Julian Lennon as a photographer

For many, his name may sound familiar—yes, he is the first son of John Lennon.

He ventured into music years ago, but now he's showcasing his work as a photographer.

You can enjoy some of his photos in this article.

Wow! His photos are so beautiful!

The History of Mirrorless Cameras

For sure you will be surprised to know who released what could be considered the first Mirrorless Interchangeble-lens Camera or MILC. 

The first mirrorless camera was the Epson R-D1, introduced in 2004. It was a digital rangefinder camera and is considered the first commercially available mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera (MILC). The camera used Leica M-mount lenses and was unique in its design, blending digital technology with a classic rangefinder experience.

Shortly after, in 2008, Panasonic released the Lumix DMC-G1, which was the first digital camera explicitly marketed as a "mirrorless" camera. It used the Micro Four Thirds system, developed in collaboration with Olympus, and marked the beginning of the modern era of mirrorless cameras.

But what about the Big players? 

Sony released its first mirrorless camera, the Sony Alpha NEX-3, in May 2010. The NEX-3 was part of the Sony NEX series, which used the Sony E-mount system and APS-C sensors, offering DSLR-quality images in a compact form factor.

Nikon released its first mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera (MILC), the Nikon 1 J1, in September 2011. This camera was part of the Nikon 1 series, which used the Nikon CX format with a 1-inch sensor. The Nikon 1 J1, along with the Nikon 1 V1 (released at the same time), featured a fast autofocus system and high-speed continuous shooting, targeting both beginner and enthusiast photographers.

Canon entered the mirrorless camera market later, with the release of the Canon EOS M in July 2012. The EOS M was Canon's first mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera, using the new EF-M mount and an APS-C sensor. This model was designed to appeal to users looking for a compact camera with DSLR-like capabilities, though it received mixed reviews due to its slow autofocus performance at the time.

What is the best RF lens for Portrait?

To illustrate the answer to this question, I’m linking a video from James Reader below. But first, let me share some of my thoughts after watching it.

Owning all the lenses shown in the video could easily cost you between $10,000 and $15,000. All of these lenses are Canon L-series, which represent the top of the line in Canon's lens offerings. If you’re not familiar with the 'L' designation, it signifies Canon's highest quality lenses.

While you don’t need all of these lenses, videos like this can help you decide on the look you're aiming for.

In my experience, the best focal length for portraits is somewhere between 50mm and 85mm. Many photographers opt for the 70-200mm f/2.8 lens because it covers the 80mm range and works well for events where you need to maintain some distance from your subjects. Personally, I use the EF 70-200mm L for outdoor events and my 85mm (non-L version) for indoor events. A 24-70mm lens is also handy for indoor shoots when you need to capture both the subject and the surrounding environment. 

Enjoy the video.

Not everyone is happy...

Not everyone is happy with Canon's new cameras, the R1 and the R5 Mark II. Here, you can read what photographer Illya Ovchar thinks about these two models.

While the Canon R1 and R5 Mark II undoubtedly bring some interesting features to the table, they don't represent the game-changing advancements that many of us were hoping for. The incremental improvements and high price points make them less appealing for photographers who are already well-equipped with previous models. The reality is that in the world of photography, there haven't been any truly "bad" cameras for over a decade. What matters more than having the latest gear is mastering the tools you already have and focusing on the craft of photography itself. So, before you get caught up in the hype and feel the urge to upgrade, consider whether these new releases genuinely offer something that will transform your work—or if they're just another marketing push designed to empty your wallet.

Here is one important point, the R5 Mark II has a stacked sensor which makes a huge difference for wildlife, sport or any action photography. Other than that, a wedding photographer will not notice any substantial difference between the R5 and R5 Mark II, not to pay the huge difference in price. 

The story behind this picture

I was out walking the other day, searching for good photo opportunities, when I rounded a tree and suddenly heard a call. Before I knew it, a beautiful Red-Shouldered Hawk was flying right toward me.

Taken using R6 Mark I w/EF100-400L.

;

Normally, I have my R6 set to C1, which I've configured for Aperture Priority. I didn't have time to react and switch it to C3, which is set for Shutter Priority—the best setting for birds in flight. That's why the picture isn't as sharp as it could be.

