Hi, I’m Sarah, a full time artist here in the Scottish highlands. Painting is my career and nature photography is my favorite hobby. Many years ago I ran a wedding photography business, which is how I developed my skills in photography.
I’ve been using Canon full frame sensors for over 10 years, and most recently had the 6D mark 2. I made the most of my time with that camera, but it’s time for a change.
So today I’m talking about why I switched from a Canon full-frame sensor camera to a mirrorless Fuji x-t4 (which is a crop sensor).
Time
Time is the most precious resource in the world. We each have a finite amount of it, and how we use it is not always in our control. But for moments I can control how I spend my time, I’m trying to be more conscious of my choices. As I was transitioning into the new year, I sat down and really looked at where my time went in 2021, and what I want to do more or less of.
We each have deeply personal reasons for why we use specific equipment - and for me the joy of photography has always been about the experience, not the results. I started out as a film photographer, and still absolutely love film. The tactile nature of film and the analog cameras creates a very visceral experience and makes me feel more in tune with my equipment and more present in the moments I spend doing photography. But as I looked over the photos and videos from last year, I had a moment of realization. I spent soooooooooooooo many hours culling and editing photos.
Some of you might be thinking, “what’s wrong with that? That’s what photographers do.”
Well…yes and no. It depends.
When I used to shoot film, I would focus on getting the image perfect in-camera. Send my film to the lab, and receive beautifully developed images in Jpeg form - no edits, no messing around on the computer. Just click, print, hang on the wall. My walls are still lined with hundreds of film prints that bring memories of my travels flooding back. THAT is the photography experience I love.
Not that Canon jpegs are bad, but they don’t come close to the color science that Fujifilm has perfected. One of the biggest pros to the Fujifilm X-system is that you can get INCREDIBLE jpegs straight out of the camera using some of their “film simulations.” You can even customize these so that your jpegs are exactly how you like them before you even download them to the computer. As long as you nail your exposure and focus and composition in the camera, you’re done. Beautiful jpegs, ready to go.
Weight
The more I hike and camp with my photography gear, the more I despise big bulky equipment. Mirrorless crop-sensor cameras are small and lightweight. The lenses are (mostly) lighter and smaller. Enough said.
Sensor Size
When I ran my wedding photography business, I needed high performance cameras with the ability to produce big beautiful RAW files. Despite no longer doing that for a living, I recently realized that I have been chasing higher megapixels and bigger sensors over the years. It’s that seductive “full frame trap.”
I can count on one hand how many photos I actually printed larger than 12x12 inches. The majority wind up being used as painting references, in my newsletters, blogs, or printed 8x10 or smaller.
So, why? WHY was I willing to spend thousands of dollars to “upgrade” every few years to the next biggest and best cameras, with the biggest best sensors, when what I really want is a better user experience?
VIDEO
For those of us who also need high quality video, the Fuji X-T4 offers 4K, 60 fps AND the option for HD 240 fps which looks amazing in slow motion.
The IBS (In-body stabilization) is incredible. I’ve tested it out in the video below.
So this is definitely a hybrid camera. But what matters even more is that it’s fun. It’s fun to use, it excites me to pick up and take it out, the film simulations are beautiful, I don’t need to edit my photos at all (as long as I get it right in the camera). I just love that simplicity.
Over the coming months (and years) I’ll be sharing my experience on my YouTube channel. Feel free to comment below or head to my channel to ask questions if you are on a similar journey!