Making a boring camera fun. 

I like how he always opens his videos like we just snuck up on him lol

I love how he starts off telling us about the fact that this is the first sunny day in “I don’t know, months”, and then bemoans the sun for the rest of the video ending with “it will be great to come back went we get a stormy day” (as if one is not right around the corner in Wales in January). It just goes to show “the grass is always greener on the other side of the street”. This is one of the reasons I love his videos. The other is he incorporates human life and objects. This contrasts with other “landscape RU-vidrs” that seem to take endless photos of rocks and trees, often in the fog. All the best.

Camera companies never embraced the shrinking full frame camera, with equally diminutive lenses. Partly due to the obsession with subject separation, partly because if you got it, flaunt it approach of camera clubbers to their lenses. Me, I love a small lens.

Thanks James. Really enjoy your combination of humour, advice, and honesty in your videos.

Thanks for saying at the end that its a few weeks since you got a photo that you liked. Makes me feel better about my equal lack of success.

I was brought playing on those beaches. Saw our house. Such nostalgia. Thanks James

Recently bought the Sony 40mm 2.5 G as well. Quickly becoming my favorite lens. Easy to carry around, excellent build and the image quality more than meets my needs.

Hi James (partly due to your love of 40mm), I recently purchased a Voightlander 40mm 1.2 and I love it, it has opened up lots of opportunities for better urban photography. I love the separation at wider apertures and the sharpness when stopped down. Manual focus is a challenge but it’s fun. Thanks for producing such entertaining and at times thought provoking videos.

Completely agree on the 40mm f2.5, excellent lens.

Love these videos! A really good inspiration to get out there.

I've had Sony 50mm F2.5 G since it came out on my A7C and loving it 😍a tiny camera combo what I can just put into my jacket pocket while going out for a walk.

Beautiful shots, very inspiring.

I had a lot of fun photographing in and around Anglesey when I was in Wales last year, but like you, I had calm seas! Wahhhh!

I have had the A7RV for 11 months now. After hearing your praise for the 40mm - which I had never really considered - I took the plunge. And I am enjoying the camera+lens quite a lot. Rarely change it now. I recently took a trip where I was determined NOT to bring a camera, but relented at the last minute and took this combo. Glad I did. In fact, I've traded in all my heavy glass at this point because that was detracting from my enjoyment, except for the 90mm macro. Today I'm pulling out the A7C (about to trade that in) with the Tamron 20-40 though, for what will probably be strictly indoors. Thanks for all the good advice, James!

I love your channel because I share your humour; also like that you take photos of places I would never think of taking. The light in Cornwall is fantastic, love the views of Snowdonia from Newborough on Ynys Mon though.

I recently got the 40mm 2.5 G as a walk around / family photo lens and it's become one of my favorites as well. The 24G is also great. I get the "boring" part - Sony cameras have always felt more like electronic gadgets than cameras to me. That said I'm really enjoying the a7cii which masks that aspect well.

The 40mm F 2.5 is a nice one, I use it on my old and trusty A7R III. It´s a little bit tighter than a 35 mm, you are closer to your subject. I have several lenses (also GM) but this reduction to a small lens keeps me enjoying my photography again (and thinking about composition and subject).

The same happened to me, I was using more my Leica camera instead of my Sony a7IV, but that have changed after I got that 40mm little lens, now my Leica is collecting dust. Great video and photos

Thank you for the video!

I recommend the Sony FE 20-70 mm F4 G for the flexibility it provides from landscape to portraits

I love the size of sonys 40mm lens. Im super into smaller kit now a days. I shoot Nikon but recently bought a lumix gx1 & 20mm1.7 based on your videos. I LOVE it for edc.

Another entertaining video James. I shot with the Voigtlander 40/1.2 for years but it now shares the A7Riii with the 35GM for the AF. Certainly nice to have a focal length that you really enjoy. I've just bought a Fuji X100f too for some reason.......

I've always loved the 50mm 1.8mm and it's only £160

I love Anglsey. We go every November and it's dead quiet. Great time for photography.

I like those images in harsh light straight into the sun.

