In this episode, we’ll talk about the importance of knowing when to stop shooting and when to keep going. From there, we’ll talk about when it’s time to upgrade to mirrorless, if you should keep your boxes (yeah, it’s weird), and if you should use VR / Stabilization when using a tripod.
Lots of great stuff this time, so grab a warm drink, your favorite earbuds, and take a listen. (Note, podcasts are an audio-only format)
The podcast is available below, on iTunes (click here), Google Podcasts (click here), and on Spotify (once they update their feed – search Backcountry Gallery).
TOC
00.01 – Intro and quick tip – keep shootin’
05.03 – Is mirrorless the future and when/if should you upgrade?
17.05 – Keep your boxes or not?
19.28 – VR / Stabilization and tripod use
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Show Notes
No show notes on this one yet.
PS – If you enjoyed this post, I think you’ll REALLY like my e-books and video workshops! Thousands of pages and hours of videos filled with tips, tricks, and techniques – all my best content! Check ’em out – click here (hey, it’s free to look).
On the subject of VR and tripod I Have had a problem photo stacking with my Z6. When I use a S lens I have no problem but when I use a older lens and the adapter I find that some pictures dont line up and I thought maybe there is something wrong with the camera or lens combo. After listening to the podcast it hit me I will have to turn off the VR and see if it makes a difference. I used the Macro 105 and an older 70-300 lens and I could not stack the pictures because… Read more »
Makes total sense – one of the first things I tell people when I’m teaching stacking in the field is to turn off VR – for the exact reason you mention 🙂
Hi Steve – Just found the podcast. Excellent stuff. My personal dilemma in regard to mirrorless is that I have finally saved up for the Nikon 600mm f/4e and was planning on a purchase ASAP only to find that the Sony 600mm f/4 is getting rave reviews and is of course much lighter. I currently shoot with the Tamron 150-600mm and would love to keep things as hand-holdable as much as possible. I have the D850 and absolutely love it but am now concerned about where it makes sense to invest. Any advice for someone like me who isn’t invested… Read more »
Curious. I’m a Canon shooter and am looking at the new 1DX Mk III, which is a dslr retailing for $6500. Do you think it would be wise to wait and see what Canon delivers in mirrorless or buy the dslr or switch systems to Sony. I have a 500mm f4 lens by Canon.
Hi Tina – The truth is, I don’t really know. My guess is that Canon will eventually have a proper mirrorless system and I’d be tempted to stick with them. However, Sony does have some seriously good offerings at the moment for mirrorless and will likely not fall behind Canon anytime soon (or ever). The biggest problem is that it’s so incredibly expensive to switch. Personally, unless you really need the new gear, I’d be tempted to take a wait and see approach. Of course, you could still get the 1DXIII and sell it off later – you’d lose a… Read more »
When using a camera on a tripod, windy conditions can cause the camera to vibrate, especially if you are using a long focal length lens or a less expensive tripod. In this case, even if the camera or lens manufacturer recommends turning off image stabilization, common sense says turn it on.
The only problem I see by waiting for canon or nikon to get their high end mirrorless cameras out they are 2 to 3 generations behind what Sony already has out and they will be playing catch up.
That’s a concern of mine as well – I’m optimistic that they’ll catch up, but sadly I do have to concede that there’s no guarantees.
Besides I’m 70 now, I may be dead by the time Canon catches up.
I agree with what you have mentioned. I’ll only switch to mirrorless when Nikon finally comes out with at least the A9 level of AF & no blackout EVF (I hate the herky-jerky EVF you get in the other mirrorless EVF). For now i’ll just stick with my D850 for birding and maybe pick up a D6 (if it fits my requirements) or D5 for higher ISO situations. Thank you for the podcast again Steve!
Hi Steve, Thanks for another great podcast. I have been shooting a D500 and a D810 and have loved it. As much as the files from my 810 are great, I prefer the handling of the D500, so I was considering replacing my 810 with the 850….but now I am thinking mirrorless and waiting for the next Nikons. My big issue is not transitioning to the ML camera — as you say, it seems like it would be seamless — but I have invested enormously in F Mount glass and hate the idea of mixing Z and F glass (and… Read more »
The adapters work fine and really aren’t that much of a hassle at all. I know there are people who complain about the adapter, but in my experience, it’s not been an issue at all. About the only glass I use on my Z cameras is the F mount long stuff, and the adapter is the very least of my complaints 🙂
Thanks, Steve. I suppose I am looking at the future and wondering if I will regret not getting rid of all my F mount glass while it still has value and just go Z. I wonder if, as camera sensors improve, whether the F glass will resolve up to the capabilities of the sensor. Of course, this is all a game of chasing tech, which I hate. Suppose, as you point out, just keep shooting and don’t worry about it. Still absolutely love my gear.
