14 http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk
Technique MIRRORLESS USERS
New kids
on the block
A wealth of mirrorless systems have arrived in
recent years. Amy Davies speaks to users of Canon
EOS R, Nikon Z or L-Mount Alliance systems
U
ntil a couple of years ago,
there were certain companies
that dominated the mirrorless
landscape. Sony had enjoyedalmost a complete monopoly on the full-
frame segment of the market; Fujifi lm,
Olympus, Panasonic and Canon were
fi ghting it out among the smaller-sensor
(APS-C or Four Thirds) format audience.
A big turning point came in 2018, whennot one, not two, but three new systems
were unveiled within a few months of each
other. After previously dipping its toes into
mirrorless with the now-discontinued
Nikon 1 system, Nikon was fi rst with its
new Z system, followed by the Canon EOS
R a week or so later. The L-Mount Alliance
was announced at the Photokina 2018
show a couple more weeks later. This used
Leica’s existing L mount as the basis for a
new alliance between Leica, Sigma and
Panasonic. At the show, Panasonic unveiled
its full-frame models the Lumix S1 and S1R.
Since then, all three systems have grown.
Nikon has introduced an APS-C model
using the Z mount, while Canon continues
to launch new models with the RF mount.
Since 2018 we’ve seen the Panasonic S1H
and S5, the Sigma fp and the Leica SL2.
But who’s using all this new technology?
We spoke to nine photographers who are
all keen exponents of each of these systems.NIKON’S initial foray into mirrorless took
the shape of the Nikon 1 system in 2011.
Keen not to take attention away from its
DSLRs, it used a one-inch sensor and a
range of small camera bodies and lenses.
Not offering the best image quality, it never
really caught on and was quietly
discontinued just a few years after it fi rst
emerged. In 2018 Nikon fi nally took
mirrorless seriously, introducing both the
full-frame Z 6 and Z 7 models on the same
day. The Z 7 was aimed at a more serious
user, while the Z 6 was intended to capture
the attention of enthusiasts. Nikon’s new Z
mount is much larger than the F-mount
used on its DSLRs, giving Nikon scope to
introduce different types of lenses than
were previously possible, such as the 58mm
‘Noct’ lens with its f/0.95 aperture. In 2019
Nikon expanded the Z range with the
APS-C Z 50 camera, using the same mount
as its full-frame siblings. It followed that
with the introduction of the Z 5 in 2020,
an entry-level type camera pitched towards
those new to full-frame cameras. Existing
Nikon DSLR users can use their F-mount
lenses with the FTZ adapter, which gives
you full autofocus with most lenses.Nikon Z System
Natasha Boorman
Natasha is based in Hampshire and
has been photographing for around ten
years. She is self-taught and offers
wedding photography, outdoor portrait
sessions and Milky Way workshops.
Seenjbtphotography.co.uk.USES Nikon Z 6
‘I chose the Z 6 as I have been a Nikon user
for many years, so when I was due to upgrade
I was looking for something lightweight and
better quality than my Nikon D90. There were
many things that swayed me towards
mirrorless, such as its light weight, electronic
view nder and the fact that I could use an
adapter with all my old Nikon lenses. My only
concern, as someone who shoots weddings
and events, is the lack of a second card slot- I like to have the reassurance of a backup.’
FIRST ANNOUNCED 2018
NUMBER OF CAMERAS CURRENTLY IN LINE-UP 4
NUMBER OF PROPRIETARY LENSES 14
CAN BE USED WITH EXISTING LENSES?
Via FT-Z adapter