Only for Nikonians.... essay on Nikon

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Wow - " I don’t think about whether or not the camera complements my outfit the way I might when reaching for my Fuji. " - I think somebody is in dire need of counseling.

I was an early adopter of the X-Pro1 and still shoot it occasionally but how it complements my outfit has never crossed my mind. I have stopped investing in Fuji, not because it doesn't match my blue-striped tie but because I don't like the ergonomics of the XT bodies and they somehow lost the recipe that made the images of the 1st gen XTrans stand out. From Gen2 on, the images look like Nikon, so why bother with 2 systems?
 
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Not familiar with the Fuji X-Pro1 but I've had the X-T1, X-T2, and now an X-T4. Haven't noticed any change in the X-Trans sensor's "recipe" image output with the sensors in the X series bodies I've used. But YMMV of course. Liking the "old-school" X-T body ergonomics is obviously a personal choice - some love it - others not so much. :)

Early on there was substandard X-Trans sensor demosaic'ing by Adode's RAW engine in LR and ACR. That may affect any perceived change in sensor "recipe".

Fuji's range of digital film simulations are widely praised and they continue to introduce more based on their long history of color science research and film production. While my D500 has a reasonable selection of Picture Controls I don't believe they compare to the variety and quality of Fuji's available film simulations.

For everything including video other than what requires the D500 with 500mm the X-T4 is my "go-to" camera - its so much better than the XT1 & 2.
 
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FB101 said:
Wow - " I don’t think about whether or not the camera complements my outfit the way I might when reaching for my Fuji. " - I think somebody is in dire need of counseling.
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To be fair to the essay author, Fuji marketing has chosen to focus less on raw photographic results and much more on lifestyle (note I said marketing, not engineering. I think their tech is excellent). All their influencers heavily emphasize the lifestyle side of shooting fuji. It's actually pretty embarrassing. It definitely invaded my headspace and really turned me off over time once I began to recognize it. Every time I read a lens review I questioned if I was a closet hipster without even realizing it. 😜

I originally switched to Fuji for long distance backpacking, not for making a style statement. I switched back to a FF DSLR (D850 + 28/1.4) because I found Fuji systems to not be durable enough in all-day dusty/dirty conditions and I had constant battery life anxiety.
 
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kimball said:
To be fair to the essay author, Fuji marketing has chosen to focus less on raw photographic results and much more on lifestyle (note I said marketing, not engineering. I think their tech is excellent). All their influencers heavily emphasize the lifestyle side of shooting fuji. It's actually pretty embarrassing. It definitely invaded my headspace and really turned me off over time once I began to recognize it. Every time I read a lens review I questioned if I was a closet hipster without even realizing it. 😜

I originally switched to Fuji for long distance backpacking, not for making a style statement. I switched back to a FF DSLR (D850 + 28/1.4) because I found Fuji systems to not be durable enough in all-day dusty/dirty conditions and I had constant battery life anxiety.
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I was an early adopter on the Xpro1 because I loved the concept (despite all its flaws but they worked on them and made improvements) but most importantly because of the unique image quality I saw. The Xtrans 1 sensor had some unique characteristics which I truly loved; the high frequency of green sensing pixels made for higher acuity when converted to B&W (compared to Bayer sensors), the only sensor I had seen surpassing it at the time was the first Leica monochrome. And second, the noise was very grain-like which allowed me to shoot ISO 6400 without issue for B&W conversion. Couple those elements with the early primes that had a lot of unique character (also known as flaws, it's all about optics, pun intended) and I had the B&W system I always dreamt of for street and documentary (minus the very annoying AF but I managed).
Unfortunately after that Fuji chose to bring their imaging and engineering more in line with mainstream expectations (technically more perfect for sure and I don't think they would have reached the share they have without the adjustment) and drive differentiation through that "lifestyle" angle which culminated with the Xpro3; so in the end, if I wanted good AF with Fuji (XP2 or XT3) I also had to process files heavily to get the look I wanted without ever quite replicating the XP1 and I decided I could as easily do it with a D750 + 50 f:1.4 so I didn't need a dual system and I gave up on Fuji.

That said, my daughter is a mixed-media artist and she needs to switch from video to photography flawlessly - you couldn't take her XT30 and XT4 away if you tried. They fit exactly her needs, she loves the hype, the color profiles, the flexible zooms etc... and she can't figure out why I love the XPro-1 and the original 35 mm f:1.4 which she finds both useless ;)
 
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Well - this is all news to me. I suppose I've been clueless that Fuji is marketed and perceived as being "hip" or "stylish".

My wife certainly does not consider me hip or stylish regardless of what camera I'm using. :D

I rarely look at Fuji marketing and Fuji influencers I've watched I certainly would not consider as hip or stylish.

