Saturday
Jun202009
New photography equipment - exciting!
Saturday, June 20, 2009 at 7:25PM
Any serious photographer will tell you that the equipment doesn't matter, it's the photographer that ultimately makes the image. While true, good equipment is (in my view) an important part of the equation.
When I started, I bought cheaper brand lenses and the best body I could afford, a Nikon D100. This camera's successor, the D200, was added as soon as possible.Now these cameras were both great for the time, and are of course still capable of taking great images. However recent advances in DSLR sensor technology mean that today's high-end camera bodies are much more capable for wedding photography. Without getting too technical, the digital 'noise' is much more refined on my latest Nikon, and (although I'm sure many would disagree) much more reminiscent of film grain, the fine 'grit-like' texture which was a characteristic of fast, light-sensitive film.
Anyhow, getting back to the point - In retrospect, I now believe I took the wrong route. I should have upgraded my lenses first, as these have probably a greater effect on final image quality. A lesser body with a great, sharp lens is more likely to capture a good image than the reverse, a good body with low-quality lens. Please don't get me wrong, the third-party ie non-Nikon lenses can be very good-- but they may be of lower build quality or slower to focus than the Nikon equivalents.
So, then, it's almost time for me to upgrade some of my equipment again. While I'd love to get my hands on a 200mm F/2, this is primarily a specialist low-light sports lens and very expensive. For wedding purposes, I'll probably go for the new 24-70 zoom, which is reputedly very sharp. I'm also looking at the 35mm F/2 as an addition to my 50mm prime. These are both superb lenses-small, light and very sharp. But Sod's Law says that the moment I buy them, Nikon will come out with some serious prime upgrades such as a 135mm F/1.8 or new 85mm F1.4, a great lens which I have but is getting on a bit. Of course, Canon owners will be reading this and laughing, as they already have many great primes and some upgraded zooms to play with. Decisions, decisions...Oh well, how much will a complete new system cost me to go with the Nikons?!
When I started, I bought cheaper brand lenses and the best body I could afford, a Nikon D100. This camera's successor, the D200, was added as soon as possible.Now these cameras were both great for the time, and are of course still capable of taking great images. However recent advances in DSLR sensor technology mean that today's high-end camera bodies are much more capable for wedding photography. Without getting too technical, the digital 'noise' is much more refined on my latest Nikon, and (although I'm sure many would disagree) much more reminiscent of film grain, the fine 'grit-like' texture which was a characteristic of fast, light-sensitive film.
Anyhow, getting back to the point - In retrospect, I now believe I took the wrong route. I should have upgraded my lenses first, as these have probably a greater effect on final image quality. A lesser body with a great, sharp lens is more likely to capture a good image than the reverse, a good body with low-quality lens. Please don't get me wrong, the third-party ie non-Nikon lenses can be very good-- but they may be of lower build quality or slower to focus than the Nikon equivalents.
So, then, it's almost time for me to upgrade some of my equipment again. While I'd love to get my hands on a 200mm F/2, this is primarily a specialist low-light sports lens and very expensive. For wedding purposes, I'll probably go for the new 24-70 zoom, which is reputedly very sharp. I'm also looking at the 35mm F/2 as an addition to my 50mm prime. These are both superb lenses-small, light and very sharp. But Sod's Law says that the moment I buy them, Nikon will come out with some serious prime upgrades such as a 135mm F/1.8 or new 85mm F1.4, a great lens which I have but is getting on a bit. Of course, Canon owners will be reading this and laughing, as they already have many great primes and some upgraded zooms to play with. Decisions, decisions...Oh well, how much will a complete new system cost me to go with the Nikons?!
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