I’ve been shooting Nikon for quite a while now, and this image is actually one of the first I captured with it. At the time, I was borrowing a friend’s 80-400mm lens to pair with my refurbished Nikon D300—the camera I purchased when I made the switch from Canon.
Now, before anyone gets defensive, let me be clear: there was nothing wrong with Canon. I enjoyed using their gear, but it just didn’t fully suit my needs. Plus, I really liked the feel of Nikon bodies, and that ended up being the deciding factor.
Does Gear Matter? Yes… But Not How You Think
If you’re new to photography and trying to decide which camera brand to invest in, here’s my biggest piece of advice: yes, gear matters—but not in the way you might think.
If we set aside composition and storytelling (which, honestly, are way more important), the tech specs of a camera shouldn’t be your top priority. Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fuji—all of them, along with other brands I haven’t mentioned, are capable of producing great images. The real question is: how does the camera feel in your hands?
If you don’t enjoy holding it, or if you’re constantly fighting with the controls, you’re less likely to use it. And if you don’t use it, why spend money on it in the first place? The best camera in the world is the one you actually have with you.
Finding the Right Camera for You
On my podcast (which, yeah, I need to get back to recording), I mentioned how much I dislike the question, “What’s the best (insert thing here)?” Best is a relative term—what works for me might not be what works for you. Instead of chasing specs, think about what you need from your gear and narrow your choices down from there.
Once you have a few options, try them out. If you’re in the Madison, WI area, we’re lucky to have The Camera Company, where you can get hands-on with the latest gear. If that’s not an option, consider renting. I personally use LensRentals.com (that link will get you $25 off), but there are plenty of other rental services available too.
Why I’m Sticking with Nikon
At this point, I have no plans to switch brands. I love my Nikon gear, and I’ve built up a solid collection of lenses—which, in many ways, are more important than the camera body itself. That said, I know I’ll eventually need to transition to Nikon’s Z system. Thankfully, the FTZ adapter lets me keep using my current glass while I slowly upgrade.
Switching brands is expensive, which is why it’s so important to get it right from the start. Find a camera that feels right for you, because in the end, the best gear is the one that helps you create without frustration.