I've noticed that birds of prey often fly directly toward you when they're disturbed. It's almost like they're telling you to back off!

Luck is something that you always will need

That's right, bird photography is like hunting or fishing. There's no guarantee you'll find the bird you're looking for or capture the shot you’re hoping to take.

Patience is a virtue

Patience is a virtue and you really need that in wildlife photography. May be that is the reason why I never have been that close to a kingfisher. 

Kingfisher in flight

Kingfishers are birds I’ve struggled to photograph up close. This morning, I finally managed to snap a few shots of one in flight. Although the photos are a bit distant, capturing this moment made my day.

Taken using a Canon R6 w/EF100-400L

  

Taken using a Canon R6 w/EF100-400L

Canon R6 Mark II for Bird Photography

 For those interested or thinking about buying the Canon R6 Mark II for Bird Photography for sure would love to hear  what Jan Wegener, Australian Bird Photographer, has to say about this camera. 

The Canon R6 Mark II is one of my favorite cameras on the market. It surpasses the R6 Mark I in many ways, offering a 24 MP resolution that I consider a sweet spot. At this resolution, the files are manageable in size and don't require an overly powerful laptop to edit.. 

Todays panorama

 This is a panorama that I created today. Cloudy days are the best for landscape photography.

Pictures taken with a Canon R6 w/EF100-400L.

Click the picture to appreciate all the details.

Shadows and lights

 This is what is photography about, a dance between shadows and lights. 

Taken with a Canon R6 w/EF100-400L.

Rainy Day...

 Even in a rainy day you can end with nice pictures.

Taken using a Canon R6 Mark I with EF100-400L.

The Best Canon Mirrorless Cameras for Wildlife and Sport Photography

In this article I will do my best to create a list of Canon cameras that I believe are ideal for wildlife and sports photography. I'll also share my personal recommendations based on my experience and specific needs.

• Canon EOS R1, Recommended for Professionals Only, Full Frame, 24.2 MP back illuminated stacked sensor, New ($6299), Used (),  Expected to be released in Nov 2024. Canon Flagship. The overall opinion is that this is the best Canon Camera that money can buy but the differences between this camera and the R3 are not substantial and most photographers would probably buy the R3 and save almost $2000. Big and Heavy. Uses a new Digic Accelerator ship optimized to minimize rolling shutter, and enables up to 40 fps with the electronic shutter. Dual Card Slot. Includes Action Priority, a new feature that allows to enhance AF when used at Sport Events. Includes Eye Control. Includes In Body Stabilization.Good Low Light Performance. 40 FPS in Electronic Mode.It uses a different battery than the R5, R6 and R7: LP-E19. No Rolling Shutter. Full weather sealed.
• Canon EOS R3, Recommended for Professionals, Full Frame, 24.1 MP back illuminated stacked sensor, New ($4499), Used ($4000), before the release of the R1 this was Canon's Flagship. Big and Heavy. Dual Card Slot. Includes Eye Control but it's not as sophisticated as the one used in the new R1 and R5 Mark II.  Includes In Body Stabilization. Good Low Light Performance. 30 FPS in Electronic Mode. It uses a different battery than the R5, R6 and R7: LP-E19. No Rolling Shutter. Full weather sealed.
• Canon EOS R5 Mark I, Recommended if you do not want or can't pay for the R5 Mark II. Full Frame, 45 MP non stacked sensor , Hard to find New ($2999), Used ($2480), Dual Card Slot: CFexpress and SD Card. CFexpress are the faster cards available and this will add an extra cost if you decide to buy this camera. Includes In Body Stabilization. Good Low Light Performance. 20 FPS in Electronic Mode. Very low  Rolling Shutter. No fully weather sealed.
• Canon EOS R5 Mark II, Recommended, Full Frame, 45 MP back illuminated stacked sensor, New ($4299), No available Used (), Uses a new Digic Accelerator ship optimized to minimize rolling shutter, and enables up to 30 fps with the electronic shutter. Dual Card Slot: CFexpress and SD Card. CFexpress are the faster cards available and this will add an extra cost if you decide to buy this camera. Uses a new type of battery LP-E6P that will add cost if you buy this camera. The old battery LP-E6NH used in R5, R6, R7 will still work with some limitations. Includes Action Priority, a new feature that allows to enhance AF when used at Sport Events. Includes Eye Control. Includes In Body Stabilization. Good Low Light Performance but reports indicate that the R5 Mark I performs better. 30 FPS in Electronic Mode. No Rolling Shutter.  No fully weather sealed.
• Canon EOS R6 Mark I, A good option if you do not want to pay for the R6 Mark II or the R5 Mark II. Full Frame, 20.1 MP non stacked sensor , Hard to find New ($1799), Used ($1499). This is the camera that I'm currently using. Dual Card Slot using SD Cards. Includes In Body Stabilization. Good Low Light Performance. 20 FPS in Electronic Mode. It uses the LP-E6NH Battery. Some  Rolling Shutter. No fully weather sealed.
• Canon EOS R6 Mark II, Recommended, Full Frame, 24.1 MP non stacked sensor , New ($1999), Used ($2029-$1949), Dual Card Slot. Includes In Body Stabilization. Good Low Light Performance. Auto Focus in this camera is more sophisticated than the one included in the R6 Mark I. 30 FPS in Electronic Mode. It uses the LP-E6NH Battery. Very low Rolling Shutter. No fully weather sealed. 
• Canon EOS R7, Recommended for Beginners and Amateurs, Crop Sensor, 32.5 MP non stacked sensor, New ($1399), Used ($1159), Dual Card Slot: Both SD Cards. Includes In Body Stabilization. Low Light Performance is not as good as the other cameras included in this list. Suffers from a heavy Rolling Shutter. It uses the LP-E6NH Battery. No fully weather sealed.
• Canon EOS R8, Recommended for Beginners and Amateurs, Full Frame, 24.2 MP non stacked sensor, New ($1299), Used ($1174), Single Card Slot, this is a negative point. Does not Include In Body Stabilization. Good Low Light Performance.Uses LP-E17 Canon Battery, smaller battery than the rest of the R cameras. Does not have a joystick in the back of the camera, a feature that help a lot in your image composition. Very low Rolling Shutter. No fully weather sealed.

