Just to be absolutely clear I’m not going anywhere, I love UA-cam and I’m pretty sure David Attenborough wouldn’t let me within 100 miles of one of his productions…
I’ve been working at a photographer for 12 years. Always getting the newest Canon body, doing well in business, but I stopped shooting for myself. I became perfectly at one with my R5, I could use it blindfolded, I shot well but it completely left me numb when shooting for myself to the point I never picked it up unless I was getting paid. I picked up an Leica M11 recently and I have found a new found love for taking a camera with me everywhere and documenting my life. The process is involving, no pointing and shooting, no relying on autofocus. It’s changed the way I approach photography.
@@draughonc honestly, although stupidly expensive, it’s been so worth it for me professionally too. It’s so easy to rail off 25 perfectly focussed frames in a row with the R5 you are left numb with how easy it is. I have to WORK with the M11 to get it right. A total sense of achievement when you do.
@@chloescanlon1107 yeah I know he used the M11, I’m just saying personally it has made more way more attached to the making process. It’s so easy to rail off endless perfectly focussed frames on the R5, there’s no sense of achievement or anything with the files. The M11 has forced me to slow down and consider everything. I do have a faster paced style of shooting so it’s suited for me, but may not be the case for everyone
Don’t feel bad. I hated Sony ergonomics so I moved to Nikon. Loved the ergos then felt I didn’t need a D750. Traded for Fujifilm X-T1 thinking it was the X-series ergos that I was “craving”. Nope. I hate the X-T1’s ergos. I really (REALLY!) don’t like the dials. With my Nikon I could change settings without removing my eye from the viewfinder. I was right that I didn’t need Full Frame, but wrong that I would not miss the ergonomics of my DSLR. I convinced myself that the dials were desired, but in actual use I keep pulling my eye away from what I’m shooting in order to spin dials. With the Nikon it was just flicking front or back wheels or holding one button and doing that. I know the Fuji can do that, but the wheels are oddly placed and that’s not the natural use of the camera. So I’m now convincing myself I need a Nikon but that I love Mirrorless much more than a DSLR. But I refuse to pay Nikon lens prices….so I’m now convinced I just hate myself!! Haha It never ends.
So glad you're not leaving, you really made me a bit sad... I realized 3/4's of the way through tho, that you were being, well, just James! --Beautiful photos and great video as always! Thanks for sharing.
That’s nonsense. If anyone needs 61 MP it’s you. It’s my favorite camera right now. It’s just so good and the pictures are so crispy. Enjoy it my friend.
Amazing video as always, no one needs 61MP but then again none needs icecream either. When you get bored you could always just turn off the features, it is just really nice having them there when you need them.
@@jordanlaine7412 I photographed a full moon with my m43 camera yesterday, and there is something round crossed the moon slowly. I wish I had 150mp instead of 20mp, so we can see if it was aliens or not. But alas, this is a quite limited application :)
I sold my Nikon Z gear thinking I needed the Sony A7R4. Bought all the Sony gear. Only to sell it all 7 months later and go back to the Nikon. It was a better experience for me and I didn’t need the video specs or the 60mp. So much happier with the Nikon.
I love my A7 IV. I find it frictionless because it’s so good. I can push it to the limits with my imagination and can usually make it a reality. Just remember you have 8 stops of IBIS you should almost never need a tripod again! I think that will bring you much joy!
I agree with you regarding the clinical perfection of modern cameras James, I never connected with my A7RIV at all, I couldn't wait to get rid of it. A few years of buying and selling I own an M11 and feel so connected to it, the simplistic functionality of the shooting experience fits perfectly with what I love about photography. It's not film but it's not quite digital either.
Interesting comment made about getting zero joy from using your Sony A7R5. I bought an A7R3 at launch at the end of 2017, after 3 decades on the Canon Eos system. The R3 still continues to amaze me with how good it is technically, with its AF, low noise etc…I can only imagine how much better the R4 & R5 are. However, like you, I also didn’t find myself actually enjoying the experience of shooting with the R3 that much. I was also shooting a lot with adapted old manual lenses too, & in manual exposure mode (thanks to the exp comp dial not having a locking button and me continually knocking that dial. So around 2019/2020, I stated wondering if there was a body out there that was a) more suited to how I shoot, and b) I just enjoyed using more. Long story short, I ended up with a cheap used Fujifilm GFX 50r, which I proceeded to adapt my growing collection of manual lenses to. I kept the Sony however, for when the subject matter better suited AF / longer focal lengths etc. The GFX50R is such an enjoyable camera to use for me, and as good as the A7R3 files were to work with in post, I think the GFX 50R’s are even better. I use the 50R in a very manual shooting way, and it’s AF doesn’t touch the Sony’s, but the 50R suits maybe 70% of my shooting currently. When considering the 50r, I was also investigating Leica M10’s at the time too. Around 2020/21, I ended up picking up a used M10D to satisfy my curiosity (keeping the Sony and GFX). The M10D is a lovely camera, and I mostly enjoy shooting with it, but, it has some things I find annoying (the way the exp info is presented in the view finder) which I hadn’t anticipated. Lack of rear LCD has not been an issue for me at all, but I seldom chimp anyway. I’ve always considered the M10D to be on a long term trial. If I could only have one camera, it would be a tough call between the 50r & the A7R3. The Sony is easily the best “All Rounder”, but the 50r suits me better 70% of the time. The M10 experience comes a relatively distant second to the other two. Everyone is different though, and I can understand why Leica M shooters love their system too.
Maybe I’m too new, but the cameras auto focus will never make me feel as if I’m not involved. I think it just frees up my mind to think about composition more
Having shot on sony and being absolutely spoiled by incredible autofocus, once I got my first manual only lens I found myself having a lot of fun and stretching some brain bits that I wasn’t using. It’s a small thing but it definitely adds fun
@@smoloms I actually just bought my first m mount voigtlander lens for my sony! I have an xpro 2 as well and I love that more tactical feel but I always find myself going back to the sony when I have a day where I am just focusing on photography. Having great autofocus really just makes the experience frictionless
This is how old heads justify using cheap manual only lenses where 95% of their shots will be deleted cause it’s out of focus. Everyone under the age of 30 using auto focus or their phone for photography nowadays.
