Want to know what’s in my digicam bag for 2023 and past? This put up shares the Nikon lenses, mirrorless digicam, and DSLR that I exploit at Walt Disney World. Once an annual “tradition” this time of yr in response to reader questions, this put up is again for the primary time in three years. It comes as I made the primary main modifications to my lineup in that span and we simply accomplished our first lengthy worldwide journey in that point.
It’s really been so lengthy that the overwhelming majority of you’re most likely not right here for the images…and even know that I’m a photographer. I’d be mendacity if I stated inquiries about my digicam bag have been nonetheless frequent–they most likely don’t crack the highest 100 of questions we’re requested by readers.
For these of you who’re newer to the positioning, as soon as upon a time, this began as one thing of a pictures weblog. Along with journey reviews, ‘photos of the day’ have been the first focus of this web site. Camera and lens critiques have been extremely frequent, too. Things have modified lots since then–commentary, information, and planning recommendation have turn into extra outstanding. Nevertheless, I do nonetheless put loads of effort and time into pictures.
Not to wax poetic an excessive amount of, however the evolution of the positioning has additionally modified my method to pictures…kind of. I nonetheless take simply as many images as ever, it’s that I seldom do something with 99.5% of them. (This is without doubt one of the hallmarks of a middle-aged photographer, or so I’ve heard.) I used to return from a visit and instantly start organizing and post-processing, excited to put up my favorites on Flickr, Smugmug, or Instagram.
I haven’t posted something on any of these locations in years, partly as a result of two of them are useless (kind of) and the opposite has mutated into one thing unrecognizable and scary to me. I way back stopped studying about new post-processing strategies, and whereas I’m extremely envious of the gifted photographers I comply with who’ve saved up with the most recent strategies, I’ve no need to return to the times of spending hours per day enhancing images.
For me, the enjoyment is within the ritual of pictures itself. I really like getting up earlier than dawn, operating round at sundown chasing that fleeting mild, or staying till the bitter finish of the evening in Magic Kingdom because the park clears out. I don’t notably know why, however I discover peace within the pictures course of, and extra related to the world round me. (I can not say the identical about enhancing images–I already spend an excessive amount of sitting on the pc.)
During our latest journey to Japan, I spent hours photographing temples, was the final one out of Tokyo Disneyland quite a few nights, and located myself sprinting round Hakone as I chased a photograph of the moonset over Mount Fuji. Quite a lot of effort and misplaced sleep went into images that nobody except for me will ever see. I’ve zero regrets. Racing round taking images is after I really feel most alive, and I’ve returned from the journey reenergized regardless of the intense sleep deprivation.
Standing on the shore of Lake Ashi, freezing ready for dawn, it was simply me and the fishermen. I spotted we’ve got lots in frequent…maybe I ought to commerce the digicam for a fishing pole?! I might do many of the identical issues I do now, however be productive within the course of! (If solely I might fish in Magic Kingdom with out being requested to go away the park.) But I digress.
Getting again to the purpose, I as soon as once more went mirrorless this yr. For these protecting rating at dwelling, that is the third time I’ve switched to a mirrorless digicam, with the change not “sticking” earlier than. (In my protection, the second time I made the change, the intention was to make use of the mirrorless digicam as a secondary possibility for ‘gear-light’ days. I continued to do precisely that, utilizing that Sony up till this summer season.)
This time, I did extra analysis and extensively examined out mirrorless gear, a course of that started final yr. I lastly made the plunge a number of months in the past, shopping for a Nikon mirrorless digicam, a number of lenses, and an adapter. I waited till now–after a prolonged journey with prolonged, unique use of the mirrorless digicam–earlier than sharing simply in case I modified my thoughts once more.
To make certain, I don’t utterly love mirrorless. I nonetheless want the optical viewfinder and really feel of my Nikon D850, however there are a selection of simple upsides to the mirrorless system, from options to autofocus enhancements to the lens lineup. There’s additionally the fact that digicam producers aren’t actually specializing in DSLRs anymore.
Size and weight are additionally large ones, particularly because the medical doctors inform me I’m not getting any youthful, and the 25-pound DSLR digicam bag I used to hold is simply an excessive amount of now. Suffice to say, I’m “happy enough” with mirrorless and hope it continues to evolve.
Anyway, thanks for indulging me with this lengthy and rambling preface. Now let’s dig into what’s really inside my digicam bag for this yr and 2023. (To actually present the vary of the digicam sensors, lenses, and stabilization, none of those images have been shot whereas utilizing a tripod.)
Nikon Z 7II – In many vital regards, together with dynamic vary, excessive ISO efficiency, and shade depth, that is the very best digicam I’ve ever used. It additionally has in-body stabilization, distinctive autofocus, and a variety of options which are distinctive to the mirrorless system. Even after utilizing it for months, I proceed to find new capabilities of the digicam that wow me.
