The Cameras I own and use for 2025
I often get asked what cameras I use these days, both for photo and video.
It’s 2025 and this year I changed things up and moved from Nikon back to Canon, for a couple of reasons. First, I rarely go out to take photos anymore due to a lack of inspiration. Everything in this world has been photographed to death and the reality is, these days, video is the new photography. Everyone everywhere has a camera on them these days, so it’s much different from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and even 2000’s when I was entrenched in it deep during my photo days. It’s no where near the same these days. New cameras come and go, and none add anything to the experience vs what came out even 6 years ago. It’s all about sell, sell ,sell while offering the same thing again and again. Photos are not getting better and neither are still cameras yet companies would lead you to believe differently. I guess it’s what makes the world go round though. ; )
The Nikon Z9 I had was awesome for photo and video, but lacked in low light performance and the Nikon color was quite different from the color I remember of Canon. With a focus on video for me going forward I have invested in two cameras for 2025 and I love them both for their purpose.
Both are used for video, one for static talking head shots for my reviews that deliver on color and dynamic rage. The other will be used handheld for B roll shots where IBIS is a must.
MAIN VIDEO
Canon C400 Cinema Camera. Is this overkill for YouTube reviews these days? Hell no. Many YouTubers I know use RED cameras, Sony FX6 and Canon Cinema cameras. Youtube these days is a business, and many take it seriously. I run three channels and my photo/HiFi channel is the oldest. This website has been up for 21 years now, crazy.
These Canon cameras just deliver in color, dynamic range. audio (important) and are easily dialed in manually with built in ND filters and super low light abilities. They are pro level and Canon cinema cameras last for years and years without issue. I owned the OG C100 and the C300 MKII but the C400 is the best of the bunch. I leave this on the tripod and it never lets me down. On in an instant, dialed in within seconds and so easy to use. The files are hardy and look great. MUCH better than my Z9 with audio as well, which was a huge weak spot with the Z9 as I siad in that review. Overall, anyone can just film with a phone for YouTube but Ive been on YT for 17 years now and like to deliver quality to those who view my videos. The fact that this image below was a screen shot grab from a video frame really sold me on the C400:
B ROLL
Canon R1. Yep, seems overkill for this and it may be but I used to adore the Canon 1DX MKII and this one is the RF equivalent of that, with more modern day features and superb video with full body IBIS built in. When used with an RF lens, the IBIS can be silky and smooth. I just acquired this but it should be in use in my videos by end of May or early June 2025 (I like to get to learn a camera well before using it professionally). I will use it with an old EF 50 1.2 on those days when I do want to shoot some photos.
LENS
Canon RF 15-35 f/2.8 is an all around great lens that covers wide to mild mid level 35mm. Perfect for what I do and the only lens I need.
I have tested and owned cameras from RED, Sony and Nikon for video and I always seem to gravitate back to Canon for the video work. Since that is all I do these days, it’s a perfect fit.