@@YaYousef5I'm 25 and far prefer manual focus, it's a more involved and engaging experience. Ofc I still have autofocus lenses, for when I just need to get the shot, but whenever I can I choose manual focus. And btw, some of the best lenses right now are manual focus, namely voigtlander, zeiss and Leica lenses for the M-mount
I switched over from the A7IV to the A7RV last year, I started with mirrorless cameras so I never had a more analogue experience. To me this camera just makes it easy for me to put the vision in my head into my sd card and the experience is frictionless. Personally I have so much fun just getting the photos I know I can get with this thing, it makes me think way more about the actual photo composition
Why not just use Maya, or an AI application...Photography is not about having a vision but experimenting and being a conduit of creativity to see what comes out, it's art...
If you're not bonding with cameras you need to go back to basics and just focus on enjoying taking photos vs the pressure to create content and find that inspiration again and also find a camera that you just like using and enjoy the process of no matter how new or old it is.
It's very interesting to see the three of you (Mads, Nigel, and yourself) together in the same location and how you all approach scenes and processing images differently. All very good, just different 'flavors'!
I have the a7rv... yes I dont need the mp or 10-bit too. Actually, I shoot in med (26 mp). In fact, I just bought an a7c for travel/street/everyday, etc. But I don't regret it one bit. I absolutely feel that these are the best colors and AF that Sony has to offer.
With these new Mirrorless cameras, I like using features like the frame lines (horizontal,very and diagonal) to get the composition absolutely spot on. I have different standards using this compared to film cameras. They’re both challenges in different ways. Both enjoyable. It’s like comparing a compound bow to a recurve bow.
James, just sold all my Sony gear. Why? "Technically phenomenal camera that I get absolutely zero joy from using" to quote someone I watch frequently and whose work I appreciate. What I finally realized is that I really enjoy going on the trips, using my camera and challenging myself to create good, occasionally wonderful, images. Editing is done only when necessary. Very few people besides immediate family see the large images. Instagram, Glass, Vero are where the majority are viewed... and your massive pixel count becomes useless. So, I enjoy my SL2 for landscape and some other photography and the OM1 for wildlife and other telephoto endeavors. So far, so good. Any most important, I enjoy using them... lots of joy!
I’m a photographer, but I also work in addictions and we constantly believe that the newer camera will make us a better photographer. Now there is nothing wrong with upgrading your gear occasionally, but it becomes a trend then it becomes a problem …lol Lee updated my camera to a Fuji film XT5 and I also have an older Nikon D850 and while I went down in size to a crop sensor camera. I feel the camera has added to my photography. I always say to people if you’re going to change your camera then what is it going to add any that your previous camera couldn’t do?
your videos never disappoint James!!!!! never stop uploading, this type of photography content is my fav and plenty others. (plz dont abandon us lad T-T)
Having all the capacity you can imagine of in one format is liberating, not restricting. If you think the automatic functions take away from the engagement, shoot in manual - having additional capability isn't forcing you to use it. If you like to shoot a certain way or don't like to use some functions, setup a custom profile (or three) - no one is forcing you to use the full whack of tech in the camera. This is why I love using modern mirrorless cameras - having everything and your kitchen sink give so much more versatility. You can do what you want with it, and it can be what you need be and tailor it your specific use case. And when that case changes, the camera can easily pivot to that as well. I have had much better experiences shooting manual on a A7R than I have had on an actual manual film camera. But having the ability to just turn on "idiot mode" and still take great photos gives you versatility you wouldn't have if the function wasn't there - e.g. if you are with people, or on a vehicle, or otherwise only have a second to point and shoot. 61 megapixels is (for me) the perfect amount - because it has just enough pixel density to give you 26mp when shooting in APSC crop. The A7R IV has let me dump my A6000 and my A7R (OG) for one body, and its pretty much my perfect one camera "do it all" setup (1.5 if you count a RX100 as an "everyday" pocket camera).
There are some beautiful images in this video. I love the polar bear on the lava in the intro. The flying puffin is terrific. Best of luck with the new gear!
I get it... I keep going back to my D300, D7200, and D800 when I go shoot. Old cameras, and old lenses that bring me joy. I wish I would've known before I bought those mirrorless cameras.
It still boggles my mind that you haven't looked at OM Systems/Olympus as far as their amazing glass and the OM-1 being an incredible outdoor camera for both video and especially photo with all sorts of amazing optional tools. They are still lots of fun to use, you get incredible reach with all sorts of lens options. Seriously James, that should be where you're at. OM-5 as a primary video camera with small size and portability, plus a beast in its own right for photo with an OM-1 as the primary pro camera with dual card slots, battery grip options, higher frame rates for video, faster processing of in camera features, better balance for a wider range of lenses. OM would do everything you're busy playing around with using these Leica, Ricoh, Sony, Fuji and other cameras. All in the m43 system you love and have spent a LOT of time in.
@@laiebi_3639 The main difference is application and what the gear is tailored for. I would argue that OM has the range of Professional photo gear for m43. Fuji is likely the most Professional in the APS-C range. There's lots of things OM can do that Fuji can't like hand held high res shot, pro capture, live composite, keystone compensation, in camera focus stacking, 120fps photo modes, Live ND, starry sky AF, best weather sealing in the business, the best IBIS in the business, smallest lens system in the business, arguably the best glass of any system and so on. Fuji has higher resolution, more video modes, faster electronic shutter, higher RAW bit rates, faster (more expensive) memory cards etc. However they are much larger and heavier lenses, way worse for rolling shutter, IBIS specification doesn't match reality where OM eats Fuji for lunch in this regard, far worse AF than OM and so on. They're different systems, it depends what you value. If you want to travel light with no tripod, OM can't be beat
@@KPGuitarStudios thanks for all the details, sounds very promising and I didn't have Olympus on the radar at all so far. Will look deeper into it. Is low light performance a concern with the small sensors?
