iJourneys

John Gough Photography

Nikon Full Frame Mirrorless Announcement

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An intriguing video has just been posted on the Nikon Europe website. It is a teaser about the new Nikon Full Fram Mirrorless Camera we covered a week or so ago.

Nikon Full Frame Mirrorless Camera

At least we now have a hint of what the camera will look like. Nikon Rumours have gone further and produced a paper mock up.

Is the Nikon Mirrorless Full Frame Camera?

 

Nikon Announcement

There seems to be a date for an announcement. 23rd August 5am UK time there will be a livestream event from Nikon Japan

Canon Full Frame Mirrorless Cameras

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Canon EOS 6D Mark II

 

Sony lead in full frame mirrorless cameras. The Sony a7iii has been continually out of stock since the launch in March. However, there are a bunch of Nikon and Canon DSLR users who would like to make the switch to mirrorless but have so much invested in lenses, that they worry that the switch will be expensive and cumbersome.  As a result, they are clinging to their cameras in the hope that mirrorless full frame offerings from these manufacturers will come soon.

For Canon users, the wait was going to be until next year, but the latest rumours put release before the end of 2018. Perhaps even at Photokina before the end of September. So what do we know about Canon Full Frame Mirrorless cameras so far:

Canon are Committed to Full Frame Mirrorless

Canon are serious about this market because their traditional DSLR camera sales are bombing. Although the company is well diversified, changeable lens cameras are still an important segment, because they drive the sale of very profitable lenses. CEO Fujio Mitarai has said that Canon is committed and will “go on the offensive” to take a bigger share of the mirrorless market.

What about Canon EF Lenses

There is a question mark regarding how existing Canon DSLR lenses with an EF mount, will fit a full frame mirrorless Canon camera. The biggest challenge is flange distance, which may mean an adapter. When Canon launched the M range of APS-C mirrorless cameras they did offer an adapter for EF lenses. This may well be the direction of travel for full frame. Otherwise, the camera will have a relatively thick body compared to Sony.

What are the Rumours about Canon Full Frame Mirrorless Cameras

It looks like there are two cameras in the pipeline according to Canon Rumors.  One a ‘flagship’ version which will mimic the 5D Mkiii with a 30.4mp sensor. The other is a 24mp version which may be based on the 6D2 sensor. However, considering the stick that this sensor received at launch, it will have to be seriously modified. Launching two cameras is both a good thing and worrying at the same time. One of the big criticisms of Canon in the past has been that they have tried to differentiate their products by ensuring that the more expensive cameras have key features which are omitted from less expensive siblings e.g. the 5Diii has 4k but the 6D2 does not. Users feel short changed by this kind of strategy.

Canon Work to Get it Right

When the M series of mirrorless cameras was launched in 2012 they received a lot of criticism. Sony is the elephant in the room now. Their FF mirrorless cameras are now so advanced and popular, that if Canon go just for catchup it will be a big disappointment. Word is that  Canon has turned to their professional community, Explorers of Light to ensure they get it right.

Summary

This is make or break for Canon, therefore they have to get potential customers onside. I would hope that they engage with users prior to the launch. Watch this space.

 

Where I Buy

I buy my equipment from Wex because I have genuinely found that they offer great advice and customer service.

 

Leica M10 vs Sony a6300

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Leica M10

 

The Leica M10 is a serious camera. It comes from a pedigree that stretches back decades and has a name that is synonymous with quality and heritage. The Sony a6300 is, by comparison, the grubby kid from the other side of the tracks, working hard and pulling itself up by its bootstraps.  Photographers are prepared to spend thousands on that little Leica red spot. Which is as well because the Leica M10 costs around £6000. The Sony a6300, on the other hand, costs less than £1000. So is it a fair to try and compare both cameras. Afterall the Leica at six times the cost of the Sony, so it should just blow it out of the water.

Leica M10 vs Sony a6300: Features.

