Its been a long wait, and for Canon users they have had the capable R5 and R3 available; but we finally have the pro R1 development announcement.
There’s going to be a lot of hype, and a lot of negativity around this, but we have to remember who its for and the field of work the EOS 1 targeted.
Do not expect a high megapixel global shutter monster; this will be a very solid very capable mid megapixel camera that will work in any environment and not let press or sport photographers down. If they want high MP they will reach for the R5.
Personal life has been too busy this month so very little work done worth showing so here’s a few from the archive. Toni model was retiring so this was our last shoot. No real idea except sunglasses as a theme.
I have a couple of big shoots this month, so checking batteries, memory cards etc is on my mind. If you have a current camera then social media is quite good at notifying you if there is firmware update. Camera brands like Fuji got a good reputation with there continued support of older models and fresh firmware bringing fixes and new features where the hardware could support it. Its something that Nikon have been pushing as well with recent updates to the Z9 and Z8 but also the Zfc and ZF.
Its quite easy though to forget about your older generation cameras so do remember to check you manufactures website. I thought my Leica M10 was up to date but a quick check last week showed a new firmware. No real new features, then the M series are not built on there feature set, but there was a new firmware with support for lens profiles for new lens.
So do check. Its also worth checking your flashes but for some brands that can be difficult; that’s one thing I like about Profoto, turn on fire up the app and it will tell you if there is something new and its quick and easy to up date.
While we get some good days in winter, model shoots are not the first type of photography that comes to mind.
Now with spring here and some nicer days I am starting to look at planning a few location shoots. Its always good to have alternative plans but sometimes you just have to go for it.
During this last winter, while walking Ted the Greyhound around the local Lincolnshire Villages I have been carrying the little Leica M10. Shooting scenes like the one above.
The Nikon’s have been seeing little use except for studio work.
Lots of fashion and some personal projects in the studio. Hardly using a Nikon Z camera to its limits. In fact they have been set to base ISO of 64, f/8 and 1/200 for optimum quality.
One soon starts to lose how to use some of the advance features of the camera unless you practice.
So on a few recent walks I have been taking the Nikon Z7, switching between modes, trying different things, to get the hang on the camera again.
It will not be long before the herons start to visit the local parks and build there nests.
Getting out and shooting wildlife used to be something I used to do many weekends. An early start and out to a local park with a suitable lake.
I think as I get older getting up early and facing the cold is less appealing. Not knowing while your there if the light and wildlife will coincide to enable some decent photographs, but when it does your glad you did it.
This weekend was the biggest photography show in the UK.
The last time we visited it was a stop to charge the car on the way, as there was no real charging at the NEC if you were arriving by EV. This time was very different, we booked a spot in a dedicated EV carpark where every space had a slow 7kWh slow charger.
The trip down was uneventful and we arrived, parked up, set the charge limit to 90% and plugged in and left the car to charge.
First up was the Nikon stand and I got my hand on the Z9, Z8 and the ZF for the first time. Amazing cameras.
Most of the big players where there, and despite what you may hear on social media, stands like OM (Olympus) were heaving with interested parties. Looks like there is lots of life left in MicroFourThirds.
Many of the stands had demonstrations, and we spotted Gavin Hoey from Adorama on the Godox stand.
Adobe had Lightroom demonstrations, Macro demonstrations on the OM stand and a number of lighting stands had some interesting subjects to photograph.
I managed to get to the Fuji stand and tried out the X100VI, nice but still a few issues if you have large hands and are used to the big bright optical viewfinder of a Leica M. I’ll still hold off. The new Fuji GFX 100II was a different matter, this camera is very impressive. Despite the poor light in the hall its autofocus was quick and reliable.
If you like small cameras like the Fuji X100 but want something with a little more potential, cameras like the OM5 with a small 17mm prime would make a great everyday carry, and with the show offers, was available body, lens and a grip and batteries for only £1000, that’s £600 under the Fuji X100VI. Something to think about.
So did I buy anything, well yes I did, a book about Peter Lindbergh to inspire my fashion photography and a new rucksack. Dragging a camera bag and laptop back into work is a bit of a bind, so I treated myself to a Peak design rucksack that can hold my IT equipment but also my camera equipment.
