From a very early age, I had a fascination for cameras. My first camera was a Bencini Comet, which I played with for hours without taking a single shot, since I was about three at the time.

I learned the art and technology of photography in high school on an all-manual Minolta SR-T, likely a 200 or 201, and developed a loyalty to Minolta. But, camera technology was rapidly changing in the 70s, and when it came time to purchase an SLR (for me, the only logical choice at the time) I ultimately went with the Canon AE-1 due to its built-in manual capability. The Minolta SR-7 had the aperture priority I preferred but not manual exposure capability. Had it had that feature, things might have been very different.

I used Canon FD-compatible SLRs for many years. My original AE-1, the professional F-1 and later, an A-1 that I had acquired from an estate sale. But, my experience in the field created a yearning for Nikon, which was out of reach at the time. But, when Canon discontinued the FD mount in its move to auto focus technology, the writing was on the wall. Faced with the need to build a camera system all over again, I chose to go with Nikon.

My first Nikon SLR was the N80, and I quickly began to understand all the praise that had been given to Nikon. My Go-to lens on Canon was the FD 35-105mm f/3.5 zoom, and the AF Zoom-NIKKOR 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 D made the transition even easier. It wasn’t hard to adapt to the smaller weight and form-factor of the lightweight polycarbonate body and built-in motor drive over the all-metal and tank-like construction of the F-1 and its Power Winder F.

My entrance into the digital domain began with the Nikon P5100, a very capable MFLC around which I built a system featuring conversion lenses. And after championing digital photography with the P5100, it was time to move on to my first DSLR, the Nikon D90. Its compatibility with my AF Zoom-NIKKOR 28-105mm amazed me, and I began to invest in AF-S G glass even though I did not feel pressured to do so (the 42 to 158mm equivalent zoom range on APS-C using the 28-105 was quite sufficient). But I also knew that I would eventually move to full-frame and that investment in such glass as the amazing AF-S Zoom-NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.5 G VR would be preserved.

That was proven out with my purchase of the Nikon D610 which IMHO is the best DSLR Nikon has ever made, all things considered (aka “value”). In fact, I now have two of them, one which has been converted for full spectrum photography (UV, IR and Visible).

My latest equipment endeavor has been the Z5. On numerous times I had considered the Sony a7 series, but I wanted to hold out to see what Nikon was going to do. Many complain of how long it took Nikon to release this camera, but I think they were smart in letting all other companies do the testing for them. IMHO, the Nikon Z series is the best mirrorless camera on the market.

At least it is for me, as I have found that it works flawlessly with all my NIKKOR AF-S G lenses, and I’m now shooting all my manual focus Canon FD, Minolta SR and Olympus OM lenses as well. It also has distinct advantages when shooting pinhole, zone plate, or any of my other Lensbaby products, or any in general any MF, non-coupled, non-CPU lens. It’s like a “Universal Body” that is also 100% compatible with NIKKOR Lenses. I was recently able to shoot an unmodified NIKKOR Auto-S 50mm f/1.4 non-ai lens with amazing ease and IQ,

Today, I enjoy practicing all genres of photography and the opportunity to show others the way, and learn from them as well.

—Dreux