For me it's always been about the camera ergos, their images, their size/weight savings, and Fuji's support policy of continually updating their camera and lens firmware to fix bugs, add features, or improve performance.
 
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I thought it was a well written article that (as a long-time Nikon shooter) I found myself nodding in agreement with as I read. Except the part about Fuji - I can't say that I ever worried about what others think about my camera's appearance or its coolness factor. :) Nikon works for me. I like them, I like the menu organization, the way they fit my hands, the way it feels when held to my eye, the images they produce. I'm accustomed to the viewfinders and to me, canons have everything backward. Sony scares me because Sony has a history of developing products and then simply abandoning them and moving on to the next big thing. My Nikons always work, and when a shot is screwed up it is usually not the camera's fault. Is there a better brand out there? Maybe. I don't know.

I try not to get too caught up in chasing the latest and greatest. My experience is the big boys leap frog each other and drag all of the smaller producers along. Nikon may not lead in all areas today. But they sure are close, and I'll bet a diet coke that they will lead in the next iteration or the one after that. It is the way these things go.

I have yet to make up my mind about mirrorless cameras at all, let alone which brand. I don't doubt they are the future. For some. Maybe all of us, one day. However, I can't help but think back to all the big changes over time. I can remember when megapixels jumped from 6MB to 12MB. People used to make billboards from those files, and I bet it wouldn't be too hard to search back and find posts where members said 12MB sensors were all you'd ever need. Now those same folks call for 60MB. Then it was frames per second. Then how many milliseconds for your auto-focus. It never ends. Today it is mirrorless. If it's mirrorless it must be better, right? Right? Maybe. I don't know.

So for now I will stick with what makes me comfortable, with what works (for me). I'll let mirrorless mature, until it actually meets my needs and does it better than anything I have now. I'll let other brands lead in this measurement or that measurement, and not rush to judgement. Others can complain that the sky is falling and Nikon is doomed and hurry, hurry get brand "X". For me, I am home, with Nikon. For me it just works.

Am I right to stay with Nikon? Maybe. I don't know. But Nikon is where you'll find me. It just works.
 
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I wonder if some of the readers here fully processed the information in this essay. The author was asked to comment on brands by a marketer. The answers were intended to illustrate perception of brands. I found that my perceptions of these brands were similar to the author's with the exception of the Fuji, but I see the slant in Fuji's marketing to a life style emphasis. This does not make the entire essay "rubbish". While I have only rented Sony (a7III & a9), I do own Canon, Fujifilm and Nikon. I find myself agreeing with the author in that when I know I am heading into a work situation, I reach for Nikon because I can rely on it. Back during Thanksgiving holiday of 2020 I spent about two weeks with a rented Canon R6. For me, other than a paid gig, my most "must-have" shooting situation is when I am with my family. Preserving family history is important to me so I approach it rather seriously. I expected to come away from the experience not wanting to let the R6 go based on what I have read and watched (on Youtube). That did not happen. It was good, but I never made a connection with it. I tried but could not find a Z6II to rent, so I could go through the same process for the Christmas holiday. I held my breath and took the plunge. From the moment I wrapped my hand around the Z6II grip I already felt at home. I will not ask anyone if I am right to stay with Nikon. That is my choice and I am comfortable with that choice. I have other thoughts on this but this is already too long, and maybe those ideas are for another post. Keep shooting!
 
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I like the fact that my old Nikkor manual focus primes from film days all perform nicely on the Nikon DSLR bodies I have had the privilege of owning or using. While a Nikkor 28mm f/2.8 or a Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 may be dwarfed when mounted on a D850, that combination delivers really nice photos and video right out of the camera. The fact that most Nikkor lens from back in the day are compatible and deliver on the latest Nikon bodies is a major plus for me.
 
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frdjohns said:
I thought it was a well written article that (as a long-time Nikon shooter) I found myself nodding in agreement with as I read.
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Nikon works for me. I like them, I like the menu organization, the way they fit my hands, the way it feels when held to my eye, the images they produce.
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I'm with you - and maybe I missed something, but I thought that was what the essay was saying too.

That said, I'm sick of hearing about how the sky is falling on Nikon. For years, Nikons were reviewed in terms of how much they were/weren't like Canons. Now, they're condemned for not being Sonys - or selling as many cameras as the bigger companies. Few reviews ever seem to get down to the actual image quality.

I'm keeping my D850 - and my Z6II.
 