The sheep photo at 6:12 is great

Hey James, I had a rally hard time justifying this lens because I already had a samyang f1.4 50mm in my kit. I just hated how bulky it was. I learned on my dad's Canon fd 50mm and absolutely LOVE this lens - I love the tactile feel and how compact it is. I love the field of view which feels a little less cramped. Thank you for showing us how much form matters!

It is all about using the best prime Lenses, it is a great joy !

I had the 40mm f/2.5 on my Sony a7riii and enjoyed it. Since then I've replaced it with the Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8 and I like the versatility a bit more. The 40mm might be slightly sharper, but not really noticeable. It gives me both a wide and normal perspective when walking around which I love.

7:40 Storm Isha due tomorrow! Great video by the way, inspiring as always

James, nice video of Anglesey. I have a Sony A7Riv and find that, like you, if there's a problem it's one that I have caused. I have just discovered a 35mm pancake lens that weighs less than nothing and is brilliant for street/general everyday photography. It's about half the size of your 40mm and is a perfect match for the tiny mirrorless body. It's brought a lot of fun into my shooting.

Am I the only one who noticed that at around minute 5:30 his shadow was not synchronized with his movements? Ohhh boy... 😛😂

I recently added the 40G 2.5 after lugging the 24-70GMII around for abit and it was refreshing to have something small, compact for a change. The 40G felt a lot more premium than my GM lenses as well. Got me bringing the camera out a lot more.

I have the 40m f2.5 and its a nice light lens but I'd really recommend trying it out with the A7Cii or A7CR as the two together are a really nice walk-around combination - though I prefer the wider 24m f2.8

My A7RIV stays in the studio now, I take the A7CR & 40mm 2.5G everywhere in my ‘man bag’. So much more fun!

Great photographs. I like your first photograph too.

I’m a sucker for dog walkers, rocks, wet sand and the sea. That was a good one. Good comment on starting to like the tools you’re using. You have to question though is it simply that the tool is getting out of the way so your focus is back on the images rather than the camera. Having small light lenses making the camera more accessible also plays to that I think. I’ve recently started carrying my camera around far more just on a strap. I’m using a 28-60 zoom, which is a little bit smaller than your 40mm, the point is though I’m taking far more images because I’m no longer thinking “is it worth getting the camera out of the bag for this”. For me the camera has become less of the ‘thing’. And yes mine also doesn’t miss a beat so all I need to worry about is how I want the image to look.

I have been shooting the A7RV a bit over 6 months and recently picked up an A7Cii + Sony 40 2.5! (BTW, I have the 50 1.4 GM too)

I could not agree more James! I have said out loud many times if I had to keep only one lens with a gun to my head I would choose that 40 mm 2.5. It is super portable and produces gorgeous work. Even some character especially when you get up close. Love your videos!you’re doing a good job of not getting too fat, considering how much you love to eat ha ha! Michael Neumann, ONEWORLD productions

Get your street head on Pop. Harsh light = high contrast.

James never misses!

I love how early I am to a video finally but also just love your videos in general 😊

I love the 40mm. I came over to Sony maybe a year ago, got a used A7R2 for about 500 quid and then the 40mm, and as much as I want to buy more gear, I don't really need much else. Setup for basically 1k that does all I need. Not sure how everyone else feels but I hate that it's f2.5. I always set it to 2.8 (if I ever actually need the light) because it's a more traditional maximum aperture for point and shoot lenses on old film cameras. It's a bit obsessional at this point but I will literally never use the 2.5 setting out of principal

Never catch a video this early, should be asleep. Anyway, I totally get the excitement of finding a place I want to come back to, especially when you find specific spots. One spot with horses comes to mind.

had the 40mm for a bit. such a well built feeling lens

I have the 50mm f2.5 version and I love it

Ever been to Holyhead / Holy Island? Can be quite spectacular - as well as spectacularly windy.

Thanks for an entertaining and informative episode as ever. You mentioned camera reviews, is one the Lumix G9 II? I remember you saying how fond you were of the original version.

Would be nice if you could just set the exposure value on a camera and be able to change every other exposure setting individually afterwards. EV is easy to judge and quick to compensate. That way you can switch aperture quickly, or your ISO and have the rest unaffected. I almost always shoot manual, but I could probably live with having only that setting on a camera.

First it’s far from a boring camera. You can always use ND if you have golden. The challenge is learning how to shoot in all conditions. You can predict favorite time and conditions to shoot but meet the challenge with the tools you have.

