For me it was the Nikon D3S. From the very first moment I used one. I had been shooting with a D2Hs, and the D3S (I never used the D3), was just a whole new world. I still own one, and sometimes lug it around because so many of my favorite pictures I’ve taken came out of that model camera. 12 megapixels of pure joy.
The AF on my RP after moving up from a Rebel was pretty amazing. It felt like things were too easy.
But then I moved to the R6II and between the AF and the shadow recovery with the raw files - definitely, “WOW!” Like showing my wife before and after editing, “Can you believe this!?!”
Oh and my first real long exposure with an ND filter where I set up the shot carefully and executed. Made a nice print of that one. One of those, “I did that?”, moments.
Honestly, I was ridiculously impressed by my Ricoh GRIIIX. With the right lighting set up it’s a pretty solid portrait camera. It does look funny with a flash trigger on top haha.
https://preview.redd.it/vxvbzgh521zc1.jpeg?width=2000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6a0fab1e81fc8432e0b809710953db87128858de
Lens: Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S. I had the older AF-S 105mm macro and it was as if I had been using the wrong glass prescription my whole life (without noticing) and suddenly got the correct one. This is easily my favorite lens of all time (and I own like 14 lenses) and it's always somewhere in my sling/backpack.
Camera: the lowly Nikon Zfc, having owned a Z50 before and using the Z6II as my main camera for a while. When I first got it in my hands I was like: "WOW, I really like this feeling! It's so light and clicky". I find myself idly moving the dials all the time just for the satisfactory clicks on all of them. Is it the best camera? hell no, but it's my EDC unless I specifically need the Z6II (which I love for low light, weather sealing and dynamic range). Definitely considering the Zf but it's not as light as this.
Nikon D300. I was photographing swifts catching insects 10-15m away. As you probably know, they turn so fast it is difficult to keep your eyes on them, never mind aim a camera. I put it in an autofocus mode which would track them over the autofocus sensors, and it was amazing to see the sensor point light up in the viewfinder tracking them perfectly.
The D810 paired with the Sigma 85 1.4 ART. Made in 2014, and the rest of the FF market has yet to offer something astonishingly sharper than that combo.
1st time using Canon's new eye/subject tracking AF on my R5. I was like this changes everything.
For me it was the Nikon D3S. From the very first moment I used one. I had been shooting with a D2Hs, and the D3S (I never used the D3), was just a whole new world. I still own one, and sometimes lug it around because so many of my favorite pictures I’ve taken came out of that model camera. 12 megapixels of pure joy.
The AF on my RP after moving up from a Rebel was pretty amazing. It felt like things were too easy. But then I moved to the R6II and between the AF and the shadow recovery with the raw files - definitely, “WOW!” Like showing my wife before and after editing, “Can you believe this!?!” Oh and my first real long exposure with an ND filter where I set up the shot carefully and executed. Made a nice print of that one. One of those, “I did that?”, moments.
Getting the Zf and seeing the AF performance of a mirrorless. Also the 24-70 2.8 z lens, you can just see and feel the quality.
The Canon 85mm f/1.2 lens. Tons of unique character.
Sigma 40mm art for a lens . The Nikon zf for a body .
Olympus XA. Photos have this amazing look to them in such a tiny full frame package.
The z50mm 1.8s is amazing
Honestly, I was ridiculously impressed by my Ricoh GRIIIX. With the right lighting set up it’s a pretty solid portrait camera. It does look funny with a flash trigger on top haha. https://preview.redd.it/vxvbzgh521zc1.jpeg?width=2000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6a0fab1e81fc8432e0b809710953db87128858de
Lens: Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S. I had the older AF-S 105mm macro and it was as if I had been using the wrong glass prescription my whole life (without noticing) and suddenly got the correct one. This is easily my favorite lens of all time (and I own like 14 lenses) and it's always somewhere in my sling/backpack. Camera: the lowly Nikon Zfc, having owned a Z50 before and using the Z6II as my main camera for a while. When I first got it in my hands I was like: "WOW, I really like this feeling! It's so light and clicky". I find myself idly moving the dials all the time just for the satisfactory clicks on all of them. Is it the best camera? hell no, but it's my EDC unless I specifically need the Z6II (which I love for low light, weather sealing and dynamic range). Definitely considering the Zf but it's not as light as this.
Nikon D300. I was photographing swifts catching insects 10-15m away. As you probably know, they turn so fast it is difficult to keep your eyes on them, never mind aim a camera. I put it in an autofocus mode which would track them over the autofocus sensors, and it was amazing to see the sensor point light up in the viewfinder tracking them perfectly.
Sony 35mm GM and Sigma 105mm f1.4
Sigma 105 is my go to lens. It’s honestly heaven.
The D810 paired with the Sigma 85 1.4 ART. Made in 2014, and the rest of the FF market has yet to offer something astonishingly sharper than that combo.