My Camera Gear For 2023 + Landscape Travel Photography Channel Update - ft. Nikon Z50

[@SimonBurnCreative]

I'm taking my channel back to it's roots, so here's a quick channel update, chat about my gear for 2023... maybe a little gear rant too. 😁

[@To_Aravindan]

Nice Video. what are the lens are u uisng with Z50

[@SimonBurnCreative]

@@To_Aravindan It's a cheap Chines manual lens I got on Amazon. It doesn't have a brand name. There is a video clip of it's box in the video.

[@jbairdexp]

I love a good rant! :-) Cracking images BTW.

[@SimonBurnCreative]

😅 😎 Cheers Julian!

[@BasicBeemer]

I'm glad your channel is going 'back to its roots' !!!

[@SimonBurnCreative]

😊

[@timday]

Thankful of the KZbin algorithm to bring you back - there are a few folk I’ve seemed to have missed re-subbing to after my restart. 100% with every word you say, this quote I spotted once online has always stuck with me “professional cameras only exist for non-professionals”.

[@SimonBurnCreative]

Hey Tim, there you are! Hope you're keeping well, will have to check out some of your new content, looks like we've both been quiet of late. Love that quote!

[@DGriffGallery]

Welcome back, mate! 😊👍

[@SimonBurnCreative]

😊 Hope to be in the UK for a couple of weeks in March or April, hope we can meet up.

[@DGriffGallery]

@@SimonBurnCreative Definitely! *clears calendar* 😁👍

[@davidskinner274]

Separation... I teach it to newbies too

[@Twa-Dags]

Absolutely agree about the whole "best" camera thing, my z6 is pretty much everything I need and I hope to slim down to a much easier 2 lens landscape kit with a 50mm 1.8 for street. I'm fairly sure I'm one of those landscape photographers who prefer gloomy desaturated photography but there's definitely room for all styles. Good to see you back in the vlogging saddle again.

[@SimonBurnCreative]

Hey Mikey, thanks for dropping by! I do believe the Z6 is an iconic camera, one of the best Nikon has made, because it's such a versatile camera with amazing dynamic range and low light capability. The sensor size and colour science allows for impressive video too. I will be pursuing saturated contrasty transparency film look images this year, but also desaturated and even black and white images with very limited dynamic range too. Variety is the spice of life!

[@SammySantiagoIrizarry]

Excellent Video Simon. And well said on the gear talk.

[@SimonBurnCreative]

Thank you!

[@davidskinner274]

Agree on the gear opinions

[@GingerCaptures]

Hi Simon, a nice chat there in a wonderful location, look forward to seeing more of you this year 📷👍🏻

[@SimonBurnCreative]

Thank you Sir! 🙏

[@StuMcMillan]

Nice one Simon. That looked like a lovely place you were walking through. Looking forward to the book of the Comino. Are you planning on doing a few videos on the process of choosing the images for the book and of the arrangement?

[@SimonBurnCreative]

Thanks Stuart. It's my local woodland, pretty in the snow, but not very interesting photographically the rest of the year. I hadn't thought of doing any videos about the book, no. Now you mention it, I will give it some thought and I find a way to do something. 🙂

[@davidskinner274]

I think I might like your point of view and upcoming work,.Simon. That makes 3 Simon B's from the UK I follow now. Found you on your post on Lets Create. Cheers from down under.

[@SimonBurnCreative]

Hey, thanks David, happy you found your way here, a good bunch that Let's Create lot. I guess there are lots of Simon Bs in the UK, lol.

[@richardmugridge4142]

Great to walk around with you Simon I love how carrying a camera on walks keeps me in the moment and present. That 'Fuji' filter took me back to my early twenties when I was processing colour film in the lab. It absolutely is a step back into the past. I agree it's not specifically the gear that makes a great shot its being there and being fully immersed in the environment that is almost entirely the trick. Loved the video, keep up the good work, happy shooting !!

[@SimonBurnCreative]

Cheers mate. Yup, simple things, free of too much tech, can be better for creativity.

[@barryupjohn8258]

Great Video Simon! So much common sense! I'm currently looking to upgrade my old gear to one of these new mirror less cameras, and boy what a minefield! Your video puts it all into perspective. I had thought about the Z50 and will now go down that path, mainly due to your comments. Couple of questions. Did you do the video using the Z50 or another camera? How long do you get from the battery shooting video on the Z50? What happens if you get a flat battery whilst out in the wild? Again thanks for a great video.