Please note that there are other Canon mirrorless cameras on the market that are not included in my list. The reason for their exclusion is that their characteristics and features make them less suitable for wildlife and sports photography. However, this does not mean they are bad cameras; in fact, they may be ideal for other types of photography, such as portrait, family, landscape, or travel photography. 

In the Canon R ecosystem, the lower is the number, the better is the camera (E.g. R1 is the flagship, R8 is considered a Beginner camera).

Important Features for Wildlife and Sport Photography:

• In Body Stabilization. This is a very important point if you are using a lens that does not include stabilization or you are shooting without using a tripod.
  
• Dual Card Slot. Keep in mind that those cameras using CFExpress will add an extra cost to the initial price to pay for the camera. Keep in mind that Canon cameras do not include memory cards in the box.
• Low Light Performance.  While this point is important we need to say that this can be remediated by using Noise Reduction Software such as DXO PureRaw and Topaz Denoise.
  
• Auto Focus (AF) features and speed. 
• Staked Sensor, this feature will resolve Rolling Shutter issue when shutting in Electronic Shutter Mode. 
• Maximum FPS in Burst Mode. Useful when shooting fast action such as Birds in Flight.
  
• Sensor Format, Full Frame or Crop Sensor. Crop Sensors will give you an extra reach if you are using a full frame lens. They are also cheaper than Full Frame cameras. Full Frame cameras will perform better in low light and usually will give you better image quality. 
• Picture Resolution in Megapixels (MP). A higher resolution does not mean better images but having a higher resolution will give you more room to crop your image in post editing. Higher resolution results in more time in post processing and the need of more storage space to keep your files. If you are not cropping a lot I would say that 24 Megapixels the sweet spot.
  
• Weather sealing.
  

Summary

 As you can see, I’ve recommended the Canon R6 Mark II, R5 Mark II, R3, and R1. For those starting out, the R6 Mark II is my top pick. If you’re looking to save some money, the original R6 (used) is a solid choice. Typically, you’ll find that previous versions of any camera come at a more affordable price than the latest release. Once you’re confident that photography is a hobby you want to pursue, upgrading to the R6 Mark II would be a smart move.