Both are mirrorless cameras, the Leica has a 24-million-pixel full-frame CMOS sensor, vs a cropped APS-C sensor in the a6300. However, both offer a different ethos, optical viewfinder and screen on the Leica vs an EVF and tilting screen on the Sony. No video capability vs 4K etc. The Leica is a thing of beauty with a heavy magnesium chassis and top and bottom plates that are milled from solid brass blocks. The Leica is made to be handed down through the generations. Whereas the a6300 is more transient. It has already been supplanted by the  a6500, and the a6700 is on the horizon.

On the surface, this makes the Leica sound more like a fashion statement than an enthusiasts camera. Furthermore, its lack of features makes it seem like a Betamax in a streaming world. However, the Leica does quality like no other camera. So is the lack of technology, and hefty price tag made up for with stunning images?

Leica M10 vs Sony a6300: Image Quality.

So how do they compare regarding image quality? The Leica used to be the street photographer’s camera of choice, and was/is used by many professional photographers today.

DXOMark has just completed their analysis.

Leica M10: A classic reinvented

DxOMark tested the Leica M10 sensor, the key to image quality. It shows that the Leica M10 full frame sensor falls considerably behind the latest and best full frame sensors launched this year, by Sony and Nikon. The Leica scored 86 compared to the Sony A7RIII and Nikon 850 which both scored 100. The M10 was found to be at least a 1 stop worse in both colour depth and dynamic range. Both these full frame cameras cost half the price of the Leica.

It would seem then that the Leica full frame sensor, is more on par with the smaller APS-C sensors, in cameras that cost far less. In fact, as DxOMark points out, the Leica sensor image quality is virtually the same as the APS-C sensors, seen in the Sony a6300 and the Samsung NX500.

The Leica has a full frame sensor, which is no better in image quality terms than the APS-C sensor in the Sony a6300.

Leica M10 vs Sony a6300: Conclusion.

So we return to the original question: Leica vs the a6300. The Sony is technically more advanced and feature rich, with comparable IQ.  It is also a fraction of the price of the Leica. Whereas the Leica is a stills camera, in the tradition of Cartier-Bresson. It has breeding and legacy and is built to be cherished and shown off.   So why spend so much more on a Leica when let’s face it, it is no longer the best camera money can buy.

I guess it just comes down to that little red dot and the joy of owning a piece of history.

 

Where I Buy

I buy my equipment from Wex because I have genuinely found that they offer great advice and customer service.

Sony A7III Five Things You Did Not Know

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Sony a7 III

The Sony A7III is hot at the moment. It has been reviewed by everyone lucky enough to get their hands on one. All the reviews will tell you about the incredible AF, the low light performance and the eye tracking brilliance. However, what don’t you know? Here are five things you may not know about the Sony A7III.

1 The Sony a7III can Zoom with a Prime Lens

The Sony a7III has a crop mode which ensures that  APS-C lenses can be used. This means that if you are trading up from the a6500 or a6300 then the lenses you use on those cameras will work using the crop mode on the A7III. The crop mode just uses the centre of the sensor, in effect turning the full frame sensor on the A7III  into an APS-C sensor. This makes this camera so versatile. However, because there is a 1.5 crop factor between full frame and APS-C it means that if for example an 85mm prime lens is used. The crop factor can be turned on and it will convert the lens to 128mm. How do we know this? Well, check this video out 2.38 minutes in.

2 Sony A7III has 2x Clear Image Zoom

Incidentally, if you are not a Sony alpha camera user, then clear zoom may not be familiar. It is a function designed for stills but now extended to video which provides a 2x zoom. Using an optical zoom and Sony sensor technology. This is what Sony says:
Clear Image Zoom is a function that uses the Sony® exclusive By Pixel Super Resolution Technology. It allows you to enlarge the image with close to the original image quality when shooting still images. The camera first zooms optically to the maximum optical magnification, then uses Clear Image Zoom technology to enlarge the image an additional 2x, producing sharp, clear images despite the increased zoom ratio.
N.B. It cannot be used in RAW. There are restrictions on focusing. How do we know this? It is available on all Sony alpha cameras.

3 The Sony A7III Screen is Difficult to Read with Polarised Sunglasses.

A specific problem for polarised sunglass wearers. The solution is to get different sunglasses or turn the camera around until the screen comes into view. How do we know this? Well, check out this video about 1.24 minutes in.