[@SimonBurnCreative]

Hi Barry, I made the video with a GoPro. I typically take my Z50 out for the day, and very often don't need to change to a second battery. It depends on how much you shoot. Video takes up more battery power, I only ever have one spare with me and have never run into a problem. The Z50 doesn't have in-camera stabilization, but the kit lenses do.

[@evolvingphotons]

I do enjoy hearing your thoughts and also reaction to some of the guff around photography. Just wait someone will start doing camera-jazzles to make them more of a lifestyle accessory..... (sorry for that image)

[@SimonBurnCreative]

Thanks Justyn! I bet someone would make a lot of money blinging up cameras with some jazzles 😆

[@laurelb8372]

Stumbled on your channel, and funnily enough about to take a trip and have been in a quandary choosing between my Z7 & Z50. Weight a big issue in senior years. Was thinking I would be disappointed with images from Z50. Comes down to enjoying the journey. Thank you for a great video.

[@SimonBurnCreative]

Hi Laurel, I love my Z50 for travel, but i do like fast lenses for shooting in low light, to avoid cranking up the ISO too much, as grain is more noticeable than the full frame Z cameras. I shoot up to 899 ISO max typically. With a fast little prime, I have very few issues with final image quality. Cheers.

[@raytickle9657]

Excellent , it's good to see you back Simon , i totally agree on the gear points you make i went with the Z7 and i dont see me using anything else ( touch wood) for at least the next 5 years , i'm just using 3 lenses too now , two primes for weddings and portraits and a wide zoom for landscapes .. Anyway good luck with the plans for the channel this year and and i'm looking forward to seeing what you put out :) .

[@SimonBurnCreative]

Cheers Ray, appreciate the kind words. Z7, an incredible camera too, should be good for many many more years of use. 👍🙂

[@BernardBrunet]

Hahahaha. Made a mistake and commented on another video of yours about this one, and now I can’t find it! Anyway agreed with you, unfortunately I’m down this rabbit hole myself at the moment. Looking forward for your next one Simon.

[@SimonBurnCreative]

No worries, the KZbin algorithm thanks you! Keep well Bernie,

[@keithpinn152]

Hi Simon: I enjoyed watching your video and your views on camera equipment. I do have a somewhat different viewpoint on equipment. To me, the investment has to be in good quality glass and the camera body is somewhat secondary. After all, good glass will last whereas camera bodies can change often. I enjoyed seeing the area that you were walking around in. I live in Barrie, and I must admit I am running out of interesting locations to hike around. Where were you walking? It looked to me to be in the Jokers Hill area of Newmarket. Keep well. Cheers, Keith

[@SimonBurnCreative]

Hi Keith. Yes, good glass is important, I do agree with you. I am enjoying the cheap glass because I like the weight factor, the durability, when travelling, especially backpacking trips. I'm in the Uxbridge area, lots of trails around there. I'm also spending time in Muskoka these days. Southern Ontario doesn't have many exciting locations to photography, unless you spend hours driving, so a few 2-day trips are on the cards I think.

[@CraigNiesenPhotography]

Simon, excellent video and very inspiring. I have to admit that I've been lacking the drive to get and photograph or video of late. I agree that does not matter as much as the person using said gear. It's great to see you out in the field and enjoying a hike. Thank you for sharing. Peace and Safe Travels

[@SimonBurnCreative]

Appreciate the kind words Craig, thank you! Part of the problem for me has been to effort to carry lots of gear around, and time involved to set up etc., when I want to go out into nature or travel for fun. That created lack of drive. Take care.

[@JamesRBurnsVLOG]

I definitely have a preference for the moody fine art approach! Is still be using my Go Pro 9 if it wasn’t so feckin unreliable and turning off with plenty power still on the battery! I love the cheap lens approach as there’s something quite raw about them which allows the image making much more fun. All good Simon looking forward to more

[@SimonBurnCreative]

Cheer James, I love the moody unsaturated stuff too, there's no bias here, as you will discover! 😊 Yes, a cheap lens, often with imperfections, and manual focus, can transport you back to simpler times and is certainly proving to be fun.

[@johnhal1]

I've just come across your channel. It's very refreshing to hear your thoughts about gear. Sanity at last. I haven't used a camera for years. Everything has changed so much, especially with the introduction of ai. In some ways, it's a bit overwhelming. I think a small camera might suit me better. I like the colours one gets from Nikon's colour system. Aside from that, I haven't decided on a camera yet.