@@laiebi_3639 Personally I have no concerns. It depends what you're after. They have many, many computational tools to overcome that. FF and APS-C give you different tools, the promise of FF for example is the ability to get particularly shallow depth of field. With the right lenses it can be comparable on m43 but on the extreme end of it, sure FF is more extreme. The question becomes do you need 2mm depth of field? If so, that's your tool. In many cases it becomes too shallow and not useful. For example in many cases you can shoot wide open with m43 in bright daylight. With larger sensors you simply need ND filters or you can't even take photos. They are simply different tools but for me m43 for photo and video is fantastic
@@KPGuitarStudios Nice. I don't care about bokeh, mostly shooting at F8 for maximum sharpness. How sharp are m43 with fully open aperture? You get better results stopping down there too? And I guess you have better reach with them right? For wildlife and landscape sth with lot of reach in small size would be handy
I got into the Fuji X system in 2016 and have stuck with it. I adore my X-T3 and my X-T5 adds IBIS, which allows me a lot of freedom from the tripod. When storm chasing, I keep the X-T3 on a tripod with a lightning trigger and the X-T5 remains handheld to capture the storm structure. I'd love to do the Svalbard trip but cost is going to probably filter me out.
I bought the A7R5 because of the multi flip screen...I previously had the A7R4, and now with the R5, when taking portrait shots...I simply flip out the screen, I love that!
When we were shooting pictures with the G9 it was Good. you were showing what could be achieved. When you went to Sony, you were showing what could be achieved with a lot of money to buy the best kit, yeah.
The reason why I want the A7RV is not not because I need or want 61MP, or 10 bit video. To be honest, I never shoot video, and if I would it would be straight MP4 or so (I did so once in my life, of a Galapagos shark eating a sea lion, since photos just didn't capture the brutality of the splashing and the violence of the moment. I regret taking that video now instead of focusing to capture that in a photo) What I do want is the ability to shoot in APS-C mode and still have 26MP but almost more important is the ability to capture 26MP FF RAW files. I don't want 61MP files ever, they clog up everything for nothing, since if I want to crop I switch to APS-C mode. This is why I need the A7R5 instead of the R4. The ability to shoot FF and APS-C with the same 26MP and manageable file sizes is fantastic. I can use the 16-35mm as a 16-52mm, which then pairs with the 50-400 mm that I can effectively use like a 50-600mm lens. So from 16 to 600 mm with two lenses and 26MP coverage in that whole range.
When I owned my Canon EOS-R I said the same thing about the Canon R3, ridiculous specification, de-skills photography to such an extent that it wouldn't be any fun to use...................LOVE my R3, it's amazing 🤪
Glad to read that you're not closing down your UA-cam channel after all. I was going to point out that working for a ninety-seven-year-old may not offer long-term job prospects. 😉 (Though I do hope we'll have David Attenborough for a good while yet!) Great video. Greenland seems to be a phantastic place for minimlist, high key photographs. I didn't mind the polar bears being relatively small in the frames - it emphasised the vast landscape they live in. But one of my favourite images was the gorgeous close-up of the walrus.
Photography has become much more enjoyable since I switched to manual focus lenses and I'm much more involved in the direct capturing of images rather than leaving it to the little computer in my hand. While always tempted to upgrade my body I've found the 42 mpx sensor of the a7r3 is more than adequate for my needs and I probably should buy a second body before Sony quits producing them.
This is a trick not many people know, but rather than going all the way to Svalbard what I did was I took a photo of the inside of my freezer with my iPhone and then just put a bunch of polar bear stickers all over it. Honestly the results are indistinguishable until you tell people
I often think I need more than my XT1 but at the end of the day the only new feature i would ever use is the eye detect AF and ive been getting by w/ manual focus when it gets tricky. I forget who said it, i think it was Camera Conspiracies, but photographers never need the new features & we should just use our current gear until it doesnt work anymore lol
You DO know that you can mount any of the thousands of manual lenses that are easily adapted to the Sony FE mount, right? I use an a7R III, with NO auto-focas lenses.
after having the sony 40mm f/2.5 for a couple months now on my A7IV I still absolutely love it! the power and versatility of that kit in the size of my Canon AE-1 with a 50mm f/1.4 is still a blast to me!
I feel you exactly about the new gear. Trying to convince myself why I need something. GAS par excelance. Great photos indeed no matter the camera (but I like the new screen tbh)
Great video James. My wife and I were just on a cruise to Iceland and Norway that was supposed to include Longyearbyen, but for some reason that was removed from the itinerary (rats!!). However, we did go all the way up the Norwegian coast to Honnigsvag and the North Cape, which was pretty cool. Still want to get to Svalbard and Greenland...
Those ice cap photos are incredible from the drone. The scale is so difficult to comprehend - it could be 18m tall or a piece of polystyrene 18mm tall. It's very deceiving!
Thinking back to a time of film and no AF of any sort I don’t know how I even got anything in focus tracking a moving subject with a long zoom, thank goodness for technology!!
I exclusively use center point autofocus and recompose from there. Recently I had to shoot a protrait with a relatively difficult client so I decided to try eye autofocus. While it got the job done very nicely it felt too wierd for me to use it again.
I'll have to give the minority report. If you're not having fun, it's not the camera. My fun comes from seeing great scenes and capturing them for my future memory aids. I like having a great camera; the better the autofocus, image quality, exposure control, and a host of other features it brings, the better record i get from a scene. Looking for fun by adjusting rudimentary settings won't work. Cameras are reaching a plateau - all are good; none are perfect. They're great tools. Enjoy the results.
James, love the humour and some lovely photographs to add to this. I like the fact that you are developing a style of your own. I can see influences of photographers like William Eggleston and Joel Sternfeld and the Dusseldorf school of photographers and yet there is minimalism I would associate with someone more like Michael Kenna. Keep doing what your doing.
after watching your vlogs and photos I have to admit, you convinced me getting a 50 mm. lens and now need to learn to let go of the only shoot with cloudy moody style and adopt the bright clean style you have…. Loved the way you approach more documentary style the svallbard photos compared with NIgel and Mads…. keep it up! Cheers from Holland, //Dave
James, simple my nice shiny A7IV for your A7RV and your joy will be back.... see your viewers can help 😂 I'm green with envy what a trip of a lifetime 👍
I love it when we cut to future James judging something past James is saying. I entirely agree about the lack of engagement despite superior technology. On paper my GX80 is superior to my D700 in every way besides sensor size. But I feel so removed from the process when I use it.
