Andy Rouse lots of talking points and a move to canon

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straycat

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i just read Andys blog there are lots of intersting points hes made about photography,people giving away photos,surviving as a pro and moving to canon etc.
i think his photos speak for themselves.

it was a big surprise that he moved to Canon though [as did don mccullin]
i wonder if there is money from canon involved?

then i looked at his guided tours and they look fabulous,has anyone been on one?

ps i would rather have a discussion and sharing of views than negativity.


http://www.andyrouse.co.uk/blog/260.php
 
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'Oh I almost forgot one thing, in this year I changed camera system too, from Nikon to Canon. The reasons, well they were compelling but they will stay with me for now as it would be unprofessional to do otherwise. Suffice it to say that shooting with the 1DX has allowed to work without barriers and I have not regretted the change for 1 nanosecond. '

I would imagine there is a lot more to this than just the quality of the cameras as he was Nikon's poster boy for quite some time and did quite a few talks at Focus etc for them.
 
maybe he couldn't be bothered with Nikon's now ridiculous file sizes? who knows - im sure he had his own reasons and even if he did list them you would still get people bitching and moaning about them not being 'good enough' to switch.
 
He was a Canon user before he went to the darkside. He has used various makes of kit over the yeara, including Pentax medium format.
 
iamtheoneneo said:
maybe he couldn't be bothered with Nikon's now ridiculous file sizes? who knows - im sure he had his own reasons and even if he did list them you would still get people bitching and moaning about them not being 'good enough' to switch.
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On two cameras, the D800 and D800E lol. If he owns a 1DX and shoots with that, he probably owned a D4 anyway which has "average" sized raws anyway.
 
He was very vocal about a focus issue on his D4, but never disclosed what was actually wrong.

While he takes a good image, I'm not a huge fan of his "professional silence". It makes me believe there's been back room deals made when in reality it might jut be he had a problem with a Nikon and the Canon worked better. While he has every right to keep quiet I feel some one so looked up to by many should lay out their reasons for such drastic changes, 2 1Dx, a 600, a 300 and various other lenses don't come cheap after all even if traded in his old kit.
 
maninsuitcase said:
He was very vocal about a focus issue on his D4, but never disclosed what was actually wrong.

While he takes a good image, I'm not a huge fan of his "professional silence". It makes me believe there's been back room deals made when in reality it might jut be he had a problem with a Nikon and the Canon worked better. While he has every right to keep quiet I feel some one so looked up to by many should lay out their reasons for such drastic changes, 2 1Dx, a 600, a 300 and various other lenses don't come cheap after all even if traded in his old kit.
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Very true. He's probably been sponsored by canon to do specific work, so won't have bought most of the gear anyway.
 
Having been a big fan for many years I couldnt care less what cameras he uses, the images he produces are stunning and having spent over 3 hours in his company on one of his tours, I can honestly say he is a very funny and talented photographer.
 
i had a feeling he might jump ship when i read his 1dx review a while ago as he seemed to really like the camera
saying this there was nothing to suggest he would in the review but he really was impressed with the auto focus and low light capabilities which was the reason he left canon for nikon in the first place

in my mind it doesn't matter if it's canon or nikon he uses ( or any other make ) he produces some stunning images and at this moment in time he thinks canon is the best tool for the job maybe when the next generation of cameras appear the best tool for the job might very well be nikon who knows ??
 
Nothing new,he was a posted boy for Canon for years,their are alway background deals going on in the pro market,nothing new their.

Good luck to him if he can get some good deals from Canon :)
 
dinners said:
This is where he talks about the camera

http://www.arwpstore.com/index.php?mode=ipage&page=17
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I was with Andy the day he shot the owl images in that blog post, and about which he writes.

I have some nice (similar) sharp images from my Nikon D4 of the same birds ;) - although his skill and technique were very much the deciding factor in the forest pathway flying shots rather than the model of camera body.

It is fair to say that Andy had both technical and other reasons for looking at Canon. He said at the time he would probably go "bi" and use the D800 for his landscape work, and Canon/1Dx for his wildlife. Not sure if his position has changed. Not my place to comment further than that.

What I would say is that if you have Nikon kit now, and it works for you, then Andy's switching shouldn't be a signal that you should as well. Just as if you had Canon gear back in 2008 and it was working (and some of it wasn't then) then you shouldn't have followed him over to Nikon.

He is a cracking photographer, and a really nice guy in person - I wouldn't hesitate to recommend spending time with him on one of his days - you'll learn a lot even if you are an experienced photographer.
 
