Walking with a Camera - the shift to a mirrorless camera and other gear

The Sun rises over Kanchenjunga
illuminating each peak in an
awe inspiring light show

Mirror, mirror on the wall...... mirror or mirrorless?  An increasingly relevant question as mirrorless cameras (MLC) or interchangeable lens cameras (ILC) are getting technically closer to their bigger sibling the DSLR.  This is not a technical treatise as technology in cameras (all things electronics actually) is often outdated by the time the article is typed. However the proof of the pudding is in the eating and articles on the net show more and more photographers switching to high end MLC from DSLRs, why this shift?

A flash of bangles in a street in Hyderabad
notice the sharp focus and gentle bokeh

This is my description of a chance encounter with an MLC at the Dubai Duty Free leading to my going the mirrorless route in cameras. As usual when I have time to spare, I saunter around the camera shops, and at the DDF, an energetic salesman very persuasively pushed me in the direction of an older model of MLC, (the Fujifilm X-E1, an excellent camera which I still own). It was on sale  at half price with two lens, spare battery and SD card. Not convinced by his spiel, I quickly found a wifi signal and researched the concept.  I had not researched the topic deeply enough to be convinced however, I decided to chance it as the price was very attractive. So I landed up with my first MLC. I have never gone back to a DSLR, as this camera meets all my expectations in image quality. At that time I was using an excellent DSLR which I kept it for a while and found that I barely used it so I sold it.See some of the images I have shot with the mirrorless Fujifilm X-E1 camera here:  

 https://www.flickr.com/photos/129459215@N08/albums

An MLC is unobtrusive and so great for street photography

My initial kit was the Fujifilm X-E1 with two lens, a 18-55mm and 50-230mm. Since then I have upgraded to the Fujifilm X-T10 and four lens, the original two and two more, both primes, one a 35mm and the second a 60mm macro. This system covers all my needs and would yours too, except for extreme range wildlife/bird or sports photography as the lens is currently not long enough, (possibly already available by the time I write this).

A shikra takes flight.
In daylight the MLC can get very fast action

So, how is the MLC different to the DSLR? Currently the DSLR has more software and features than an MLC, notably in a full-frame DSLR. However few of us use a full frame DSLR, and an MLC  compares almost evenly with crop frame DSLRs. The essential difference being that a DSLR uses a mirror to show the image in the view finder whereas the MLC uses either an LED screen or a electronic view finder, (EVF), the Fuji it has both. The mirror and EVF each has its advantages, however I have gotten used to the EVF as it shows the image as it will record on the sensor, as opposed to a mirror which shows an image as you see it, not as it will be recorded. There is substantial debate on the net on the merits of each system, read it to understand what will suit you.

I use my camera on the move, often trekking up mountains and so weight and size are of vital importance to me. Here MLCs outgun their sibling DSLRs by a huge margin, the camera I use, a Fujifilm X-T10 with a 35mm (50mm in full frame format) lens is about a kilogram lighter and half the size compared to my earlier DSLR with an equivalent lens. Given that my DSLR was also crop frame (APS-C) and that the results of my Fuji are equal to if not better than the DSLR, the shift was a no brainier.

A spot-billed pelican takes flight

To keep my camera system weight in control ( a lesser problem than keeping my own weight down!)  I follow a strict philosophy of carrying a lens for the anticipated main subject fitted on my camera, no more. The disadvantages of constantly changing lens in the field results in more lost opportunities than any other factor. Not to mention the ingress of dust and moisture into the body and lens. Hence for short trails I carry two cameras, each with a lens fitted. But when I recently trekked to the Valley of Flowers, five days walking in the Himalayas, I carried my Fuji with only a 18-55mm lens fitted. No long lens, no "what if...." I got beautiful photographs and must have missed the long lens for only four or five pictures.  You may see my Valley of Flowers pictures here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/129459215@N08/albums/72157657142242599 and the Flora of Hemkund here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/129459215@N08/albums/72157657562803801  

Brahma Kamal at Hemkund
carrying a camera to 4400 metres
requires a light camera or a lot of strength

 When trekking, specially climbing, every gram seems a kilo. Avoid carrying every bit of photographic gear you own "just in case....".