It's always important to know your camera deeply and lovingly through intimate experiences of application before you push the poor thing with expectations and assumptions.
Absolutely stunning Imagery, James. I have been watching Your Channel for awhile now, and never realized I was NOT SUBScribed. Well, I solved that with a big ‘Click’ on the Subscribe button! Cheers from “Across the Pond!” That Ice Cap was simply amazing! Wow!
If you are having any troubles with your A7R5, I have a Nikon EM willing to trade you, the megapixel count is 0, the experience is very enjoyable and hands on, and the limitations bring across potentially amazing and rewarding results.
Went in to this video not knowing you were going to be referring to the A7RV. I’m no fanboy of the equipment I use daily, but the V has been a game changer for me. If you embrace the tech, it allows you to compose how you want, whilst the camera finds what you’re focusing on. Everyone is entitled to their own views and opinions, but this camera is a tool, not something fun like an X100V or GRiii etc. It gets the job done. I just find the dynamic range roll off to be pretty poor at times but I think this is more how Lightroom reads the RAW file.
You're not the only one doing the 'convince myself' thing. I also have the A7RV and recently got the Fujifilm XT-5 for a lighter travel option...did not absolutely need it, but convinced myself that I do 😊. Btw, did you try the aps-c mode in the RV for more reach regarding those bear shots? Sure you lose the megapixels to 26, but worth a shot sometimes (no pun intended). Thanks for the great videos!
Similar set-up - but not that much difference between A and X's in weigh tbh. I like the Fuji SOOC jpeg's / with RAW backup - I have all the custom buttons set for image tweaks. The FF A's deliver an amazing RAW file for post processing, but viewfinder experience on the shoot is not engaging, in fact it can be downright disengaging looking at a bland raw image file while tweaking exposure - but its all there in LR.
Shooting in crop mode in stills is the same as cropping in post. I guess if you are pulling jpegs or need a hyper fast turnaround time it could make snes but I'd much rather have that control in post.
@@DS-ke8pq "but not that much difference between A and X's in weigh tbh" Not true when you get into longer tele lenses. The bodies are very similar in size and weight. The real size and weight savings come into play when you get into glass with longer telephoto focal lengths like those most often used in sports and wildlife. Once you get into the 100-400 and 150-600 range the size and weight difference in the smaller, lighter APS-C camera system can be quite large. When using primes or shorter tel lenses in the 16-100mm range there is not such a big difference in size/weight. Are there exceptions, YES. Are there trade-offs in FF vs APSC (or MFT) YES. But we should be clear about the size and weight "myth" and that it is mostly about the lenses and ecosystem and what you shoot predominantly
@@mattsiler7418: True, and have to mention here Sigma's 18-50 2.8 for Fuji's x-mount. Perfect example for size and weight, and a great workhorse lens too.
How do you find the image quality between the two cameras? I have have the XT5 and considering a moving to FF z7ii or a7r. Is there any substantial difference between the files and/or shooting experience?
What an adventure, loove the shots (esp one with the whale bones and flower is my fav)and videos, Sir Attenborough will be happy to have you on his team. That said, the Camera bit was barely 1/10th of the video, and your thumbnail + title is masking the epic adventure it entails. So, had to call you out on that as I didn't understand why.
Just to be absolutely clear I’m not going anywhere, I love UA-cam and I’m pretty sure David Attenborough wouldn’t let me within 100 miles of one of his productions…
No, you just wanted to hear everybody say how much we would miss you and your channel! :)
😂
No disrespect to the National Treasure that is Mr Attenborough, but I watch and yawn most of the time, whereas with you James, I learn and laugh!
Thanks for the disclaimer, but I figured that out on my own. Don't know how.
Yeah you better not go anywhere… love this channel!
I’ve been working at a photographer for 12 years. Always getting the newest Canon body, doing well in business, but I stopped shooting for myself. I became perfectly at one with my R5, I could use it blindfolded, I shot well but it completely left me numb when shooting for myself to the point I never picked it up unless I was getting paid. I picked up an Leica M11 recently and I have found a new found love for taking a camera with me everywhere and documenting my life. The process is involving, no pointing and shooting, no relying on autofocus. It’s changed the way I approach photography.
He’s had a go of the M11, he got bored with that too and is selling or maybe even sold it. He’s a GAS fanatic and has admitted such.
I've been considering a similar purchase...
@@draughonc honestly, although stupidly expensive, it’s been so worth it for me professionally too. It’s so easy to rail off 25 perfectly focussed frames in a row with the R5 you are left numb with how easy it is. I have to WORK with the M11 to get it right. A total sense of achievement when you do.
@@chloescanlon1107 yeah I know he used the M11, I’m just saying personally it has made more way more attached to the making process. It’s so easy to rail off endless perfectly focussed frames on the R5, there’s no sense of achievement or anything with the files. The M11 has forced me to slow down and consider everything. I do have a faster paced style of shooting so it’s suited for me, but may not be the case for everyone
@@chloescanlon1107 Just curious: what ist GAS?
Don’t feel bad. I hated Sony ergonomics so I moved to Nikon. Loved the ergos then felt I didn’t need a D750. Traded for Fujifilm X-T1 thinking it was the X-series ergos that I was “craving”. Nope. I hate the X-T1’s ergos. I really (REALLY!) don’t like the dials. With my Nikon I could change settings without removing my eye from the viewfinder. I was right that I didn’t need Full Frame, but wrong that I would not miss the ergonomics of my DSLR. I convinced myself that the dials were desired, but in actual use I keep pulling my eye away from what I’m shooting in order to spin dials. With the Nikon it was just flicking front or back wheels or holding one button and doing that. I know the Fuji can do that, but the wheels are oddly placed and that’s not the natural use of the camera. So I’m now convincing myself I need a Nikon but that I love Mirrorless much more than a DSLR. But I refuse to pay Nikon lens prices….so I’m now convinced I just hate myself!! Haha It never ends.