Funny thread. Famous photographer switched from Nikon to Canon... Nikon fanboys suggest he's paid to do so, Canon fanboys suggest it's because Nikon are crap.

:)

Who cares. He's probably the best wildlife photographer around.. just enjoy his work. Who cares what it's shot on.
 
He is a cracking photographer, and a really nice guy in person - I wouldn't hesitate to recommend spending time with him on one of his days - you'll learn a lot even if you are an experienced photographer.

thanks mike thats good to know

i was interested in his other points he made about surviving and profesional jealousy on his safari.
though i couldnt find any ref.to the remaks he says they complained about.

i would love to go on the june cruise but £3,600 plus flights is a big no,no money.
 
Pookeyhead said:
Funny thread. Famous photographer switched from Nikon to Canon... Nikon fanboys suggest he's paid to do so, Canon fanboys suggest it's because Nikon are crap.

:)

Who cares. He's probably the best wildlife photographer around.. just enjoy his work. Who cares what it's shot on.
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my header said LOTS of talking points first then the bit about cameras. :)
 
I thought the bit at the very end about his change of systems was the least interesting bit of a fascinating article. I always enjoy reading blogs like his (even though I'm not a wildlife photographer) as it gives a great insight into the working life of a pro at the top of his profession. The multimedia theatre presentations sound interesting, I look forward to hearing more about them.
 
It's made me want to go to a lecture the owl one has sold out already.
 
straycat said:
It's made me want to go to a lecture the owl one has sold out already.
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Took me a year to get on his owl workshop day at the BWC - well worth it though.

As BTW are his talks (aka multimedia presentations). I attended one about 3 years ago. Stunning images, some mood music, great commentary and some Rouse wit to boot. His talk at the Outdoor Show last January was also really good - although drowned out for most of it by the other things going on in the exhibition hall.
 
simonblue said:
Nothing new,he was a posted boy for Canon for years,their are alway background deals going on in the pro market,nothing new their.

Good luck to him if he can get some good deals from Canon :)
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At an event Andy Rouse organised at Stow maries airfield in Essex I attended the impression I got was the Andy gets to try gear and if he likes it then buys it. What discounts he gets ,who knows :thinking:
 
Pookeyhead said:
Who cares. He's probably the best wildlife photographer around.. just enjoy his work. Who cares what it's shot on.
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This ^ even though I wasn't familiar with his work up till now. Threads like this at least serve some kind of purpose, we learn about some good photographers. Let the gear heads worry about what he shoots with ...
 
For me it's not really about the what but the why. I'm interested in what was so different he dropped a multi thousand pound investment into Nikon for a new one into Canon. Especially given that the equipment is now closer than ever according to most who have used both.

I am sure he has some very valid reasons, probably related to his AF issue or a desire to move more into video or similar. He pushes his gear very hard to get some excellent images so there must be some info he can put forward that may help others, on any system.

However, by refusing to say why he changed he's courting rumour and hearsay.

I do love his work but sometimes he just confuses me in his written stuff.
 
I know this just adds to rumour and hearsay, and I apologise for that, but what would persuade Tiger Woods to move from Nike to Wilson?

I think we know the answer.
 
maninsuitcase said:
For me it's not really about the what but the why. I'm interested in what was so different he dropped a multi thousand pound investment into Nikon for a new one into Canon. Especially given that the equipment is now closer than ever according to most who have used both.
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It isn't a multi-thousand pound investment it is a set of tools, which can be depreciated and sold on.

Any relatively successful working pro makes much much more from their kit than they expend on it. With the resale value of current high end (Andy Rouse owned) kit and the depreciation and you would be surprised at the amount "lost" if any.

I managed to switch from Canon to Nikon in 2008 with only a minimal cost (less than 10%) moving to brand new equipment from some which was 5-8 years old. That cost was easily eaten up by the depreciation on the kit and the associated tax saving.
 
simon ess said:
I know this just adds to rumour and hearsay, and I apologise for that, but what would persuade Tiger Woods to move from Nike to Wilson?

I think we know the answer.
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That's slightly different in that it really is just a sponsorship logo. Regardless of who endorses the player, the golf clubs themselves would be bespoke - rather than an off the shelf product.
 