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fcotterill said:
fstoppers.com

An Essay Only Nikon Shooters Will Appreciate

I started out today to write a specific camera review but ended up taking a broader view of a brand that I have come to depend on. I haven’t forgotten about the review, but, in today’s article, I thought I would simply share the love. I’ve been a Nikon shooter going on 16 years now. Obviously, a...
fstoppers.com fstoppers.com
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Great article, and good read enjoyed it.

What Nikon means to me personally, you ask LOL.


Bottom line, I have stuck with Nikon for the many reasons......

In Sydney I have been blessed with first class service at Nikon or on the phone.

Besides that...

I couldn't be bothered changing brands.
The expense and hassle of changing brands.
Really for me there is no benefit in changing brands based on what's important to me and that is accurate image colour and image quality.
The deterrent of leapfrogging of models changing all the time by different manufactures meant just wait with Nikon you will catch up anyway.
Today I feel the camera market is following the path of smart phones, new models every five minutes. that brings on redundancy issues.
I have found that if you wait Nikon always comes good in time. Example, the new glass with the larger lens mount in the Z series is just super nice.

I don't like Sony as company to make a capital investment with system, Canon would be the alternative in 35mm.
Nikon dose have a good resale if timed correctly.
Changing brands I know my photos wont be really any different...............OH, why, you may ask,
Liberation, I have been liberated a long time ago, I stopped worrying about this lens this camera etc, and started enjoying what I have got, it allowed me to focus on photography.

I found be it a D40... 6 mp Nikon on a 150-500 Sigma or a D5/D850 on a 600mm F4 my composition and story telling was all that mattered.
Over time I found that I could get the same end results, a well composed story, and acceptably sharp and clear photo be it a D40, D70, D300 D700, D3X D3s D4 D4s D5 D850 DF......

The typewriter didn't wright the story, the camera didn't compose the story in the photograph.......it was at this point I was free and became a photographer, and
photography became more enjoyable and rewarding.
Time light and speed and that right combination is all that matters, and yes focusing well. A Photograph for me, should tell a story, A story should evoke emotion in the viewer, and the image should be technically sound. I like to take less but better photographs. Nikon tools have performed constantly for me.

I did sell the D4s D5 and jumped in to two D850 bodies + a grip and added a 70-200 FL .........….absolutely no regrets to date. Sold the 600 F4 got a 200-500 and while its nota 600F4 its good enough for what I want, also I rent a 600 F 4 if need it.
I am waiting to see what the future brings out of curiosity, I tend to only upgrade when their is something like the D850 comes along, other than wild life, super sports action but everything else, My other choice is medium format 100mp Fuji, but 35mm its defiantly Nikon, as I said I am into accurate colour and image quality.

I like to go out the door if I can just with one lens and body and enjoy my self, the results are pleasing.

OZ down Under
 
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ShaneB said:
I'm with you - and maybe I missed something, but I thought that was what the essay was saying too.

That said, I'm sick of hearing about how the sky is falling on Nikon. For years, Nikons were reviewed in terms of how much they were/weren't like Canons. Now, they're condemned for not being Sonys - or selling as many cameras as the bigger companies. Few reviews ever seem to get down to the actual image quality.

I'm keeping my D850 - and my Z6II.
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Bless you, well said, I am with you, image quality is all I have ever cared about not all the other BS. Nikon is being mentioned by many reviewers as having the best image files in the industry with their new Z series glass and cameras...……..that's a great compliment to have because its true.
And yes its a bit over the top how they rag on Nikon all the time.

I feel the F stopers article was a great article and refreshingly different especially when you read it with an open mind.

Oz down Under
 
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Etching House said:
Bless you, well said, I am with you, image quality is all I have ever cared about not all the other BS. Nikon is being mentioned by many reviewers as having the best image files in the industry with their new Z series glass and cameras...……..that's a great compliment to have because its true.
And yes its a bit over the top how they rag on Nikon all the time.

I feel the F stopers article was a great article and refreshingly different especially when you read it with an open mind.

Oz down Under
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Agreed.
 
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The article is shallow, and short n quantitative data, as I read the gist as comparisons of (1.) Haptics/Ergonomics, and also (2.) Reliability, including Weather-Proofing. It is common knowledge, Nikon leads in both these areas, and indeed got a great deal right many years ago :D And of course, since the R&D has improved sensors so much, many of us continue to appreciate (3.) Nikon's Colours....

Haptics are a slippery arena of concepts: subject to highly personal biases. There are very few articles / comparisons compared to so much other commentary, reviews etc. And doesn't this dearth of coverage really show up the avalanche of shallow rushed reviews, who haven't gotten to literal "grips" with the camera? ;) It not only takes time, but also experience in photography.

