Daily Archives: October 3, 2013

One of my time tested ground rules for doing successful work is “settle on the gear!”   Find the gear that works for you, test it thoroughly, make sure it is capable of making exemplary images, then just go out and use it!!!!!  For over two years that is exactly what I’ve been doing and I now know what stays, and what goes!  I am maintaining two gear systems, each for a very good and specific reason and use!

 

Above is my travel, walking, general all around system for 90% of my work.  I’ve found the Fuji X System to be almost faultless!  It continues to evolve and I will evolve my system as it grows, but as of today, it is my go to system for most of what I do.  Keep in mind I no longer do hardly any action or sports.  This system is perfect for the nature, outdoor, travel, Americana, and landscape work I do.  The above bag is the Think Tank Street Walker (the smallest one) filled with the bodies and lenses above it weighs 14 pounds.  It consists of;

 

Fuji X-E-1 body with 18-55 f 2.8-4 OIS lens  (27-83 f 2.8-4 equiv.)  Really Right Stuff “L” bracket and grip.

Fuji X100s camera with fixed 23 f2 lens  (35mm f 2 equiv.)   Really Right Stuff “L” bracket and grip.

14mm f 2.8 Wide Angle  (21mm f 2.8 equiv.)

35mm f 1.4 lens  (53mm f1.4 equiv.)

60mm Micro f 2.4  (90 mm f 2.4 equiv.)

55-200 f 3.5-4.8 OIS telephoto zoom  (83-300 equiv.)

8mm Rokinon Fisheye f 2.8

Electronic Cable release with built in introvelometer

Polarizers for all lenses, Nikon 4T & 5T, Canon 250D Diopter

10mm auto extension tube

Batteries and chargers

Induro CT-214 Tripod with RRS BH-40LR ball head

Kirk Mini tripod legs with RRS BH-30LR ball head

 

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System number two weighing in at 27 lbs for the back pack (The Lowepro 300 AW Trekker) and 10 lbs for the Lightware Long Lens bag holding my manual focus Nikkor 400mm f 3.5 lens and TC-14 B  Teleconverter.  This is my “trunk system” that comes out when I can shoot close to the vehicle, or when I need  extreme high resolution!  The Nikon D800 and D700 are two of the finest cameras I’ve  ever shot in the Nikon system, I also love the D4 but it is simply to heavy to carry around, in spite of it’s fantastic performance!  This system consists of:

 

Nikon D800 body with the 80-200 f 4 manual focus Nikkor   Really Right Stuff L” bracket 

Nikon D700 body  Really Right Stuff “L” bracket and grip.

24mm Nikkor f 2.8 AI-S manual focus lens

55mm Micro Nikkor f 2.8 AI-S manual focus lens

25-50 Nikkor AI-S zoom f4 wide angle zoom –  manual focus lens

105 Micro Nikon AI-S f 2.8  manual focus lens

75-150 Nikon Series E  f 3.5 zoom lens

200mm Micro Nikkor f4 AF lens

400mm Nikkor IF-ED f 3.5 telephoto lens

Electronic Wireless Cable release with built in introvelometer

Polarizers for all lenses

Kenko Auto extension tube

Batteries and chargers

Induro CT-314 Tripod with RRS BH-55LR ball head

Kirk Mini tripod legs with RRS BH-30LR bull head

 

I can anticipate some of the questions you may have,  so let me deal with some of them now!

 

1.  Why manual focus lenses?   Actually several reasons, I love the old school feel of using the throwback lenses.  Additionally they are exceptionally sharp and  I know if the focus is off it’s my fault!, since I don’t do action, auto focus is not a big advantage for me.  These lenses, not being auto focus, can be made much more rugged, with smooth racings in the focusing rings. For landscape work I really enjoy the focus markings that makes doing hyper focal distance much easier!  Finally These particular lenses are among the most legendary Nikon glass ever made and all still works wonderfully even with the super Hi Res D800!  All modern camera’s auto focus systems, from time to time, have glitches, every brand, so I find manual focusing more confidence inspiring.

 

2. Do you still own any Nikon auto focus glass?  Yes the 16-35 f4, the new 24-120 f4, the 85mm f 1.8, and the 70-300 AF-S VR f 3.5-5.6, plus my 200 Micro Nikkor is an AF lens as well.  I have these available when I have a need for modern auto focus glass.

 

3.  Do you feel you give up anything by using the Fuji X system as your principle system?  The D800 has more resolution and bigger files which can be both good, and bad, depending on the situation.  No very long glass is currently available for the Fuji X system, though a Nikon adapter lets me use some of my Nikon lenses on that system’s bodies. Fuji needs a super wide zoom, and it is coming in November or December, at least according to their lens road map, the 10-24 (15-36 equiv.) will round out the system very nicely.  I would love to see a 90mm or 105 micro with f 2 speed, so we will see what happens in the 2014!  For now I have that in the Nikon system.

 

4.  Do you feel bad about using Nikon less after all these years using nothing but Nikon?  Let me put it this way, I have spent well over $150,000. on Nikon gear over the last 43 years, I still own a lot of it, and still use it.  I worked for Nikon for almost eleven years and faithfully represented them helping thousands of photographers invest in, and use their equipment.   Many of my best friends in the industry are still working for Nikon.  I’m proud of my relationship with this fine company, but I’m 67 years old and can no longer lug around the equipment I could 20 years ago.  I love the craft, and don’t intend to stop pushing the shutter release until my dying breath!  The excellent Fuji System is allowing me to continue that joyous journey!  Who knows, maybe some day Nikon will build a lighter weight, fully pro grade system, and then I may have to rethink things!!  For now, I’m happy owning both, and using them when it is photographically appropriate!

 

Now, if you don’t mind, I’m head to Ohio with my dear buddy, and wonderful photographer friend, Jack Graham to try and get some folks excited about using their gear!!!!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

Photo Notes;  Top Image: Nikon D800 with 55 mm Micro Nikkor   F16 @ 10 seconds

Bottom Shot:  Fuji X100s f16 @ 4 seconds