Camera Review: My Three Favorite Cameras for Professional Photographers
Camera Review My Three Favorite Cameras for Professional Photographers
Camera Review: My Three Favorite Cameras for professional photographers | Hi everyone! I get a lot of questions about my gear. Normally, I don’t talk about equipment choices because I don’t think it’s relevant to hiring me or any NY professional photographer. However, I do think it is important to discuss it from time to time, and in the right context. Having said that, I’d like to share with you my three favorite pieces of equipment in my arsenal. So, to satisfy my readers who are gear-heads, enjoy this informal review.
1) Fuji GSW6x9III (Analog):
This fully analog and portable medium format camera is my primary tool for flash film work. Because of the big negative, it sucks up a lot of light. So, learning to expose the film properly takes a long time. I like to use a high power flash with this camera. We’re talking 50 to 100 watt seconds of light per exposure. Important to note, that although the sync on it doesn’t hold up very well, it is worth the hassle. You’re going to have to send your tools in for tune ups from time to time anyway. That is why I always keep a second, identical camera on hand.Remember that like all cameras, you’ll need to send this guy in about once per year for its annual tune up.It handles well because of the light, plastic body. I don’t feel like I need to see the chiropractor after a day of using it freehand outside. The fixed lens also makes zone-focus shooting a breeze. This particular camera comes in two (2) focal lengths: wide and standard. I personally prefer the wide. Because of this, you can get really close to a subject and not lose flash power.
2) Camera Review My Three Favorite Cameras Leica M6 (Analog):
Analog rangefinders are my favorite, and this little guy is one powerful film camera. The tiny machine parts and quiet sounds make it ideal for shooting somewhere quiet. But because it’s so tough, I can throw it in my bag and head to Southeast Asia for a month with this camera. It is the ideal travel companion. All metal construction makes it quite heavy considering it’s size. But it’s solid. The small size of it also makes me less noticeable. Design wise, it has an impressive look to it. People don’t doubt your abilities when you carry this. Which is a good and a bad thing. Amateurs often buy Leicas thinking they can “figure it out”. The loading mechanism is not for people who don’t know how to use it. It is super tricky. Even more so on an earlier M series. And when they get them home their Leicas end up on Ebay a year later.Important to note, Leicas ain’t cheap. Owning into the Leica cult takes commitment and cash. However, I love these cameras. Generally, I stick to the 35mm summicron and 1.0 Noctilux. lenses. Negatives made with this set up are insanely sharp and so much fun to print. I love, love, love making 11x14 darkroom prints with them. If you are a TriX shooter and want to take your photography practice to the street, I strongly recommend you carry this camera along with you. It’s not very versatile. If you want to shoot in a studio I suggest a through the lens camera.Like all cameras, it isn’t perfect. Personally, I own two of everything in case of malfunction. But I roll super pro. You may be ok not having a camera around while it’s out for repair. I’m not, so I always need a back up.
3) Camera Review, My Three Favorite Cameras for professional photographers: Nikon D810 (DSLR):
I love the Nikon D810. Shooting RAW with a DSLR camera gives what it promised. Yet its file sizes are a manageable 51 megabytes. For shooting an event or a portrait then this is my go-to camera. I love that it syncs on the body, as opposed to needing a WEIN to sync it into the hot shoe. It is heavy and solid. This means that when I shoot with a flash, I need a grip on set. After eight (8) hours my back is killing me. It has a beautiful file structure and I can process images on my laptop on a plane in Camera RAW.Characteristically, I use a 35mm vintage NIKON 35mm lens from the 70’s. As one would expect, it seamlessly flows with my analog NIKON gear. I love this camera in the studio as much as I love it in the field. For a DSLR it delivers.
Camera Review: My Three Favorite Cameras for Professional Photographers