For me, one of many crucial qualities is the Nikon format and interface. It’s similar to my beloved Nikon D850 on this regard, and whereas a matter of non-public desire, the digicam is a good ‘fit’ in my fingers and my muscle reminiscence from the Nikon DSLRs principally transfers over.
As famous above, I nonetheless don’t love the viewfinder. However, I acknowledge this as principally a “me problem” and sure will take time to beat as I’m so used to the optical viewfinder. (Now I understand how movie diehards felt on the creation of the digital period.) When seen objectively, the Nikon Z 7II is much and away the very best digicam I’ve ever used. I prefer it extra with every passing day, and suspect that’ll turn into more true as I unlock its full potential and proceed getting extra snug taking pictures with it.
Nikon 14-30mm f/4 – This lens is a giant motive why I opted to make the leap with Nikon’s mirrorless within the first place. While Sony has an distinctive 12-24mm and Nikon’s 14-24mm continues to be the gold commonplace, I wished my most-used lens to be lighter and smaller. After doing a ton of analysis and field-testing all three, this was my decide.
I’ve owned over a dozen completely different extremely vast angle lenses over time, and the Nikon 14-30mm is probably the most well-rounded of the bunch. In addition to its dimension, this lens is severely sharp and the ‘long’ finish of the zoom vary is nice sufficient for normal subject of view images.
It’s undoubtedly not the very best total extremely vast angle in the marketplace, and the f/4 aperture makes it a poor possibility for darkish rides (however not essentially low mild, due to the Nikon Z 7II’s IBIS), but it surely’s far and away my most-used lens, and one which delivers for me in all kinds of settings. If I have been a extra inventive photographer or nonetheless keen to lug round 25 kilos of lenses, I’d decide one thing completely different; because it stands, I’m very happy with the Nikon 14-30mm.
Nikon Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR – When assembling a lightweight mirrorless digicam bag, “compromise” is the secret. This superzoom is the stereotypical ‘jack of all trades, master of none’ lens…or is it?!
In assembling my digicam bag, I made a decision to train restraint and not purchase the flagship Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8. I examined that lens and completely liked it, however not the scale and weight. That narrowed my resolution right down to this or the Nikon 24-120mm f/4. Aside from the aperture, I discovered the Nikon 24-200mm edged out that lens in each regard. I used to be shocked. Prior to this, I used to be utilizing the Sony 24-240mm, and this lens completely blows that out of the water.
Suffice to say, the Nikon Z 24-200mm outperforms its superzoom stereotypes in nearly each regard. It’s shockingly sharp, distortion is minimal, and autofocus is comparatively snappy. Obviously, compromise nonetheless comes with the territory–it’s inferior to any of the person lenses it could exchange. But as a superzoom? It’s unparalleled.
Nikon Z 40mm f/2 – One of my ‘mandates’ when going mirrorless was assembling a light-weight digicam bag. This lens superior that goal, with good optical efficiency at an affordable value and a best-in-class weight. It delivers shallow depth of subject and enough velocity to work properly on darkish rides or in different low mild handheld situations. If I so need, this offers me a trio of lenses I can take to Walt Disney World or Disneyland in a small and super-light digicam bag. Mission achieved, proper?
Not precisely. While this lens is completely effective and furthers that ‘mission,’ it additionally leaves me with a digicam bag with out a lot character. To make certain, I exploit it when wanting to maintain issues easy (you’ve already seen dozens of meals images taken with this lens over the previous few months–it’s nice for being much less conspicuous at eating places!) however more often than not, I select the following possibility.
Sigma 35mm f/1.4 – The first Sigma Art lens continues to be the very best. The bokeh is gorgeous & buttery, the lens is insanely sharp, and the images have a definite “look” to them that pops straight out of digicam. I can not articulate what makes this lens particular, but it surely has a sure je ne sais quoi that I’ve by no means present in every other prime lens.
It’s additionally the proper focal size for walk-around taking pictures when you’re going to be utilizing a primary, and is insanely good for darkish experience pictures, with snappy autofocus and that vast open f/1.4 aperture. I discover myself reaching for the Sigma 35mm Art lens virtually as a lot as my ultra-wide. I can’t say sufficient constructive issues about this lens, and it’s one of many few lenses that I feel belongs in each full body photographer’s digicam bag no matter their type and what they shoot.
I’ve had this lens because it was launched virtually a decade in the past, and regardless of attempting many comparable lenses throughout that point, have by no means discovered something that comes near its distinctive high quality. At this level, I’ve given up. No prime lens is ever going to prime this one for me. Here’s my full evaluate of the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art lens from again in 2013.
Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII – I really like every part about this lens apart from its weight and dimension, which is like saying I really like Hummers minus their mileage. Those aren’t minor asterisks, they’re fairly main! While making such an effort to chop dimension and weight from my new mirrorless lense, I proceed to hold this round very often. Which typically makes me query why I didn’t purchase the Nikon 14-24mm and take the hit on dimension and weight there?