4 Use Your Canon Lenses

Tthe Sony lens collection is getting better but their new lenses are expensive. It is almost as if they are following the printer model, sell the printer cheap and make money on the cartridges. However, if you are migrating from Canon, you do not have to change your Canon glass. Instead buy a converter and  use your old lenses. How do we know this? This article tells you all you need to know.

5 Best Low Light Performance Ever Tested

DXOMark is literally the go to benchmark for measuring camera sensor performance. The Sony A7III sensor scores an overall 96, which is remarkable considering the camera costs £2000 and in the DXOMark tests is compared to the £6000 Leica M10 which scored 86, the £5000 Nikon D5 which scored 88, and the £3000 Canon EOS 5D MkIV which scored 91. However, it was low light performance that blew them away
highlight is the low-light score, which at 3730 ISO is the highest of any full-frame 35mm sensor we’ve tested. 
How do we know this?
Sony A7 III Sensor review: Low-light performer

Conclusion

The Sony A7III is a remarkable camera, but as we write this in June ’18 there are only a few available worldwide, despite the launch in March. If you want to buy, I hope you manage to grab one anytime soon. Check out Amazon for availability:

Where I Buy

I buy my equipment from Wex because I have genuinely found that they offer great advice and customer service.

Camera Wrist Strap

I have avoided dropping my camera so many times using a simple inexpensive wrist strap like this one. Cameras and expensive lenses do not bounce! UK USA

Sony a6700 Rumours

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Sony a6300 with Sony Vario-Tessar T E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS

Sony a6300

 

As a big fan of the Sony a6300, and I am looking forward to the rumoured Sony a6700. Rumoured specs are littering the internet, and the release date could be as early as this month. June. I am hoping that like the Sony A7III the spec on this camera will blow the opposition out of the water.

Prior to the launch of the Sony A7III, Fujifilm launched the Fujifilm X-H1, but it was totally eclipsed by the spec of the Sony A7III when it launched at around the same price. Sony is launching cameras with amazing specs because it is aiming to jump from the third biggest camera maker behind Canon and Nikon to be the top camera brand by 2021. They dominate the mirrorless  full frame arena, and they might just try to do the same with the Sony a6700 in the APS-C world.

So what could the changes on the a6700 look like:

Sony a6700 Auto Focus

Vastly improved AF with eye tracking. There is eye tracking on the a6500 but it has to be unlocked in the menus. The eye tracking on the Sony a7III is borrowed from the Sony A9 and according to reviewers is amazing.

 

Sony a6700 Low Light Performance

Standard ISO to reach the 51200. This is available on the Sony a7III and shooting at 6400 is ‘insanely clean’ according to PetaPixel

Faster Continuous Shooting

Rumoured increases in continuous shooting may be wide of the mark because the Sony a6500 already has continuous shooting at 11fps and the a7III has 10fps. However, the A9 is at 20fps with no blackout. Could the a6700 be a mini A9? A 1/8000th shutter may also be included.

Better Battery Life

Battery life on the a6xxx cameras has always been modest at around 310 shots. The A7III boasts 710 shots, so Sony has the technology to make a big difference on the Sony a6700.

Sony a6700 Stabilisation

Again Sony has the technology to match the in body stabilisation on the A7III. Sony maintains that the 5 axis stabilisation on the A7III is equivalent to 5 stops. Add that to the higher workable ISO’s and you have a real low light performer.

Sony a6700 Screen

It will be a touch screen as on the a6500.  However it likely to be not just tiltable but fully articulated. This is becoming standard with the launch of the Fujifilm X-T100 which is tilt up, tilt down and forward facing.

Video

Rumoured 4K at 60fps

Sony a6700 Rumours Latest

This camera exists, but Sony are precious about not releasing any information prior to launch. How many of the rumours included here are true, we don’t know. However, if the rumoured features are available on other cameras in the Sony line up, then it is most likely that they will appear on their flagship mirrorless APS-C camera, the Sony a6700.

If that is what they decide to call it!

 

Where I Buy

I buy my equipment from Wex because I have found they offer great advice and customer service.

