In this article I would like to focus on description of my photographer journey. I would like to tell you something about how I started, what gear did I use, what gear do I currently use and how those cameras changed my attitude and perspective of thinking about photography. Some of you may ask “But isn't the photography mostly about pictures?”. Of course it is! But I developed my own approach which is a bit more philosophical than the approach you can usually learn about.
Also I would like to say that I'm not paid by any camera company so just keep in mind during the reading that I'm not trying to sell anything. I'm only trying to tell you about my personal experience and the gear I love, so sometimes it may seem a bit like a commercial, but it is just me adoring things that help me take the pictures I need. Also I would like to mention that I do not consider myself a professional.
As I look at my files in the computer I also managed to find the exact date when my photo obsession started. It happened on 11th februrary 2014. I was a high school kid back then. Even in this age I was really curious about new activities, hobbys and other things. I just love new experience. One day I got my eyes on the camera market and my friends around me, who were and some of them still are into photography. I looked at my budget and it was really tight, but I managed to buy a new proper DSLR starter kit. It was Canon 1100D with some 18-55mm kit lens. I think that professionals would call it rather a “toy” than a camera, but for me it was the entrance to world of visuals. The camera had really limited possibilities. Especially the higher ISO values were terrible as I remember. The lens also wasn't great. It wasn't as sharp as I like my lenses to be. But still, it was my first camera and I managed to get some decent shots with it. But in my opinion the cheap entry level DSLRs have something to offer. Learning. As I said, the capabilities of the camera were limited, but I really learned something. I learned to use my brain and thinking rather than betting all-in on the camera hardware. That also leads to one of my favourite quotes “gear doesn't matter”. I know people, who use entry level cameras and they have great photos and I also know people, who have expensive professional DSLRs and take let's say “common pictures”.
Photo: Canon 1100D + 18-55 lens
So with this camera I learned the basics, but I still didn't really understand all of the photography principles. Slight change came, when I decided to buy a new and better DSLR in 2015. In my case it was Canon 60D. Finally that was a real deal camera. It had a top panel display for indicating exposure, metering and some other things. This camera was styl great for my usage. It also featured a great grip. It just felt great in hands. The resolution was also great. It featured 18 megapixels and that was a blast for me. Also I got a few nice lenses with the body. It was 17-85 which was my all time classic and then I got 50mm fixed focal lenght lens and also telephoto zoom lens Canon 70-200. Also with this particular setup I started my career and got my first unpaid job within one of the czech music magazines so I started focusing on music photography and because of this I also managed to learn a bit more about the photography in theory.
Photo: Canon 60D
And now finally to the topic of what gear do I use for my photos and why. In january 2017 I started realize that the mirrorless camera market in growing up and Fujifilm cameras got my attention. I got some money together and purchased Fujifilm X-T10 with 18-55 lens and in no time I realized that i have to change my technological approach and I switched completely to Fuji X camera series. So what I ended up with? I ended up buying and using X-T2 which is their flagship model and sometimes using X-T10. Lenses I got are: XF 18-55 f/2.8-4, XF 23mm f/2 and telephoto lens 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8. I almost feel guilty saing it, but just the feeling of these cameras and lenses pushed my thinking somewhere else.
Photo: Fujifilm X-T2 + 18-55 lens
The first thing that got my attention with Fuji cameras was the electronic viewfinder (EVF). The EVF response time with X-T10 and X-T2 is good and what I consider to be a advatage is that you can really see what is going on on the scene and how your picture will look like. Also this feature helped me realize much deeper how the camera mechanics work, so now when I for example use my film camera, I can imagine better what the final picture will look like in terms of exposure.
The second thing for me was definitely the controls of the camera. Fuji got button for almost everything. So if you are a button person and don't want to waste too much time in complicated menu, then this is the possible solution. X-T10 is also great in terms of buttons, but to be honest X-T2 is the king, because of separate dials for ISO, shutter speed and exposure compensation. On most of the lenses you can also control the aperture manually. But don't worry, these cameras aren't based on only manual controls. Program mode and priority modes are also available.
The third thing why I love Fuji X series is definitely the build and miniaturization. The build within the models I experienced is great. In case of X-T10 the build was ok. The body is made mostly out of plastic combined with some metal parts I think. Some people say it is made out of plastic, some people say it is made out of metal. In case of X-T2 the build is something godly awesome. The body feels robust and lightweight at the same time. And what is probably greatest about it is that the body is made out of metal. Also most of the lenses are made of out metal.
Last but not least I have to mention one thing. Colours. In the Fuji community people sometimes tend to say that fuji has it's own colour. And I agree. The rendering of the image is just something unusual and specific that I cannot describe properly.
So that is probably all for today folks. If you have any question I'm ready to help you and if don't understand all of the phrases I use then don't worry. I'm planning to start a “learning photography” series of articles. And also if you are interested in something specific then write me and if I will be capable of covering that topic I will try to do my best.
And the very end, a warm photo of happy Alpaca that I hope will help you to get through the rest of monday :).
Pictures of cameras were downloaded from Pixabay and wikimedia commons and are eligible for usage.