Recently I start using canon R8 with pancake lens 28mm f2.8. Having a small camera setup is so liberating. So small that you can't feel that is hangs of your neck or being afraid that you might hit somewhere with the lens itself and break it...

James, you should really try the a7CR. It would be especially nice with that 40mm, but overall it feels less like a work camera and much more simple and fun while maintaining all the bells and whistles that one needs.

I adore the 40mm f2.5

Wow. Nice video!

Hey James! I love your videos and I must admit I am quite inspired by your work. I like the way you explain the process of taking photos. Can I ask if you could do a video (or two) outlining beginner to experienced beginner cameras and lenses. It’s a bit of a minefield and there are so many videos from a professional point of view but very few from a beginner to experienced beginner level. I am battling the conundrum of is a Sony A7r mark1 still ok to use as my first full frame camera without spending £1k on a more modern bit of kit. I suppose can you answer, is a 10 year old camera still worth buying. There is so much info out there and it’s a bit overwhelming.

16 minutes past 11… your watch said otherwise lol

Due to time constraints, I tend to find myself in situations where I have to make do with the conditions I get. During four separate one day trips, I photographed a unique building north of Chicago over the course of 12 years. It wasn't until the last time I went, that I actually had a blue sky. The trade off to that, was that I didn't realize what a tourist trap it was until I caught it on a clear day. So my best compositions were on the rainy days.

the picture you took at 3:45 is amazing

Man, that sandwich looks absolutely horrifying.

My occasional favourite part of the videos is when you say “and I’ve managed to get… no photos”. I’m like… good, that made my hike with no good photos earlier all better 😅

I went back to watch previous videos as I was curious why you felt the need go from the RIV to the RV, as all the added features aren't really relevant to landscape, architecture and street photography... And predictably it seems you wish you hadn't! I'm an A7R IV shooter and to be honest I preferred my old A7R III with 42MP, a smaller body and less AF trickery. It's so easy to get caught up in the FOMO of newer tech, but I'm glad the new lenses are adding a little more joy to your shooting!

The 40mm - maybe you’re just trying to reachieve the perspective you could get with a micro four thirds 20mm lens on the G9? Interesting how these things go in circles. Well done on the restraint with the mince pies as well. I do know that feeling of pride when you’ve overindulged but then stopped with much difficulty at a certain point. Kudos.

The one thing I envy that the A7RV has is that IBIS. I feel like if I had a little more I could leave the tripod at home

Love the smaller bodies of my a6700 and A7CR. Nothing like grabbing a light weight camera compared to the days of lugging around big SLRs like the Nikon F2. Even the ZV-E10 is a hoot, a very capable tiny camera with a BIG heart. I've had enough of testing cameras, I would love to see more examples of good photos. Cameras are nothing more than a box with a sensor. The person is the picture maker. So, let's keep this in mind in the world of photography. Example would be to run around and see what the 40mm f2.8 can do, or what you can do with that lens rather than going over the specs. I can read that online.

You need to sort out either your car or your watch... because they're 55 minutes apart! 😂

40mm is my sweet spot (43mm actually). It's often compared to the 35mm but it's not the same: it is a normal lens (the 50mm was a standard because of Oskar Barnack at Leica). Most photographers in my area don't like it because it doesn't embrace the scene with enough FOV (for that, I'd go below 21mm). I've often found the 35mm lens too distorted for me. Great pictures as always! That coast looks like mine in Brittany (geology, vegetation, slate roofs...).

Have you been to Amlwch or Mynydd Parys? I go to Anglesey often and have for about 20 years now. Although there are many beautiful places on Anglesey, I find these two places amazing for photography. Especially the colours, shapes and light at the mine

Hi James another nice close to home photo shoot. Swimming? Unimaginable here in Ontario Canada. It’s minus 24 Celsius. Anyway I noticed most of your photos where, compositionally, horizon in the centre. And what is your most used aperture? Mine is usually F4.0 to F8.0 and I mostly shot daylight with an F4.0 Pro MFT. Happy New Year.

