I salute you, brother, I am happy to have gone with Nikon and stuck with them even though people are STILL trying to convince me that Nikon this and to try this and that, I'm loyal because I love what I get from their cameras and lenses, I don't really care what anyone shoots with, but all I know is, I am in love with the images I get from my gear, and don't care how "heavy" the ZF or Z8 or 85 1.2 or 50 1.2 may be, to each their own.... If you nit pick about anything, you will never be happy, and that nitpickiness can be really expensive lol... so yeah, there are not perfect cameras, but we should listen to our mind and heart and go with what we like, and not what others tell you to go with :) cheers!
Thanks for the comment. Yeah, there is a line between listening to what others think, yet still remembering it's you who has to be happy with the results.
I’ve had Nikon film SLR -> Nikon DSLR -> Nikon mirrorless. Staying in one system was most cost effective over decades. While watching some gear youtube videos is entertaining, I’m not that ‘influenced’ by that. Glad I ignored the Nikon-negativity a couple of years ago!
Interesting Michael. I have shot with Nikon since 2009 and was desperate for them to enter the mirrorless market. Sticking with them through thick and thin, my patience eventually paid off. I love my Nikon Z8 and Z6III along with some really great lenses. I am so glad I stuck with Nikon.
It's why I say just stick with your gut and don't always follow the herd. All the companies make really good camera bodies these days. For me, it was more, I knew once Nikon began putting effort into making lenses for the Z system, Nikon would be a winner in my mind. They always make good lenses even if at times they lag behind in the camera body department.
Thanks for hosting the photo of the month video. I love seeing what other subscribers create! And I get inspiration from these shots! As for Nikon, I was in the same boat. Switching to mirrorless from my D810 a few months ago was a big decision. I looked at all the brands cuz jumping to mirrorless gives you a great choice. In the end, I just am so happy by what I've been able to create with my Nikons that moving seemed unwise. And am I ever glad that I have a Z8 now. I'm so pleased with the images, and it has opened up whole new genres to me. I'm sure all other brands also allow for great image production, but it's Nikon for me.
I got Nikon, all the other camera systems were to small for my hands but the Z8 fits great. The main thing is, I enjoy going out and relaxing taking photos of whatever I find interesting.
Like a lot of people my age, I started out with a Kodak Instmatic 126, which I upgraded to a Minolta Hi-Matic F in the early 70s. When I was ready to move to an SLR I bought a used Nikon FE from my uncle. Sadly, that was stolen before I even finished paying for it. After that I went with a Nikon F3 which I still have today. So when I retired and wanted to update to digital I was drawn to the Nikon Z series. I've had my Z50 for about 6 months now and am enjoying learning what it can do.
Nikon was being wrong-footed by Sony. Sony was getting lots of traction because it was making headway in both improving their flawed cameras (every few months) and offering exciting specifications in seemingly super-talented small packages that set a high bar. Nikon had been solid and ever-present but not flashy as a gold standard pro brand. They couldn’t emulate the cheeky upstart by dropping improved iterations of current models every few months nor did they want to. The new Nikons have the excitement and technical chops without breaking Nikon’s traditions and keep the Nikon cachet. The marketing shows serious photographers doing serious work with Nikon tools and that’s a clever win for Nikon. They didn’t become Sony but they borrowed the idea of using UA-cam influencers to revive their market position.
Thanks for watching and commenting. There are days I miss my D700. However, I guess you can either buy another one or move forward with the times. It's why I try to listen to myself so that I can only blame the person in the mirror and not a stranger, who might be pushing you for their interests and not yours.
I have spoken about Pentax several times in previous videos. I started with a Pentax K1000 and spoke a few times about how that camera was a blessing in teaching me about the exposure triangle. I loved that camera, however if you are speaking about digital cameras, then you would be correct. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Thanks for the comment. I'm sure Marcus will be pleased. My guess is that he will see this and comment. Here are the settings that he sent to me when submitting the photo. Nikon Z8 ,100-400mm Nikkor S, 1.4x Teleconverter, @560mm, f/8, 1/1600 sec, ISO 10,000. I hope that helps. Anything more, and I'll let Marcus comment.
@@MichaelCantwellwell. i thought it was a slow shutter speed shot. looking at the grass it does look like it is moving. probably cuz they are out of focus. was it too windy?