However, Nikon have spent refining their SLRs and DSLRs and latterly their mirrorless. If one reads through a such a Simon Stafford's New Nikon Compendium, it is interesting how the controls and grip etc evolved on the SLRs through the 1990s. I think the layout and haptics of the superb F90x set a precedent. Although locations of some of the buttons changed around, there seem to have gotten a great deal right in today's DSLRs (personally I'm waiting for them to fix gaps in the Z cameras before I (re)commit to anything Z).

As for Reliability, including Weather proofing, well little needs to be said as to why many of us persist in the Nikon system. Not only reviews, but many anecdotes testify to this. My sister's D70 was the only camera that worked in her group's, who summited Mt Kilimanjaro to meet the dawn. Yes, the gear works. And somewhere on the web, there's a utube video of the effort in sustained it took to utterly break a D4. Thom Hogan's recent essay on extreme cold tolerances of cameras is an interesting.

Here's a couple of articles I've picked up:

Driving Your Camera

Essay On Camera and Lens Ergonomics
www.reidreviews.com

Camera Ergonomic Score Schedules

This is a summary of the scoring schedules. For further discussion of the rationale behind the schedules see the Major Summary here . ...
cameraergonomics.blogspot.com cameraergonomics.blogspot.com
 
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I appreciated your essay and your candor concerning other brands. I realize many don't appreciate your opinion of some of the other fine cameras on the market but, after all, you were just expressing your opinions. I am in total agreement with your description of Nikon cameras. They just work. Thanks for the great read.
 
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Nature Man said:
I appreciated your essay and your candor concerning other brands. I realize many don't appreciate your opinion of some of the other fine cameras on the market but, after all, you were just expressing your opinions. I am in total agreement with your description of Nikon cameras. They just work. Thanks for the great read.
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Totally agree with you, the author was just expressing his passion for the brand of tool that he makes a living with which is a whole different thing entirely, he is expressing his experience for Nikon over a long period as being dependable reliable consistent, and easy to use that allows him the freedom to just focus on creativity and results.

Ill be quick as there is a Carry Grant and Sophia Loren movie coming up LOL.

He says in the beginning......

"I haven’t forgotten about the review, but, in today’s article, I thought I would simply share the love"

"I’ve shot assignments with pretty much every brand of camera on the market I’ve always pretty much stuck with Nikon as the system I chose to own"

He simply expresses why he feels the way he dose with out being another boring long winded detailed post-mortem of comparing endless micro tech specs that often don't matter in the real world anyway.

I can relate to authers experience as I have expressed in my opinion above in this segment why I stay with Nikon and the important things like photography that matter to me more than endless tech comparisons.


I have a friend who has a highly successful long established professional photographic buissness that employs 5 full time photographers pluss precessing and admin staff to do mostly commercial work, he has a degree in art and colour management a real asset to the buissness, he has government contracts and major industry clients all over Australia, he has been Nikon for years, now he recently sold all the D5, D4s and most of the heavy lenses, he bought all Z6 Nikons and adaptors, he has progressively added a suite of the wholly trio lenses in Z series.
Ok I said Mate, why the Z6, he answered, the colour accuracy and quality is just amazing, the file sizes are more than big enough, very respectable video that meets our needs well, we are not breaking our backs with 2 x D5 cameras with heavy glass hanging of our necks for sometimes 6 or 7 hours a day.
The Z6 delivers excellent ISO more than enough for our needs. We rent Pro medium format if the job requires it but its becoming more rare to do so.
We are now entering the Drones area, if we don't adapt we will be left behind in many areas, I asked about Weddings.... HELL no we don't do weddings are you insane.

We are with the Z6 getting better results and efficiency's but above all the colour, glass, the loss of weight and expense. For every D5 we sold used we could get a Z6 and some ...my accountant said it was a no brainer, Just watch the shutter counts they are not that of a D5. I said so the colour is so good, Yes, we set the Z6 up the way we like them, he said we took one of our post processing personnel of their desk job, gave her a Z6 with 24-70 and a 70-200 and she now works in the filed doing the Aged care, Schools, and sports club accounts, this has been mainly possible as we don't have to process anywhere as much, we are in early 2021 putting on 1 more photographer, we will be progressing with Z6II, as you know we have built the business on the D4s d5 style cameras and we really don't need high res cameras as much of our work goes on the web as well as point of sale etc......
I asked What sells you photos to clients, COMPOSITION CREATIVE PERSPECTIVE 90% of the time, hence we are investing in Drones/Video to adapt to rapidly changing market.
From OZ down under.


A refreshing F Stoppers article well written and relatable or a validation for so many, he refers with passion to the key factor so many of us miss and that is Nikon allows him freedom to focus on photography which is what its all about.

As the type writer didnt write the story, the camera doesn't create the picture.

As always only an opinion

OZ down Under
 
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