Going mirrorless

In with the mirrorless, out with the DSLR.

Camera manufacturers are trying to assure us they have no plans to discontinue DSLRs. With good reason; if loyal customers suspect that all their expensive gear will soon be obsolete, they may think it's a good time to switch brands. But it’s becoming obvious: if you want to keep up, sooner or later going mirrorless is inevitable. And it won’t be cheap.

Fortunately, some of the entry level kits aren't insanely expensive (relatively speaking). After a bit of research, I decided the diminutive Nikon Z50 would be a good mirrorless jumping-in-point and furthermore, a suitable replacement for my aging travel camera; a Nikon D3200, the first DSLR I owned which is now begging for retirement.

So I washed a few cars, sold some lemonade and bought a kit that included two tailor-made lenses: 16-50mm and 50-250mm. On a DX camera like the Z50, the latter extends to an effective focal length of 375mm, not one I often use in my style of photography. We needed to get acquainted so I turned to an entertaining pair of test subjects, who live not too far away.

The neighbour’s cats: Episode 1.

I spot something.

She spots something.

Did it go in here?

I see you. Come here godamit.

Got it.

Bring it over here would you.

I'm looking forward to taking this camera on its first trip. In the meantime, the world will always need to see more pictures of cats. That's why the internet was invented after all.