HDR of farm equipment near Edmonton taken in 2021 with Nikon Z7ii


I have taught photography classes since the mid 90's.  It is one of the reasons I have tried to keep up with camera technology, transitioning from film to digital media around the turn of the century.  I have never jumped at changing immediately after its introduction but instead would research what it all entailed.  Eventually, if the idea had merit, I would make the leap.

Mirrorless cameras had already been out for some time; my first mirrorless camera was the Nikon Z7ii, the second generation of Nikon's Z7 line.  I sold off a few bodies and lenses in order to make the acquisition.  I have used EVFs before (electronic viewfinders) and found them to be sluggish, choppy, and somewhat grainy in nature, but this was not my experience with this new camera.

There were many pros and cons.  I loved that I could use a live histogram display in the viewfinder.  It was also great to have so much information immediately present without taking my eye off my subject.  The beast was also fast.  I didn't love that my older D lenses that autofocused through a camera's clutch mechanism now had to be focused manually.  Also, any of my older lenses could only be used with the FTZ adapter as the mounting plate on mirrorless lenses is much larger than the familiar DSLR one.  The camera also ate batteries.

I needed new lenses and you couldn't buy used ones because there were just none available.  Even today the pickings are slim.  However, I can't say that I am disappointed with the switch.  I still have a few of my old DSLR bodies that I keep for my compatible lenses.  Depending on what I am doing I will pull out one body or another and, on occasion, bring two with me on an outing.  

The Z7ii is a full-frame body boasting a 48 mp sensor.  I decided that it would be handy getting my hands on a APS-C mirrorless and so purchased the Zfc.  I have a dedicated macro set up for that and am looking forward to using that this coming spring and summer.

Thanks for reading.

Eric Svendsen     www.ericspix.com

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