Digital camera technology has certainly evolved rapidly and remarkably over the past 25 years. Yet, despite all these advances, one might still question whether the fundamental rules of photography have truly changed.

 

I was very happy with my Nikon D850 — a camera I used for nearly five years. It brought me immense joy and taught me a great deal. I even believed it might have been the finest DSLR ever made.

 

However, in recent months, I found myself increasingly considering a switch to a mirrorless system. To keep up with the evolving landscape of photography, this change has become inevitable.

 

The D850 served me faithfully, but now it’s time to move on. What drew me to the Nikon Z8 was its 45.7 MP full-frame stacked CMOS sensor and advanced subject-detection autofocus — capable of quickly identifying and tracking people, animals, and vehicles.

 

I must admit, out in the wild, the mechanical shutter sound of my D850 often startled deer, birds, and squirrels — causing me to miss many beautiful moments. Looking back, the biggest appeal of a mirrorless system is the silent shutter, and the impressive 20 fps RAW shooting speed. In nature photography, these details matter; they help the photographer remain invisible, blending seamlessly into the surroundings.

 

With the Nikon Z8, a high-end mirrorless full-frame camera, I now feel fully prepared to embrace mirrorless technology — reconnecting with the same enthusiasm I felt with film cameras in my youth, 50 years ago.

 

Keeping my F-mount lenses and using them with the Nikon FTZ adapter turned out to be a great advantage. It also allows me to continue using other accessories like my battery grip and the Nikon MC-30 remote cord with the Z8.

 

My passion for photography began with black-and-white family photos taken by my father with his analog camera. In the 1970s, I experimented with various models including Asahi Pentax, Canon, and Nikon — gaining hands-on experience with classics like the Nikon FM, the compact little FG, and the solid F3.

Later, as a young reporter, I spent long hours in darkrooms, developing my own photos from face-to-face interviews and journalistic assignments.

 

In 2000, I took my first steps into digital photography with the Nikon D1. It posed some challenges, especially in rendering accurate yellows and blues. Yet I adapted, and moved forward with models like the D70, D80, D90, and later the D600/610 — eventually settling on the D850 as my trusted companion for nearly half a decade.

 

Today, my focus is on understanding and documenting the natural world through photography. The patience needed to capture birds in their natural habitat has taught me profound lessons in observation and perseverance — both as a photographer and as a human being.

 

Photography remains a deep passion and a lifelong journey of learning.

 

It’s always inspiring to see the work of Flickr members from around the world. This platform reminds me daily that in the ever-evolving world of photography, there’s always something new to discover.

 

I sincerely appreciate when my photos are added to galleries for others to enjoy, and I’m grateful for all likes and comments. However, I kindly ask that my distinctive watermark remain untouched, and that my work not be republished or presented as your own. If you'd like to use one of my photographs, please feel free to contact me by email and request permission.

 

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