Sunday, July 26, 2026, may be my last Comic-Con sojourn. I suffered a nine-year gap in attendance for inability to secure passes. Even then, the one-day, ah, golden ticket for 2017 was acquired indirectly. Twenty-sixteen marks my last participation from passes purchased through one of the official registration days. People enter the online purchase queue randomly, and I had been unquestionably unlucky. That is until November 2025 Open Registration, when I luckily secured Thursday and Sunday passes for this year’s SDCC. I can’t be sure to get any again.
San Diego Comic-Con 2026 was a last chance to brandish a camera during the, arguably, greatest pop culture event on Earth. I did okay shooting Day One, using Nikon Zf and NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 lens. However, overall, I was dissatisfied with the photos. For Day 4, I attached the NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 (SE) lens, which I had never before used. The simple, and affordable (currently $309.95 direct from Nikon USA), lens delivered. Take that, pricey Leica Summilux!
The street photography-friendly focal length combined with the Zf’s low-light capabilities convinced me to shoot differently. I opted for a more documentary-style that is more immersive—more like you are there. The popular approach is to stop cosplayers and let them pose for the camera. The Featured Image is an example of my alternative tactic. Someone else asked the couple to pose, but I waited until the parents lifted their dragon masks before taking the shot. Vitals: f/2.8, ISO 2500, 1/125 sec, 28mm; 4:15 p.m. PDT.
For this one, I shot behind the booth at attendee shoppers. Vitals: f/2.8, ISO 800, 1/125 sec, 28mm; 1:18 p.m.
The Peanuts booth was one of the most popular. Lines were long until about two hours before closing. This gentleman dressed the part, and I think the photo is effective without seeing his face. Vitals: f/2.8, ISO 2200, 1/125 sec, 28mm; 2:59 p.m.
This portrait is excellent example of the immersive, documentary style—focusing on one individual flanked by others. The young woman looks like Queen Amidala from Star Wars. Vitals: f/2.8, ISO 800, 1/60 sec, 28mm; 12:51 p.m.
I am unhappy with this photo and two others taken from different angles. The line to get into the booth was ginormous and it blocked the best vantage points. That said, sharing the shot is must-do. Blink-182, one of my favorite pop punk bands, is from San Diego—and the partnership for Pac-Man is irresistibly iconic. Vitals: f/2.8, ISO 560, 1/125 sec, 28mm; 1:20 p.m.
She might have posed had I asked, but candid is my preference. Yours? The adult woman is dressed as Frankie Stein, one of the characters from Monster High. Vitals: f/2.8, ISO 1800, 1/250 sec, 28mm; 12:42 p.m.
My target subject was the woman in red, who is point of focus, but she turned away as I clicked the shutter. But I like the being-there composition, punctuated by the stare of the young man. Vitals: f/2.8, ISO 4000, 1/250 sec, 28mm; 2:13 p.m.
You want anything at Comic-Con, plan on waiting in line somewhere. This one leads to the Pokemon booth. Vitals: f/2.8, ISO 1400, 1/125 sec, 28mm; 12:33 p.m.
I used to frequent this vendor, but my other favorite—Dumbrella—wasn’t at the Con and may not have been for some years. Designer Andrew Bell would typically be there selling plastic caricatures from Dead Zebra. I would grab that year’s Android Collectible Comic-Con exclusive. Vitals: f/2.8, ISO 2200, 1/250 sec, 28mm; 2:14 p.m.
I didn’t hang around to see if Super Woman was coming for me, and she sure looks that way. My Nikon was no Kryptonite! Vitals: f/2.8, ISO 640, 1/125 sec, 28mm; 3:20 p.m.