All of these decisions are tough, and switching systems is expensive. I shot Canon for 28 years, Nikon for 14 years, and now Fujifilm for the last 2 years. During my Canon/Nikon years I shot Pentax 645 and Hasselblad cameras as well. I switched out of Nikon in 2021 because of frustration with getting consistent focus when shooting my Z6ii for STATIC portraits. I was always intrigued by the retro design of the Fujifilm cameras, some of which are set up like my '70s cameras, so I decided to give them a try. After using the X-T4 for a few months I started selling off my Nikon equipment, and have just two lenses left to sell (along with a box full of batteries that I can't use). As others have posted, system choices are always a matter of horses for courses. I do mainly athlete portraits and dance photography, and Fujifilm equipment has been wonderful for those subjects. Skin tones with the Fujifilm system are the best I've ever seen. If I were shooting field sports, or doing journalism, I might go with another system. Whatever you do, don't keep second guessing your choices once you've spent all of that money. Going over and over it in your head once it's done will only hold you back. Remember, there really aren't any bad camera systems these days. Good luck!
Switching systems has to be the most expensive business move for a pro photographer to do. The lose on ROI is super high, and should be thought out over months not in a few days.
As I watch this video I have both the X-T3 and Z7ii sitting on my desk. Much of your thought process is the same as mine. I do a lot of travel for business and love the Fuji to take along for that using a few primes. But for critical image quality I am going to use the Nikon system.
I came from Nikon D750 to Fujifilm Pro 2 then XT3 now XT5. I miss the Nikon (esp low light) but not the weight. I've thought about going back to Nikon Z8 and I agree with your assessment of the advantages of Nikon system but I'm not a professional and again the weight.
I've recent changed from Fuji system (X-Pro2, X100F, XF10, the Fujicron lenses & 70-300) to the Nikon Z6II, 28mm F2.8 & 40mm F2. Although the lenses are Nikon's budget offerings, I get much better image quality than I did with Fuji. I've just purchased the Samyang 14mm F2.8 for the Nikon. My next lens would most. likely to be the new Nikon 180-600. That would cover my current wants and needs.
I’ve been thinking about the Nikon 28 and 40mm. I currently shoot an zoom-t5 with the 27mm 2.8 and I really like it, but I wonder how much of a jump in size and image quality the Nikon with that 40mm f2 would be. How is the size difference?
@@AlexCruzHaha The Xt5 with the 27mm 2.8 is smaller than the Z6II and 40mm F2. Whilst the Nikon 6II is not much bigger, the lenses for this camera are certainly bigger than fuji lenses.. I do prefer the Nikon image quality and low light performance, but you will have to decide which compromises you are willing to make. Here are the weight and dimesions of both camera and lens set up: Camera FujiFilm X-T5 Width 129.5 mm Height 91 mm Depth 63.8 mm Weight 557 grams Lens Fujinon XF 27mm f/2.8 Max. diameter 61.2 mm Length 26.3 mm Weight 78 grams Total weight: 635 grams (1.40 lb) Camera Nikon Z6 II Width 134 mm Height 100.5 mm Depth 69.5 mm Weight 705 grams Lens Nikon Nikkor Z 40mm f/2 Max. diameter 70 mm Length 45.5 mm Weight 170 grams Total weight: 875 grams (1.93 lb)
I have both. It is really close, but I use the best Fuji lenses (33mm 1.4 and 18mm 1.4) as well as very good Nikon glass 20mm 1.8 and 24-120mm F4. I do want to upgrade to 45mp in the Nikon System, it is a shame the ZF was not bumped up to 33MP or so. But the T5 is brilliant with the lenses I mentioned.@@AlexCruzHaha
You've done what you had to do for your business, don't double guess yourself or you'll be carrying 2 camera backpacks for every occasion, one in the front and one on the back 🤣🤣🤣 I moved from Nikon, to Sony Aps-c, to Fuji Aps-c and I have 99% no regrets, there are always special lenses or features we may miss, but tools are tools, you can unscrew a Philip's screw with a flat head screwdriver, but if what you need is a Philips screwdriver that's what you need. Just remember that had you gone with an X-T5 you'd still get great lowlight performance, high mega pixel count, and spent half of the money the Nikon Z generally cost, plus you'd be saving weight as the X-T5 is yet lighter and smaller than the X-T4. The only reason I never tried M4/3 for small size and weight savings was because Panasonic never gave us PDAF until the S5ii which still is full frame. I used to have several prime lenses and I learned why people say that less is more, I missed several shots while swapping lenses, so I embraced more zoom lenses and I have