Comments for The Cotswold Photographer

Comment on The Great Camera Gear Cull: Why I’m Selling off most of my Kit by David Fleet

David Fleet — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 09:11:58 +0000

In reply to Sarah. Thanks Sarah.

Comment on Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S vs 50mm f/1.8 S — Two Primes: Which Should You Buy First? by David Fleet

David Fleet — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 09:11:14 +0000

In reply to Stephen Wickland.

Hi Stephen,

The 50mm is a great plce to start and it’s really good value when I last looked at pricing.

All the best
David

Comment on The Great Camera Gear Cull: Why I’m Selling off most of my Kit by David Fleet

David Fleet — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 09:10:17 +0000

In reply to Guy.

Hi Guy,

Thanks for your kind words. It’s fantastic to hear from such an experienced photographer like yourself. I ended up culling everything but my Nikon Z kit. It does everything I could ever need and want and the ergonomics just make it a pleasure to use. I always wanted a DF back in the day but could never afford one at the time. Do you photographh purley for your own joy these days?

All the best
David

Comment on The Great Camera Gear Cull: Why I’m Selling off most of my Kit by Sarah

Sarah — Sat, 22 Aug 2026 09:21:36 +0000

Good luck with the change of direction! I’ve not long found your website when I was researching the Fuji X100vi.
Sarah

Comment on Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S vs 50mm f/1.8 S — Two Primes: Which Should You Buy First? by Stephen Wickland

Stephen Wickland — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 01:59:52 +0000

Nice solid opinion with applicable reasoning. I own both in Sigma F-Mount so I won’t be lost buying only one Z mount prime to start and will probably start with the 50mm. The adapted Sigma lenses are quite heavy but preform very well. Thanks!

Comment on The Great Camera Gear Cull: Why I’m Selling off most of my Kit by Guy

Guy — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 22:32:13 +0000

I have recently moved to the Cotswolds so it’s a great pity you have upsticks to Scotland!!!!!! I have found your articles absolutely fascinating and admire your courage to describe life as you are seeing it – I could trade you so many thoughts and feelings which I would not have the courage to write publicly so I congratulate you – my background is as a Society photographer in London for 20 years (although I feel I can turn my hand to anything for a worthwhile client) – I had my own business in a studio and I don’t think there is actyoe of face/body I have not photographed- I pride myself in believing I can find beauty in anyone provided they have some worthy inner personality- I have had the privilege of being able to buy so many different types of gear but fundamentally always came back to Nikon – I culled it all – Apple killed my business model- basically potential clients lost any sense of commitment to agreeing their appointments- the shoot and the viewing- and they didn’t care – texting allowed them to cancel at the last minute so I empathise with all who will have similar struggles – I still absolutely love taking photos and my two cameras are the Nikon Df and Zf with prime zooms 17-35;35-70;80-200 2.8 plus 40mm f2 se; 135 f2 (old) plus several others inc 2.8 architects lens which I’ve never used …should cull…

Comment on The Best Fujifilm X100VI Accessories (Tested in the Real World) by David Fleet

David Fleet — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 17:10:15 +0000

In reply to Jenny Titford.

Hi Jenny,

Thanks for getting in touch. If you can email me david@thecotswoldphotographer.com I will be happy to send the files over to you.

All the best
David

Comment on The Best Fujifilm X100VI Accessories (Tested in the Real World) by Jenny Titford

Jenny Titford — Sat, 15 Aug 2026 08:51:03 +0000

Hello, thank you for all your invaluable advice regarding the Fuji X100VI camera (arriving today!!)

I tried to download your set up advice/list but nothing arrived in my inbox. Maybe it’s a broken link?

Comment on The Great Camera Gear Cull: Why I’m Selling off most of my Kit by David Fleet

David Fleet — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 13:48:47 +0000

In reply to Sarah KafetZ.

Hi Sarah,

Thanks for your comment. Well the courier came for my camera gear yesterday. I’d been umming and ahhing and thought I’d finalised my choice but I realised that I was still holding on to too much and not simplifying enough if I truly want to get off the gear treadmill and purely focus on photography. I guess I felt nervous about fully committing to a real gear purge given that my website is my income stream. In the end, the OM System gear went to MPB and I have consolidated down to just my Nikon Z kit.

You’re right, the OM System gear would have been used because I owned it, not because I needed it or it did anything better than the Nikon kit I have. As to the Fuji X100VI, it’s a great camera but again, I’ve been pretty brutal in my culling and it would have been a luxury to keep it as the Nikon Zf I own will fulfil that role of sticking a prime lens on, having a tactile experience and just going out to shoot. There isn’t anything that the Fuji X100VI does better than the NIkon in terms of image making except a few niche use cases, that I just don’t use often enough to justify keeping it for. Yes it’s lighter, more compact and has better dials but those are all nice to have’s not essential to me. On the other hand the Nikon Zf has better image quality, autofocus and the ability to swap lenses.

All the best
David

Comment on How to set up the Nikon Z6III for wildlife Photography by David Fleet

David Fleet — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 13:37:17 +0000

In reply to Larry Dinsmore.

Hi Larry,

I’m glad you found them helpful.
All the best
David