are still filming. I took the image with film and processed it at a lab that would provide me with a digital photo CD, a hybrid method.
Getting Started in Digital
After my trusty Canon SLR camcorder was stolen from my backpack, I was ready to buy my first digital system. I saved every penny and bought a Nikon D70s. One catch that led me to go this way (and not Canon’s option, the 350D) was the 1/500 flash sync speed. Then I shoot a lot of flash and this extra stop often allows me to tame the sun when I can’t do otherwise. This was way before the days of high-speed sync. My love for the brand has sprung up and for the next 10 years, Nikon will be my camera of choice.
I still love that camera and would love to use it again. It was the camera that shot my first paid job and through that I began to find my place in the industry that would cost me my entire working life.
In the end, I needed money and higher paying bike magazines. So my work is becoming more and more commercial and studio based. I’m passionate about fashion, but I’ll spend most of my time shooting portfolios for a few agencies in addition to whatever work I can: portraits, interiors, menus, events Company events, products, etc. Only a few of these are interesting, but my Nikons serve me well.
After the D70s, I upgrade to the D200, then the D700, then the D750, and my Nikon time is over.
a turning point
But why should it end? In 2016, I decided to leave the studio and move into a wedding, and those cameras were heavy. A few months after this decision, I was nearing the end of my wedding day and felt quite exhausted.
I packed my backpack: two full-frame DSLRs, 24-70mm, 70-200mm, and a couple of flashes. I even had a laptop in it. I put it on my back and stood up straight before falling to the ground under the weight of the bag. The guests definitely laughed more than me! The only thing I’m hurting is my ego, but I know something has to be changed if I’m going to do this often.
I have reviewed several mirrorless cameras. I know systems can be a bit lighter, which makes me cheat on my Nikon for the first time.
In 2017, I went to The Photography Show, a major UK trade show that most brands attend to showcase their products. My specific aim at the show was to find a lighter camera system or some lighter lenses for Nikon, perhaps some fixed lenses.
Find vi four thirds
This shopping trip has one goal: I’m putting my camera bag on a diet. I’ve heard rumors that Sony’s mirrorless cameras are great.
But things could have been better on our first date (to the Sony booth). I picked up their latest product, maybe a7 II, and something was off. Although I know the camera is probably impressive, I feel it’s not. I also recall a giant lens mounted on the front of the camera body, and I was on a mission to reduce weight.
My wandering took me to the Olympus stand, where I was really impressed. Their cameras are beautiful, and I especially love the look of the OM-D EM5 Mark II. It’s not the most elegant of names, but the classic look drew me in. One of their ambassadors at the time, Robert Pugh, spoke to me over his wedding camera bag.
I watched in amazement as he unloaded his wedding bag: a small Think Tank shoulder bag containing two camera bodies, numerous fixed focal length lenses, a flash and even an iPad. This is a guy who shoots weddings for a living, just like I wanted to. He used a set of cameras that seemed heavier than one of my Nikon bodies.
Within a week, I was proud to be the owner of two new bodies and several lenses.
Using an Olympus camera
I know what you’re thinking. Those tiny Olympus cameras aren’t meant for professional work. However, I need to disagree because they served me well at the time.
I took some of my favorite photos, even to this day, on that camera system. It changed the way I work and allowed me to adopt a more documentary style of wedding photography, which I am so passionate about today. This system also made me fall in love with the prime lenses I still keep.
I’ve been happy in my micro four-thirds world for a while, but things aren’t perfect. My list of requirements exceeded what the system could give me. First, of course, I want to keep my camera system lit. I also needed more card slots, faster cameras, better autofocus, and perhaps most importantly, better image quality. It’s also important to me that I still need to enjoy using the system. Cameras were released to address some of those concerns, but the sensor remains the same.
Don’t get me wrong, files from small sensors are generally acceptable in good lighting conditions. My problems came when the sun went down, and after a tightly booked winter, I longed for a camera with better high ISO performance.
An almost perfect system
What do I have to do? I don’t want to use Sony for reasons I can’t put my finger on. Canon and Nikon mirrorless systems are in their infancy, and I know that full frame means a return to heavy lenses.
What about Fujifilm?
The Fujifilm X-T3 was already in my sights, but I never held it or looked at the system. Is this the one for me?
These cameras feature beautifully designed bodies in a classic style. They have fast warm-up times, good battery life, and a large selection of small but well-shaped prime lenses. Two SD slots are top priority.
More importantly, while the low-light performance is not up to the standard some of the other brands, it’s much better than what I’ve used.
After dealing with some lenses in my local camera shop, I left with two bodies: one Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR lens and a Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 CHEAP Glass. And oh my, I was mesmerized! I finally feel like I’ve found a system I can use forever. Of course, some things could be better, such as autofocus, but for me it’s an improvement and will only get better.
And so we’re almost perfect for me. I have cameras that are fast enough for me with almost that level of image quality. I can shoot up to about ISO 12,800. They are small, light and a dream to use.
Make it perfect
That’s my rather fascinating story of how I discovered my love for Fujifilm through the many small pain points that Fujifilm eventually resolved for me. But is it perfect?
The release of Fujifilm XF 18mm f/1.4 R LM WR . Lens and XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR . Lens brought this dream closer. I’ve used them for about 80% of my work since release. My trusty 56mm and wider XF 14mm f/2.8 CHEAP in my pocket if needed.
The icing on the camera cake has arrived this year: new body! The Fujifilm X-H2S and Fujifilm X-H2 bring two new sensors and a bunch of new magic. However, the body is brand new to me Fujifilm X-T5.
I haven’t written a review of the newest addition yet, but a lot is available. However, after collecting two bodies, I filmed two weddings with them.
The X-T5 camera takes everything I loved about my old X-T3s and dramatically improves almost every aspect.
Now, I am using the perfect camera system for the first time. It may not be perfect for you. Maybe you’re a full-frame purist. Maybe you like other brand colors. If this were you, you would certainly disagree with me in the comments, and I can’t wait to read them.
I would love to know if your camera system is perfect. The great thing about having all these camera brands available is that our favorite gear is almost as subjective as photography. We can all fall in love with different brands and systems, which makes the world coveting our devices interesting.
