As technical director at a media company I get asked a lot of camera related questions. One that I get most repeatedly is, “Why do you still shoot Nikon?”

Nikon F100 w/ 24mm f/2.8D. Shot with Nikon D810 w/ Sigma 50mm f/1.4DG

I went to school for motion picture film in 2008. My first DSLR I bought off a friend (Sahgia Silva) and it was a Sony A200. I sold my Sony VX2100 camcorder to get it. It was a good camera to get started on but after taking my first 35mm still photography class, I realized there was a whole world to learn in film. Soon after that class two of my close friends bought their own 35mm still cameras, Jesse Smith got his Canon AE1. A true classic manual SLR. And my other friend, Justin Yoast went a more modern route with the Nikon F100. Justin had done extensive research and determined the F100 (released in 1999) was a keen choice with its fast autofocus system and precise metering modes. I piggybacked off his researched and bought my own F100, used off BH Photo Video for around $100.

Camera Collection Circa 2016 shot with Ilford HP5 disposable camera.

For some time my F100 took a backseat as I worked for Automobile Magazine. There, my primary camera was a Canon 5DMK3. I eventually purchased a Canon EOS 3 to accompany it. But the EOS 3 to me never had the same feel as the F100. With its adjustable diopter, magnesium alloy body, and the wide range of affordable glass, in my mind the Nikon 35mm couldn’t be beat.

Ellie Voelker in Grand Rapids, MI. Ilford HP5 shot with Nikon F100 and Nikon 50mm f/1.4G

So, I finally upgraded glass for the F100 and purchased a Nikon 50mm f/1.4G. This was the shift I needed. When I left Automobile Magazine, I jumped shipped on Canon as well. And so did my wife, Ellie. She had a Canon 5DMK2 and was in need of an upgrade. We sold off everything Canon and purchased two Nikon D810 bodies, a 24-70mm f/2.8, a 24mm f/2.8D, and a Sigma 150mm f/2.8.

Nikon D810 w/ vert grip and Sigma 50mm f/1.4DG. Shot with Nikon D810 w/ Nikon 50mm f/1.4G

I’m a fan of using prime lenses. They’re fast, compact, and tend to be more affordable than a comparable zoom. Being an automotive photographer I really just need a wide, portrait, and telephoto lens. Hence, the 24mm, 50mm, and 150mm. Ellie was hooked on her 24-70mm until one day she took my advice and borrowed the 50mm f/1.4G. After, I asked her how her shoot went. To which she replied, “this is my lens now.” So, I sold the 24-70 and got myself a Sigma 50mm f/1.4DG. Not to be confused with their newer “Art Series” lenses. I prefer this older model, as it’s still a 9 blade aperture but has a much shorter overall length.

This might also be a good time to point out that I don’t buy new gear. My D810 I got off a facebook group, it came with the vert grip and only had 300 shutter actuations when I purchased it for $1800 in 2017. That Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG, was found in the BH used department for $250. Same goes for my 24mm f/2.8D, and the Sigma 150mm f/2.8. That’s what I really love about Nikon, there’s a wealth of great lenses out there and you can find them for great prices…if you know what you’re looking for.

If the F100 is the reason I fell into the Nikon rabbit hole, the N90s is why I stayed. In my mind this is one of the most underrated cameras of all time. It’s fast, light, and reliable. Run any Nikon D series lens and enjoy full manual control or the amazing capability of its aperture and shutter priority modes. Oh yea, and it has a pretty killer autofocus system as well.

Cinestill 800T shot with Nikon N90s and Nikon 50mm f/1.8D. Scanned with Nikon D810 and Nikon 60mm f/2.8 Micro

I really got into the N90s when I started to develop and scan my own film. Hence, the 60mm f/2.8 Micro lens. I purchased that lens so I could scan my film with my D810. But it has earned its way to being a lens I shoot daily. Even on high end projects. It’s an amazing lightweight macro lens, especially for $180.

My camera collection is always in flux and is certainly not limited to Nikon. Though my next digital phase might be to sell one of my D810’s to make way for a Nikon Z7. Time will tell.

Pixel and my Nikon N90s w/ 60mm f/2.8 Micro. Shot with Nikon D810 w/ Sigma 50mm f/1.4DG

The best camera advice I can give anyone is that whatever camera you buy, just make sure it’s something you’ll always have with you. By that I mean, if your camera sits on a shelf because it’s “too nice” or “too big” to bring out the bar or wherever your day takes you, then it’s not the right camera for you.

For me, any camera I buy must be able to be shot while riding on the back of a motorcycle. And most of mine have been.

Why I shoot Nikon