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It's probably the most asked question I get at weddings, in e-mails or texts from friends. It's never an easy answer to give but I thought I'd put my thoughts up here and hopefully it may give some kind of answer. As you can see from the above image (taken on my i-phone) I have this really bad habit of keeping hold of my cameras. I can't seem to allow myself to part with them, each body has it's own memories and when I look at them I'm reminded of special images that they have caught over the years. I just can't let any of them go.
As far as I (and most pro's) are concerned there are only two manufacturers anyone should look at, those being Nikon and Canon. Now before anyone gets upset and starts reading the small print about mega-pixels and the amount of widget bumps any of the other manufacturers offer let me explain my thinking. Nikon and canon have been the market leaders for longer than most can remember, a direct result of that is that they have the most users. Because they have the most users there is more equipment available both brand new and most importantly used. Take a look in any camera shop and see how much equipment the shop carries for Nikon and canon, then look for another manufacturer, Sony, Olympus, Penatx etc. As the famous saying goes, "buy right or buy twice".
So having narrowed it down to the two manufacturers (and if you're cool you'll pick Nikon) you now need to think about what the main use of your camera is likely to be and what your budget is. As I only use Nikon and have a small knowledge of their product range that's the manufacturer I'm going to suggest.
Film Camera (college / Purist) Nikon FM2 - something special about this camera, no widgets at all and completely manual, if you want to learn the basics this is a great camera to start with. A true purists camera.
Basic Digital (occasional use) Nikon D 3000
- A great little camera that won't break the budget and has a really cool in built help to help new users to understand more about using digital SLR's.
Medium use (semi pro) Nikon D 90
- I liked this camera so much I bought one! Truth is as a pro photographer I wanted a great camera that I could carry to normal social type events without the weight and size of the pro bodies. Added to that the HD video capture and incredible (and I mean INCREDIBLE) ability of this camera in low light, it has the same sensor as the next body up at almost half the price and has certainly earned its worth with me.
Once you step above the £1,000 mark you really are into a specialised market where each camera is geared towards individual markets (sport, portraiture, studio) and let's face it if you're spending that kind of money you're unlikely to need my advise.
Whatever your choice there's one thing you need to know. It doesn't matter how much money you spend or what equipment you have, cameras don't take great images, photographers do ( a lesson I learnt after using my first ever Hasselblad and seeing the results). If you want to learn a little more about taking people pictures why not come along to the FREE portrait training day I'm organising on the 8th May, join my facebook page (click on the top right of this web page) to get the details. I'm really looking forward to meeting so many people travelling from all over the UK for the fun.
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Occasionally I like to try something different in my photography so when recently I read through my Nikon camera manual and noticed the wildlife settings I decided to head to a local park and see what results I could get. I always read the manuals of my cameras from cover to cover as there's always new ways of doing things added regularly.
I had some success using the manufacturers wildlife settings and the adjusted noise of the shutter (see the video) works surprisingly well. I strongly suggest you dig out your manuals and see what secrets the camera holds. Have fun!
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I've always been a Nikon user. Ever since my first steps into photography (in the army) where an FM2 was thrust into my hand and I was sent out with rolls of film to go get some shots.
I love the cameras and have got to know each one I have owned almost personally. In fact I'm so bad I've still got them all (where's the sense in that).
I was very slow taking up the digital revolution as i have always been more than satisfied with the film cameras. However rising film/processing costs eventually made the decision for me (although i still occasionally shoot film). I can't be the only one who still gets inspired when opening a film can and smelling the emulsion on a fresh film can I?
Any way the main beef I had with Nikon was how all my lenses from my film bodies suddenly became different focal lengths when attached to my D2x. I suddenly found I had to be further away from my subjects and it caused me to have to change my approach to the subjects. This of course was due to the size of the image sensor Nikon used as a result I believe several photographers jumped ship and went to Canon who offered full frame. For years Nikon insisted they had no intention of going full frame and instead concentrated on new lenses specifically designed for digital bodies. All that changed last week with the announcement of the D3.
It looks a very impressive piece of kit and boasts several new widgets including, the ability to have 2 memory cards, some new fancy autofocus system and several other techy things (that if I'm honest don't interest me cause they're techy, I'm more interested in what it produces rather than how).
However I'm very impressed with the pricing policy, estimated at £3,300 that's a lot cheaper than the Canon equivalent.
It was the last day of Focus on Imaging at the NEC today.
For those that don't know this is the big event for photographers that happens once a year and really is considered a must.
