2 weeks ago, my Nikon D610 was stolen from my car in Masaka. I had gone to visit a longtime friend of mine with whom we hadn’t met in over 3 years. The plan was to take the whole weekend off, meet my friend for Friday and visit my grandmother for Saturday and Sunday. Unfortunately, my trip was disorganized on that actual Friday I arrived in Masaka when an un-known person sneaked into my car (which was then parked at my friend’s compound in Nyendo-Masaka) and in a space of no more than seven minutes, my camera was gone.
I tend to think that I was a bit lucky because I had carried only the D610 body and the Sigma 35mm f1.4 ART lens. Usually, I carry light stuff while I go on personal visits like these because I don’t want equipment to get in my way while I try to enjoy these moments with my people. Besides, I want to challenge my mind to think for only that particular lens I am carrying, so, for this particular trip, it was the D610 + 35mm in the bag.
After realizing the theft, we tried all possible means to try and trace the items that very day but ultimately, I realized that there was a possibility of not recovering them and my mind accepted the possibility. By the following day, I was thinking more about the replacement than recovery. Friends who are not conversant with insurance policies in Uganda have been asking me if the items were insured but unfortunately, they were not. Based on the available policies you can get on “Fragile” items like cameras and lenses, I would rather try to safeguard my equipment as much as I can and buy from my pocket in incidences like this, than paying the insane Insurance policies available on market in Uganda.
Anyway, I was back to deciding which camera to buy to replace the lost items and without any deviation, my mind was singing “ANOTHER D610”. There was no question about the 35mm of course and that very day, I placed an order with a dealer for the items to be shipped to me. When these items come to me next week, this will be the 4th D610 Camera I have owned in a space of 5 years. I usually sell them off when they begin to show signs of wear and tear.
I have been thinking about my decision to buy a camera that has been on the market for more than 5 years, even when I could afford to buy the newer models and I came to the realization that it’s just still a perfect camera, well suited for the kind of work I do. This might sound a bit funny coming from someone who just upgraded their camera this year (Nikon D810), but I have held onto my D610 for a very long time, over 5 years of constant usage and in fact, much as I have the D810, the D610 remains my main camera. The D810 gets that role on rare shoots.
I would completely understand the argument that there comes a time where upgrades are necessary, because for me, I was yearning for better focus in low light situations that I reached the point where I needed the capabilities offered by the D810. Nonetheless, now and then, I see people upgrade Cameras before they have explored to climax the abilities of their current cameras.
To give you a brief background about me and cameras, I have owned a number of them over the years but before the ownership phase, I shot quite intensively with the D80 and the D90 for most of my early learning phase. (2009 -2012).
A portrait for Mr. Laar Chan, Bawku – Ghana. Shot on Nikon D610 + Sigma 85mm ART, iso 100, f2, 1/3200s.
My very first owned Camera was the Nikon D7000, then moved to the D800, D610, D810, D750 and the D500. I guess I had the excitement to own each of them, simply because it was new gear coming out and I wanted to have a feel of each of them. However, I kept selling them off and in my journey with cameras, I have kept a certain kind of loyalty to the D610. I shoot with two Camera bodies at any particular time because I hate switching lenses and for so long, it was two D610 bodies in my bag until I decided to add the D810 permanently. Nonetheless, it is the D610 that I consider my Go-to Camera and this is why.
General Image quality, Color and white Balance.
I personally want to look beyond the marketing hypes and megapixel wars. I want to look at the real results produced by cameras rather than the loud trumpets these Camera companies blow. For me, it’s getting down to the core of photography and that to me means image quality. This contributed majorly in my decisions to let go of many cameras in my past.
However, the quality of images coming out of this brilliant 24megapixel sensor is extraordinary. Forget about the talk of “Things can be corrected in post-production”; I am talking about files straight out of the camera. Sometimes, all I have to do is converting the files to jpeg format. The rendering of colors and details is so exquisite.
Besides, the files are so flexible that it’s very easy to correct exposure mistakes without adding much noise in the images. The ISO performance is not the best there is but I have learnt to shoot with that in mind. The dynamic range is sublime for me, especially now that I have mastered my exposures and in my opinion, it is as good as any FX camera I have ever held.
A portrait for Apio Mulongo Jovian. Shot on a D610 + 85mm, f2, iso 160, 1/2000s.
