DAIWA MAVERICK MQ

DAIWA MAVERICK MQ SPOOL

DAIWA MAVERICK MQ MONOCOQUE

DAIWA MAVERICK MQ MAGSEAL

DAIWA MAVERICK MQ ATD

DAIWA MAVERICK MQ AIRROTOR AIRBAIL

DAIWA MAVERICK MQ HANDLE

Fishing reels are always challenging especially with so many tones and materials that all reflect light differently, but add the colour red to them and it even gets more challenging. Reds are on of those colors that never look right, most camera sensors seem to struggle with red tones. In the early days of digital, CCD sensors were in most high end cameras and  I personally believe they replicated reds, straight out of the camera far better than the current CMOS sensors. My original Leica M9 produced stunning reds, perfect everytime, but modern cameras often struggle. The Nikon Z9 matched with an X Rite Color Checker has proven itself over the last year to be perfect in every way, especially with colors that previous cameras struggled with.
The combination of multiple colours, metals, cork, chromes, plastics or eva etc make it challenging. I began shooting reels during film days before digital, my setup still remains the same albeit more modern lights. Lighting power, fstop and speed remain the same as I’m so attuned to shooting them, the only component that is checked every time is white balance. Each reel I shoot has a test image with an Xrite Color Checker and Sekonic light meter. These seem to be forgotten or underutilized gear with many of todays photographers.
In light of the difficulties of reel photos, I still love the challenge and its always satisfying when being able to shoot great looking products.