Just thought of sharing this...
What people may fail to see in this section of the forums is the culture of which we agree to disagree to freely share what our preferences and likes are... so that those who can relate to a particular photographer will then tend to lean towards the same skill, style and even equipment choice.
I was influenced by Francisco Hidelgo, Annie Leibovitz, Herb Ritts, Wong How Kin, and some of the old masters whose choice of cameras all included Leica Rangefinders, Mamiya and Hasselblad medium format, (let's not even talk about large formats here).
Over the last twenty two years, I grew up shooting with these gears professionally :
- Nikon film cameras (Nikkor lenses, then Carl Zeiss lenses)
- Hasselblad
- Mamiya
- Bronica
Interestingly, in the digital era, I only shoot with Olympus (attracted to Zuiko Digital, thanks to the E-1 launch) though I had flings with 1DS, D3, and Pentax cameras, and some Leica compacts (rebadged Panasonic they say).
There is a common factor among these camera systems that set them apart from the other brands. Colors, contrast, shadow details and most importantly, warmth. For black and whites, Leica has always been the undisputed champions since the days of old school journalism in the early-mid 20th century. And I have to thank especially to Mr Wong How Kin who have immensely influenced me with his immaculate and unrelentless attention to color details who actually introduced me to color meters and light meters. He is one who moulded me by screwing me left right centre and making a lot of gear accessible to me when all I could but dream of using Hasseys and high end Nikons. Albert Chng who introduced me to sports and event photography and the era of high end Nikon film camera. Last but not least, Mohd Ishak who started everything in 1980 with a black and white photo shot on a Nikon F2AS. I still have that image to remind me why I fell in love with photography.
Compacts that accompanied me included :
- Olympus mju series
- Nikon PnS
- Yashica T*4
- Olympus digital compacts 2020, 3030, 5050.
- Nikon Coolpix 5000 (I had this for the longest time).
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The reason I shared my list of cameras that I grew up with because they strongly influence the way I chose my camera system and what it can do for me. I never bought into marketing of camera companies, but to make judgement from the eye that was developed by my mentors. All we really need in a camera are the basic functionalities :
Shutter control.
Aperture control.
WB correction (we used gels in the past).
AF when we are lazy.
ISO control to determine the amount of noise we need. (That is why I hate Canon except the 1DS)
In the rare case which never happens to me personally, bells and whistles that makes a camera system complete like WiFi, infrared trigger system... this is where Nikon shines like a star.
I judge whether a camera system is for me by their flagship cameras. Their spin offs are usually considered "cheap copies of the real thing" and will usually be seriously lacking in some imaging capabilities that force photographers to eventually end up with the high end cameras. The sensors of the flagship cameras usually are able to stand up against time. Even when they are outdated. Look at some of the images from Nikon D2, early 1D, and heck, even the Olympus E1. The colors, the contrast, the details... some of the new entry level camera systems cannot even compare by a mile!
(This makes me wonder, isn't it better to buy a used high end pro camera than to buy a new entry level camera? But this is not for everyone of course).
Then came a new format called micro Four Thirds. There are little tweaks in the camera system that sets it apart from PnS cameras and able to compete with some entry to mid level DSLRs. Honestly speaking, reviewing through the images between my trusty E3 and E-P1, I still see the E-3 producing better images.
But the format is a first and foremost consumer camera system. Will never be comparable to DSLR system costing a lot more because of the imaging system and other things that makes them powerful. But m43 is lighter. Uses future-looking CDAF system that requires no calibration unlike the PDAF systems. They are the ultimate travel camera, no doubt about it. But the CDAF will never be able to capture fast moving objects. Those who captured animals and babies in action in lower light are simply, more experienced photographers. Anyone who picks up a camera and thinks they can simply do the same must be joking. Anticipating action is what makes a seasoned shooter a better shooter. And having patience. You think it is easy to shoot an otter or even the common rat? I really want to see a m43 system shooting that in the wild. That person will command serious respect if he is able to. (At least I know I cannot).
The best way to make a purchase decision is based on making a check list on what is important to you. If you are one who wants the most popular brands, because it makes you look cool, you already have cancelled "lesser brands" and stick to Canikon.
If you are open to all, then your list will look a little like mine :
- Lens quality. Optics is everything to capture light (which is what photography is about).
- Color reproduction and gradualty.
- Shadow details. (Lens and sensor working together).
- Contrast at one time (today it is determined by software).
- Sensor capabilities (that is how Nikon lost me in the early days of digital).
- Ability to capture minute details (today we know it is about the AA glass design).
- Compatibility and future proofing systems. Minolta, Konica, all crashed and burn... Panasonic simply have no loyalty to their customers, so that is out. Canon and Nikon confuse the hell out of me with their variation.
- Weather proofing and build quality (body and lens). Fragile equipment simply don't make the cut.
(No surprise ALL medium format cameras fulfill the above requirements).
Noise, ISO performance is not in my list. Anyone who understands basic physics will know what you are dealing with. Neither is Dynamic Range though it has to be within reasonable range and today's cameras can deliver that.
Why the three points are never an issue? Because there is software to correct these things and I am too big a photographer to let a camera tell me what it wants to do for me. I am in control, not the camera. Realised what is the highest ISO setting on cameras that can buy cars? There is a reason behind it.
DR is not important because I have shot slides so any digital camera today is already a blessing.
And back to this m43 thing. Look through my list mentioned above and you understand why Pen is a serious photographer's pet. Not because I am an Olympus fan. They deliver what I need. Pen is my leisure camera. And my simple video camera replacement. Art Filters provide entertainment and the wows. iBeauty and iEnhance mode allows me to be lazy. That is how I see things.