 

 

Fujifilm X-H1 Review of Reviews

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Fujifilm X-H1

Fujifilm X-H1

Fujifilm X-H1 is the H for hype or does this camera live up to its billing? We trawl the reviews and forums to try and get a balanced view on the Fujifilm X-H1 as a stills camera.

Already a fracas has broken out. If you dare to criticise a Fujifilm camera then be prepared for a kickback. Their users are the most loyal in the world. However,  YouTube photography supremo, Tony Northrop challenged the Fuji orthodoxy by claiming that the full frame sensor on the Sony a7III had two times the image quality of the Fujifilm X-H1 sensor. We know what he meant but……

However, Northrop hit back:

So what is the point? Well, it reflects a disappointment that this camera was probably not the camera Fuji enthusiasts were dreaming of. Why? Let’s look at the camera in more detail.

Fujifilm X-H1 Specification

  • 24.3-million-pixel X-Trans APS-C CMOS III sensor
  • 5 axis in-body image stabilization: IBIS
  • 3in, 1.04m-dot tilt screen
  • Tiltable touch sensitive LCD
  • ISO 200-12,800 (expandable to ISO 100-51,200)
  • Continuous shooting up to 14fps
  • Two card slots
  • 673g body only, including battery and memory card. 166g heavier than the XT2
  • 310 shot NP-W126S Li-ion battery
  • Wi-Fi with Bluetooth
  • Optional VPB-XH1 battery grip
  • 139.8×97.3×85.5mm (WxHxD)
  • 25% tougher weather-resistant body
  • Silent electronic shutter with a maximum speed of 1/32,000 sec,
  • 91 auto-focus points (expandable to 325)
  • A sub LCD monitor on the top plate
  • 4K capture at up to 200 Mbps

Fujifilm X-H1: DPReview Review

The DPReview review awards the camera a sliver award, because the camera although worthy does not excel in any respect:

  • The size and weight of the camera has been increased over the XT2 because of the addition of IBIS and the thermal cooling required for long bursts of 4K video
  • The settings for stills and video can remain separate, enabling easy swapping between modes.
  • There is a dynamic range priority setting which can assist in drawing detail out of shadows.
  • The magnesium alloy body is 25% thicker and the surface hardness has been increased to improve durability.
  • The top plate LCD panel stays on even when the camera is switched off and can be configured to only show vital information.
  • The weather sealing has been improved and the camera can function at -10C.
  • The 310 shot battery should last half a day of dedicated photography
  • Need to fine tune the AF behaviour to get sharp results
  • Face detection performance is good but variable depending on the lens.
  • Low light AF is said to be improved
  • AF works best in the phase detection area at the centre of the sensor
  • The 5x IBIS is not consistent across all lenses. Expect about 2x with wide angle lenses and 3,3 with telephoto.
  • An excellent JPEG engine with excellent creative colour modes
  • Slight ‘glitching’ in fine colour detail in RAW but overall low noise levels are low and detail acceptable.
  • The touchscreen can be slow to respond

 I’m not sure the number and style of control points necessarily reflects the needs of the user interface, now it’s trying to accommodate both stills and video

the X-H1 [is] up against some pretty fierce competition: Sony, for example, offers the broadly comparable a6500 for less money or the impressive-looking full-frame a7 III for only a little more.

Fujifilm X-H1: Cameralabs

Cameralabs provide one of the most detailed reviews available, here are the bits I found interesting:

  • Could be described as an XT2 with IBIS, a touchscreen, bigger grip, better video and Bluetooth
  • One of the heftiest mirrorless cameras
  • It is stronger mare scratch resistant and has 94 points of weather sealing
  • The display remains active when the camera is switched off, indicating at a glance the shots and battery life remaining.
  • Some glasses wearers prefer the viewfinder to the XT2
  • It is possible to record stills to both cards but not video
  • The X-Trans III sensor is the same as in the XT2 and is now two years old.
  • Vertical Power Booster (VPB X-H1) makes room for three batteries but adds to cost and bulk.
  • Unstabilised lenses become usable due to the IBIS. Plus the IBIS make in camera composition easier with telescopic and other lenses.
  • The phase detect and contrast based autofocus systems are the same as the XT2 and therefore perform similarly. However, it has been tweaked to work better in low light.
  • Face detection and eye detection can be erratic

I say it in every Fujifilm review, but still believe they have the best colour science in the industry.