So glad you're not leaving, you really made me a bit sad... I realized 3/4's of the way through tho, that you were being, well, just James! --Beautiful photos and great video as always! Thanks for sharing.
That’s nonsense. If anyone needs 61 MP it’s you. It’s my favorite camera right now. It’s just so good and the pictures are so crispy. Enjoy it my friend.
Amazing video as always, no one needs 61MP but then again none needs icecream either. When you get bored you could always just turn off the features, it is just really nice having them there when you need them.
I am so stealing ice cream line. Thanks! :)
@@realniteart welcome and enjoy 😄
Depends on the application. There are reasons Phase One is making 100+mp cameras.
@@jordanlaine7412 I photographed a full moon with my m43 camera yesterday, and there is something round crossed the moon slowly. I wish I had 150mp instead of 20mp, so we can see if it was aliens or not. But alas, this is a quite limited application :)
That polar bear sitting on the icecap in this vast array of northern water and frozen sheets is beautiful. I wouldn’t have even thought to crop in.
Love the transparency
I sold my Nikon Z gear thinking I needed the Sony A7R4. Bought all the Sony gear. Only to sell it all 7 months later and go back to the Nikon. It was a better experience for me and I didn’t need the video specs or the 60mp. So much happier with the Nikon.
Fabulous pictures. Gorgeous!
Wow that is amazing news, good luck! Will miss your videos.
Beautiful images - what a place! Thanks for posting.
I love my A7 IV. I find it frictionless because it’s so good. I can push it to the limits with my imagination and can usually make it a reality. Just remember you have 8 stops of IBIS you should almost never need a tripod again! I think that will bring you much joy!
I agree with you regarding the clinical perfection of modern cameras James, I never connected with my A7RIV at all, I couldn't wait to get rid of it. A few years of buying and selling I own an M11 and feel so connected to it, the simplistic functionality of the shooting experience fits perfectly with what I love about photography. It's not film but it's not quite digital either.
...The M11 IS a clinically perfect modern camera, mate. Perhaps you meant number of features?
LOL at 9:56 . Great self deprecating humor,totally caught me off guard , hilarious
Breath taking!!!
Interesting comment made about getting zero joy from using your Sony A7R5.
I bought an A7R3 at launch at the end of 2017, after 3 decades on the Canon Eos system. The R3 still continues to amaze me with how good it is technically, with its AF, low noise etc…I can only imagine how much better the R4 & R5 are. However, like you, I also didn’t find myself actually enjoying the experience of shooting with the R3 that much. I was also shooting a lot with adapted old manual lenses too, & in manual exposure mode (thanks to the exp comp dial not having a locking button and me continually knocking that dial.
So around 2019/2020, I stated wondering if there was a body out there that was a) more suited to how I shoot, and b) I just enjoyed using more. Long story short, I ended up with a cheap used Fujifilm GFX 50r, which I proceeded to adapt my growing collection of manual lenses to. I kept the Sony however, for when the subject matter better suited AF / longer focal lengths etc.
The GFX50R is such an enjoyable camera to use for me, and as good as the A7R3 files were to work with in post, I think the GFX 50R’s are even better. I use the 50R in a very manual shooting way, and it’s AF doesn’t touch the Sony’s, but the 50R suits maybe 70% of my shooting currently.
When considering the 50r, I was also investigating Leica M10’s at the time too. Around 2020/21, I ended up picking up a used M10D to satisfy my curiosity (keeping the Sony and GFX). The M10D is a lovely camera, and I mostly enjoy shooting with it, but, it has some things I find annoying (the way the exp info is presented in the view finder) which I hadn’t anticipated. Lack of rear LCD has not been an issue for me at all, but I seldom chimp anyway. I’ve always considered the M10D to be on a long term trial.
If I could only have one camera, it would be a tough call between the 50r & the A7R3. The Sony is easily the best “All Rounder”, but the 50r suits me better 70% of the time. The M10 experience comes a relatively distant second to the other two. Everyone is different though, and I can understand why Leica M shooters love their system too.
Maybe I’m too new, but the cameras auto focus will never make me feel as if I’m not involved. I think it just frees up my mind to think about composition more
Having shot on sony and being absolutely spoiled by incredible autofocus, once I got my first manual only lens I found myself having a lot of fun and stretching some brain bits that I wasn’t using. It’s a small thing but it definitely adds fun
@@smoloms I actually just bought my first m mount voigtlander lens for my sony! I have an xpro 2 as well and I love that more tactical feel but I always find myself going back to the sony when I have a day where I am just focusing on photography. Having great autofocus really just makes the experience frictionless
This is how old heads justify using cheap manual only lenses where 95% of their shots will be deleted cause it’s out of focus. Everyone under the age of 30 using auto focus or their phone for photography nowadays.
@@YaYousef5I'm 25 and far prefer manual focus, it's a more involved and engaging experience. Ofc I still have autofocus lenses, for when I just need to get the shot, but whenever I can I choose manual focus. And btw, some of the best lenses right now are manual focus, namely voigtlander, zeiss and Leica lenses for the M-mount
@@YaYousef5 James is still young he’s in his early 30s, but when it comes to art you can be like 27 with 15 years of experience and shit
I switched over from the A7IV to the A7RV last year, I started with mirrorless cameras so I never had a more analogue experience. To me this camera just makes it easy for me to put the vision in my head into my sd card and the experience is frictionless. Personally I have so much fun just getting the photos I know I can get with this thing, it makes me think way more about the actual photo composition
Why not just use Maya, or an AI application...Photography is not about having a vision but experimenting and being a conduit of creativity to see what comes out, it's art...
I’m glad we have you to define what photography means for the rest of us.
@@daysofgrace2934 Who are you tho? To tell other people what photography is supposed to mean
@@daysofgrace2934 what?! creating what you envision is one of the most basic definitions of art…
If you're not bonding with cameras you need to go back to basics and just focus on enjoying taking photos vs the pressure to create content and find that inspiration again and also find a camera that you just like using and enjoy the process of no matter how new or old it is.