a few primes for exception occasions or specialty shots, but frankly I'm still at a fraction of the weight of FF gear. When I need ultra wide shits, although I too have the 10-24mm f4, I carry the Laowa 9mm f2.8 for landscapes and occasional ASTRO shots, but I never sold my 16mm f1.4 which is my low light to go lens. Although I never tried the Viltrox 13mm f1.4. The other point is that Fuji is gaining traction on the market and more third-party manufacturers are developing lenses for the X-Mount so it will only be getting better from here. And I'm really not trying to derail you from your decision, I'm just pointing what's been mostly working for me at this moment. Frankly I'm interested in the video capabilities of the Lumix S5ii and although I'm not currently shopping for a new system, I'm ever interested to see what else companies will bring to the table, particularly Panasonic at this moment as I really want to see them launching a M4/3 with PDAF and all new features. For now, for myself aps-c has been the sweet spot between price, performance, and weight. Please enjoy the Nikon system, I'm sure they have several lenses and other goodies you'll be exited to try out and dive into. I'll remain a subscriber as I enjoy your content and will be nice to see if you ever change your mind later 😁👍
If you're shooting professionally and critical sharpness is an issue then Nikon all the way, and if you've balanced the books in relation to the weight gain then you've hit a winner there! As an enthusiast people shooter I can't imagine having anything else other than my X Pro 2 and clutch of primes (23/35/50/90) and that's all I really need. I also have a Leica Q2 and Q2 Monochrom for my more specialised image needs. A wildlife shooter friend of mine just bought into a high-end Canon system with all the huge lenses that come with it and although I'm a bit jealous, I can't help but laugh inwardly at the amount he has to carry around with him! However, we are both looking for a completely different type of image and would both struggle if we had to swap subject matter. Although I think I would struggle a little more to use my kit for wildlife! It's all horses for courses, and I'm glad you've found the system that suits your needs Matthew - 'tis a rare thing nowadays 😉
Dude - cut Fuji loose - it'll be the best thing you ever did. Exactly the same thing happened to me. I shot Fuji exclusively over 11 years - I had many of their cameras, just about all of their lenses. As you know this stuff is very expensive here in Australia, cost me a small fortune. I started getting more paid work, but wondered why I couldn't break into the scene here properly in Perth. I now shoot for the lady here who organises all the big events (I'm her only photographer) - Fringe Festival, Western Australia Day, Nona project, Splash Fest, Fathers' Day at Hillarys, etc. She liked my images but it was a struggle with the low light stuff, and colour balance etc. However, about a year or so ago, I swapped over to a Nikon Z6ii system with a bundle of lenses. The difference was off the planet. I didn't say anything to my lady, but she immediately commented on how much nicer my images were, the colour the sharpness, and just the overall pop. Don't try to shoot two systems it's too much - I tried that and it didn't work. I'm different to you - I have zero interest in landscapes, stars, scenery and animals. I only shoot people - gigs, events, weddings, street. The longest lens I shoot is my Z24-70 2.8, and I don't use the longer end much. Nearly all of my images are on my beautiful Z35mm 1.8 and my Z24mm 1.8. I also love the little plastic F2 Z40mm - that thing is off the scale. However the principle for both of us is the same - the FF system is much better for professional work. I'm going to Japan in two weeks and just can't wait to get images on my gorgeous Nikon cameras (two Z6ii's). I have no desire for the Z8/9 - way too expensive in Australia, too big, too heavy and the files too large - will slow down my PP. People bag out the focus on the Z6ii, but I use AFC 'wide with eye tracking', and barely miss any images. I can shoot an outdoor gig with people jumping and dancing and rocking around and will have less than 20 images out of focus in around 2,000 images. Nikon is wonderful and I'm so stoked to have found their system after fumbling around with Fuji for 11 years. As a matter of interest I just saw the latest video from Taylor Jackson (wedding photographer). He was saying that many Fuji photographers have written to him saying wedding photographers will not employ them now as second shooter, if they shoot a Fuji system (read the comments too, many other folk concurred with this). They are having to sell up and by into a FF system!