[@SimonBurnCreative]

Thanks for the note John! Yes, a lot has changed but a small entry level camera is all most of us need. I love the Z50, but watch the news as Nikon are due to release another camera or two over the coming months. A friend of mine just got a Z5 and it's a really good camera. It's still possible to keep photography simple. Cheers!

[@rogerwalton8160]

Thanks for an interesting vlog. As for film-looks, I use a fuji (x`t3) and the film looks are all available at the click of a button. It's great.

[@SimonBurnCreative]

XT3, nice. I was tempted with that camera. If Nikon didn't exist, i'd shooting on Fuji. I've now created Fuji Velvia custom presets, so one click for me too! 😅

[@LeePelling]

Enjoyed this one mate and i agree gear is generally not the answer to improving your photography , in the main. I have fallen for this in the past and been through the whole GAS thing with gear. The best way to improve is get out and shoot more , make the most of the gear you have and only when the gear is the limitation it may be time to invest. I have not looked at the dehancer plug in yet as i am still busy DIY_ing sadly so thats taking up lots of time but i hope to be able to look at it soon. Some nice images throughout with your cheap lens , just goes to prove the point. Look forward to seeing more from you , take care mate.

[@SimonBurnCreative]

Cheers Lee, wise words there mate, about only buying new gear if you've reached your limits with your existing gear. Hope you get a chance to check out Dehancer, it's not for everyone, but it ticks all the editing boxes for me anyway. 🙂

[@nevillewatkins4997]

I'm with you on that Simon. I've never seen the point of the latest and greatest when my old Fuji looks just as good, to my eye. The only way you'll ever see any difference is in the skill of the composition, and that's not the camera. I'll be sticking around anyway. 😊

[@SimonBurnCreative]

Very true Neville. I have a feeling many of us will be going back in time with our gear. Togs are already shooting film again. I think it's like collecting vinyl records, we like the nostalgia of the experience and aesthetic. Thanks for sticking around!😊

[@nevillewatkins4997]

@@SimonBurnCreative Funny you should mention that... 😄

[@SimonBurnCreative]

@@nevillewatkins4997 😎

[@ChrisPattonPhotography]

Nice video Simon I've just bought the hero 11 to re ignite my passion for vlogging while out hiking. I just got fed up of carrying two dslrs and associated lens/gear, the weight was really spoiling my hikes and therefore my photography. Did a hike around Malham this week and was really impressed with the performance of the go pro, just putting the vlog together. Totally agree with you it's about being able to enjoy the hike rather than having all the best gear.

[@SimonBurnCreative]

Hey Chris, it's certainly looking like the Hero 11 has really improved in image quality, over my old hero 7 anyway. You are correct, the freedom it offers is incredible to carrying two cameras and all the gear that goes with that. I'm doing long distance hikes these days, so it's been interesting trying to figure out a system with minimal weight. Will look out for your vlogs!

[@neilcole3406]

Think you should get a Fuji camera if you like film like results!

[@SimonBurnCreative]

It's hard to teach an old dog new tricks 😎

[@GrlGmr]

I’ve been using an old D3300 for years and years and am still getting great results with it but I’ve been tossing up about getting a z50 and you’ve helped make my mind up about it. I’m only a hobbyist and a bit of a bird nerd so do you think it will still be fine for basic bird/wildlife photos?

[@SimonBurnCreative]

Glad to have helped! The Z50 is a wonderful camera, possibly not the best choice for fast-paced action photography though, as there is a shutter lag/blackout. It's not necessarily a deal-breaker though.

[@TiBozzerGames]

I shot with a z50 too 😊

[@SimonBurnCreative]

👍 🙂

[@chris_sparrows]

Interesting you're using a less sophisticated camera just so you can create more, I've been doing the same and using my phone more for that same reason. Plus if my camera is in the video, it's hard to do dual duty. Whatever makes it easier to create is the way.

[@SimonBurnCreative]

Less gear, and less tech to consider, is allowing for more creativity, for sure.

[@neilcole3406]

Give a cheap camera to good photographer, they will always get the better shot than the person with the most expensive gear!

[@SimonBurnCreative]

A message that needs to be spread, forget the latest gear, focus on how you see the world. 🙂