Burst caching is a boon in mirrorless and game changer too (Panasonic Pre Burst, Olympus ProCapture, Fuji PreShot?). Time Sony and Nikon got with the program.
Steve thanks again get information as always. I will have to try what you said about VR on and off on the tripod with my wimberley head
Are you switching to Sony
Just adding, not switching.
Steve, just a quick note! Since I learned about your instructional posts about a year ago, I have downloaded and read all of your eBooks, have watched every YouTube video, and now listen to your Podcasts. I learn something new with each one and can’t wait to read/see/hear the next. While I would love to take one of your hands-on classes, retirement income just won’t allow it. Keep up the good work and know that your efforts are helping many of us. Thanks!
Thanks for the kind words 😀 Very nice of you to say.
Excellent information. Just have a doubt. I use back button focus all the time. When is the VR activated..when I activate the focus or when the shutter button is half-pressed (which in my case only locks in the exposure and not focus)? If the latter is true, do I need to half-press the shutter button for a moment for the VR to do the job? Also, in case the AF on button activates the VR what happens when I want to just shoot in AF-S mode by locking the focus and releasing the AF button
It depends on the camera. Anything in the last 10 years or so will activate VR with the AF-On button, older cameras like the D3 / D300 / D700 need a half-press of the shutter release to activate. When I had a D3 though it was never an issue – normally if I’m about to shoot I have a half-press engaged anyway. Plus, when you snap the photo, the VR system recenters itself, so I’m not entirely sure if it needs any warm up at all.
I recently added a Z6 and wanted to test how it copes with Wildlife and Birds. The more I used it the more I liked it and found that my D850 was sitting idle. It is not perfect as the EVF delay is an issue and the focus very different but I find ways to adjust and in fact really enjoy using the Z6. The size and the handling is fantastic. I also found that my lenses are all tack sharp even with the FTZ. Almost every lens I have needs some kind of focus calibration with every DSLR that… Read more »
I agree – once you get used to it, it’s hard to go back to a DSLR. For my wildlife work, I found the Z6/7 lacking, but I still use them for some subjects – especially when I need to go light (I love the Z on my kayak or when I’m hiking with the 500PF). It’s funny – one of the reasons I have a Sony a9ii right now is because I got hooked on mirrorless with the Z system – but the performance just wasn’t there for the types of wildlife shots I like to do. Still, I… Read more »
Thanks for all this really useful information Steve! At this stage, I think I will stick with DSLRs for a few more years yet.
You don’t like the rearend of birds? Seriously I enjoy you channel so much. You mention that with mirrorless it is possible to shoot with silent shooter, why is this not the default?
Just depends on how you set the camera. There are advantages to using the physical shutter (i.e. no roller shutter effect), but even when you use the physical shutter, it’s still pretty quiet.
Love your podcast. I enjoyed every comment you made. Thank you!
Hi Steve, in your recent video you mentioned you now almost exclusively shoot with a FF body. Which camera do you primarily use? Thanks.
It varies between the D850 and D5. Depends if I need speed and low light capability (and can fill the frame most of the way). Most of the time I favor the D850, love the files, but when the light gets low and/or I need the speed, the D5 gets the call.
Great podcast, Steve. I’m really finding lots of valuable information in your talks. I look forward to more in the new year.
I’m waiting for the day when an integrated filter set in virtual. No fingerprints or dust to contend with. The way technology is expanding I could see it as a possibility.
Great info as always. I thank you for your time and great eBooks!
Great podcast! I am one of those who want the boxes 🙂 part of the reason is it is one of the only ways to tell if it is gray market or USA. The box and paperwork will indicate if it is USA and will have the matching serial number. Last thing I want to do is get a “deal” but find out I can’t repair it if something happens. Nikon is making it harder and harder to repair gear let alone gray market.
