Matthew Durr Photography

Well…this is new. A site update without any photos? What in the world is happening here?

There’s no use in hiding it at this point due to my now-extended absence from the photography world. I am dealing with a long-term sleep disorder that basically doesn’t let my body go into a deep sleep. In a sense, no matter how long I sleep—or how early I hit the sack—I go about the next day with extended exhaustion both in mind and body. Up until mid-Summer, I have been able to deal with the issue on my own, but since then, it has quickly compounded into a vicious cycle that I cannot get out of on my own.

Thankfully, I am close to beginning treatment so I can start building up energy again to do more than just go to work…i.e. go have fun in Japan and make some awesome photos! In spite of the exhaustion I have tried these past couple months to go out and enjoy the country when I can, but my trips nowadays are often short and within a local area that I have already well-photographed before. I do hope that November is the month that I get it all sorted out, as the Fall colors are starting to pop up here in Japan…Kamakura must look nice this time of year…

On a lighter note in the wonderful world of photography gear and tech, Sony decided to release a new flagship APS-c NEX-style camera, the a6500. Oddly, this comes within the same year as the a6300, which is itself a very fine camera. What really sets this one apart though are three big features: IBIS, a huge buffer, and a touchscreen. For my style of shooting, these features have the potential to be HUGE game changers in terms of usability.

As a primarily manual focus, AI-s shooter, the ability to stabilize any lens I put in front of the sensor will help me tremendously in achieving lower-ISO handheld shots on the wide end, and easier-focused photos and videos on the telephoto end for sports and events. The UHS-1 high speed buffer can now hold 107 RAW images at 11fps, with the ability to instantly check on the last shot (provided the buffer isn’t completely full). That’s almost 10 seconds of blazing-fast shooting at full-resolution. My workhorse NEX-7’s buffer and processor would be jealous. Finally, for the few autofocus lenses I use, the touchscreen will make focus point setting easier and faster. Plus, even when the camera is up to the eyes, I can drag the focus point around via the touchscreen.

Sony has proven in their a6000 line that some really fancy, high-performing technology can and will work in a small package. There’s a reason the a6000 is still one of the highest-selling mirrorless cameras on Amazon.com. With that in mind, and after a good amount of thought, I pulled the trigger on a pre-order, and am almost positive I will follow through with the camera as my new primary shooter (NEX-7, old buddy old pal, you’ll retire only when you break down, though!). A large part of me still wants to hold out for a full-frame a9000 or maybe an A9, but I’ve shot APS-c for so long, I’ve gotten great at working around the format’s weaknesses and capitalizing on its strengths. If anything, I imagine a dual a6500/a9000 kit working well in tandem in the near future. Full-frame for wide shots and low-light, APS-c for fast action and telephoto work. Dream-team.

Time will tell, of course, in just how this camera compares in real-world use to my trusty NEX-7 that has easily been to hell and back with me. I can only wonder why Sony would not instead name the camera a7000 to better differentiate it from the still-good a6300. Perhaps in their product pipeline is an even better “flagship” APS-c…with Tri-Navi? Time will tell. That brings me to the end of this photograph-less post, guys and gals. I hope I didn’t ramble on too long for you. 🙂 Here’s to hoping that I can start getting more energy soon! As always, thanks for dropping by and have a great day!