What was your latest Fuji body if you don't mind me asking? Fuji has come a long way with the last 2 generations of cameras and MK2 lenses have dramatically improved AF performance, the magical 35mm f1.4 sucks at AF, but the newer lenses are much better.
I agree with you,I have the best lenses fuji have for portraits abd none can tou H my nikon 85mm 1.2 s ,70-200 2.8 S and 200mm f2 vr. And then you have the autofocus and low light performance,at this point it's not a contest anymore.
For me now there are two systems that are above others in price / quality and future developments. One it's the Nikon Z mount, with the technology they show in Z9 / Z8 they can make great cameras in the midrange an low end next years. And there are more and more third party lenses for Nikon Z mount, and you can adapt F mount, EF mount and Sont E mount with full compatible autofocus if that's your thing. The cameras and lenses are priced below Canon and Sony for the same quality, except in the low end. The other is the Panasonic L-Mount line. Now Samyang join the L-Mount Alliance, so in the near future we'll see Samyang lenses in L-Mount. All L-Mount lenses are fully compatible between brands, for firmware update in camera, autofocus, corrections, etc. And in the future we could see unexpected things like a DJI mirrorless, or more brands joining the L-Mount, like Viltrox, Ricoh / Pentax, Olympus, TTartisan, etc. For now the Panasonic SIIX seems to me the best camera for the price in the market, with PDAF, the best IBIS, and a lot of tools for video and photo. And the lenses are cheaper than competition too.
Fair enough. Like many photographers I use two systems and one of them is Fujifilm. It's the one to clip to your belt, to throw into your car. An XS10 with an F2 prime or an 18-50 2.8 Sigma. It is for the B-stuff and all those private stuff. For critical work: A Sony A7R3 paired with specific primes like zero D, shift, clean edge to edge sharp wideangle, apochromatic glass. Clean and workable flat raws to build them up step by step is nothing you get from this xtrans sensors. Fuji is for the tasty fast food. It has its place.
Wowzers...I'm in the middle of making this same move Fuji X - Nikon Z. Put a deposit on a used Z7ii...first lens will be the 24-120 and I'll grow it from there I guess. Pretty daunting considering the money differences, but I want to start taking my photography in other directions (wildlife etc). I hope you make a ton of videos detailing your journey, I'm definitely curious to see how you get on with the Nikon system...I'll be watching!
There will always be pros and cons for each platform and if you are a non-professional, the cost of moving platforms will also be a big barrier, whereas as you discussed Matt, if you are earning from your photography then the justification is maybe easier as you are getting a return from that investment. I did consider moving from Canon at one point but with my genre being architecture, the tilt shift line up is probably one of my main influences for staying, so agree with your comments about thinking carefully about the lenses available. Ive started the switch from EF to RF glass but anticipate changing the EOS R when Canon make their next big announcements. Look forward to seeing your results from the Astro modded Nikon and Im sure that will be a good business decision for you in the longer run too
Good points in your video. The problem I've had is that I am a Fuji fanboy even though I am very aware that it does not have the image quality of Nikon and other full frame cameras. I am not a professional though, how can I justify the buying more gear? I currently have 3 fuji bodies. I wish that Nikon and Panasonic would make high quality and compact full frame bodies. Looking to see if the ZF is any good. I think that you made the right choice in going to Nikon. Even the Z5 is an awesome camera. No brand has a perfect camera though, so the trick as you know is finding what you can live with.
I also shoot with a Fuji (XT5) and a Nikon system (Z7, Z6II, and D810). I use the Fuji for travel and family time. I have the Sigma 18-50, which is a great travel lens, along with a Sigma 30 1.4 and Voiglander 23 1.2. DX crop mode on the Z7 will yield around 20 MP. I know it's bigger than you used to, but have you considered the new Nikon 180-600 lens? It's priced just right and offers a lot.
