Camera manufacturers excel at tempting us to buy their latest gear, teasing us with headline features like faster autofocus. These are the features that generate a buzz about new gear and get names on pre-order lists, but this video suggests they could also encourage us to buy cameras for the wrong reasons.
In this video, landscape photographer Nigel Danson explains his reasons for upgrading to the new Nikon Z 8 – and he’s not interested in megapixels or dynamic range. In fact, none of the headline features convinced him to make the jump from the Nikon Z 7II to the Z 8.
He insists that no single feature on the Z 8 is enough to justify the upgrade for him, but the combined value of all the improvements adds enough value for him to make the move.
Towards the end of the video, he also explains why factors like ergonomics, performance, and the feel of a camera are more important than headline features. Wrapping up his video, he tells us that “we shouldn't forget that the camera we use is a tool that needs to feel right so that it can become an extension of you and your creativity”.
This resonated with me a lot, having recently moved from Nikon Z (funnily enough) to Sony for the very same reason. Last year, I added a Sony A7 IV and the Sony 85mm f/1.8 prime to my kit because something about the Z 6 and Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 felt awkward in my hands.
The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 is optically superior to the Sony equivalent and, ergonomically, the Z 6 feels more comfortable in my hand. Yet, the specific combination of Sony's A7 IV and 85mm f/1.8 (my preferred focal length) is more comfortable and enjoyable for me to use for longer periods. Features have nothing to do with Sony now being my main system.
Nigel has plenty more wisdom to share in his video, so give it a watch and let us know whether you bought your last camera for the right reasons.
The more I shot, the less gear I carried - I remember carrying an M645 along with lenses and a Norman 200b with flash head (of course) into El Yunque National Forest and an even BIGGER c330 to Hawaii (along with my F4)! I DID get some beautiful shots with that F4, M645 and c330, but ended up mainly shooting with rangefinders: a Canon Canonet QL17 (awesome) then a Voigtlander BESSA R (Leica M39s!!!) and eventually a Leica Minilux (tiny little bastard, but quiet, unobtrusive and SHARP). I learned the hard way ($700 for an F4 in 2003????) that big and fancy doesn't make good photos. I'd trade all my gear for an eye like Ryan McGinley's, Diane Arbus' or whomever you consider singular, because that's where the art comes in - a strong consistent body of work expressing a unique vision. I was able to take good, solid, technically strong images - but NEVER great photographs because a camera is just a box that keeps out light - no matter how much you spend. **
** I sold all my gear and film EXCEPT for my Nikon glass which I use with my D700!
My curiosity led me to find out what sort of camera Diane Arbus used since I like her work.
Nikon F, Rolleiflex, Mamiya C33, and a Pentax 6x7. She used some pretty nice equipment.