It's very interesting to see the three of you (Mads, Nigel, and yourself) together in the same location and how you all approach scenes and processing images differently. All very good, just different 'flavors'!
I have the a7rv... yes I dont need the mp or 10-bit too. Actually, I shoot in med (26 mp). In fact, I just bought an a7c for travel/street/everyday, etc. But I don't regret it one bit. I absolutely feel that these are the best colors and AF that Sony has to offer.
With these new Mirrorless cameras, I like using features like the frame lines (horizontal,very and diagonal) to get the composition absolutely spot on. I have different standards using this compared to film cameras. They’re both challenges in different ways. Both enjoyable. It’s like comparing a compound bow to a recurve bow.
I like your bow analogy! It's good, and quite accurate.
@@Just_Call_Me_Tim Thank you :)
James, just sold all my Sony gear. Why? "Technically phenomenal camera that I get absolutely zero joy from using" to quote someone I watch frequently and whose work I appreciate. What I finally realized is that I really enjoy going on the trips, using my camera and challenging myself to create good, occasionally wonderful, images. Editing is done only when necessary. Very few people besides immediate family see the large images. Instagram, Glass, Vero are where the majority are viewed... and your massive pixel count becomes useless. So, I enjoy my SL2 for landscape and some other photography and the OM1 for wildlife and other telephoto endeavors. So far, so good. Any most important, I enjoy using them... lots of joy!
Love that cut at 09:00 when you go from the little wooden hut back to your luxurious cabin 🙂
I’m a photographer, but I also work in addictions and we constantly believe that the newer camera will make us a better photographer. Now there is nothing wrong with upgrading your gear occasionally, but it becomes a trend then it becomes a problem …lol Lee updated my camera to a Fuji film XT5 and I also have an older Nikon D850 and while I went down in size to a crop sensor camera. I feel the camera has added to my photography. I always say to people if you’re going to change your camera then what is it going to add any that your previous camera couldn’t do?
your videos never disappoint James!!!!! never stop uploading, this type of photography content is my fav and plenty others. (plz dont abandon us lad T-T)
Having all the capacity you can imagine of in one format is liberating, not restricting. If you think the automatic functions take away from the engagement, shoot in manual - having additional capability isn't forcing you to use it. If you like to shoot a certain way or don't like to use some functions, setup a custom profile (or three) - no one is forcing you to use the full whack of tech in the camera.
This is why I love using modern mirrorless cameras - having everything and your kitchen sink give so much more versatility. You can do what you want with it, and it can be what you need be and tailor it your specific use case. And when that case changes, the camera can easily pivot to that as well.
I have had much better experiences shooting manual on a A7R than I have had on an actual manual film camera. But having the ability to just turn on "idiot mode" and still take great photos gives you versatility you wouldn't have if the function wasn't there - e.g. if you are with people, or on a vehicle, or otherwise only have a second to point and shoot.
61 megapixels is (for me) the perfect amount - because it has just enough pixel density to give you 26mp when shooting in APSC crop. The A7R IV has let me dump my A6000 and my A7R (OG) for one body, and its pretty much my perfect one camera "do it all" setup (1.5 if you count a RX100 as an "everyday" pocket camera).
The little clump of ice in front of the 2m high wall gives away the scale. I was born and raised in Ilulissat so I know ice 😅
There are some beautiful images in this video. I love the polar bear on the lava in the intro. The flying puffin is terrific. Best of luck with the new gear!
“I’m not at the front of the boat” is the first thing to make me audibly laugh on this website for longer than I want to admit
The only thing about this man that has matured better than his photographic skills is his sense of humour😂
I get it... I keep going back to my D300, D7200, and D800 when I go shoot. Old cameras, and old lenses that bring me joy. I wish I would've known before I bought those mirrorless cameras.
Really amazing watching the video. Great sharing… photography and nature .. My true love.
What an incredible place
James saying „I shouldn‘t have bought this Camera“ has literally become an internet meme. 😂
😂😂
where exactly is the literal meme?
@@skepsys☝️🤓
Thanks James, as usual, your video was a lot of fun. Cheers.
The title's misleading.. it shouldve been cool icy scenery and polar bears.. and tbh this channel does that alot. I been a sub for over 3 years now...
So cool! Excited to see your future work. Sad it won't be youtube no more.
Thank God you aren't leaving UA-cam. I wouldn't know where to get my entertainment. Great video, as always. Thank you.
It still boggles my mind that you haven't looked at OM Systems/Olympus as far as their amazing glass and the OM-1 being an incredible outdoor camera for both video and especially photo with all sorts of amazing optional tools. They are still lots of fun to use, you get incredible reach with all sorts of lens options.
Seriously James, that should be where you're at. OM-5 as a primary video camera with small size and portability, plus a beast in its own right for photo with an OM-1 as the primary pro camera with dual card slots, battery grip options, higher frame rates for video, faster processing of in camera features, better balance for a wider range of lenses. OM would do everything you're busy playing around with using these Leica, Ricoh, Sony, Fuji and other cameras. All in the m43 system you love and have spent a LOT of time in.
Curious, whats the difference from om to fuji for example? Even smaller sensor? Having ff canon r6 atm and looking for lighter gear
@@laiebi_3639 The main difference is application and what the gear is tailored for. I would argue that OM has the range of Professional photo gear for m43. Fuji is likely the most Professional in the APS-C range.
There's lots of things OM can do that Fuji can't like hand held high res shot, pro capture, live composite, keystone compensation, in camera focus stacking, 120fps photo modes, Live ND, starry sky AF, best weather sealing in the business, the best IBIS in the business, smallest lens system in the business, arguably the best glass of any system and so on.
Fuji has higher resolution, more video modes, faster electronic shutter, higher RAW bit rates, faster (more expensive) memory cards etc. However they are much larger and heavier lenses, way worse for rolling shutter, IBIS specification doesn't match reality where OM eats Fuji for lunch in this regard, far worse AF than OM and so on. They're different systems, it depends what you value. If you want to travel light with no tripod, OM can't be beat
@@KPGuitarStudios thanks for all the details, sounds very promising and I didn't have Olympus on the radar at all so far. Will look deeper into it. Is low light performance a concern with the small sensors?
