Switching Gear? Nope...

 

Art Model, Melissa ©2009 Terrell Neasley

I've been asked if I'm considering switching camera gear to Nikon again. Nikon has made some SERIOUS advancements into mirrorless tech. I can't lie... they've made a tremendous turn-around. A few years ago, there was no certainty they'd even still be in business. Now, they have some badass mirrorless camera prospects and the Nikon Z9 is expected to become a hit.

I bought my first camera while taking photo classes in college. It was the Minolta 70 Maxxum... a film camera, back in 2005. After less than a year, I decided to go all in on photography and purchased the Canon EOS 7NE... also a film camera. Next was my first digital camera in 2007 the Canon 40D, 7D, and then the 5DMarkII. The 5DII was the first breakthrough camera I'd owned. It spawned a whole new industry in aftermarket products for video.

In 2012, I made a drastic change. I was well-invested in Canon at that time. Between cameras, lenses, and accessory gear, I was in about $20K deep. Nikon introduced the D800/800e and after a buddy let me try out his, I made the jump to Nikon. I sold ALL my Canon gear in less than a couple months. I think I got about $12K on everything. Nikon had revolutionized high-resolution photography and it was just what I was looking for when I began my first stint in travel photography. I spent 6 weeks in Central America with this revolutionary system and was more than satisfied.

Art Model, Melissa ©2008 Terrell Neasley

I had to learn to shoot the Nikon system. I missed focus a lot until another Nikon shooter convinced me to switch to back-button AF. I never missed a thing again. I purchased a few lenses like the standard 24-70 and got a wide prime. I did not get a 70-200. As much as I enjoyed that focal length with Canon, I realized I barely used it. 

The problem was the weight. Not just the camera but also the lenses. I needed lighter gear to travel with! My needs changed again when Sony introduced their mirrorless Alpha line. I did not switch right away. I waited until they came out with exactly what I needed. The A7S was my first camera and then the A7II. But eventually, I picked up the A7RII and it has been the best camera I've ever owned. 

I will not be switching back to Nikon, or Canon for that matter. I'm right where I want to be with Sony. I do need to upgrade, but I'm waiting to see what they do with the Sony A7R V. There is no telling when that thing will be released with the semiconductor shortage affecting manufacturer's ability to produce sensors as of a result of global covid shutdowns. If it came down to it, I could be fine with the A7R Mark IV and be done with it, but I'm trying to be patient. 

The only camera manufacture that still catches my eye a little bit is  Fujifilm. I've owned Fujifilm before and was more than impressed. All I hear are good things about the Fujifilm GFX-100S! But goodness, it would be quite costly to jump into that so fast. The camera is $6k and then I'd need 2 or 3 lenses. I'd be anywhere from $12 to $15K to get into that system! Love to do it, but I have other priorities I have to manage.

So, no... I will remain Sony. My needs have not changed so much that Sony doesn't address them. I switched to Nikon from Canon because my needs changed and Canon did not address them. I did the same from Nikon to Sony. Get the gear that suits what you are doing right now. If and when that changes, again... get the tools you need to address said changes. 

I will do more posts like this where I address questions people present to me and other opinions. 

Art Model, Melissa ©2008 Terrell Neasley