If your budget allows, starting with the R5 Mark II is a fantastic option, especially if you're interested in wildlife or sports photography. The R3 and R1, with their higher price points, are ideal for professionals who rely on their cameras to make a living.

The R7 and R8 are good cameras, but they don’t quite match the power of the others in this lineup. While they’ll get the job done, you might soon find yourself wanting more, leading to an upgrade to the R6 or R5.

For those considering the used market, buying from eBay is an option if you want to pay the lowest price possible, but it does come with certain risks. I prefer companies like MPB or KEH, which offer a 6-month warranty on any used camera. When you purchase a camera from them labeled as "Like New" or "Excellent," you’re likely to get a camera in excellent condition, tested by their expert teams.

Lastly, the most important thing: go outside and enjoy your camera, whichever one you choose from my list. That’s what truly matters.

What can you do to protect your camera when traveling?

If you’re traveling with a DSLR or mirrorless camera, it's natural to be concerned—they're expensive, and may attract thieves. So, how can you protect your investment?

This video offers a few helpful tips.

Can you use the RF 50mm f/1.8 for wedding photography?

 The RF 50mm f1.8 is one of the cheapest lens you can buy. Would you shoot a wedding using this lens? 

According to Taylor Jackson, you could and your pictures would not be that bad.

I own the lens and while it’s not the sharpest lens, it’s not that bad. In fact, If you change the aperture to f/2.8 your pictures are going to be decent pictures and sharper than using f/1.8. 

Nikon Z6 III vs Sony a7 IV vs Canon R6 II

In the video below, Tony and Chelsea Northrup compare these three cameras, highlighting both the pros and cons.

Choosing a camera in today’s market can be challenging. It ultimately comes down to how you plan to use the camera you select—that’s the decisive factor.

Real World Experience

This photographer used the R5M2 and the R1 during the Olympics and shared his experience with these cameras here.

Happy World Photography Day!

 Today, August 19th we celebrate the World Photography Day!

It takes place on this day to commemorate the French government's declaration of the patent for the invention. This day celebrates photographers and their craft, the process of documenting memories, and the opportunity to learn about other people and cultures through the medium of photography.

Shooting Raw

In simple terms, a RAW file is a format used by camera manufacturers to save images with the maximum amount of detail captured by the sensor, particularly in the shadows and highlights. RAW files are not commonly used on websites or for other practical purposes because of their large file size. Essentially, a RAW file is considered an unfinished image that requires post-processing to bring out its full potential. After editing, RAW files are typically converted into JPEGs for easier use and sharing.

That said, should you be shooting in RAW? The simple answer is no, unless you plan to post-edit those images. Most modern cameras include profiles that allow you to produce JPEGs with in-camera editing, which will satisfy the needs of most users.

Professional photographers shoot in RAW but spend many hours in post-editing to deliver refined images saved as JPEGs for their clients. They often keep the RAW files as a backup, allowing them to reprocess the images if the clients are not satisfied with the initial edits. This workflow requires professional photographers to invest in costly storage solutions. On the other hand, amateur or hobbyist photographers typically have no need for the RAW files once they have been edited and converted to JPEG, especially since most major flaws are corrected in the final JPEGs.

Shooting RAW is not a social statement; it's a necessity that not everyone who owns a camera understands or requires. 

I got lucky this weekend

 This weekend, I photographed a Speckled Pigeon— a bird I never expected to see in Florida.

 

Normally, this pigeon is found in Africa, so it seems likely that it either escaped from a private owner or a zoo. It's a beautiful bird, isn't it?

Understanding Manual Mode in Photography

If you're aiming to shoot in Manual Mode, it's important to know that this is the only mode where you have full control over the "exposure triangle"—Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO. While the concept of a triangle might seem confusing, mastering these three settings will allow you to take well-exposed photos in any situation. Don't worry if the theory feels a bit overwhelming; with practice, you'll be able to shoot in Manual Mode with ease. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

1. Switch to Manual Mode: First, set your camera’s mode dial to "M" for Manual.

2. Learn Your Camera's Controls: Refer to your camera’s manual to find out which dials control Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO in Manual Mode.

