Nikon Z vs Micro 4/3
August 8th, 2023
Taking a break for today from nudes in nature. About a year and a half ago I bought a Nikon Z7II. I was still very happy with my pair of Panasonic GX8s, but I wanted the higher resolution for a documentary project I was starting. So I shelled out way too much money for the Nikon and a 24-120 lens.
I love the files from the Nikon. They have tremendous detail. The lens is the sharpest lens I’ve ever owned, including several great non-zoom lenses, including some Leitz lenses. The files hold highlight and shadow detail better than any digital files I’ve ever worked with. There’s lots of ability to make adjustments without degrading the final file.
But I’ve come to the conclusion that I just don’t like the Nikon. The files are great, the camera not so much. It’s heavy. The Nikon and the one lens weighs more than my entire Micro 4/3 kit of two bodies and 6 lenses. And, though I like the programmable third control ring on the lens which I use for exposure compensation, in general the controls on the Nikon are frustrating and awkward. Plus they make changes to my settings, seemingly randomly. “Why are these files blue? How did the color balance get changed? Is Auto ISO on or off?” So it goes…
I only bought the Nikon because Panasonic hadn’t delivered a new sensor with more megapixels. That’s what I want. A Micro 4/3 camera with a sensor between 30 and 40 MP. I suppose it’s too much to hope that they would put it in a camera in the GX form factor…those GX8s are the best handling cameras I’ve ever owned. I suppose that’s what spoiled me as far as the Nikon is concerned. But if Panasonic comes out with a higher resolution sensor in whatever body style they want, I’ll line up to buy it. I probably will keep the Nikon (I’ve been a Nikon shooter since 1968, until I switched to Micro 4/3 because I wanted to go mirrorless and Nikon hadn’t gotten there yet) and treat it as a “view camera” brought out only for special projects, but I’ll gladly go back to using this nice kit of Micro 4/3 lenses if and when that new camera is available.
Meanwhile I’ve added the Nikon to the basic kit along with the GX8s for my day-to-day shooting kit.
Behind the Scenes in the Slots
August 6th, 2023
A few behind the scenes photos from our hike through Wirepass Canyon and Buckskin Gulch featuring Dave Rudin, Cheryl, Eden, and Gillian.
Buckskin Gulch
August 4th, 2023
The earlier posts were photos taken in Wirepass Canyon. These are from Buckskin Gulch. Buckskin is much, much deeper and longer than Wirepass. It’s also a bit wider in most places, although it still has a few tight squeezes in places.
Thanks again to my wonderful, beautiful models, Gillian, Eden and Cheryl.
More from the Slots
August 2nd, 2023
More photos from Wirepass Canyon with Cheryl, Eden and Gillian.
Down the Slots
July 31st, 2023
The next few posts will be from a trip to the desert southwest, specifically a day hike down some slot canyons with three wonderful models, Cheryl, Eden and Gillian, and my old friend, Dave Rudin.
We were in Wirepass Canyon which leads down to a junction with Buckskin Gulch. Some say that Buckskin Gulch is the longest and deepest slot canyon in the world…others say in the US. I don’t know if that’s true, but it is a beautiful place and is certainly very deep.
I’m always very careful about the weather when I go into a slot canyon. Flash floods can come without warning and are extremely deadly. There’s really no way out if a flood comes, and a flash flood in one of these canyons is just not survivable. Two men from the area where I live died in these canyons just this year. Caution is required. Rain 100 miles away can produce a flood.
I’m planning several more posts from this day in the slots.
Behind the Scenes
July 28th, 2023
The last few posts have been from shoots we did when my old friend, Dave Rudin, came for a visit.
I took a few snaps with my cell phone while Dave was working with Carrie and Brandy.
Fine Brandy
July 27th, 2023
A few more photos from this shoot…this time it’s all Brandy. This from the cabin where we were staying before heading out at dawn.
And here’s the lovely Brandy down in one of the canyons.
I did a few variations on this setting. Brandy looks great in all of them. Which do you like best?
And one more of Brandy from the cabin.
Starved Rock
July 26th, 2023
A few photos from a trip to Starved Rock outside Chicago. My lovely models, Areia and Brandy, are more friends than models. They pretty much only model for me and don’t have online portfolios.
But they do a great job. I really love working with friends.
There are more photos coming from this shoot…
In An Instant
July 25th, 2023
I shot some instant film, mostly old Fuji peel-apart film, with Carrie and Jenny.
Thank you ladies.
Shop Ladies
July 24th, 2023
I’m working on catching up on edits of old shoots. The past year and a has been very challenging for me in my personal life. It’s resulted in not many posts here. I’m going to try to correct that.
To help with that process I’m going to focus primarily on just posting images and not really saying much about them, since writing seems to take a lot more time than just posting photos.
So here you go with some photos of a couple of my favorite models, Carrie and Jenny.
