Why I Trust My Nikon (and other gear) – A Personal Reflection

Photography is more than just a passion for me, it is a way to connect with nature, tell stories, and challenge myself in ever changing environments. Over time, I have built a collection of Nikon gear that has never let me down. Every piece has been carefully chosen, bought with my own money, and tested in the field where light is fleeting, weather is unpredictable, and opportunities are rare. This is not a sponsored endorsement, it is simply my genuine appreciation for equipment that performs when the pressure is on. As a prelude, can I clarify I am besotted by Nikon and their gear. Please remember there are other fantastically capable photography ecosystems. I just felt lucky and bet on the Nikon architecture and have not looked back.

This kit was not bought overnight, and it was not bought on a whim. Every piece was a considered investment from my own pocket, made because I believe in this system. I write about my gear not because I am sponsored or asked to, but because I want to honour the reliability and excellence that Nikon has delivered, time and again, when it mattered most. There are unfortunately too many people who say because they have a financial or social media agenda making if challenging to be sure if your investment is wise or not.

At the heart of my setup are the Nikon Z8 and Z9, two powerhouse cameras that combine speed, resolution, and rugged durability. Whether I am capturing the elegance of a bird mid flight or the minute textures of a macro subject, these cameras deliver with astonishing consistency. The autofocus is fast and intelligent, the dynamic range is immense, and the weather sealing gives me the confidence to keep shooting even when the skies turn hostile - yes, I have dunked both my Z9 and Z8 in lake Kerkini! It warms me to know that 13 Z9 cameras are orbiting Earth on the ISS as they are Space Flight ready with modified Z9s planned on NASA’s Artemis program.

What truly brings these cameras to life, though, are the superlatively sharp Nikon Z mount lenses that have become extensions of my vision. The Z 105mm f/2.8 Macro S is a lens of poetic precision. It resolves the tiniest details with such clarity that every insect, feather, or petal becomes a portrait of nature’s design.

When I want cinematic sweep or immersive storytelling, the holy trinity of Z 14-24mm, Z 24-70 or the mighty capable 70-200 f/2.8 S offers edge to edge sharpness with minimal distortion, a marvel of engineering. The Z 70-200mm f/2.8 S, versatile and consistent, remains my go to for moments when I need to adapt fast, without compromising top quality environmental shots.

Wildlife is where my heart lies, and here, Nikon’s telephoto offerings have never let me down. For portrait style wildlife or compressed landscapes, the AF-S 500 f/5.6, Z 600 f/6.3 or the Z 800 f/6.3 stands tall with its tack sharp rendering and exceptional contrast, even wide open. The 500mm f/5.6 PF, compact, lightweight, and surgically sharp, is a lens I reach for when speed and mobility are crucial. In open habitats or distant subjects, the Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S delivers breathtaking reach with beautiful rendering. I find I don’t crop as much even for songbird photography. The Z 600mm f/6.3 PF blends portability with power and has earned its place in my bag when I need long reach without the bulk.

Every one of these lenses has performed in the toughest conditions, from coastal salt sprays to frosty dawns, from misty woodlands to sun scorched fields. I use other accessories to support the system, but at the core of it all is my Nikon gear, tools I trust deeply.

The Cotton Carrier G3 for two cameras is a brilliantly designed, ergonomic harness I absolutely adore. It lets me comfortably carry my Nikon Z8 or even Z9 with a 600mm f/6.3 lens or lighter beasts. Anything heavier, and you’re booking a session with the osteopath. It’s pure genius.

The Think Tank 36L Backlight is everything I wanted in a camera bag, because it could swallow my Z 800mm f/6.3 attached to a Z9 with grace and ease. Ergonomically designed with a superb hip harness, it distributes weight beautifully. I’ve trekked miles with heavy gear, and it never lets me down. My other bags are the LowePro 400AW and 500AWII, both for smaller setups and equally capable. Again bags are vying for your attention. Before you buy any, I suggest you go to your local photography store (with a good return policy) and try out with your gear in it. Yes please support your local photography vendors.

I use my rock steady Systematic Series 5 Gitzo tripod paired with a Benro S6Pro fluid head which perhaps serves its purpose. It is not exactly a Sachtler fluid head, but it is fairly steady and can balance my Z9 or Z8 with all the above lenses, though I do need a 15 millimetre rail system for this due to the weight of the pan-handle needing a forward placed Z9 with some of my lenses. In addition, I love my Mountaineer Gitzo tripod, especially when I am doing static work. Otherwise, you will see me with my beloved Gitzo GM4552L which I attach with a Leofoto gimbal. I just hope the Leofoto does not give up on me, as it would be a very costly accident since I regularly balance my Z 800 millimetre f/6.3 with the Z9 on it!

I have to absolutely give this to Ricci Chera from Nikon School for suggesting the Delkin Black CFexpress Type B cards as the reigning kings of cards. Of these I have invested in many 650GB versions (PCIe 3.0 interface, maximum read speed 1725 MB/s, minimum write speed 1530 MB/s), as I suffer from a jumpy index finger. Yes, I have managed to fill a 650GB card in a single day. These are blazing fast even by today’s standards and yet do not cause my cameras to throw the dreaded hot card or hot camera warnings too quickly. Despite the newer and faster Delkin Devices 1.3TB Black CFexpress 4.0 Type B memory card with pSLC flash and speeds up to 3530 MB/s, most unfortunately and £535 later I have realised they are nowhere near as capable as the 650GB cards. More on my card experiments, thermal throttling, and insights into memory management, both in camera and on card, as well as current camera bus speeds, will follow in an upcoming blog.

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