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Danie Bester posted in the group Photo Gear Talk
I’ve always preached that the magic of photography lies with the photographer, not the gear. Recently, a DPC student who wanted to give back blessed me with a bounty of Sony equipment, including some legendary Batis Sonnar lenses. This was one of the biggest miracles I’ve experienced, especially as my trusty Canon EOS R began showing its age.
Faced with a crossroads—sell these lenses to invest more into the Canon ecosystem or switch things up and adapt my Canon tilt-shift lenses to a Sony body using an adapter. Having shot with Canon for nearly two decades and amassed a decent collection of Canon Tilt-Shift lenses, the idea of switching brands was frightening. However, the fact that you can use Canon lenses on Sony with very capable adapters, but not vice versa, made my decision both easier and justifiable.
I’m now shooting with the Sony a7R V, and I haven’t been this thrilled with a camera in years. It’s a beast in terms of versatility. Despite being heavily impressed by the 60MP sensor and the insane image quality and details, I was very concerned about the super large RAW files. However, I quickly adapted by using medium RAW or switching to APS-C mode when needed.I recently tried out the Nikon Z8 and instantly fell in love with it. The R6 Mark II has been a strong contender to replace my EOS R. Although Fujifilm’s systems have always been my dependable backup, they don’t offer full frame sensors and tilt-shift lenses. Over the years, I’ve tested and shot with some of the best cameras from all the major brands and having taught with many different cameras, I can assure you that there are no bad cameras among the top offerings. Still, the Sony a7R V ticks all the right boxes for me.
And a big shoutout to my intern, Albertus van Jaarsveld, for these photos of me and my new camera.
About Me
Danie Bester
DPC Founder, Programme Director. Fine Art and Commercial Photographer
The more abstract forms of photography like impressionism and minimalism intrigue me. I prefer creating images that depict energy, mood, and silence. To illustrate my themes, I use mainly long exposures, selective focus, and focus blur. My philosophy is that the camera is just a paintbrush and that thought-provoking images stem from a developed mind.
Admired in Africa Grandmaster Award 2018
Art and Artists in Sout Africa 2015
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Monochrome Visions 2024 | Black and White Photography Theme
- 6 November 2024
Choosing the Best Memory Card for Your Camera
- 30 July 2024
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