@murlidhr Many, many thanks for your comment about the sheep photo. Yeah, we were out that morning near the Southern-most tip of the South Island in New Zealand looking for birds, so I had my settings on a high shutter speed (1/1600). It was windy. As we walked thru the wooded area there was that sudden clearing you see in the image and that sheep walked right into it and stopped. I couldn't believe my luck and the lighting. In terms of crop, that image is 100% uncropped. Not that I have anything against cropping at all. I crop all the time, just not this one. The sun was rising from the left side but being a bit blocked by a mountain, and it must've been cloudy like it is almost daily in New Zealand. LOL. The out of focus bits are mostly due to the separation of the main subject from the background and foreground that the lens produces, and that I was shooting at 560mm, which is the max zoom for that lens with the 1.4 tele-convertor on it. The lens gets pretty good separation in camera. Not as creamy as a prime, but I like it. Then, I did a tiny bit of masking in Lightroom to blur the background and foreground a little more for additional separation and isolation of the main subject. For me, perhaps the biggest surprise was that this photo was shot with ISO 10,000. Coming from DSLRs, I never trust high ISOs, but the Z8 seems to be fine with it. I don't think that I've ever shown a photo with such a high ISO, but, well, it seems like it's fine. I cleaned up the noise by running it thru DxO Pure Raw 3, which seems to be working for me. Thanx again for asking.
I salute you, brother, I am happy to have gone with Nikon and stuck with them even though people are STILL trying to convince me that Nikon this and to try this and that, I'm loyal because I love what I get from their cameras and lenses, I don't really care what anyone shoots with, but all I know is, I am in love with the images I get from my gear, and don't care how "heavy" the ZF or Z8 or 85 1.2 or 50 1.2 may be, to each their own.... If you nit pick about anything, you will never be happy, and that nitpickiness can be really expensive lol... so yeah, there are not perfect cameras, but we should listen to our mind and heart and go with what we like, and not what others tell you to go with :) cheers!
Thanks for the comment. Yeah, there is a line between listening to what others think, yet still remembering it's you who has to be happy with the results.
I’ve had Nikon film SLR -> Nikon DSLR -> Nikon mirrorless. Staying in one system was most cost effective over decades. While watching some gear youtube videos is entertaining, I’m not that ‘influenced’ by that. Glad I ignored the Nikon-negativity a couple of years ago!
Thanks for watching and commenting. I'm pleased you followed your best instincts as well.
Interesting Michael. I have shot with Nikon since 2009 and was desperate for them to enter the mirrorless market. Sticking with them through thick and thin, my patience eventually paid off. I love my Nikon Z8 and Z6III along with some really great lenses. I am so glad I stuck with Nikon.
It's why I say just stick with your gut and don't always follow the herd. All the companies make really good camera bodies these days. For me, it was more, I knew once Nikon began putting effort into making lenses for the Z system, Nikon would be a winner in my mind. They always make good lenses even if at times they lag behind in the camera body department.
Thanks for hosting the photo of the month video. I love seeing what other subscribers create! And I get inspiration from these shots! As for Nikon, I was in the same boat. Switching to mirrorless from my D810 a few months ago was a big decision. I looked at all the brands cuz jumping to mirrorless gives you a great choice. In the end, I just am so happy by what I've been able to create with my Nikons that moving seemed unwise. And am I ever glad that I have a Z8 now. I'm so pleased with the images, and it has opened up whole new genres to me. I'm sure all other brands also allow for great image production, but it's Nikon for me.
You're welcome, Marcus. Thanks for being a supporter of me and the channel.
Hey Marcus, read the comments from murlidhr above. He's been asking about your sheep photo. Thanks
Like your style. Well done.
Thanks for watching and commenting.
I got Nikon, all the other camera systems were to small for my hands but the Z8 fits great. The main thing is, I enjoy going out and relaxing taking photos of whatever I find interesting.
Thanks for watching and commenting, Carl. I hope you add another photo for this month and good luck with your photography.
Like a lot of people my age, I started out with a Kodak Instmatic 126, which I upgraded to a Minolta Hi-Matic F in the early 70s. When I was ready to move to an SLR I bought a used Nikon FE from my uncle. Sadly, that was stolen before I even finished paying for it. After that I went with a Nikon F3 which I still have today. So when I retired and wanted to update to digital I was drawn to the Nikon Z series. I've had my Z50 for about 6 months now and am enjoying learning what it can do.
