Gear Update (Final!)

When I bought into the Nikon Z system after leaving Fujifilm 18 months ago, I knew that I wanted to build the best system that I could for the photography I do. This of course, now includes weddings, portraits and events as part of my work, as well as my fun photography with the family, the groups I run and the times that I want to go out and just chill taking photographs. The final part of my gear acquisition (for a long time) is now complete.

After using my various flashes, I knew there was a gap for a small, but powerful TTL flash. Recently I bought the tiny Godox IM22 that I mentioned in a previous update, and although I played with that in a recent wedding, I found the fact that it was not TTL or high speed sync compatible to be a little limiting for those situations.

Flash – (Ahhhh-ahhhh)

After much deliberation I decided upon the Godox TT350N flash, which will be primarily used on my Nikon ZF. It is like a mini Godox TT685N, with almost all the same features, just half the size and weight. Although not as powerful as the TT685, this flash will not generally be used outside with large groups of people or with long lenses, and it has more than enough power for portrait shoots and indoor shoots.

I am really looking forward to using the TT350N. I have done a few test shots, and it surprised me with its power. The only thing I need to do now is buy some AA Energiser 2300mah rechargeable batteries (this unit takes 2) to go with the 4 that I use with my TT685N.

More lenses?

While at the camera store, the TT350N was going to be my only purchase, however, there was too much of a bargain in front of me to turn down, and I ended up buying the Nikon Z 50mm F/1.4 lens!

My trio of ultra-fast lenses is now complete, with the Nikkor Z 35mm F/1.4, this Nikkor Z 50mm F/1.4 and the Viltrox Z 85mm F/1.8. I recently wrote about how important these lenses are to me and my photography for low light and depth of field use, which you can read here.

I had been thinking about the 50mm focal length for a long time. As many of my long term readers may recall, 50mm is not my favourite focal length. I hated it when I had DSLR’s, I hated the equivalents on my Fujifilm cameras and it has always been a lens that for me is typically not wide enough, or long enough. However, things have changed. Typically now I shoot weddings, events and portraits with a 35mm on my Nikon ZF and an 85mm on my Nikon Z6ii. Sometimes, there are places where either the 35mm is not long enough, or the 85mm is too long, therefore, the 50mm will be a perfect lens to fill that gap.

I have not tested the lens yet, but by all accounts it is pretty amazing, so stay tuned for me using the lens and giving you my feedback.

Conclusion

I have to say, my lens collection is the strongest it has ever been, and every single lens has its use, whether it is for work, play, family, portraits, macro, architecture etc, I have the lens I want for each thing.

A future blog will go through each lens in detail so you can see exactly what I use it for. Currently, my “About” section does a brief of this, but I want to take it one step further and make it much more in-depth. I also want to explain why I have the 35mm, 40mm and 50mm, as it all seems very tight and not much difference (but there is, and there is a reason – for me).

I also want to explain why my “wide” end (lenses below 24mm) is pretty sparse compared to when I was with Nikon in years gone by, and of course Fujifilm, but that is for another day!

As always, comments are welcome.