My Gear! / by John Wineberg

To date I haven't detailed out the gear I use on a regular basis.  It has been almost three years since my switch from Nikon to Fuji and I have no regrets.  The Fuji gear has actually strengthened my photography in many ways.  So below I list out what i'm using and why.  At the end of this post I will also talk about what I intend to buy in the not so distant future.  

Cameras

Fuji XT1

So this is my primary camera.  16.3 megapixels, 8 frames per second continuous shooting, more knobs, dials and programmable buttons than any other camera I have ever used.  The programmable features of this camera allow me to customize how I interact with the camera.  This allows me to configure it for any style of shooting and save up to 7 different user preferences.  

To say I love this camera would be an understatement.  People are probably tired of hearing my comparison to the Nikon FE2, my primary camera for over 30 some odd years.  The XT1 is the closest, in form factor, to that camera than any other camera I have used.  It just fits my style of shooting.  I have shot everything from landscapes, portraits, models and so much more with this camera.  It has never disappointed me.  

Fuji X100T

This camera is my everyday carry.  I never leave home without it.  Very similar to the XT1, the same sensor, menu and user configurable buttons.  The big difference is the fixed 35mm equivalent f2 lens and the rangefinder style viewfinder.  I have added the LMX100T thumbrest and the Dispatch Wrist Strap.  This is a fun camera to carry around.  I love that I can play with the optical rangefinder when I want and switch to the EVF with a flip of a switch.  I grew up in the 70's and this feels like a retro camera.  People ask me if it's a film camera all the time, then I show the them the display screen.  

Nikon FE2

This camera might as well be family.  I've had this camera since 1984 and it has been by my side ever since.  I have shot thousands of rolls of film with this camera.  It is easy to use and a tank.  I've backpacked with it, shot in the rain and dropped it, I don't know how many times.  I had it refurbished two years ago and it just keeps plugging along.  On it is the original Nikkor 50mm f1.8 it came with.  I have added the black (not offered any more) leather Tap and Dye wrist strap.  The all manual controls are what I learned on, so the exposure triangle is more instinct now.  The in viewfinder light meter assists you with the exposure and is the only reason this camera needs a battery.  The battery lasts years.  Can you tell I love this camera?  

Lenses

Fuji 18-55 f2-4 R LM OIS

This is a kit lens but not a kit lens.  The quality of this lens is amazing.  The aperture on a variable kit lens is usually in the 3.5 to 5.6 range.  To have f2 available at the wide end is amazing.  The only drawback is that it isn't weather resistant.  I also use this lens for video work with a variable ND filter.  The OIS is effective and reduces camera shake when I do handheld video.  

Fuji 35mm f2 R WR

One of my favorite lenses of all time.  This is a fast focusing, bokeh creating monster.  It's very small, when It arrived I wasn't sure it would do the job.  The lens hood provided seems too little to make a difference but it does.  I was shocked at how fast the focus was.  I've done some street shooting as well as some landscape work with it.  The results are fantastic.  It is the equivalent of a 52mm lens on a full frame camera.  I call it my "Nifty 50".  Click here for one of my shoots using this lens exclusively.

Fuji 56mm f1.2 R

This lens isn't fast but the results are unbelievable.  This is a phenomenal portrait lens.  I use this lens for all of my portrait and model work.  The bokeh is unbelievable.  The way this lens handles light boggles my mind.  I've been able to pull off natural light work with ease.  It also creates an effect, when shooting toward the sun, that I love.  It is a substantial lens in weight and size.  Click here for my quick review.

So that's it.  I know, it's not much of a collection, but for what I shoot, it works.  If the need arises I can rent the lens I need as well as a backup body.  

Other

GoPro Hero and Session

I have both the original Hero and the base model Session.  I have done some time-lapse and some fun family action stuff.  So far I haven't had a professional need for these cameras.  I posted a YouTube video taken with the Session mounted to my car and handheld.  Received a decent amount of hits even though the quality of the video isn't that great.  The camera shake is considerable with these cameras when used with out a gimbal.  

DJI Spark

The Spark is nothing but pure fun.  It is the best drone for the money if you are interested in getting into the drone video business.  Yes it cost's close to $700 to get into it, which is much cheaper than the Mavic which costs close to $1400.  Check out my video here.

 

What's Next?

My philosophy on gear is different than some.  I don't need the latest and greatest in order to make beautiful images.  I believe lenses are the first thing you should think of when upgrading.  They hold their value and expand what you are capable of shooting more than any other type of gear.  My dream lenses are the Fuji 10-24 f4  for landscape work, Fuji 50-140 f2.8 for so many reasons and types of shoots and the Fuji XF14mm f2.8 for street and potejtially real estate photography.  There is a rumor of a new 8-16 f2.8 which would replace, for me, the 10-24 and the 14mm.  Check out the road map here!  I would also like to upgrade to the XT2 but time will tell, in other words, profits determine purchases.  

Disclaimer:  I am not a full time professional photographer.  I have worked in the photography industry, off and on, for over 20 years.  I do hope to get back to where I was in 2005 but it's been and going to be a long road.  If you want to watch my journey and chime in please follow me on Instagram or YouTube or listen to my podcast!