Switching Gear

For a long time, actually since I started with photography, I have used Canon DSLR’s and Canon compact cameras. My first DSLR was a second hand Canon 300D with the 18-55mm kit lens. That was an amazing camera. Before that camera, I had a Canon Powershot A610. That is the camera i did most of my shots with. It was small, have manual controls and produced, for that time, good image quality. I took it every single day with me. Later on I bought the wide angle converter. I started to get into gear, Canon Gear and got myself a 20D. Also amazing camera ! Got some lenses with it like the 10-22mm, 55-250mm and the standard 18-55mm kit lens. It all worked for me. After the 20D I got the 30D with grip. Upgraded the lens to a 24-105mm F4 L series lens and got an 100-400mm F4 L as well. Then, I also started to feel the weight of it 🙁

I was becoming a gear head, and wanted something smaller but with good image quality and manual controls. So I got a Canon Powershot G12. Got the filter holder and a CPL with it and got an EX20 Flash gun with it. That combo was great. In fact: for me it was the best I have used so far. I was working as a dive and snorkel guide and the Canon G12 fitted perfect in the waterproof bags. Later I got an underwater house (Canon as well).

As I and my photography evolved, I started to get really annoyed by the weight of my gear. I the mean time I got a Canon 5D Mk3 and a 24-70mm F2.8 L and a 70-200mm F2.8 L as well.

Mirrorless came in and my friend got himself an Olympus OMD EM5. And I borrowed it. The weight was a breeze. Tons of external controls and good image quality. At that time, nowhere near as good as the Canon 5D Mk3…. I started to follow the mirrorless development and got more and more interested.  In the meantime I had learned a lot about Dynamic Range and other things that are important for post processing. I learned that Canon didn’t keep up with the development of good sensors. But still… I was using Canon.

After a trip to Angkor Wat in Cambodia I made the decision. My gear needed to change. Walking in 35 degrees, humidity of 80% and  about 10 kg of camera gear is not recommendable. So what to do and what to buy ? At this point I lost my gear head syndrome and started to look how I shoot what I shoot realising what I need.  I tried many brands and cameras from friends. Nikon D810, D610, Olympus OMD series, Canon M system, Canon XXD, Fujifilm X and Pentax. For me the Fujifilm X cameras are perfect. Light, very good image quality in JPEG and RAW, high dynamic range and a good selection of prime and zoom lenses. Also the film simulations are great.

For more than a year I shoot with Fujifilm X cameras and they are really really good and reliable (Well for what I do).  Now I am thinking to get a Full Frame Mirrorless System of Sony with it. For me, mirrorless is the future.

Author: Admin

Hi... I am Ryan Nigel Scheemaker and I am a travel and landscape photographer.