I understand Fujifilm’s eagerness to launch their first body with built-in stabilisation, but feel the X-H1’s size, price and position would have been more comfortable with a new sensor and battery.

Fujifilm X-H1: Kai W

If you want to see the weather sealing qualities check this out:

 

Fujifilm X-H1: Fstoppers

Usman Daywood in the Fstoppers review calls this a disappointing release from Fujifilm.

  • Comments online wonder where this product fits and when there will be a replacement for the XT2
  • Major changes over XT2 re stills photography are an information top plate, IBIS and touchscreen

The Fujifilm X-H1 is a disappointing and confusing release from the company which is very unlike them. This feels rushed and completely unnecessary, and it would have been much better to simply wait and release a proper update the X-T2. 

 

Fujifilm X-H1: Digital Camera Weekly

A very positive review from Digital Camera Weekly

  • The light trigger shutter takes getting used to. Very little pressure is needed.
  • The shutter is very quiet due to a clever shock damping on the mechanical focal plane shutter
  • The deep grip makes the camera easy to hold especially with larger lenses
  • The IBIS enables sharp images to be taken handheld at 1/8 sec at 55mm.
  • The expanded dynamic range feature lifts the base ISO level by 1-2EV.
  • Fujifilm includes lens corrections into the RAW files as well as JPEG processing.

the X-H1 makes a lot of sense, especially for those who have already invested in the X-mount system or are swayed by its design, image quality and lenses. 

Fujifilm X-H1: Photography Blog

Another positive review from Photography Blog

  • The lens mount is reinforced to be more damage resistant.
  • It is very convenient to be able to check the camera’s key settings with a quick glance at the top LCD
  • It is possible to change the focus point whilst holding the camera up to your eye by dragging your thumb across the touchscreen.

While the new Fujifilm X-H1 is the best-specced, best-performing X-series camera to date, curiously we feel that it doesn’t quite have the widest appeal, both within the Fujifilm eco-system and the camera market as a whole.

So what Fujifilm have mostly added, they’ve perhaps also taken a little away, with the addition of IBIS, bigger handgrip and top LCD screen making the X-H1 the largest X-series APS-C camera to date.

it’s not the only camera that’s being directly challenged by the aggressive pricing of the A7 III, but when the APS-C sensor X-H1 is physically bigger than the full-frame sensor A7 III at the same price-point (if you factor in the VPB-XH1), Sony seem to have the edge, at the very least in marketing terms.

Fujifilm X-H1: Conclusion

When I first handled the X-H1 I was surprised at how bulky it was. I was disappointed that the retro feel of Fujifilm cameras had been jettisoned. However, it may just be a function of progress as mirrorless cameras take on more features and technology. However, I wonder whether Fujifilm had an inkling that Sony was about to release a ball buster in the Sony A7III, and rushed to release the X-H1 without properly resolving battery and other issues.

Where to Buy

I buy my equipment from Wex because I have found they offer great customer service.

 

 

Sony a7 III vs Canon 6D Mark II

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Sony a7 III

Sony has just announced the Sony a7 III. It is a mirrorless full frame camera aimed at the enthusiast, filling the same spot on the dial, and price point as the Canon 6D Mk II. What many reviewers said about the 6D2 when it launched a few months ago, was that it was a missed opportunity. Built down to a price and purposely excluding features available on their more professional cameras like the Canon 5D Mk III. Sony has however embraced the new technology they have available and made it available at this price point. Is the Sony a7 III the camera Canon should have introduced? Let’s have a look at how they compare:

Body

The Sony has a 650 gm magnesium alloy body, the Canon has a 765 gm magnesium alloy chassis with a polycarbonate body. Both are environmentally sealed.

Sensor & Processor

Both cameras are full frame. the Sony is 24 megapixels compared with 26 megapixels from Canon. Both cameras use the latest processors in their camera line up. The BIONZ X (Sony) and DIGIC 7 (Canon). The Exmor X sensor on the a7III provides a claimed 15 stop dynamic range.

