CANON T6 + CANON G9 + CANON AE-1
INTRO
My first SLR camera was the Canon AE-1. When I transitioned from commercial artist to photographer, I sought advice from working professionals, many of whom recommended the Nikon F3. While I initially built my career around Hasselblad, Sinar and Nikon systems, the AE-1 has always held a special place in my heart.
I learned composition and exposure through that camera, paired with a Vivitar Series 1 70–200mm zoom lens purchased from Sears Roebuck. That lens, a holiday gift from the man I would later marry, was famously dropped the moment I unwrapped it. Thankfully, it survived and went on to capture thousands of frames. My memories of that time remain some of the sweetest in my photographic journey.
MY CANON GEAR HISTORY
CANON cameras & related equipment used with their cameras.
STREET SIGN, REYKJAVIK | CANON G9
CANON CAMERA REFLECTIONS
Canon cameras have threaded through every stage of my photographic life, from early learning to teaching, and even into my travels. Each model carried its own purpose, quietly supporting the process of growth.
What stands out most is not the gear itself, but what it allowed me and others to discover. Whether guiding students through their first exposures or capturing fleeting moments on the road, these cameras reinforced a simple truth: photography is not about the equipment, but about learning how to see.
GALLERY SHOW: IMAGE BY TATYANA GRIGORYAN WITH A CANON T-6
CANON REBEL T4, T5, AND T6: CLASSROOM WORKHORSES
During my years teaching commercial photography, the Canon Rebel T4, T5, and T6 became the standard cameras stocked for students. Though often labeled as entry-level DSLRs, they proved far more capable than expected.
Their APS-C sensors delivered excellent color and sharpness, while intuitive controls made them ideal for learning manual exposure, focus, and composition. Students could transition smoothly from automatic settings to full manual control, building confidence along the way.
For teaching, they were dependable and flexible. They handled everything from basic exercises to more advanced techniques like off-camera flash and RAW workflows. Many students produced portfolio-level work using these modest cameras.
ICELAND PANORAMIC MADE WITH CANON G9
CANON POWERSHOT G9: A TRAVEL COMPANION
In 2012, I carried the Canon PowerShot G9 on a trip to Iceland. Among all the gear I brought, it was this small camera that produced some of my favorite images.
Its strength was simplicity. Always ready, easy to carry, and intuitive to use, it allowed me to focus entirely on observation and timing. The lens delivered impressive sharpness and tonal depth, even in Iceland’s constantly shifting light.
What made the G9 special was the freedom it offered. Without the weight of decision-making about gear, I could simply respond to what I saw. The images from that trip still feel spontaneous and alive, a reminder that sometimes the best camera is the one you are happy to carry.
CANON G9 IMAGE GALLERY
still in my gear closet today: CANON AE-1 + FD 50/1.4
THE CANON AE-1: WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
The Canon AE-1 was more than just my first serious camera. It was my teacher. With a 50mm lens and a 70–210mm zoom, I learned how focal length shapes perspective and how light defines an image.
Its match-needle metering system trained my eye through repetition and patience. I spent countless hours working to center that needle, slowly building an instinct for exposure.
Even today, the AE-1 stands as one of the most approachable and dependable 35mm SLRs ever made. Its simplicity, reliability, and honest mechanical feel continue to resonate. It delivered consistent performance then, and it still does now.
More importantly, it gave me a foundation. It taught me to trust the process, to experiment, and to find joy in seeing the world through a lens.
CANON AE-1 IMAGE GALLERY