3. Start with Aperture (Av):

   • Aperture controls the amount of light entering the camera. Indoors, use the lowest aperture number (widest opening) to let in more light.
   • Outdoors, you can experiment with different aperture settings, but for now, start with the lowest number available.

4. Set Your Shutter Speed (Tv):

   • Shutter Speed determines how long the camera’s sensor is exposed to light, affecting motion blur. For static subjects, a lower shutter speed is fine.
   • For moving subjects, increase the shutter speed to a range of 1/250 or higher to freeze the action.
   • A good starting point is to match your shutter speed to the focal length of your lens (e.g., 100mm lens, use 1/100th of a second).

5. Adjust the ISO:

   • ISO controls the camera’s sensitivity to light. A lower ISO (e.g., 100) produces a cleaner image with less noise but requires more light.
   • For outdoor shooting in bright conditions, ISO 100 is usually sufficient. Indoors, you’ll need to increase ISO to somewhere between 800 and 6400, depending on the lighting.
   • Since DSLRs don’t always show the exact exposure in the viewfinder, take a test shot and adjust your ISO accordingly if the image is too dark. Increase the ISO incrementally  until you achieve a well-exposed photo. 
   • If you are using a mirrorless camera you will be able to see how changing the ISO will impact your photo.
     

This approach is a simple way to begin shooting in Manual Mode. With practice, you’ll become faster and more intuitive in adjusting these settings, and you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO interact to create a perfectly exposed image.

Canon R5 Mark I vs Canon R5 Mark II

Canon R5 vs. Canon R5 Mark II: What’s the Difference?

Are you wondering about the differences between the Canon R5 and its successor, the Canon R5 Mark II?

If you're in the market for a professional-grade camera, you might be tempted by the lower price of the original Canon R5. But what new features does the Mark II bring to the table? Which one should you choose?

For current Canon R5 owners, the big question is: should you upgrade to the Mark II?

To help you decide, check out this article from Canon UK that outlines the main differences between these two cameras.

Another good source of information is this video from James Reader.

Canon is not blocking 3rd party batteries use in the new R5 MII

According to an email sent to PetaPixel, Canon is not restricting the use of third-party batteries in the newly released Canon R5 Mark II.

But some owners have reported that the camera does not work with their third-party batteries, which is something potential buyers should consider.

Shutter count

The shutter count gives you an idea of how much a camera has been used this is why the question of how to find this number is one of the most often found in photography forums. 

 

ShutterCount Mobile for iOS will reveal for you this number if you own any of this cameras: 

You must connect your iPhone or iPad to your camera either via USB or WiFi. 

I would not be recommending this App if I didn’t test it first specially knowing that you have to buy it first to use it. It worked with my Canon R6 (<8000). 

Is the R5 Mark II a good camera for Safaris?

There’s nothing better than getting an expert opinion on the Canon R5 Mark II, especially from someone with authority in African safaris. But the question remains: Is the Canon R5 Mark II the right camera to take on an African safari?

Stitching pictures in Lightroom Classic

 In a previous post I mentioned that is possible to create high resolution and wide angle picture with a zoom lens by using the panorama merging option of Lightroom Classic. Here is how Adobe explains the process. 

The process is very simple once you have mastered it. The best process to learn is trial and error. My tips are, set the aperture in your camera to f/11. Try to overlap the pictures that you are taking on around 30 to 40%. I have tried to center focus in each picture I take or focus in the center of what will become the resultant picture and without changing the focus taking all the pictures. Both ways have worked for me and all depend on what you want the end result to look like. If you focus in each picture the end result will be sharp from corner to corner including the center. Keep in mind that using this method, if you are not taking sufficient pictures you may end with zones in the merged picture that are out of focus, specially if the aperture using is not small enough (f/2.8 is larger than f/11, keep that in mind).

R-Body Charging Tips

 I recently found this interesting post at Canon Community. A good reading for those who own or planning to buy a Canon camera or any other brand that allows charging the battery via the USB port of the camera. 

...how my camera seemed to have infinite battery life since I had only swapped one battery in an R7 in a 15 hour day of shooting bazillions of pics.  I told them I did only 'change' the battery once but I'd been charging it all day between stops and while it was in my bag over lunch.  They asked how I pulled off that magic and I showed them the gear in the pictures.