So happy was I with the results of my earlier Fuji that somewhere along the way I bought a pre-owned 60mm macro, my first prime and there was no looking back, primes it was. My newest baby is the 35mm f1.4 prime, it delivers the most delightfully sharp pictures. In fact for travelling, one camera body, a 35mm prime and and a long lens seems to me to be an optimum combination. The 35mm is perfect for landscapes, people and general photography while the long lens allows pictures of birds and wild life.

One other piece of gear that I find indispensible is a tripod. It enables me to take really sharp pictures of anything but fast moving wildlife or birds and sports.  If you use one of those extreme long lens you simply must use a tripod or gimbal. Further don't make the mistake that I, or most other cameras owners make.  Seeing it to be unimportant gear, I  initially bought a cheap one, realising my mistake, I  incrementally upgraded, finally spending much more money to get as good tripod. Just buy the best you can afford, give it the same

The sharp focus, details and soft background
of ants scurrying about a flower

importance as the camera or lens. I use a MeFoto trekking tripod with a ball head, lightweight, easy to operate but firm. Light weight is important, ask a camera wielding friend I met on a hot day in Bharatpur. He had camera gear that was worth about a years salary,  including a lens as long as my arm, so I asked him as to why wasn't he using a tripod to get the best results his system was capable of? Sweating in the sweltering heat, he replied that it was in the car, too heavy to carry! As my granny said, textbooks under your pillow don't enable you to pass the exam; so it is with tripods in the car, they can't be used.

Another seemingly lowly equipment takes on great importance on a long trek or walk, the camera strap. A heavy camera slung around my neck all day is a sure way to end up with a stiff neck. I feel it is easier to carry the weight on a shoulder, and I use one of two ways to do so. After trying various straps,  I have designed my own, this attaches to two points ( the strap rings on the side) on the camera as opposed to one point (the tripod screw). I feel that two points is more secure than than just the tripod screw, also held at two points the camera does not swing as much, besides this method leaves the tripod screw free to attach a tripod plate. Besides I have designed my strap in a manner that it can be used around the neck, over the shoulder or as a wrist strap.

A symphony in steel

The second device that I find very useful to carry a camera is a camera clip, I use the older version of the Peak Diamond. This clip has two parts, one part is an Arca Swiss type plate which screws onto the tripod screw of the camera (and can be very conveniently used to mount the camera on a tripod); and the second is a holder which clamps on to the shoulder pack of a backpack. This arrangement holds the camera very firm while walking, yet allows quick deployment. Though I suspect that this arrangement will not be suitable for a DSLR as the weight may dig in.

Bespoke camera bags carry little else and when I am out for many days I need space in the backpack for other stuff. Hence I seldom carry a camera backpack or camera bag, using a soft Neoprene cover with which I cover my camera and put it in my trekking rucksack. Another small (airline toilet) pouch carries spare batteries, SD cards and a polariser. When I feel I may not get charging facilities, I carry two spare batteries in addition to my fully charged one in the camera. I have made it a habit to charge my camera batteries whenever I can, I never venture out with a partially drained battery.

A glorisa lily shows the range of colours

When trekking, especially in the mountains, expect unexpected rain. There are two ways I protect my gear, a zip-loc bag with tiny holes serves me well to cover my camera in light rain, keeping it ready for immediate deployment. In a downpour I put my camera into my backpack which is water resistant. In either case, I always carry a poncho as opposed to a raincoat, a poncho is far more versatile as it covers me as well as my rucksack and other equipment. Besides a poncho is far more ventilated in the hot and humid walks around Bombay.

I give my gear serious thought before a trek, primarily carrying only that equipment I need for my primary subject, making sure I am comfortable and my gear protected. Very seldom have I missed any equipment or opportunity for lack of some lens that I wasn't carrying.