Any thoughts on the Sonnar 35mm 2.8 compared to the 40mm 2.5? I've been heavily considering the Zeiss for my 7rv

Hey James! Love the videos you make and the insight you have to photography and different cameras and where they excel and are lacking. I am a recent photography graduate and am looking to up my camera equipment. Currently I am looking at the Canon EOS R8 and Sony a7iii. As a recent graduate I do not do a ton of photography in a professional sense, but it is something that I am hoping to delve into more and I was just curious which of these cameras in your professional opinion might be best for that?

I sold my 40G and am still keeping 24G. I felt that it duplicates 50GM and I'd prefer a wider aperture. I'd love to have 24GM but it is not my favourite focal length and 24G does the job while keeping the camera lightweight.

I love seaside photography, unfortunately I live in central Bedfordshire so you couldn't really get much further from the sea in Britain if you tried.

Looking forward to your DJI Pocket 3 review, from the shadow on the sand I’m pretty sure that’s what you were filming yourself with on the beach?

After 12 years of using NIKON, i jumped on having as my second body Sony A7Cr….takes a while to fall in love with Sony but i am getting there…the small 40mm helps also 😊 James, i know you mentioned in other video but don’t remember which one….from where is your colorful camera strap?

I spent many months flying over that part of Anglesey in different years while training on the Hawk at RAF Valley. I didn't appreciate the photographic value until much later :-(

damn it I forgot about this channel and how much I enjoy it. even though I'm subscribed youtube never shows me your videos!

Can't find a single mince pie 'round these parts (Shropshire), so I'm incredibly jealous... and of the photos too, obviously.

Love how you stopped at four mince pies... because five would have been over half the pack.

I'm a sony shooter but xpro4 would be hype. It wouldn't be necessary for me though if sony let you mess with creative looks even more than they already do in their bodies. Also I wish there were small full frame lenses with bright ish apertures, the compact film point and shoot cameras often had f 2-2.8 with tiny tiny lenses that covered full frame. (And had autofocus!) I want that as a body cap lens for my every day photos to replace my phone.

Nice

Hi @JamesPopsysPhoto. What are your thoughts on publishing UK vehicle registration plates in photos and videos? Some people obscure them, citing privacy or security, others don't. I wondered generally what your thoughts were. Thanks.

How are you liking the stabilization on the RV vs your G9/Lumix cameras? You had mentioned it back when you initially purchased your a7riv. Just curious?

Hmmm, I think one of the clocks - a wristwatch or a dashboard clock - needs to be reset to a proper time, because they are almost an hour apart ;-)

Do you consider to do a review for your bellroy sling comparing to your PD ones?

I own a A7IV, but find it hard to just bring it everywhere with my Sigma 24-70 f/2.8. Would it help pick up the hobby with a small/light prime lens?

That sling looks interesting, is it a Bellroy 10L?

Love the strap! Drop us the link pleasssee

40m and 50mm seem really close, not using the 90 as much?

Thanks for sharing. Have you tried the retro looking nikon zf with a 40mm lens?

Bought the Sony @7 3 last year and got it with the kit lens initially. I then bought the Sony 40mm lens you have to do street photography but the camera didn’t work for me. Although it is a full frame camera (I was desperate to get back to full frame) the camera just didn’t work for me as it was slow to start up and it didn’t always hit the mark autofocus wise. I also wasn’t that impressed with the quality of the images the @7 3 produced as I felt it was not sharp even when I used the 40mm so it all got traded in and was replaced by an X-T5 with the kit zoom lens, and the XF-35mm. I’m trying to get an XF-27mm though to get back to the 40mm equivalent focal length but they’re rarer than hens teeth right now. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Hey James. 🌻 What do you mean by 'flat light'?

If eating lunch at 11:15ish is wrong, I don't wanna be right...

As a angltonion, it's a beautiful place to live. Following the tradition it will probably be called X-pro 5 as they don't like to use 4 as it sounds like a rude word in their language lol

Is that a camera lamp ? And how can I get one. 😅

Good episode. Also it’s not lunch, it’s elevensies.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more majestic moustache in my life before #justsayong

The shutter sounds awful to me. Never really knew that was possible until now

How do you clip the GoPro on your shirt like that?

Where’s the googlie eyes that will replace the Leica label?

Zeiss Batis lenses, much more character that Sony lenses. You need to learn about them.