Good luck with the Z50. I have one of those, but it's converted to infrared. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Sold!
Thanks for watching and commenting. Yes, it seems it was. Good luck with it.
Not another Yellow Shimoda Backpack - that was funny. 😀
I'm still waiting for mine. LOL. I only have a blue one that I paid for with my own money!
You can't go wrong with Nikon
Thanks for watching and commenting. Many will agree with you.
Nikon was being wrong-footed by Sony. Sony was getting lots of traction because it was making headway in both improving their flawed cameras (every few months) and offering exciting specifications in seemingly super-talented small packages that set a high bar. Nikon had been solid and ever-present but not flashy as a gold standard pro brand. They couldn’t emulate the cheeky upstart by dropping improved iterations of current models every few months nor did they want to. The new Nikons have the excitement and technical chops without breaking Nikon’s traditions and keep the Nikon cachet. The marketing shows serious photographers doing serious work with Nikon tools and that’s a clever win for Nikon. They didn’t become Sony but they borrowed the idea of using UA-cam influencers to revive their market position.
Thanks for watching and commenting. I agree with your assessment.
Gutted every day I was persuaded to sell my nikon D70 …. still excellent 6 MP
Thanks for watching and commenting. There are days I miss my D700. However, I guess you can either buy another one or move forward with the times. It's why I try to listen to myself so that I can only blame the person in the mirror and not a stranger, who might be pushing you for their interests and not yours.
Use what you have , you never talk about Pentax -
I have spoken about Pentax several times in previous videos. I started with a Pentax K1000 and spoke a few times about how that camera was a blessing in teaching me about the exposure triangle. I loved that camera, however if you are speaking about digital cameras, then you would be correct. Thanks for watching and commenting.
loved the photo of sheep from marcus grandon. was that a slow shutter shot?
Thanks for the comment. I'm sure Marcus will be pleased. My guess is that he will see this and comment. Here are the settings that he sent to me when submitting the photo. Nikon Z8 ,100-400mm Nikkor S, 1.4x Teleconverter, @560mm, f/8, 1/1600 sec, ISO 10,000. I hope that helps. Anything more, and I'll let Marcus comment.
@@MichaelCantwellwell. i thought it was a slow shutter speed shot. looking at the grass it does look like it is moving. probably cuz they are out of focus. was it too windy?
@@murlidhr I'll ask Marcus to speak up. It was his photo. I don't know what the weather conditions were when he took the photo.
@murlidhr Many, many thanks for your comment about the sheep photo. Yeah, we were out that morning near the Southern-most tip of the South Island in New Zealand looking for birds, so I had my settings on a high shutter speed (1/1600). It was windy. As we walked thru the wooded area there was that sudden clearing you see in the image and that sheep walked right into it and stopped. I couldn't believe my luck and the lighting. In terms of crop, that image is 100% uncropped. Not that I have anything against cropping at all. I crop all the time, just not this one. The sun was rising from the left side but being a bit blocked by a mountain, and it must've been cloudy like it is almost daily in New Zealand. LOL. The out of focus bits are mostly due to the separation of the main subject from the background and foreground that the lens produces, and that I was shooting at 560mm, which is the max zoom for that lens with the 1.4 tele-convertor on it. The lens gets pretty good separation in camera. Not as creamy as a prime, but I like it. Then, I did a tiny bit of masking in Lightroom to blur the background and foreground a little more for additional separation and isolation of the main subject. For me, perhaps the biggest surprise was that this photo was shot with ISO 10,000. Coming from DSLRs, I never trust high ISOs, but the Z8 seems to be fine with it. I don't think that I've ever shown a photo with such a high ISO, but, well, it seems like it's fine. I cleaned up the noise by running it thru DxO Pure Raw 3, which seems to be working for me. Thanx again for asking.
@@marcusgrandon3640 Thanks Marcus
Good pitch… if that doesnt get you sponsorship off Nikon nothing will
HA! Thanks, but Nikon doesn't know I exist and that's ok with me. I much prefer that you watch. Thanks for watching.
Olympus …. seem to be addicted to tinyness
Thanks for watching and commenting. Only you know what you need and it's why I stated to listen to your gut.