@@laiebi_3639 Personally I have no concerns. It depends what you're after. They have many, many computational tools to overcome that.
FF and APS-C give you different tools, the promise of FF for example is the ability to get particularly shallow depth of field. With the right lenses it can be comparable on m43 but on the extreme end of it, sure FF is more extreme.
The question becomes do you need 2mm depth of field? If so, that's your tool. In many cases it becomes too shallow and not useful. For example in many cases you can shoot wide open with m43 in bright daylight. With larger sensors you simply need ND filters or you can't even take photos. They are simply different tools but for me m43 for photo and video is fantastic
@@KPGuitarStudios Nice. I don't care about bokeh, mostly shooting at F8 for maximum sharpness. How sharp are m43 with fully open aperture? You get better results stopping down there too? And I guess you have better reach with them right? For wildlife and landscape sth with lot of reach in small size would be handy
I got into the Fuji X system in 2016 and have stuck with it. I adore my X-T3 and my X-T5 adds IBIS, which allows me a lot of freedom from the tripod. When storm chasing, I keep the X-T3 on a tripod with a lightning trigger and the X-T5 remains handheld to capture the storm structure. I'd love to do the Svalbard trip but cost is going to probably filter me out.
The disappointed face @ 10:00 just absolutely killed me. 💀💀
I bought the A7R5 because of the multi flip screen...I previously had the A7R4, and now with the R5, when taking portrait shots...I simply flip out the screen, I love that!
When we were shooting pictures with the G9 it was Good. you were showing what could be achieved. When you went to Sony, you were showing what could be achieved with a lot of money to buy the best kit, yeah.
Best camera gear channel ever❤
As usual the best U tube photo video
On a ship surrounded by ice and not one Titanic reference.
Polar bears rather than sheep.
You’ve changed, man. You’ve changed.
The reason why I want the A7RV is not not because I need or want 61MP, or 10 bit video. To be honest, I never shoot video, and if I would it would be straight MP4 or so (I did so once in my life, of a Galapagos shark eating a sea lion, since photos just didn't capture the brutality of the splashing and the violence of the moment. I regret taking that video now instead of focusing to capture that in a photo)
What I do want is the ability to shoot in APS-C mode and still have 26MP but almost more important is the ability to capture 26MP FF RAW files. I don't want 61MP files ever, they clog up everything for nothing, since if I want to crop I switch to APS-C mode. This is why I need the A7R5 instead of the R4. The ability to shoot FF and APS-C with the same 26MP and manageable file sizes is fantastic. I can use the 16-35mm as a 16-52mm, which then pairs with the 50-400 mm that I can effectively use like a 50-600mm lens. So from 16 to 600 mm with two lenses and 26MP coverage in that whole range.
When I owned my Canon EOS-R I said the same thing about the Canon R3, ridiculous specification, de-skills photography to such an extent that it wouldn't be any fun to use...................LOVE my R3, it's amazing 🤪
Your comment at 9:11 and onwards is absolutely correct.
Glad to read that you're not closing down your UA-cam channel after all. I was going to point out that working for a ninety-seven-year-old may not offer long-term job prospects. 😉 (Though I do hope we'll have David Attenborough for a good while yet!) Great video. Greenland seems to be a phantastic place for minimlist, high key photographs. I didn't mind the polar bears being relatively small in the frames - it emphasised the vast landscape they live in. But one of my favourite images was the gorgeous close-up of the walrus.
Wow, stunning photos!
Photography has become much more enjoyable since I switched to manual focus lenses and I'm much more involved in the direct capturing of images rather than leaving it to the little computer in my hand. While always tempted to upgrade my body I've found the 42 mpx sensor of the a7r3 is more than adequate for my needs and I probably should buy a second body before Sony quits producing them.
This is a trick not many people know, but rather than going all the way to Svalbard what I did was I took a photo of the inside of my freezer with my iPhone and then just put a bunch of polar bear stickers all over it. Honestly the results are indistinguishable until you tell people
Really nice photos!
I often think I need more than my XT1 but at the end of the day the only new feature i would ever use is the eye detect AF and ive been getting by w/ manual focus when it gets tricky. I forget who said it, i think it was Camera Conspiracies, but photographers never need the new features & we should just use our current gear until it doesnt work anymore lol
I went on the Sylvia Earle to Antarctica. Fantastic ship! One of the expedition crew (Ian) actually worked with David Attenborough.
I could not stop laughing at the 9:56 point. So unexpected and so funny!
You DO know that you can mount any of the thousands of manual lenses that are easily adapted to the Sony FE mount, right? I use an a7R III, with NO auto-focas lenses.
after having the sony 40mm f/2.5 for a couple months now on my A7IV I still absolutely love it! the power and versatility of that kit in the size of my Canon AE-1 with a 50mm f/1.4 is still a blast to me!
I feel you exactly about the new gear. Trying to convince myself why I need something. GAS par excelance.
Great photos indeed no matter the camera (but I like the new screen tbh)
Great video James. My wife and I were just on a cruise to Iceland and Norway that was supposed to include Longyearbyen, but for some reason that was removed from the itinerary (rats!!). However, we did go all the way up the Norwegian coast to Honnigsvag and the North Cape, which was pretty cool. Still want to get to Svalbard and Greenland...
This is a great video as always what camera strap are you using with the peak design anchor links
I always thumbs up before I watch James P videos - I know they will be good ;-)
Those ice cap photos are incredible from the drone. The scale is so difficult to comprehend - it could be 18m tall or a piece of polystyrene 18mm tall. It's very deceiving!
Thinking back to a time of film and no AF of any sort I don’t know how I even got anything in focus tracking a moving subject with a long zoom, thank goodness for technology!!
I exclusively use center point autofocus and recompose from there. Recently I had to shoot a protrait with a relatively difficult client so I decided to try eye autofocus. While it got the job done very nicely it felt too wierd for me to use it again.
