Today’s reality………
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
_____________________________________________________________________
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
This entry was posted on Thursday, October 3rd, 2013 at 4:25 pm
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
Hey Bill, we met many moons ago at a NANPA conference when I was a student there.
I just clicked the buy button on an XE-1, the price drop got me and I know a new model is coming out, but being this is my first Fuji the price is acceptable. What lens do you find yourself using the most.
I have a Nikon system for my day job and I am hoping I can get away with using the 18-55 lens and a tripod for nature field work. How often do you use it? Most of my landscapes are at 24 or wider, but I might be able to live with two vertical stitches from the XE-1. Also, how is the EVF for nature?
Thanks for all your posting on here, it helped convince me to buy it.
Tyler you will find that the 18-55 will work for about 90% of your nature work, The Canon 250D Diopter helps you focus very, very close, and later when you need more reach the 55-200 is a great lens. I think you will be thrilled with it, be sure to set your option to shoot three kinds of film simulation! I shoot Velvia, Provia, and Black & White. The B&W are stunning! Some scenes work great in Velvia, some are better in the more calmed down Provia, by using the three shot setting you can have all three and choose the one that work best for your taste. Enjoy!
I love the Pentax 6X7 and owned on in the early 80 s. It was a wonderful camrea to take to the park or use it for street photography. I almost ordered a used one this morning for nostalgia. The shutter was the Achilles’ heel for the 6X7. The rubberized curtain would start leaving a rubbery power residue in the lower channel. You can lock the shutter open in B and then use a couple short burst of Dust-off to try to clean the channel, but not too long of a burst or too many at a time.
Tyler, hopefully Bill won’t mind me chiming in here, with regard to lenses on the X-System. I primarily shoot landscapes and architecture. The 14mm XF lens is one of my favorites. I used the Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 extensively on the Nikon system and I really like that field-of-view for grand landscapes. The 14mm XF is actually more like 22mm, just FYI. I am sure you’ll enjoy your XE-1!
I own the ones listed above, and everyone is stellar, as budgets allow the 14 is a great lens, I’m hoping the 10-24 will be close to that good!
Thanks for the quick reply Bill, makes me feel better about my purchase. I have a prosthetic leg and as you also mentioned the Nikon system is too heavy for me to get where I want to go without discomfort.
My plan is to use my old AI-S Nikon glass as well with an adapter too for now. I’m glad you mentioned the bracketing, I wouldn’t have even thought about it…hopefully it comes in time for me to get a fall trip in this year…Thanks again
Share some images when you can, I’m sure you’re going to love it!
Bill here’s a question. Do we really gain much with fuLl frame? I feel like I gain a lot with focal length on the cropped sensor of my d7000. I’m asking because for me if I get a “step up” camera I always thought it would be something full frame_d4 or d800e. Now I’m wondering.
For me not so much. The big reason has been improved noise at High ISO, the D7000 and D7100 seem to be so good that is less of an issue!
I wonder if my “step up” would be the 7100. Or should I be content and just keep shooting and learning and getting better and better at my photography. I love my Nikon D7000.
What brand of intervolmeter do you use for the Fuji system. I am thinking of moving away from the heavy Nikon gear but do a lot of night work. Any thoughts about the Fuji and night landscape?
thanks in advance.
The introvelometer is a Chia made unit with the brand name of Studiohut on Amazon.
It does a great job at night!
Bill, I respect you and value your opinions. But for a ten pound difference I don’t get two systems. My f-stop bag, Nikon D800, D600, 16-35, 24-120, and 80-400 (which is most of the weight) plus usual extras weigh in at 24 pounds. I’m no spring chicken either but for the quality I get it’s not worth having a little less weight and a lot more cost. I just hiked around the Grand Tetons and earlier this summer Iceland, the f-stop bag distributes the weight nicely. I’m glad it works for you.
I’m thrilled that it is working for you!! Wish I was in as in as good a shape as you! I think if you can carry it that’s great!
That’s cleared my thoughts. Thanks for coubnitntirg.
After looking at my shots in Glacier more closely I definitely lost some sharpness due to wind causing vibration in the tripod legs.
I’ll probably be buying a set of those Induro CT313 legs very soon!
Jarrod – especially up there at Logan’s Pass, wouldn’t you say? I’m using the Gitzo traveler tripod and I’m going for a more heavy duty one after this trip, most definitely. The wind was blowing so hard I was hanging on to my tripod – that’s when you know you’re in trouble 🙂
It was windy!!!! How are you doing we continue to lift you up!!!
Yesterday was Military honors at the National Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix for my father. It was a beautiful and moving ceremony. Thank you for your prayers – we are comforted and encouraged to know my dad is face to face with the Lord. Blessings to you!
This is a great idea, which I may steal. I have friends who are great enrurcageos and the people who are discouragers have fallen by the wayside in my life. How nice to commemorate the ones you love in art!
Back in school, I’m doing so much leganinr.
They are very sturdy!!!!
Have been “perusing” your site and found it most interesting, particularly your expression of faith in connection with your practice of photography. And I was investigating the value of the Nikon E 70-150 lens! Your bout of cancer at 35 intrigued me and found out you certainly survived it long. God bless. Will bookmark your site. I invite you to visit my site kastellphoto.com for I have been around the corners a few times and did a few different things which I hope will be inspirational as well. Always wondered how faith and art and literature (and politics, and economy etc. etc.) intermix!
For me Faith is the anchor on which all the rest is secured!
Wladimir, I visited your site and love your monochromes, the split toning is beautiful, very well done!
Thanks Bill!
I commend you for that Bill. God bless!
Bill
If you were just starting to build a Fuji kit would you begin with the x100s or the Xe1?
I have the lovely Nikon d700 for pet photography I do.
thank you in advance.
PS Lovely photos thanks for sharing.