As noted in my previous blog – I had tried various cameras for travel. The main requirement is to be portable. I had tried a bridge camera, but found it too bulky. I then tried a Sony RX-100, which is OK up to a point but like all cameras with small sensors found it was very unforgiving if you don’t nail low light exposure perfectly. Also, long exposures didn’t work out too well with a lot of noise. I’d taken some quite nice shots with this little Sony, but was not impressed with the images taken during a trip to Israel. Especially the long exposures, which really came out as very noisy and unusable images IMO.
Israel
To be fair the lighting wasn’t ideal, and it was probably me more than the camera. However, I’d been reasonably impressed with this camera for it’s sensor size, there is nothing wrong with the shots below. It’s just unfortunate that the poor images I got in Israel kind of put me off this camera. That’s probably unfair on the camera, because a lot of the images were long exposures and the camera is just not up to that task IMO. It is a bit of a problem if you are into blue hour type images, which I obviously am.
Scotland
These are examples where the RX-100 was absolutely fir for the task; it is supposed to produce images that are a lot better than those taken with a phone, and at the time these were taken, it definitely did. With phones improving all the time, I generally just use my iPhone 14 Pro Max nowadays, but I still don’t think the images are anywhere near the quality of these.
I’d used the RX-100 for work on a couple of occasions. The Ocean Endeavor was the last rig I worked on: the image of the yard shows some of the turbine destined for Beatrice.
Sony A6000
Having lost my confidence in the camera RX-100 (probably unfairly as it was solely to do with long exposures), I decided to give the Sony A6000 a try as a travel camera. Sure, it was a bit bigger that the RX-100 but would still easily fit in my pocket. It also had the advantage of taking filters. I bought a couple of cheap screw on NDs. I even broke my own rule about carrying a tripod; I got myself a tiny manfrotto mini tripod which was light but easily coped with the A6000. Sony was a change for me being a Canon user. However, this I got for peanuts. The portable Canons – at least I’m familiar with the menus etc – didn’t look that portable to me and the glass was expensive, so this was the budget option. I must admit I was very impressed with the results. It also has a pop up flash which is useful as fill on occasions. This camera will remain my travel camera for the foreseeable future. Below are images I’ve taken with it on my travels.
Prague
Berlin
Rome
Krakow
UK
The iconic tower bridge
Claypotts Castle (built c late 1500s) is literally about 400 yards from where I live. I could easily walk up there with tripods, filters and the big full frame 5D Mk IV. The point is – this little camera does a fantastic job hand held, even with the kit lens.
Lincolnshire – Gibraltar Point. I was working down in Lincolnshire and loved every minute. The people are so friendly, non more so than in the wonderful Louth Photographic Society, where nearly all the photographers were a lot better than me.
Broughty Castle and Public Slipway. Again, this is 5 mins walk from where I live. I was asked to do a photograph for a print, and this was the client’s preference, as it was a bit different to what you usually get of the castle. He had Loxley blow it up to a massive size, and this little crop frame raw file was up to the task
In conclusion – this is the camera I have chosen to use when I want to travel light. The results it produces are impressive. It’s low light capabilities are good, and the pop up flash is an added bonus. It easily copes with long exposures. A lot of amateurs talk utter crap about sharpness – this camera came with a kit lens which is pin sharp. Whilst I do prefer the menus on the Canon full frame cameras that I use for serious work, for portability and happy snapping this is the camera that has it all.
Iain Cathro Photography 