I'll have to give the minority report. If you're not having fun, it's not the camera. My fun comes from seeing great scenes and capturing them for my future memory aids. I like having a great camera; the better the autofocus, image quality, exposure control, and a host of other features it brings, the better record i get from a scene. Looking for fun by adjusting rudimentary settings won't work. Cameras are reaching a plateau - all are good; none are perfect. They're great tools. Enjoy the results.
James, love the humour and some lovely photographs to add to this. I like the fact that you are developing a style of your own. I can see influences of photographers like William Eggleston and Joel Sternfeld and the Dusseldorf school of photographers and yet there is minimalism I would associate with someone more like Michael Kenna. Keep doing what your doing.
Thanks for the insight into this icy world... just one question - did you use your DJI MINI PRO 3 for your aerial shots?
Get a GFX with vintage Mamiya lenses, that will get you working💪! I do love my a7cii though…
after watching your vlogs and photos I have to admit, you convinced me getting a 50 mm. lens and now need to learn to let go of the only shoot with cloudy moody style and adopt the bright clean style you have…. Loved the way you approach more documentary style the svallbard photos compared with NIgel and Mads…. keep it up! Cheers from Holland, //Dave
The best U tube photo channel.
The comedy on this channel never ceases to amaze me😂
David Attenborough's loss is our gain :). Love the walrus images and that incredible ice sheet.
It’s absolutely about having joy in using a camera, I found one last month and I’m very happy with it.
James, simple my nice shiny A7IV for your A7RV and your joy will be back.... see your viewers can help 😂 I'm green with envy what a trip of a lifetime 👍
Thanks for all the content, James.
Can't wait to see you shots on David Attenborough's Bloo Palnet series. 😂
Wow, that shot on 2:50 is 🔥 Print material.
Would buy it in a second! Amazing editing as well 😁
Wow.. incredible footages
Loved the shots and vibe.
Out of curiosity which one of your present did you use to edit here ?
9:45 that face watching yourself. 😂🎉❤
5:10 is that Black Bay Pro on your wrist? Love your photos nonetheless.
I love it when we cut to future James judging something past James is saying.
I entirely agree about the lack of engagement despite superior technology.
On paper my GX80 is superior to my D700 in every way besides sensor size. But I feel so removed from the process when I use it.
You are hilarious, and so talented. You’ve really grown into your own unique style. Kudos!
It's always important to know your camera deeply and lovingly through intimate experiences of application before you push the poor thing with expectations and assumptions.
I found the same with sony. great tool, no joy. I ended up going m43 for business and nikon f mount for pleasure
how to you get the whites in some of the photos to be PURE White?? is that possible in lightroom cc? or is it done in photoshop or somethings else?
You should bring the old G9 along on one of these and test which you enjoy using more
amazing photos
Absolutely beautiful, your best video ever 👌
Absolutely stunning Imagery, James. I have been watching Your Channel for awhile now, and never realized I was NOT SUBScribed. Well, I solved that with a big ‘Click’ on the Subscribe button! Cheers from “Across the Pond!” That Ice Cap was simply amazing! Wow!
If you are having any troubles with your A7R5, I have a Nikon EM willing to trade you, the megapixel count is 0, the experience is very enjoyable and hands on, and the limitations bring across potentially amazing and rewarding results.
That's why I am still using my trusty old Olympus EM10ii. I enjoy shooting with it and see no pressing reason to upgrade.
Guess you and Nigel went to the same place but the photos are quite different.. Fantastic stuff.
Went in to this video not knowing you were going to be referring to the A7RV. I’m no fanboy of the equipment I use daily, but the V has been a game changer for me. If you embrace the tech, it allows you to compose how you want, whilst the camera finds what you’re focusing on. Everyone is entitled to their own views and opinions, but this camera is a tool, not something fun like an X100V or GRiii etc. It gets the job done. I just find the dynamic range roll off to be pretty poor at times but I think this is more how Lightroom reads the RAW file.
Oh just bought one yesterday and whole set Kase filters for it. Hope it's worthy.
lol thanks James I feel your pain. Would you have a link to where you got the camera strap from. Thanks
You're not the only one doing the 'convince myself' thing. I also have the A7RV and recently got the Fujifilm XT-5 for a lighter travel option...did not absolutely need it, but convinced myself that I do 😊. Btw, did you try the aps-c mode in the RV for more reach regarding those bear shots? Sure you lose the megapixels to 26, but worth a shot sometimes (no pun intended). Thanks for the great videos!
Similar set-up - but not that much difference between A and X's in weigh tbh. I like the Fuji SOOC jpeg's / with RAW backup - I have all the custom buttons set for image tweaks. The FF A's deliver an amazing RAW file for post processing, but viewfinder experience on the shoot is not engaging, in fact it can be downright disengaging looking at a bland raw image file while tweaking exposure - but its all there in LR.
Shooting in crop mode in stills is the same as cropping in post. I guess if you are pulling jpegs or need a hyper fast turnaround time it could make snes but I'd much rather have that control in post.
@@DS-ke8pq "but not that much difference between A and X's in weigh tbh" Not true when you get into longer tele lenses. The bodies are very similar in size and weight. The real size and weight savings come into play when you get into glass with longer telephoto focal lengths like those most often used in sports and wildlife. Once you get into the 100-400 and 150-600 range the size and weight difference in the smaller, lighter APS-C camera system can be quite large. When using primes or shorter tel lenses in the 16-100mm range there is not such a big difference in size/weight. Are there exceptions, YES. Are there trade-offs in FF vs APSC (or MFT) YES. But we should be clear about the size and weight "myth" and that it is mostly about the lenses and ecosystem and what you shoot predominantly
@@mattsiler7418: True, and have to mention here Sigma's 18-50 2.8 for Fuji's x-mount. Perfect example for size and weight, and a great workhorse lens too.
How do you find the image quality between the two cameras? I have have the XT5 and considering a moving to FF z7ii or a7r. Is there any substantial difference between the files and/or shooting experience?
What an adventure, loove the shots (esp one with the whale bones and flower is my fav)and videos, Sir Attenborough will be happy to have you on his team. That said, the Camera bit was barely 1/10th of the video, and your thumbnail + title is masking the epic adventure it entails. So, had to call you out on that as I didn't understand why.