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Cagey75 said:
This ^ even though I wasn't familiar with his work up till now. Threads like this at least serve some kind of purpose, we learn about some good photographers. Let the gear heads worry about what he shoots with ...
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Actually.. hat's a very good point well made :thumbs:
 
In 2007 he switched from Canon to Nikon, he got dogs abuse from the Canon fanboys on the forums. :cuckoo:

In 2013 he switches from Nikon to Canon, he will get dogs abuse from the Nikon fanboys on the forums. :cuckoo:

He used to be a member of a forum I was on, he would always be willing to answer technical / photographic questions, really helpful guy, and one of the best wildlife photographers out there
 
straycat said:
What for instance do you think of his comments about professional jealousy on safari?
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In any competitive market eventually people will resort to mud slinging. Just look at the android vs iPhone or politics and you will see people spend more time slagging off others than promoting their own service/beliefs. Sadly it's just human nature it would seem.

There's a famous quote along the lines on 90% of photography is being in the right place at the right time, so you would expect this from his tours. After all he can do it for himself. If others cannot do this then they are bound to slag him off, how I don't know but the blog post makes me want to go find out to help me get a more balanced view of the situation. At the moment all I ever see is Andy's comments.

I would love to do one of his workshops as I have always heard good things but they book up months in advance, which would seem to be a good indicator of quality.
 
I know he had issues with the Nikon camera he was using and he had to rely on his back up camera. He switched to Nikon as he felt the product was better at that time and has done the same. He may well switch back in future. As Martyn says he is a great guy I have met him a couple of times at his shows which are well worth going along to. I never have and never will get the fanboy mentality. Canon and Nikon both produce some great products and drive each other forward
 
straycat said:
But you haven't made any comments about his blog article at all :thinking:

What for instance do you think of his comments about professional jealousy on safari?
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That's because I've not read his entire bog.
 
I for one couldn't care less what system he used - although changing brands does make for good gossip = good exposure for him

jacob12_1993 said:
'Oh I almost forgot one thing, in this year I changed camera system too, from Nikon to Canon. The reasons, well they were compelling but they will stay with me for now as it would be unprofessional to do otherwise. Suffice it to say that shooting with the 1DX has allowed to work without barriers and I have not regretted the change for 1 nanosecond. '

I would imagine there is a lot more to this than just the quality of the cameras as he was Nikon's poster boy for quite some time and did quite a few talks at Focus etc for them.
Click to expand...
 
maninsuitcase said:
In any competitive market eventually people will resort to mud slinging. Just look at the android vs iPhone or politics and you will see people spend more time slagging off others than promoting their own service/beliefs. Sadly it's just human nature it would seem.

There's a famous quote along the lines on 90% of photography is being in the right place at the right time, so you would expect this from his tours. After all he can do it for himself. If others cannot do this then they are bound to slag him off, how I don't know but the blog post makes me want to go find out to help me get a more balanced view of the situation. At the moment all I ever see is Andy's comments.

I would love to do one of his workshops as I have always heard good things but they book up months in advance, which would seem to be a good indicator of quality.
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i tried to find the comments but didnt know where to start.
agreed i would love to go on one of his tours or talks.

funny people complaining about gear heads,but not making any contribution other than that :lol:
 
viewfromthenorth said:
I thought the bit at the very end about his change of systems was the least interesting bit of a fascinating article. I always enjoy reading blogs like his (even though I'm not a wildlife photographer) as it gives a great insight into the working life of a pro at the top of his profession. The multimedia theatre presentations sound interesting, I look forward to hearing more about them.
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I went to his evening in Abergavenny a month or so back. It was worth the 4 1/2 hour trip to get there. It was basically a talk about his recent trips to Africa, Madagascar and hares in Essex. He seemed a nice friendly guy willing to answer any questions and help you. I would definitely go again.

Like every one says his tools are his job, you get the right tools for your profession regardless of brand loyalty. I shoot with nikon as a hobby, doesn't mean I'm going to cannon just because he changed. Which brand i use hardly matters as its a hobby to me, the fact friends use nikon persuaded me as they could help me, advice good lens and we can try each others lens/cameras if we have a problem.
 
I remember the vitriolic comments he got when he did the Canon-Nikon switch. It made me quite ashamed to be a member of the Canon-owning community. IIRC Andy did state (maybe on the WEx forum?) that he paid for all his gear himself. He claimed that he did that switch because Nikon had the better gear.

Perhaps he's had a play with the 200-400/TC which, I would imagine, could be a stunning wildlife lens.
 
hollis_f said:
Perhaps he's had a play with the 200-400/TC which, I would imagine, could be a stunning wildlife lens.
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I believe this lens was hanging on the front of the Canon body he was using at Stow Maries workshop he was running. :lol:
 
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