Comments for The Cotswold Photographer

Comment on What Filters Do You Actually Need for Photography in 2026? (And What You Don’t) by David Fleet

David Fleet — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 09:52:46 +0000

Hi Leo,

Thanks for your viewpoint. When I used to shoot by the coast a lot more, I was pretty religious about keeping filters on, purely as they were much easier to clean than the front lens element and of course, like you say, cheaper to replace.

All the best
David

Comment on The Best Accessories for the Nikon Z6 III (The Accessories I Actually Use) by David Fleet

David Fleet — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 09:51:25 +0000

In reply to David Butler.

Hi David,

I’m not a fan of when manufacturers don’t include chargers with expensive cameras. I’m a bit old school and like to charge my batteries out of camera when I get back home rather than always relying on USB-C connections to charge all the time.

All the best
David

Comment on What Filters Do You Actually Need for Photography in 2026? (And What You Don’t) by Leo Liang

Leo Liang — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 13:05:48 +0000

Fair take on CPL as the everyday workhorse. On UV/protection I land in a slightly different place. I keep an XT996S on my GH7 + OM SYSTEM 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO II for seaside and evening walks around Hong Kong, and I haven’t seen a picture difference versus shooting without it. The lens rubs against my bag now and then, and some days I forget the cap altogether. With the filter on I don’t worry about the front element. Sand is a different story. That lens extends when it zooms, so the body and the barrel are what I actually watch at the beach, and a filter does nothing there. If someone never leaves a clean studio, skipping protection is fine. Outside, I’d still rather replace glass that costs less than the lens.

— Leo Liang, founder of XT Filters

Comment on The Best Accessories for the Nikon Z6 III (The Accessories I Actually Use) by David Butler

David Butler — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 21:08:42 +0000

I love my Z6III but when I bought mine in July 2024 through a UK high street dealer (their first batch) the Z6III shipped without a battery charger!!! It felt mean especially since I paid full price for the camera. I still had my Z6 so I already had a charger but if I sell my Z6 I might have to another.
I concur with your decision to only buy genuine Nikon batteries. Every so often Nikon UK has special deals on them, most recently for £60 each. I believe its best not to take a risk with 3rd party lithium ion batteries after a bad experience with a laptop battery.

Comment on OM System 17mm f/1.8 Mark II Review: A Tiny Lens With Big Potential by Yevhen

Yevhen — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 14:40:16 +0000

Thank you for the lens review and the sample photos! I’m thinking of picking up this version, which seems like a better choice compared to the first one thanks to the newly added weather sealing. Best of luck and happy shooting!

Comment on Fujifilm X100VI vs OM Systems OM-3: A Real-World Comparison of Two Modern Retro Classics by David Fleet

David Fleet — Thu, 01 Oct 2026 10:13:38 +0000

In reply to Ben.

Hi Ben,

I presume you mean a difference between the X100V and X100VI in terms of having IBIS. Yes it makes a difference if you find yourself shooting static subjects at those bordeline shutter speeds and with the X100VI I could handhold fairly reliably down to 1/4-1/2 second which combined with the ND filter, allowed me to fairly reliably create motion in shots with water in.
However the IBIS in the X100VI is not on the level of the OM-3, which is better by a significant margin.
All the best
David

Comment on Best Nikon Z Lenses (2026): A Real-World Guide to the Z System by David Fleet

David Fleet — Thu, 01 Oct 2026 10:10:28 +0000

In reply to SB.

Hi SB,

Thanks for your comment. Yes, the gear is taking a back seat as it’s just unviable without a huge media machine funding it and I want to focus on photography. However, I am still using Nikon Z so if I feel I have something of value to add, I will ocassionally add articles on the Nikon Z system.

All the best
David

Comment on Fujifilm X100VI vs Ricoh GR IV: Which Compact Camera Is Better in 2026? by David Fleet

David Fleet — Thu, 01 Oct 2026 10:08:39 +0000

In reply to Sergio.

Hi Sergio,

Honestly, there is so little difference that it wouldn’t be a deciding factor for me. Unless you’re really pushing to larger prints above 30×20″ both make excellent prints. Above that size and the 40mp images of the Fuji would hold a slight advantage but again, that’s dependant on paper type, viewing distances etc.

All the best
David

Comment on The Algorithm Broke My Photography Blog. Here’s What I’m Doing Next. by David Fleet

David Fleet — Thu, 01 Oct 2026 10:06:43 +0000

In reply to David.

Hi David,

Thnaks for such an insightful comment. It’s interesting to hear how other creators have been directly impacted. Some of my traffic has now at least temporarily returned in the last 2-3 days, so I’m hoping Google are undoing some of what seemed to be a very broad update for my website given the type of content I write. However, I am currently in the process of building out my other website as I no longer feel confident in where Google are heading.
Thanks for the tip regarding substack, I had looked in to it but decided against it, instead preferring to keep things on platforms that I own myself.
Totally agree regarding AI writing, it’s horrendous to read and often incorrect information is given with absolute confidence. useful fro quick answers but for anyone who wants any level of depth, i just don’t see it as an alternative.

Would be interested to have a more in-depth discussion with you in private sometime.

All the best
David

Comment on Fujifilm X100VI vs OM Systems OM-3: A Real-World Comparison of Two Modern Retro Classics by Ben

Ben — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 19:53:45 +0000

I know you don’t have them anymore but from your memory was there a big difference in IBIS to you? I have an X100v and an OM-3 and both are great but the ability to handhold the OM-3 with multiple second shutter speeds is great. Was debating on selling the V for the VI