Keep Reading here.

In the right place at the right time

 Being in the right place at the right time and being ready to take the shot are just as important in wildlife photography as having the right gear and camera settings.

Squirrel looking at me from the nest. See EXIF by clicking on the picture. 

I took the above picture while hiking at Crews Lake Park in Pasco County. As I was walking away from the pier, I noticed a squirrel running toward a tree and disappearing into a hole. I thought that was the end of it until I saw its head sticking out of the hole, looking right at me.

This experience highlights an important lesson: you can’t make animals pose for you. Instead, you need to be ready to seize every opportunity nature presents. Knowing your camera and its settings is crucial—you should be able to adjust them quickly, almost instinctively, to capture those fleeting moments.

Shooting landscape with a zoom lens

 When you are out there shooting wildlife is impossible not to notice the beauty of the landscape surrounding you and having a camera you will feel the need to go and shoot some pictures. The problem is that all you are carrying is your zoom lens. is it possible to use a zoom lens for landscape?

The answer is yes. 

One of the problems that you are facing is the limitations getting the view that you get when using a wide angle lens such as a Canon RF 16mm or a Canon RF 28mm. While  wide angle lenses are considered the ideal lenses for landscape photography you can still "mimic" that view using a zoom lens. Below you can see an example.

If you click on this picture and zoom to check the details, you will notice that this picture is sharp from the closest to the further point.  This was achieved by stitching multiple pictures together using the panorama option in Lightroom Classic. 

Here are another examples of a pictures created with this technique.  

Using a zoom lens you can focus into a particular point of your landscape and still get a good picture. See below picture taking with an EF100-400L using an adapted to be used in a Canon R6.

A zoom lens should not be considered a limitation to take landscape pictures.

Comparing cameras for wildlife photography, what is in the market.

The first video, from Tony & Chelsea, is a 2 years old video comparing the Canon R5, Sony A1 and the Nikon Z9. Since then the 3 companies have released new version of these cameras or new cameras like the Canon R3, Canon R5 Mark II, R6 , Canon R6 Mark II, R8 and R7. Still a good video to have an idea of what are you looking for if you are in the market for a camera for wildlife photography. 
 

The second video from Duade Paton is around 7 months old and compare a large variety of cameras and lenses from the same perspective of Wildlife photography.

Duade was impressed by Nikon Z9 with a price tag of around $5500  but many other reviewers have expressed that Nikon cameras tend to "hunt" a lot when trying to capture birds in flight including Chelsea in her video mentioned here. 

Chelsea in her end voted for the Sony A1. And no doubt about it, the A1 is a super camera with a price tag of $6500. The Sony A1 is the flagship from Sony and two years ago when I decided to switch from Sony to Canon it was the only camera from Sony offering bird eye auto focus. A feature that Canon was including in the Canon R7 which was selling for around $1500. 

Conclusion: In my opinion, currently if you are looking to start shooting wildlife or bird photography, Canon ecosystem is the one that offers  better prices with more features dedicated to this genre. But to keep the cost low you may need to use the old EF lenses adapted to the new RF mount. Canon RF lenses are overpriced. No question about it. As you can see from these two videos, the market is full of options so go and get your camera which ever brand you pick and start shooting wildlife.

My favorite from the last weekend (2024-08-03~04)

 I went to Crews Lake (Hernado County, FL) last weekend and took this picture of a Yellow Warbler.

This is a female, males have some brown colors while the female are mostly yellow. 

The lake gained around 2 feed of water and the big surprise is that some of the common birds that live in the park left before the last week storm and have not comeback yet. Besides this picture I took few pictures of Sandgil cranes. Here is one of them.

First Post...

The purpose of this new blog is to share my thoughts, tricks and tips about photography. I'm not by any meaning a professional. I took photography as a hobby almost 10 years ago and since them I have taken more than 67000 pictures (counting only the keepers). 

I'm currently shooting using Canon cameras but in the past I have used Nikon and Sony. This gives me an idea of how those other brands are doing. 

It's my hope that you will enjoy this blog and that you find here some useful information.