My camera's from A to Z

Istanbul after sunset. Nikon Z50 + Nikkor F DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 @90mm, ISO 2800, 1/60s, f/5.6

For over 40 years, I am a dedicated user of Nikon SLR (single lens reflex) and DSLR (digital single lens reflex) cameras and lenses. As the era of DSLRs is coming to an end* I recently started a new chapter with a new

Nikon Z-camera.

From A . . .

I started with photography around the age of 10 and took my first pictures with my brother's Agfa Clack. My first 'own' camera was a Kodak Instamatic 33 which was soon followed by an Agfa Isola. A couple of years later I bought my first SLR.

With this Praktica L, together with a manual light meter and a number of lenses (28mm, 50mm, 135mm, 300mm and 450mm), I had my first real camera gear. With this equipment I took my first steps in travel photography.

Soon after the introduction of the Nikon FM and FE (both SLRs) in the late 1970s, I made the switch to Nikon.

Both cameras with a built-in exposure meter! Then the the Nikon F301 in the 1980s and Nikon F80 in the 1990s.

A selection of my camera's over the years: From the left: Agfa Clack, my Kodak Instamatic and Agfa Isola. Right: the new Nikon Z50.

. . . via D . . .

As a travel photographer, I am limited in what equipment I can take with me, both in terms of size and weight. That is why, since the introduction of the DSLR cameras, I have always opted for the more compact Nikon APS-C (Advanced Photo System type-C) or DX types, like the Nikon D70, D40, D3000, D5000, D5300 and D5600, instead of full frame cameras.

Süleymaniye moskee, Istanbul. Nikon Z50 has an excellent high-ISO and dynamic range performance for an APS-C size sensor.

Nikon Z50 + Nikkor F DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 @60mm, ISO 2000, 1/40s, f/7.1

. . . to Z

The end is nigh for DSLR cameras, as Nikon announced the halt of the development of new DSLR cameras*.

With the introduction of the Nikon Z50, I recently took the decision to make the step to 'mirrorless'.

The Nikon Z50 is the first-generation Z-mount DX mirrorless camera with an APS-C sensor. The camera packs many attractive features putting it above my Nikon D5300 and D5600 DSLRs.

I had a chance to test my new Nikon Z50 during the past months and had a lot of fun shooting with this camera so far.

My first mirrorless DX camera seems to be an ideal choice for travel photography and I cannot wait to see what Nikon has in the pipeline for the Z mount DX future!

*Source: The Japan Times, July 13 2022