My current roster of photo (and video) gear which I’ve accumulated over the years as a lifelong photographer and photo hobbyist / enthusiast is detailed on the various pages of the “gear” menu.
Nikon has been my camera & lens brand of choice since buying my first SLR, a Nikon Nikkormat, when I was sixteen. Even though there are other excellent professional camera brands on the market (e.g., Leica, Canon, & Sony), remaining loyal to Nikon over the years with its now over 100 years of market leadership, innovation, and optical excellence has been both practical and rewarding. While no camera brand and its system is perfect, Nikon still continues to consistently delight !!
Unless one has very little gear or is just starting out on a photography journey, would suggest sticking with one good brand with an existing, well developed system. Because once one has acquired a fair amount of gear (i.e., cameras, lenses, & accessories) to change brands one must accept the …
- financial cost of switching (i.e., selling the used gear of one brand and buying new of another),
- time required to learn the new brand features, functionality, and menu system and develop the necessary muscle memory to make using the gear automatic, and
- likelihood of missing out on exciting new products (like the Nikon Z9, Nikon Z8, and Nikon Z6iii) from the brand just left.
Having access to all of this gear, however, does not make one a better photographer. This gear is merely an array of tools one can use to tell a story. And in many cases one could achieve the same results using the smartphone camera in one’s pocket.
🎈📸🎉 Arriving In 2025 🎉📸🎈
Plan to acquire the Nikon Z8 camera this year. And perhaps the Nikkor Z 600mm f/6.3 S VR or Nikkor Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens. Look forward to the Z8 camera’s advanced sensor, better autofocus, faster frame rate, electronic shutter, no EVF black out, sensor shield, etc. And would enjoy the additional reach of afforded by either of these lenses with wildlife and sports photography. Once the Z8 is ordered will sell the Z6ii camera.
Would love to have my own copy of the Nikkor 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens, but it’s USD $15k+ cost and my limited use case for the lens would make it a poor use disposable income. But when a use case does present itself, will not hesitate to get a loaner from Nikon Professional Services (if available) or rent one from Lens Rentals, KEH, or MPB.
Also, will explore the acquisition this year of a high-end point and shoot camera such as a Leica Q3 or Fujifilm X100VI. Would one of these two cameras be better for travel, street, and family pics vs either the iPhone 16 Pro in my pocket or the Nikon Z6 III (with an attached Nikkor Z 26mm f/2.8 pancake lens) ?
Last updated 15-Feb-2025.