I always manage to find something of interest when i go and amongst others i discovered this camera cover seen in the picture. Basically it's a rubber body that slips over your current camera (they do other colours too). I can see the advantage of something like this especially when the cameras tend to be thrown in and out of open bags when working. However they didn't have one that would fit the D2x so that saved me some money! Apologies for the picture quality, it was taken on my phone, as its considered very very uncool for a pro to be seen with a camera at focus.
Again Canon didn't bother to be there (2nd year running) in my opinion a disgusting way to treat the pro users! Nikon were there with their new stand and put on some excellent talks and had hands on for every camera model and lens that they make with experts available to answer questions ..... Great service AGAIN for Nikon users.
Interestingly another big player that weren't there this year was Kodak! Having talked to the manager at my lab (Redwoods) it would appear that Kodak have no interest in the consumer market anymore and are chasing the mini do it yourself print labs.
I also talked myself into buying a Fong Dome. I've been looking into them for about a year and decided to take the plunge. I'll give it a go and then post some stuff up on here on my thoughts. All in all a good show and happily different to last year.
This Sunday was probably the busiest day i've had in a long time. Sunday morning was the first of 5 new player days for the colchester gladiators. A good attendance and some good new players were found.
I had to leave the players day early and drive to Billericay to do a test drive pre wedding shoot for a couple who had contacted me. I always offer a free of charge pre wed shoot to all my couples before they decide if they want to book me. I find it shows them exactly how i work and also the quality of the product they are likely to recieve for their wedding.
Having succesfully completed the shoot it was time to jump back in the car and head back to Colchester where the Essex Blades were playing the UEA pirates. The Essex blades are the Colchester University American Football team. Alot of their players play for the Gladiators in the British league throughout the summer, the two teams have an excellant partnership. The Colchester Gladiators turned out in force to cheer on the Blades in there first game of the season which they won reasonably easily.
Unknown to me the game had been started late (I was on the A 12 at the time) and so by the 4th qtr I was really struggling with the light. I finished shooting the game with the Nikon D2x set at Hi3 (iso 3200 equivalent) and it shows in the images. I always find the colours go completely flat when shooting at high ISO's as well as the grain becoming obvious. Having said that they're shots that I wouldn't have bothered shooting if i had been shooting film.
So having shot the A/football it was time to head back to Chelmsford for a meeting with a guy that is going to make a big differance to the Colchester Gladiators for next year. For the time being i'll keep it under wraps. keep checking out the blog to be updated ......
Just a really quick note as I've already received a few e mails from people who couldn't make the last training day. So for those people (and anyone who wants to come back again) the next "Day of Discovery" where you can learn the tricks of great lifestyle portraits will be on the 4th March 2007.
There are also some other plans in the pipeline that those of you who came last weekend will know a little about so keep your eyes peeled to this blog. As soon as possible an anouncement will be made but pencil the 23rd and 24th April into your diaries and keep that date clear.
Be aware this could just about change your life forever!
Ok so i've moved to the dark side of photography!! About time I hear you say. Lets first say that in a way its something that has been half forced onto me and i'm not sure yet it has been the right move. Only time will tell. For the time being my F5 and other film cameras will still feaure heavily in my work.
So why change? Well part of the reason is the upcoming training course this Sunday. On previous courses i've always hired a D2x so students can see the images taken on the day. This time I decided the fact that the D2x has been out a while and the D2xs has just been launched there was a high chance of picking up a good second hand body for a fair price. So I check out e bay and sitting there was a Nikon D2x being sold by someone in Colchester (30 mins drive from me). To make a long story short, I bid and win, then drive out and inspect the camera, perfect condition exactly what i'm looking for so payment was made ... job done.
So far I haven't used it in actual work but a couple of things i've discovered from playing, the screen protector (see image) is pathetic. I have no doubt it pops off as soon as the camera is slung around someones kneck to be lost or trodden on. Also when will Nikon make the flash synch cover attach to the camera body!! I have lost count of the amount of those annoying little covers I have lost after using a flash synch lead.
I have no doubt the D2x is a great camera, but for me it's too early to judge. It has a hard act to follow as I believe the F5 is probably the best 35mm camera ever made ....... the jurys out.
On anopther note I had a long chat with Doug earlier re: the training day this Sunday, It's going to be great and i'm looking forward to meeting everyone who's coming. If you want to check out the details of the training day check out my lifestyle portrait website under the tips section (look for training). i'll add a few pics of the day on here after the weekend.
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