Secondly is the Image size.
In comparison to my D810, the files out of the d610 are way lighter, hence making my post-production process a smooth experience. I can actually load a whole 500 images into Camera RAW and my computer will work with them easily, unlike with the D810 images. I plan on upgrading to a stronger computer in the near future but before I do, issues like this will stay under consideration.
There is also a certain ease I feel when I go to shoot a week-long assignment and I don’t get to switch cards during the whole week. Loading the camera with two 64GB SD cards has me sorted for at least 5 working days. With my D810, I change cards almost every day. In the end, this also reflects on how often I have to purchase a new Hard drive since I keep all my photographs backed up and archived, both RAW and the final edited Jpegs.
Again, in relation to size, images of 6016 x 4016 are just perfect for my shooting needs. I have gone as far as shooting billboard material with this resolution and the final prints look super clear and sharp. So, shooting 7360 × 4912 pixels is a luxury to most of my work.
From the collection I did for Stanbic Bank’s “A BETTER TOMORROW” 2018 Commercial campaign. Shot on Nikon D610 + Tokina 16-28mm f2.8, iso 100, f5.6, 1/800s @ 16mm.
I completely agree that megapixels play a role in quality but just like purchasing a car with a speed of 270MPH and using it on our Ugandan roads, limited to 100mph, it’s nice to have but might actually have no significance in a person’s day to day usage. So, for the mean time, I will proceed to purchase the D610, not only for being a great bargain today but mainly because I still find it absolutely worth buying at this time for its performance. My hope is that its replacement comes with a feature that I know many photographers out there are yearning for, GPS tracking ability. If my stolen camera had this, there would be high chances of recovery. I know many of us will appreciate this feature more than we do the tilting screens or the new cards inventions.
Ndagga David says:
Woow!! A Nikon D610 is my no.1 option on my way toward buying my first ever owned camera. According to what I have read through the all page, I have been much encouraged on insisting to my option, and I will definitely have it in my hands and feel it’s taste has you have described.
Thank you so much, Mr. Jjumba Martin for sharing your honest ideas with us. And me I very much looking forward to learning more from you.
Many thanks.
Jjumba Martin says:
All the best in your purchase. You wont regret.
Alfred Baluku says:
Thank you for this piece, to some of us who follow your work and look up to you in this field it’s worth reading. I think on your next year planner you should add consultancy services in camera accessories.
Thanks
Jjumba Martin says:
Ha ha ha…. Let me give myself a decade.
Nvule Wycliff Kenyon says:
Interesting insights Maetin
Muzungu Naziru says:
This was really worthy enough of the time to read. Thanks for the insight and sharing your experience with the world.
Kiryowa Ronald says:
Well composed and articulate Story
Teddy Nabisenke says:
Nice read..
“understanding my working equipment before I jump onto a friend’s”.
Thank you.
Felix says:
Sorry about the loss bro. Thanks for this very nice article and the awesome shots. I think you should do more blogs on cameras and lenses. The sigma art is a good one.
I am an amateur / freelance photographer with a full time job as an Insurer.
I am suffering from the acquisition of new gear syndrome. The market is constantly presenting something new which appears to be better than the predecessor. I currently own an APS-C nikon d5300. It is also my first. I have reached the point where I have pushed the gadget to its extreme capabilities and now feel the need to upgrade. Now this is where marketing gurus are the getting the best of me with all the hype of this and that about a particular camera. The notable limitations I am facing with the cropped sensor are; lots of grain at moderate high ISOs, nailing focus when shooting against the sun, lack of HSS capabilities. One thing for a fact is I’d like to experience the performance of an FX sensor. Improved dynamic range, resolution, better colors and ISO performance in low light conditions and of course HSS.
The decision the make a purchase for a new camera can be daunting. From you article I gather one has to carry out some good research prior to making a purchase. The considerations you mention like file size for instance is valuable.
Being a Nikon shooter, might you recommend an FX upgrade.
Thanks.
Wakweika Felix says:
Sorry about the unfortunate incident in Masaka. Glad you got a replacement in such a short time.
OHA says:
I’m probably late here. You write seamlessly.
Isaac mamott says:
Hi nice piece
What is your main portrait lens – 85mm f1.8G?
Martin Jjumba says:
Is the 85mm f1.4 though I rarely shoot above f.2.