Excellent point – you’re right and I hadn’t considered that.
Great to keep the box for whatever reason, hwvr, there are excellent Nikon repair shops that would repair Nikon, gray or otherwise. For example: Nikoncamerarepair.com.
In South Africa with the used market and we have a lot of private sales, due to very poor value of used cameras when you want to upgrade with the retailers, buyers want their used gear with the original Box and if possible the original invoice to proof that it is not a grey market product and not a stolen product.
Steve, good analysis of DSLR vs mirrorless. I wanted to add one additional consideration in favor of mirrorless for wildlife fans – video through the viewfinder. For me, the only reason for adding Z6 to my D850 was its wildlife(birding) video capability through the EVF. Using D850’s Live View to take video of birds that are alive and awake is hopeless.
VERY good point. I don’t do much video, but my wife does and video though the viewfinder is nothing short of game-changing.
Love the podcast, keep up the great work!
Thank you!
Great advice – thanks a bunch, Steve!
Sure thing – thanks!
Hi Steve, Thank you so much for the timely and informative podcast. I have a bit of an extension of the dslr vs mirrorless question for you (and others on the board). I am purely an enthusiast photographer and generally view my photos on a 27″ iMac. Will print the occasional photo to hang on a wall, but not to immense size. Fortunately, have recently travelled to Africa and Costa Rica on family/nature/wildlife trips. I shoot the Nikon D500 primarily with the 200-500 lens. This is an absolutely amazing combination. However, I found, particularly in Africa with very large and… Read more »
I think it really does make sense to get the D850 or something like it. I really don’t use a D500 anymore simply because – as you say – the D850 is like two cameras in one. That fact has helped me a LOT in the field! As for when to pounce, I’d say if you don’t have any urgent need, hang tight. No telling what Nikon is going to do next, but if you don’t have a pressing need, I’d just see what happens. If something comes up, you can always grab a D850. However, in the mean time,… Read more »
Thank you so much. I agree 1000%. I figure that Nikon has got to put the 61 megapixel sensor they licensed into either (or both) a D850 successor and a Z8/9. That will hopefully be my next camera. Figure about $3,500 but would last me a decade. Essentially Nikon’s version of the ARIV. I think I read or saw that you are using the Sony ARIV in your shooting. Cannot believe Nikon is going to let Sony, and now announced Canon, high resolution cameras get even more of a head start. Guess the Sony would be a fallback if Nikon… Read more »
the one time for me I have the Nikon d5 and it is the noise that gets me down that’s where the mirroless would come into its own
There are times the silent shutter is a huge asset, but there have been other times my D5 machine gun gets the animal to look my way – I figure, it’s about a wash for me.
Great podcast Steve. I have been coveting the Sony A9II after seeing a photographer clicking away silently in Lodi, CA. But having just risked my marriage and the loyalty of my children in buying the 180-400 last June (and loving it), I think your advice to wait is wise. I thank you as does my family! As if they REALLY know how much my equipment costs. Loving these podcasts!
Hi Cookie – LOL, yeah, I’m lucky Rose is in on it now – she’s the one that talked me into the 180-400!
I listened carefully about your discussion of VR and tripods. In the case of my 16-35 VR lens the manual advises user to turn off VR if the head is locked down. Conversely, just as you said, the manual suggests having VR on if the head is loose, as in a gimbal or on a monopod. Thanks as always.
Great example – and yup, every lens is different.
I have a question regarding the VR. I noticed before, that when I have my D500 attached to a Nikkor 200-500 f5.6 on a tripod with a loose gimbal head, and I compose and shoot, I see that my composition changed significantly. Not like a small change where there is a small blur, but half of the head of the subject is cut off kind of movement. I noticed that this happens when the VR is ON. I was wondering if this is a known issue or if I have a defective lens or camera or I am a bad… Read more »
The VR system moves the image a bit to compensate for your movement. It ALSO likes to recenter the VR group when you press the shutter – this means what you see in the viewfinder can be slightly different than what you get when you press the shutter. Using Sport VR can help with this as it minimizes viewfinder motion. However, your case sounds a bit extreme. If it’s moving enough o go from having someone’s head in frame to half of it out, it sounds like something is wrong (although, depends on how far away the head was and… Read more »
Great content as usual, happy new year to you
Thanks – Happy New Year to you too 🙂