Point and Shoot

The Sony a7 III is a mirrorless camera with an electronic viewfinder (EVF). The Canon is a DSLR with a traditional optical pentaprism. Both have 3″ touchscreens, the Canon fully articulates the Sony tilts only.

Stabilisation

Sony Stabilisation

There is 5 axis stabilisation in the Sony a7 III which equates to avoiding camera shake by an additional 5 stops. In the 6D2 there is no in-camera stabilisation for still photography, but it is available for video. Both have image stabilised lenses.

Focusing

There are 693 focus points on the Sony. It is the system derived from the top of the range A9 with 425 contrast detection points. There are 45 cross-type AF points on the Canon. Sony has both face and eye recognition, Canon has face recognition.

Shutter

The Front End LSI pre-processor from the upmarket  Sony a7R III, is incorporated into this camera, taking the drive to 10 fps with big buffers for RAW files as well as JPEG. The Canon can reach 6.5 fps.

The maximum shutter speed is 1/8000th  and 1/4000th respectively.

Sony has 4K video, the Canon has Full HD

ISO

Sony ISO is 100-25,600 which can be boosted to 204,800. The Canon is 100-40,000 which can be boosted to 102,400.

Batteries and Cards

The Sony battery life is 610 shots (using the EVF) vs 1200 shots from Canon. The Sony has two card slots, the Canon has one.

Connectivity

Both have built-in wireless. Canon has GPS

Price

The Sony a7 III will be launched in April at $2000, the Canon 6D Mk ii was launched at $2000 but now retails for $1899.

Summary

Sony with a consumer electronics background is well used to developing new technology, and looking to the market (the new Fujifilm X-H1 for example) to lead new product development. This provides great value for consumers, who in the Sony a7 III gain a cutting edge at a bargain price. Canon is more introspective, used to a two-horse race with Nikon. For them, it is more about just keeping up. However, Canon may soon find this is not enough.

Where to Buy

I buy my equipment from Wex because I have found they offer great customer service.

 

Sony a6000 for Street Photography

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Sony a6300

The Baron of Beef / John Gough / Sony a6300

I am researching what the Sony a6000 and its’ derivatives the a6300 and a6500 are like at street photography. Not so long ago (well 60 years ago) you set forth into the streets of New York. (See Joel Meyerwitz) with Leica in hand. Now we are all striving to be street photographers, and there are lots of alternatives to a Leica. These include the mirrorless Sony, Fuji, Panasonic and Canon cameras. But how good are they? Concentrating on the Sony a6000s, here are some views from some street photography bloggers: Thomas Fitzgerald Photography
The big advantages of the A6000 for street photography are as follows:
    1. It’s really fast in operation. The camera responds quickly and you are never left waiting for it to catch up, which can be an issue with some older mirrorless cameras, especially in this price range.
    2. The flip up screen is great for shooting from the hip. It’s great for being stealthy when shooting on the street.
    3. The autofocus is superb. It’s still one of the better autofocus systems that I’ve used on a mirrorless camera. I find it better than my X-Pro 2 for autofocusing (send your hate mail to….) especially when shooting street photography. It’s very fast and it locks on really quickly. Also, the face detection works well, and is a really useful option when shooting street shots.
    4. It’s really small and discrete. When coupled with a small lens it’s not much bigger than a compact camera.
    5. You can adapt it to an incredibly wide range of lenses (pretty much anything). While it doesn’t autofocus with adaptors as well as the newer A6500, if you’re willing to manual focus, and have old glass, there is more than likely an adaptor for it. And some of these adaptors are pretty cheap too.
Steven Brokaw Photography
There are MANY reviews on the A6000 focusing on features & performance, so I won’t try to do one myself.  I would recommend if you are looking at an ILC for street then check out the online reviews, blogs and go to your local camera store to get the feel of the Sony A6000. However, I did want to highlight what I liked about the camera.  They are:
  • Lighting fast focus,
  • Easy to use menus & menu layout,
  • Fine lineup of Sony lenses and readily available adapters for non Sony lenses,
  • Focus tracking is awesome,
  • Burst rate is stupid fast,
  • OK (but, not great) low light performance,
  • Feels good in my hand (very sticky),
  • APS-C sensor,
  • Good video,
Crazyaboutcameras http://crazyaboutcameras.com/best-cameras-for-street-photography/

The main benefit of the a6000 is its portable size. The ability to put a camera in a coat pocket and take it out everywhere with you is not to be underestimated. Especially with street photography where you may want to be discreet.

