Bloody Cameras - Final Part!!

Warning…. Tech speak coming….. sorry but no avoiding it. Just for this entry I promise.

So, the deed is done. The new camera bought. I thought long and hard about the choice and eventually there was really only one route to go down.

Before I tell you what I actually bought the logic went like this:

1) My Samsung Note 10 camera phone takes great pictures. I will use that in future when attending social events. It stops me being allocated photo-taking duties and allows me to enjoy whatever’s going on.

2) I want something that is great for the actual hobby/business of photography. Something that will take the best possible pictures at the highest resolution. It has to have all the expected tools incorporated too, like image stabilisation, adjustable autofocus etc etc

3) It has to be fairly portable and not too heavy

4) It has to be easy to use and familiar. I hated the menu system on the small Lumix to the extent that it spoiled the experience for me.

5) It needed to be good enough to be a “Last” Camera. Not being morbid but trying to emphasise that it needs to be future-proofed and good quality.

Cutting to the chase I bought a Nikon Z5 with a 24-50 F4 lens. I also bought an adapter to allow older Nikon lenses to fit.

It seemed to offer the best compromise all round

1) Full frame images (24.5mp)

2) Not too big (Mirrorless construction means it’s significantly less bulky) but has all of the bells and whistles I wanted.

3) New Nikon Z system is their future roadmap.

4) The cheapest version of the full-frame system – I’ve bought into the club at the lowest cost. The compromises are in areas I’m not bothered about (Video, Burst shots etc)

5) The adapter will enable me to use some older lenses.

There will be another post when I’ve got to grips with it, the positives and negatives. Initial feedback: Having had Nikon SLRs for 30 years I love the familiarity of the positioning of switches. The topography of the Nikons doesn’t change. The feel is indistinguishable from older cameras. I’ve only shot 30 or so images so far and not been out with it yet, but it feels good!