I have same situation like u i got z7ii but will keep the XF 70-300 with XT4 but i don't agree that the Z24 120 not that sharp its pin sharp 😉 not compered to the xf16-80 but still love it i started my carrer with it
I jumped from Nikon D810 into mirror less via Micro 43. Image quality for my purposes just didn’t cut it and to get good fast lenses was just as expensive. Moved to Fuji a few years ago and definitely better. Still not as good as the full frame Nikon but good enough for me. Plus the small size of the fuji system was great. Got temped back to full frame with a Panasonic S5ii and 24-105 f4 at the begging of the year. Great camera, but yeah felt the weight of it and the full frame lenses. It went on ebay and I went back to Fuji. And now, yet again I find myself tempted by full frame, but this time it’s being driven by the lenses I want. I want to have a little bit of bokeh and shallow depth of field but don’t want to carry multiple prime lenses. I also want good versatility without having to carry multiple lenses. I want to keep things simple and i don't like carrying a heavy camera and lens. I know I need to compromise somewhere and its a matter of finding out were. So at the moment I’m thinking a high MP full frame coupled with a fast standard zoom like a 24-70 f2.8 or 24-105/120 f4 might be answer. Good enough for portraits and some background blur with the high megapixels allowing cropping when needed. I may just need to accept the weight. The Tamron 17-70mm f2.8 I just bought is my last attempt with Fuji I think. I have an X-S20 and may move to X-T5 / X-H2 to get the more megapixels. That might just be good enough for me. Having said that I can see myself keeping my X-E3 and small lens. Just so much fun to use.
The Tamron 30-150 F2-2.8 Z mount version is about to be released, so you’ll have another heavy contender on Nikon’s lineup of lenses… On the telephoto side you have new releases from Nikon and you also have lenses from Tamron and Sigma, look deeper and you might find strong alternatives from what you’re missing and restrain from changing from Fujifilm.
I have the X-T5 and Nikon Z7 but I feel the build quality of the X-T5 isn't great for pro use, I always feel something like the flimsy hinges on the lcd could break at anytime. The X-T5 has great IQ but yes at high iso it gets noisy from 1600. I use them for concert photography but the X-T5 will be sold and I'm adding a Z6ii.
Matthew, You made part of my comment for me at min14.37 when you confessed that you could take all your Fuji gear with you but not all of the Nikon. I came to Fuji from Canon to reduce weight and bulk and have not looked back. I do a lot of Motorsport and surfing photography and absolutely love the XF 70-300mm which I can but rarely use with 1.4 or 2 times extenders. Used to carry the heavy Canon and a beautiful but huge and heavy Sigma 50-500mm and would get home from a day at the track absolutely hating it. The XF 70-300 is as sharp as I want, even with the extenders, and with my XH2s and XT5 using subject detection my trackside photography has almost become boring having so few discards. I do a lot of interior architecture having shot a church calendar for 32 years now, starting with a Rollei MF, then Canon 1DS, 1, 2 and 3 and then found Fuji. Only down side has been lack of a shift lens. Canon 24mm shift/tilt was my go to. Now I use XT5 with the fabulous new XF8mm - what a compact powerful kit. I am wedded to the Fuji eco system and the consistency of its menus over all my cameras, I also have an XS20 for travel and have found it a great back up for Motorsport enabling me to have two setups readily to hand with all, plus more equipment and ‘stuff’ fitting into a very accessible Peak Design back pack. You have studied your needs and made your decision. Perhaps when you have humped that gear up hills on hot days and missed what you left behind you may have regrets but we can all learn from our mistakes if you may have made one. Envy you up there in Arkaroola. All the best.
There have been newer tilt/shift lenses in the market, I don't know which focal length you need in particular, but there are a number of them out right now. I shoot primarily with the X-T4, but I'm curious about the X-S20 as a second small body 😎👍👍
@@williamaungleyraud I highly recommend the XS20. I used it the other day for surfers using the 100-400 with a 1.4extender and was pleasantly surprised with the excellent results. It is a a great travel camera but just a bid fiddlier to use as it lacks the fn buttons of the bigger cameras but that is one of the reasons it is so compact. Once you have set it up ‘your’ way it is fine.
@@robinpage9532 yeah the best I've found is adapting, I didn't see any tilt shift lenses that wide for Fuji natively, but the best alternative is the Laowa 15mm f4.5 Zero D with either Canon EF mount or Nikon Z, but it cost a pretty penny, and you'd have to use a speed booster to get another stop of light. I know there are many third-party companies that are working on specialty lenses for Fuji, the catch is the focal length, and price. The other alternatives are either using a tilt/shift adapter to an ultra wide lens, or just using an ultra wide lens and cropping in post which loses resolution. I've seen a real estate photographer using an adapter to take 4 ultra wide shots in different tilt/shift positions and paste them I'm post to crop what he needed and keep the resolution as high as possible. Either way I hope any of this was helpful 😎👍
Your comparision seems to be very geniune and shows from a travel, astro and landscape photography. APS-C strugle in lowlight and wide angle, but in telephoto and size the APS-C wins. The FF system wins at wide angle ranges which is the one used by landscape photography. If you do the comparasion from a wedding, studio and potrait photography the FF destroys the Fuji APS-C. Crop factor manufacturers as OM System (m43), Panasonic (m43) and Fuji (APS-C) needs to focus more on wildlife, action and sport photography where they may have an advantage. Seeing your video I hear clearly that you are not a fanboy of Nikon or Fuji. Simply pick the best for your needs. Low light and landscape chose the Nikon.
