My Photography Gear - 2016
This article will be on my camera gear for 2016. This year, one of my new years resolutions was to consolidate my camera gear and begin to move to a stable system. Over the past few years, I have shot with Nikon, Fuji, Sony, Olympus and Panasonic. This year, my resolution was to consolidate towards Canon. So far, I'm happy with the Canon cameras and lenses that I own and this should be a pretty steady kit over the next few years.
Camera Bodies
I currently shoot with the Canon 6D. It's lighter and smaller than the Canon 5D Mark III which is always a very nice bonus. In terms of its performance, it has a newer sensor with better low light capabilities. Focus performance is excellent in all lighting conditions, though it's not a camera which is built for tracking fast motion. For portraiture, weddings and most static subjects, the Canon 6D is a winner. Its build quality is great, though I wish it had dual card slots as that's something which I miss from the Nikon D750.
For weddings and other critical-moment photography jobs, it's important to have backup. Currently, I have access to an additional Canon 6D which I can loan to take to jobs which need it. In the near future, I'll be looking at adding a Canon 6D Mark II or Canon 5D Mark IV after they've been launched, depending on whether I feel it is worth it to step up to the 5D series.
For weddings and other critical-moment photography jobs, it's important to have backup. Currently, I have access to an additional Canon 6D which I can loan to take to jobs which need it. In the near future, I'll be looking at adding a Canon 6D Mark II or Canon 5D Mark IV after they've been launched, depending on whether I feel it is worth it to step up to the 5D series.
Primes
Primes are an important part of my kit. Whilst many people prefer shooting with zooms, I believe that primes offer unrivaled image quality and a unique look which is extremely pleasing and artistic.
The Sigma 35mm f/1.4 ART is an excellent moderate-wide lens. Its optics are first class and its build quality is acceptable. It's not as well built as the original Canon 35mm f/1.4L. Between the Sigma and the Canon, I would say that the Canon is superior for portraits, due to slightly stronger center sharpness and more pleasing bokeh and rendering. The Sigma is a higher contrast, warmer lens that delivers much more punch and kick. It's super sharp out to the edges, even wide open, though its bokeh and rendering are more neutral and less painterly than the Canon 35mm f/1.4L. I haven't tested the new Canon 35mm f/1.4L II, though I believe it to be better than both the old Canon 35mm f/1.4L and Sigma 35mm f/1.4 ART.
The Sigma 35mm f/1.4 ART is an excellent moderate-wide lens. Its optics are first class and its build quality is acceptable. It's not as well built as the original Canon 35mm f/1.4L. Between the Sigma and the Canon, I would say that the Canon is superior for portraits, due to slightly stronger center sharpness and more pleasing bokeh and rendering. The Sigma is a higher contrast, warmer lens that delivers much more punch and kick. It's super sharp out to the edges, even wide open, though its bokeh and rendering are more neutral and less painterly than the Canon 35mm f/1.4L. I haven't tested the new Canon 35mm f/1.4L II, though I believe it to be better than both the old Canon 35mm f/1.4L and Sigma 35mm f/1.4 ART.