New gear! Night HDRIs on the way!

Anyone who knows cameras, and knows that I’ve been using an entry-level Canon 600D to make HDRIs for the last 6 years, is probably pretty surprised that I’ve made it this far.

Well, the time has come to say goodbye to my squeaky old SLR, whose shutter mechanism has served me over 100000 times, and say hello to the sleek new kit on the block:

After 2 years of savings, months of research, several spreadsheets, and 1242 amazingly generous patrons later, I’ve purchased what I believe to be the perfect camera gear for HDRIs:

A Nikon Z7, and a Venus Laowa 15mm F/2 lens.

Along with all the required ND filters, memory cards, and other accessories, the total cost for this was about $5200. There’s a spreadsheet here if you want a more detailed breakdown.

This camera is a major improvement over my 600D in every way…

• 2.5x more pixels (expected max HDRI resolution of 25k)
• 10.2x better in low-light (night HDRIs are now possible)
• 4x faster and extremely consistent, giving the potential for automated HDRIs

Though to be fair, it cost about 7x as much.

It’s also in most ways better than all the other options available now (for the purpose of shooting unclipped HDRIs). Before the Z7 came along, all my other options had some sort of technical compromise in one of the 3 aspects above, while being about the same total cost and weighing significantly more.

So I’m extremely happy with this purchase, not having to compromise in any way, even though it was a bit over budget and I had to pay a couple hundred dollars out of my own pocket. I know it’s going to last me many years, and enable a much higher quality of HDRIs :)

I can’t stress this enough: You guys are awesome. 

Actually, wait, I can:

YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME!

It’s 100% thanks to you that I could afford this, or even consider the idea of being able to upgrade my gear. I’m really looking forward to putting this puppy to the test, and I’m already planning a trip south to the Drakensberg to get some sweet astro shots.

Yes, the original goal for night HDRIs was not reached, but using all my savings I could now afford it (thanks to you), so I changed the goal target to just below the current amount and bought it anyway :)

The next goal is now: Timelapse HDRIs - I’m really looking forward to that :D I’ll likely start doing some tests before the goal is reached, but for the next few months at least my priority is going to be working on 3D Model Haven.

Have a great weekend everyone!