I have similar concerns about the Nikon 100-400 lens. In my dream world they will bring out a 70-300 f4S. Until then my solution would be a 70-300 and FTZ adapter.
I came to Fuji after ten years with Nikon - first the D750 then in the past 4 years or so the D850. I picked up a used Fuji X-T4 earlier this year and I absolutely love the Fuji system. Here's the deal for me - For wildlife and nature photography it's Nikon all the way - Fuji just cant compete in the same league. My D850 paired with my Sigma 60-600mm is an absolute joy out in the field - at 60mm I can do landscape shots, at 600mm birds in flight are no problem, and when I flick the switch to close focus I get very decent macro shots - not quite as good as my Nikon 200mm f4 macro - but good enough for what I do. The D850 paired with the 60-600mm blows away my X-T4 paired with the Fuji 100-400mm in sharpness at every focal length. Here's where I'm going with this....Since I live close to NYC I also like to go in and do some street photography as well - This is where the Fuji excels - the X-T4 pared with the 10-24mm, and the Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 is my sweet spot for being in the street. I'm going to keep both systems but will likely pair down my Fuji lenses to keep the 10-24mm, Sigma 18-50mm, and the 80mm macro. It really comes down to different tools for different situations. Eventually I'll get my hands on a Nikon Z8 but at this point I cant really justify the expense to switch to Z glass when I already have some awesome F-mount glass , and the D850 is still such an awesome image making beast. Thanks for this great video - I subscribe to your channel and always appreciate your honesty and also the awesome images you capture along with that great scenery. Cheers!
I find the X cameras with their subject detection, focus tracking and up to 1200mm effective with the 100-400 and a x2 extender, the excellent stabilisation, is all I need for birds in flight etc.
@robinpage9532 I find the focus tracking in Fuji to be severely lacking compared to Nikon. I have the 100-400mm Fuji and I like it. I just find the 60-600mm to be sharper and more versatile. I also find using extenders impacts image quality - I never use them - to each their own I guess.
Switching from a crop system to full frame will add weight. Nikon still hasn't announced a high end crop camera or higher end crop lenses. So you either pay higher prices for FF or wait and see what crop gear they cone out with or stick with fuji.
Yes,someone prefers Nikon,while others wish to hold Fuji. Whatever it would cost users a lot for a switch,if they been keeping following one brand for a long time.
Focusing on focal range numbers are not the only consideration. Assuming you are using a Nikon D810/D850 or a Nikon Z7x/Z8 the extra MP with a full frame sensor I suspect will still output a better picture at 400mm and zoomed to an effective 450mm in post than the Fuijifilm at native 450mm. Unfortunately the weight penalty for the larger sensors and the glass to support is just not able to be escaped due to physics.
@@williamaungleyraudIt's the dynamic range and about 1 stop better ISO performance that full frame has over APSC. You can get the 45mp Z7 for really cheap right now if you don't need great AF and it will have the same image quality as the Z8.
@@veeaa I hear you, but unless we're talking significantly more stops of dynamic range, a single iso stop doesn't justify twice the price in my books. I wonder if any channel has done a real comparison between the two to figure it out 😎 👍
@@williamaungleyraud Yeah that's what I mean with the Z7. You can get 45 mp for the same price as the X-T5 but full frame. Image quality wise there is no difference between 1000€ full frame or 7000€ full frame camera. The price difference is due to other performance factors.
You basically spent 15 minutes telling us you prefer to use a hammer over a screw driver to drive a nail into a wood board. We get it you need a Full Frame body with full frame lenses. Fuji has a GFX line, did you look into that before you went to the Z mount?
Why not buy the 180-600 Nikon lens? Never mind. After listening to the whole video it sounds like you asked a fuji fanboy what to buy. You should have save your money and stuck with fuji. You’re gonna regret swapping when you go back to fuji in a couple of years.