But apart from the portability, we are just amazed by the image quality that a camera of this size can produce. The a6000s sensor is incredible and is widely regarded as being one of the best in this “size class” of cameras. It picks up colors well and the processor that powers the whole product can accurately adjust the balance on auto mode.

Some other cameras without a digital viewfinder can struggle in bright lighting conditions making the shot reasonably difficult (or impossible) to take. The OLED viewfinder on the a6000 makes it well suited to shooting in bright conditions. It is perfect for the street where you never know when the next shot might arise.

Tim Brookes MakeUseOf http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/mirrorless-cameras-great-street-candid-shy-photographers/
For street photography, this matters. As someone who’s always been a bit shy when it comes to pointing a camera in people’s faces, a smaller and more discreet camera allowed me to get closer and push myself further than an SLR ever has. The amazing thing is that modern mirrorless cameras don’t require you to sacrifice image quality — I’ve been shooting 24.2 megapixel images in RAW format images in RAW format and the excellent low-light performance and 425 points of autofocus on the A6300 allowed me to trust the camera completely. Aforementioned street photographer Eric Kim notes that “ultimately capturing the moment, emotion, and feeling of a scene is more important than how many pixels or how sharp it is.” This could apply to a whole manner of photographic applications, but it’s especially true for street photographers and anyone who wants to get into candid photography. Kim’s top pick for a dedicated street camera is the Richoh GR-II, a compact camera with a fixed lens and an APS-C sensor that retails for around $700.

Considering the flexibility offered by an interchangeable system, Sony’s A6000 is cheaper and ultimately more versatile. The newer A6300 has a groundbreaking autofocus system and full silent shooting for around $1,150 with a kit lens. These are easily two of the best mirrorless cameras on the market in terms of value for money, raw performance, and overall size — so be sure to check them out if you’re planning your next move as a photographer.

The Phoblographer
Review: Sony a6300
In many ways the Sony a6300 is an excellent camera. Great image quality, very versatile RAW files, a small size, great autofocus, and more. What more could you possibly ask for? My qualms with it have to do with the fact that the high ISO output is starting to fall behind the competitor and that I genuinely feel like the ergonomics need to take a step up at this point. Otherwise, it’s a very solid camera.
It is interesting gaining the views of actual users. The Sony a6xxx have fantastic autofocus, good IQ and are small and discrete, ideal for street work. May also have to invest in some primes. the Sigma 30mm 1.4 looks a good option very highly rated by DPReview. Plus a top tip,  if the 30mm is too tight then take a few pictures and stitch together in Lightroom

Where to Buy Your Equipment

I buy my equipment from Wex because of their exceptional customer service. I once returned a camera after 30 days, and the next day they called to return my money to my account. Their prices are always competitive and they offer good prices on the trade in of your used gear

Camera Wrist Strap

I have avoided dropping my camera so many times using a simple inexpensive wrist strap like this one. Cameras and expensive lenses do not bounce! UK USA

Fujifilm XT20 Setup

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How to Setup the Fuji XT20

Getting a new camera can be daunting. I could not get my Fuji XT20 to work the way I wanted it at first because it was switched to Auto instead of a dot! I spent about an hour figuring out how to setup aperture priority which is the usual way I shoot.

There are some really useful videos on YouTube on how to setup the camera: Firstly Tony and Chelsea Northrop who seem to have a fantastic home and brilliant life travelling the world doing photography videos. They are worth watching though if you have not caught up with them yet. This video is an overview which is useful if you have just taken the camera out of the box:

 

 

Fuji Guys is a great channel for all things Fujifilm, this video is particularly useful as it goes into detail re the menu options, which is not easy to find in the manual.

