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Transition to Fuji – Part 1

Posted on 22nd December 2016 by Admin under Comment, Equipment
Strret photography camera

My street photography camera.

 

For me, the least interesting thing about an image is the camera which was used to take it.  Which is not to say that the camera’s role is unimportant.  Clearly that is not the case.  Nor that cameras are uninteresting.  Our choice of camera does, though, have an effect on how we take photographs and the results.  To an extent, subject matter will also be a factor which can help determine the choice of camera.  Sports photography using a view camera, anyone?

While some attributes such as sensor size and lens quality will be a consideration, nowadays even relatively modest equipment is capable of good results.  In terms of what we can achieve with our cameras, this truly is a golden age.  What makes that all the more surprising is that position has been reached in a market with relatively few manufacturers.  There are just seven in the mainstream with a few others on the periphery.

Types of Camera

Cameras generally fall into three distinct types, DSLR mirrorless and compacts.  While the latter are produced by everyone, companies which have had a longstanding continuous presence in the market have ranges based on DSLRs.  More recent entrants have developed mirrorless models.  That also includes Olympus and Fuji, which are taking advantage of digital imaging to regain former footholds from the days of film.

Moving on from a DSLR

For many years, I thought that I would eventually end up with a full frame Canon DSLR.  A view reinforced by Canon, incidentally.  Despite most of its sales being cameras with smaller APS-C sensors, almost all of its lenses are intended for use on full frame.  The range of lenses specifically intended for the smaller sensor is very limited.  This criticism does not just apply to Canon, as the same is equally true of Nikon.

Yet for quite some time I have struggled with the weight and bulk of my DSLR.  That is an experience common to many, a situation not helped by the size and weight of full frame lenses.  Consequently, I have long been experimenting with mirrorless systems.  In the beginning, I saw this as a convenient and lightweight supplement to my DSLR system, which still served my more formal photography needs.

Back in 2011 that decision immediately ruled out more than half of the options available to me.  Unless I wanted a compact camera, Canon, Nikon and Pentax only made DSLRs.  Sony was just starting to introduce mirrorless and my only other choice was a micro 4/3 camera from either Olympus or Panasonic.  The decision went the way of the latter, a GF1 with Panasonic’s surprisingly good 14-45 kit lens and the 20 f/1.7 prime.  A lightweight and compact walkabout kit.

The camera served me well, but I soon realised that the lack of a viewfinder was a limitation.  The optional electronic viewfinder for the GF1 performed poorly and was ridiculously overpriced.  A Panasonic G3 on close-out sale was its successor.  A small camera, too small really.  Its buttons were all too easily accidently pressed and more often than not I was shooting with settings I had not intended.  On one occasion, I even found myself one inadvertent button push away from formatting the memory card.  Nevertheless, some of my best shots were made with that camera.

Eventually I found myself with the original version of the Olympus E-M10.  It’s a fine camera and still in regular use, being especially suited for street photography.  Admittedly it is on the small size, but the add-on grip has helped there.  Over a period of five years I was using two systems, each with its strengths and weaknesses, choosing between them depending on the type of photography I was doing.

If you had asked me where I thought I might end up, the m43 system has been maturing nicely.  Both Olympus and Panasonic have been introducing some excellent lenses and some good cameras.  While by no means inadequate, the autofocus on all mirrorless cameras has been an Achilles’ Heel.  Despite manufacturers’ claims to the contrary, it is one area where DSLRs retain an edge.  I might not require superfast AF that often, but I do like to know I have the option.

It did not help that I do not like the layout of the E-M1 controls, preferring those of the E-M5/10, and that Olympus’ strategy has been haphazard.  Where we expect coherence, new models lower in the range leapfrog the capabilities of those higher up.  I chose my E-M10 for that reason.  It was a good blend of features from both the more expensive E-M1 and E-M5.  It was better than the latter in many respects.  Given that I am reluctant to invest heavily in cameras, which depreciate rapidly, it worked for me.

There is still Panasonic, of course, but after the G3 the company has rather disappeared from my radar.  Sony is another company which is developing rapidly, but has been concentrating on cameras with full frame sensors of late.  While the cameras are relatively compact, the lenses are not.  For me, APS-C hits a sweet spot.  Image quality is maintained, but overall the equipment is more compact without that reduction affecting usability.

My search for a DSLR replacement continued.  To my surprise, as I will relate in my next post on this topic, made an unexpected decision.  All the more surprising, since it was mainly on account of just one lens.

2 thoughts on “Transition to Fuji – Part 1”

  1. Frank Edwards says:

    Hi Mike, very interesting, while a change for me is some way off. I have enjoyed the presentation of the journey – look fwd to part 2

    1. Admin says:

      Thanks, Frank. It has been useful for me to document the procress I have been going through over the past few years and it is good to know that it is helpful for others.

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