I built a hotel….. for bugs.

With the nice weather over the last couple of weeks coinciding with the end of the tax year, I have been thinking a lot about my photography.  If you read my previous post about changing my camera and the rabbit hole that that turned into then that will partly explain why I’ve been quiet on here lately.  

What I have learned abut cameras and photography in the last two months is essentially cameras are now so good, they all take amazing images.  Yes some have ai and amazing auto focus capabilities but do you really need them to enjoy photography.  For some things the answer is that it definitely helps and images can now be captured that couldn’t even 5 years ago.  The chances of getting missed shots or blurry images are becoming obsolete.

But I am reminded that all the greats of photography, all the classic images were created with less technology than is in your phone camera.  “It’s the user not the gear” I am constantly told. 

As for switching brands from Canon, well firstly I had to deal with switching from DSLR cameras to Mirrorless.  It’s obvious this is the way that things are going technology wise and if I wish to future-proof any purchases I make then mirrorless is the way to go.  Canon do not let 3rd party lens makers make lenses for their mirrorless camera at present so the lens choice is restrictive.  Going mirrorless is an expensive jump to make, changing camera brand system is also a big leap as they all use different menus and language which needs to be learnt.  Along with the practicalities of using the camera and where the buttons are and what they all do.  Now they can all be re-programmed as well so you can set up a camera exactly as you like to use it.  Every way I looked there was going to be a certain amount of disruption to my photography. 

Long story short, having looked at all the brands and what they offer,  getting an understanding of the current market and what is expected out in the next 12 months, watching brands compete with each other and far too many hours watching YouTube, I made some decisions.

I wanted a lightweight camera, affordable, an array of lenses to choose from, a brand that isn’t caught up in trade competition with another brand (currently Canon and Sony).  I also considered the type of photography that I enjoy and the way in which I was going to use photography, especially now living in Scotland, with all it has to offer.

What became apparent is I need two systems, one for myself and one for work.  For work I am sticking with my current set up.  I know it and until prices drop a little and new models come out later in the year and the dust settles, I’ll not be looking to change anything there.  (But I know what I’m looking for).

For myself I have bought an OM-1 mkii from OM Systems.  Got a great deal on it, it’s small, compact and the lens choice is huge. It’s also designed for travel, animal photography and most importantly macro photography.  It uses a 3/4 size sensor instead of a full frame sensor which is not ideal for some things but brilliant for close up work.  I can’t wait to get to know it better and get out and about exploring again.  I needed a camera that is fun to use, is versatile and has a great online community built around it and it’s designed for exactly the kind of fun photography I enjoy.

There’s a lot of joshing between photographers and which brands they use, but there’s a bigger view that it’s about finding the right camera for the job you need it for.  I needed something I could travel with, that’s light and is fun to use and will allow me to develop some new skills and enjoy my photography for myself, separate from my work.

So for Macro photography I am going to need to find some small critters to photograph and somedays I cannot get out so I thought I’d build a bug hotel with the wood I have in the garden.  I looked online to see what you can buy, but figured Id save some pennies and build something.  I didn’t really intend for it to be as big as it is and not really sure if its going to work but things are starting to move in and it’s still a bit early in the season for bugs.  Now the showers have returned I will keep you updated if I see anything.

Here are some photo’s of how I put it together without a plan of action.  I just need to plant the top with a wild garden and then put it in the garden, but away from the flowers and vegetables otherwise………….speak soon.