 

 

Then there is Omar Gozalez who shoots mainly Canon (as do I), but is into the Fujifilm XT20 because it is small and fun to shoot with (as I am).

 

 

My Setup for Fuji XT20

These are my notes about the basic setup:

    • I may just shoot in P, ie Program mode most of the time as it is possible to adjust the aperture and shutter speed combinations using the rear command wheel, which is really useful.
    • The screen seemed too cluttered, so I have switched a lot of the icons off. This is done via Menu OK>spanner>screen set up>screen 2>Display settings. From here it is possible to configure what is shown and what is not.
    • I have switched the image being displayed after every shot as it was confusing especially when shown in the EVF. This is done Menu OK>spanner>screen setup>image display>off.
    • My camera locks occasionally and the green light blinks continually. It is annoying and all you can do is take the battery out and put it back in.
    • I was confused about manual focus. This is activated from the focus mode selector on the front of the camera on the right of the lens, by switching to M.
    • Shooting single and burst is on the drive dial on the top right of the camera.
    • A useful tool is the the auto focus distance indicator which is MenuOK>spanner>screen set up>screen 1. When shooting quickly it is useful to have an idea of the depth of field for a chosen aperture.
    • The quickest way to change the ISO is the quick menu button Q, scroll to ISO and change using the rear command wheel. I would have liked that on the front command wheel. Is that possible? Please let me know.



Camera Wrist Strap

I have avoided dropping my camera so many times using a simple inexpensive wrist strap like this one. Cameras and expensive lenses do not bounce!

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Canon EOS M3 Review

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I thought I would explore mirrorless cameras. Will they take over from DSLRs or are they just a jumped up compact camera?

I chose the Canon EOS M3 because it was on offer at a great price at Amazon and these are my notes. I am doing a lot of street photography and I wanted a camera that was discrete, and which I could use without raising it to my eye. The EOS M3 fitted the bill with its neat articulated screen. The camera is also so small that it is lot less noticeable than a big DSLR.

How did I get on.

  • The 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor coupled with the EF-M 15-45 zoom lens capture excellent detail, as can be seen from the image above. Especially considering there has been some of cropping involved.
  • A big plus is that there is an adapter that joins the camera to your big DSLR lenses so your investment in Canon glass is safe.
  • The handling is easy, it is smaller than a DSLR but bigger than many of the compact cameras we have all used, so it’s size is not as big a deal as many commentators make out. I did not miss the viewfinder, although an external EVF (Electronic Viewfinder) can be bought separately which clips onto the hot shoe.
  • I have big hands and the camera felt comfortable. The build quality is good and the grip was nicely proportioned.
  • I loved the flippy screen, which articulates to 180 degrees. OK not much can be made out in strong sunshine, but it is convenient and covert enough for street photography.
  • There has been criticism of the battery life, but I think that must be when used for video, I had no issues on a photographic shoot.
  • Autofocus is an issue. Reviews complain that it is too slow. My reservation is about the inconsistency and accuracy. Often a shot would be brilliantly in focus, and then another would be off. Perhaps it was the complexity of a street scene, but even when I used the touch control on the screen it often did not pick up the focus zone.
  • Another issue is the small buffer when shooting continuously in RAW, the camera almost starts to pant with exhaustion after a few shots.
  • It is a bit unfair because the sensor is getting a bit long in the tooth, but the dynamic range is challenging. Digging for detail in RAW that just is not there in post processing.

So what is the conclusion? I like cameras this size and weight that can produce fabulous images just like those from a good DSLR. So I want to explore going mirrorless. My issue with the Canon EOS M3 is that it is inconsistent. I cannot guarantee good results in the quickfire arena that is street photography. However, if you are thinking of buying a good walkabout camera to record family and events, forget those little compact cameras with their small sensors and lenses and instead look no further. For less than £500 it is a steal.

 

Where to Buy Your Equipment

I buy my equipment from Wex because of their exceptional customer service. I once returned a camera after 30 days, and the next day they called to return my money to my account. Their prices are always competitive and they offer good prices on the trade in of your used gear.