Going through the change
After months of speculation among the head bods, AFP London moved to the dark side, or more particularly, the black and gold side. Now armed with Nikon D3 bodies and various lenses, I’ve wandered the streets of London zooming left rather than right and pushing the exposure the wrong way. I mean, who in their right mind thinks that when the meter goes to the right, it’s underexposing?
After trying to get my head around the games console that is the SB900 flash and all the other little bits and pieces that make up the Nikon system, I went to cover a day of protest by the Free Tibet group on the 50th anniversary of the Tibetan Uprising.
Star of the day was Palden Gysatso, one of the longest surviving political prisoners having been held in a Chinese torture camp for 33 years. A film about his life “Fire under the Snow” is available and after meeting him, I think the book of the same name is on my “must read” list.
Anyhow, more from me as I try to get my head around the new toys over the coming days..
Interesting to hear that. What’s the reason for changing over? Seems a weird thing to do if everyone’s used to getting the best out of another system.
It’s not all about the user-technique unfortunately. The D3 is currently ahead of the pack and while other agencies have photographers shooting on 6400ISO while we’re struggling at 1250, things had to change, I guess.
The guys at Canon have been fantastic for their support and advice over the last few years so it’s a shame to not be working with that team anymore.
Come full circle Leon. What did you get in the new kit? What has AFP done with the canon kits. Any bargains to be had?
I must admit I enjoyed my two weeks with the D3 kit, I would have changed in a heartbeat but alas we will remain with canon.
Just be thankful you don’t have to use the abomination of design that the SB-800 flash is. The ‘moment’ for me with the D3 was when I realised just how good it is in low light. PR rubbish aside, it is fantastic.
@Will: I’ve got 2 D3 bodies, 14-24, 24-70, 70-200, 400 and two sb900 flashes.
@JP: I just can’t wait to sink my teeth into them now. It all just seems a little odd that everyone else has had them for over a year!
Heh-heh-heh…. You know where this laugh is going, don’t you…..so, the prodigal son finally 360′s back…
yeah yeah..
As a total outsider, I had assumed you used your own equipment. What’s the reason for this arrangement? I guess the main advantage for you is that you don’t have to spend thousands to keep up with the latest technology?
A tangential question – does the having the latest technology play a big part in what you do day to day?
Hi Nathan, As a freelancer or contract photographer, you are usually expected to use your own equipment but in a staff position, it’d be unfair to be expected to buy your own 300mm or 400mm f2.8 lens. Plus, companies want to know that their photographers are shooting on gear of a certain standard.
As for your tangential question (word of the day), it’s very tempting to say that it doesn’t matter what camera you use. However, in news photography, there is a certain level of keeping up with the competition. An example being noise levels at high ISO settings. In previous months, trying to shoot sporting events at night on older equipment next to guys using the latest generation of gear was a truly frustrating experience. Also, with the new generation of equipment, the higher quality of image allows more options when it comes to cropping and editing the picture after the shoot.
Having said all this, there are still photographers on the street who are using bodies that are now three and four generations old yet still getting great images that make the front page.
One other reason for change is that as lenses get older, the daily battering that they face as they’re swung over shoulders and knock against each other is a general softness in the image. It’s a pleasure to have new lenses, whatever brand!
Great shot of Palden Gysatso — but I think it is important to remember when viewing that amazing smile that this smile survived 33 years of imprisonment and torture, during which he had most of his teeth knocked out. That he can still smile with his new teeth is a testament to this amazing gentleman’s spirit and courage.