With that stated, I solely carry this lens about 25% of the time or much less, whereas the Nikon 14-30mm actually by no means leaves my bag. It’s nice for detail-oriented pictures at Disney, parades, and its versatility is surprisingly sturdy. On the times it comes out with me, I actually go loopy utilizing it, pushing the inventive makes use of for what may seem to be a restricted lens.
If Nikon ever will get round to releasing a Nikon Z 70-200mm f/4, I’ll take into account “downgrading” to that, however I’m apprehensive about including one other gradual lens to my bag. Probably higher off sticking with implausible beast 1 / 4 of the time!
Nikon 85mm f/1.8 – This lens leads to my digicam bag about 50% of the time, completely on days after I don’t carry the Nikon 70-200mm (it’s all the time an both/or state of affairs with these two lenses). The upsides to this lens are that it’s quicker and lighter, however I don’t prefer it practically as a lot.
Perhaps I’m anticipating an excessive amount of from this price range prime lens based mostly on my experiences with the Sigma Art line, but it surely simply doesn’t have character. It performs precisely the way you’d count on on paper–it’s completely sharp, bokeh is first rate, as is the autofocus. But someway, it simply appears missing. Maybe sometime I’ll improve to the Z model, which I’ve heard has appreciable character and higher efficiency.
Rokinon 12mm Fisheye – When I first began in pictures, the fisheye lens was my signature type. I used it extra than simply about every other lens, which, looking back was approach an excessive amount of. Much like overcooked HDR, I now look again at my images that gratuitously and unnecessarily use the fisheye and marvel, what was I pondering? (This can also be a part of the explanation why I haven’t bothered with new post-processing strategies. What’s common and “looks good” now gained’t essentially age properly.)
This low cost and small guide focus Rokinon fisheye is greater than enough for my now fairly restricted use of fisheye. I actually get pleasure from its sunburst, however truthfully, want they have been much more over-the-top. If you’re going to make use of a fisheye, may as properly go all-out! Regardless, I’d advocate spending as little cash as doable on a fisheye lens (this matches the invoice there), or not shopping for one in any respect.
Nikon Mount Adapter FTZ II – For years, I resisted mount adapters, telling myself (and others) that I’d totally decide to a system and purchase/promote lenses accordingly. That was earlier than promoting, shopping for, promoting, and rebuying DSLR gear. It was additionally earlier than figuring out that Sigma would by no means (seemingly?) make its Art lineup for the Nikon Z mount.
As a outcome, I exploit this lots. The stability is odd with each the Sigma 35mm and Nikon 70-200mm, however that’s not likely the fault of the adapter. Nevertheless, it undoubtedly “feels” higher with the Nikon 85mm f/1.8.
Nikon D850 — I nonetheless love this digicam, and even after going mirrorless, would most likely purchase its successor if Nikon ever releases one other DSLR on this line. As a panorama photographer who prefers the optical viewfinder, the Nikon D850 is flawless in each vital regard from autofocus to decision to dynamic vary.
For now, that is relegated to my “backup” digicam. I nonetheless took it with us to Japan in case the Nikon Z 7II bought stolen by a monkey or destroyed by a deer (these aren’t jokes), however didn’t use the digicam in any respect. Similarly, I haven’t used it at Walt Disney World since shifting to the Nikon mirrorless system. When I exploit the D850 now, I discover myself fumbling a bit with the controls–one thing that by no means occurred whereas I used to be taking pictures with the Sony a7 III–as a result of I’ve now totally moved over to the Nikon Z 7II.
LowePro Flipside 300 AW III – The transfer to mirrorless additionally allowed me to commerce down digicam luggage. Previously, I used to be utilizing the LowePro’s Turtle in a Half Shell, which is definitely the dorkiest digicam bag in the marketplace (fairly the feat when you’ve seen simply how dorky digicam luggage can look), because it appears to be like like a turtle that went to a navy surplus retailer.
By distinction, this bag is superb. It’s not trendy, but it surely appears to be like a bit extra regular and has area for every part I carry–together with a laptop computer–and may function my private merchandise when flying. I do want the surface pouch had a bit extra room and higher organizational pouches, but it surely’s nonetheless approach higher than wanting like a tactical terrapin.
If you do wish to buy new pictures tools, we advocate the next trusted & approved retailers. Buying through these referral hyperlinks from these retailers helps help this weblog, and doesn’t price you a factor:
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If you need extra in-depth critiques of a broader choice of tools, the very best place to begin is Tom’s Ultimate Disney Parks Photography Guide, which covers quite a lot of subjects from hyperlinks to tutorials, ideas, and methods to suggestions for level & shoots, DSLRs, lenses, and extra. (Many of those are fairly previous and haven’t been up to date shortly, however the underlying concepts and rules nonetheless apply.)
Your Thoughts
What do you consider the gear in my digicam bag? Have you taken the mirrorless plunge? Sony, Nikon, or one thing else? What’s in your digicam bag? If you utilize any of those cameras or lenses, what do you consider them? Any questions? Hearing suggestions from different photographers is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!