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What camera gear do you use?

18K views 117 replies 52 participants last post by  jellotor 
#1 · (Edited)
We have threads on your mac gear/crib, but what about your camera gear? What's your main camera/lens. What do you carry it in? What can't you live without? What's your favorite accessories and what can you not live without?

My main camera is a Nikon D40 (hopefully will upgrade to a D90 in the near future) with an AFS 18-200mm lens. It came with a kit 18-55mm. I also have a couple of Minolta 35mm bodies - a Maxxum 450 si and a Maxxum 70 and their lenses AF 70-300mm and a 28-80mm. I pack it all neatly in a Lowepro Mini Trekker AW, but I am getting a Lowepro Slingshot 120 AW soon (just ordered it tonight :D ). I also use Aperture 3 for my workflow and quick post processing and Photoshop (CS3).

Th wish list includes a D90 body, a SB600 flash a nifty 50 prime lens, a tripod and a whole whack of other accessories.

What about you?
 
G
#2 ·
Bodies: Main body is Canon 7D, backup body is Canon 20D.

Lenses: EF 16-35L f/2.8 II, EF 50mm f/1.4, EF 70-200L f/2.8 IS, EF 300mm f/4L

I have a few camera bags that I use, depending on how much gear I need to haul. A Crumpler 7 million dollar home, a Crumpler beer pack and a Lowepro Trekker AW.

Lots of little bits and pieces to go with things. 430ex flash (which I don't use that often). VIdeo addons: 15mm rail setup, Dfocus follow focus, Lilliput field monitor (w/ manfrotto monitor arm), MatteBox, 3 different sized variable density filters, and probably a bunch that I've missed :)

For workflow I use Lightroom 2 pretty much exclusively, a bit of round tripping to photoshop CS4 as required (mostly for soft proofing) for photography. For video Final Cut Pro studio 2 w/ the new canon log and transfer plugin (which is great).
 
#35 ·
Nice Kit, Mguertin. My best friend has the 7D and he absolutely loves it. His is gripped, and is the size of a 1D. I was using his camera at the distillery district and man the shutter is so trigger happy that I kept firing of 2 shots all the time. Had to switch it to single shooting but man it is fast.

I also have lens envy, I want the 16-35L.
 
#3 ·
I have a Pentax *ist DS2 body and a Sigma 70-300 APO DG lens. I occasionally think I should have gone for their "Bigma" 50-500 lens but for the most part I am pretty happy with what I have. The body is a little dated but I have yet to find anything it won't do. Newer versions have image stabalisation built in, which at 64 might be useful as I am noticeably less steady than I once was, and it is waterproofed also which might encourage more wet weather work. I have a rural property with bush in the backyard and most of my stuff is either nature or scenics.

I came to this after using a Pentax SP-F since '74 with a 200mm and the classic Pentax 50mm/1.4. We always used Pentax gear in our lab as always had great results.
Bird Branch Plant Waterfowl Twig

Plant Water Window Building Tree
 
#4 ·
Bodies: Canon 1D MkII (270,000 actuations), 1D MkIIN (150,000 actuations). Looking to replace the II with a IV.

Glass: Canon 20-35/3.5-4.5, 24-70/2.8, 70-200/2.8, 50/1.4, 85/1.2, 135/2, 300/2.8, 500/4, 2x adapter; Sigma 12-24/4.5-5.6, 600/8 (catadioptric).

Various & sundry CF cards, flashes, modifiers, stands, backdrops, tripods, heads, cables, triggers, packs, filters, computers, monitors, software, tablets, etc.

For our event photography, the 70-200 is the go to lens with the 300 helping out. Studio work the 85 gets the nod as much as possible, supplemented by the 24-70 and occasionally the 135. Everything else gets used as required. Need to get out & shoot the 500 more.

My travel pack is the ThinkTank Airport Addicted, my large hiking pack is a LowePro Super Trekker II, the smaller one is a Tamrack Cyberpack 8.

Couldn't live without a 1 series body, the 85, 70-200 or the 300. As far as accessories are concerned, the Wimberley gimbal head is pretty sweet.
 
#63 ·
Update:

Last summer got the Mk IV, sold the 20-35 & 70-200/2.8 Mk I, replaced with a 70-200/2.8 Mk II.

Interesting, since the last post I'm sure I haven't used the 50/1.4, 600/8 cat or the Tamrack. Mebbe time for a sale...
 
#5 ·
My kit is very simple, and that's the way (uh-huh uh-huh) I like it:

Nikon D50 - still a terrific DSLR after four years of use and I have no intention of replacing it anytime soon - I adore it,

Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G VR - bought this last year to replace the kit lens after loads of research, comparisons, and consideration of my needs & modus operandi. Very good value & performance and I'm extremely pleased with it,

Nikon SB-400 Speedlight - I don't often need to use a flash but this one suits me fine. Handy, small & fast, has an adjustable bounce, very inexpensive.

Oh and a LowePro something-or-other bag. Can't remember the model but it's just the right size, large enough to hold the camera & flash, plus a couple of filters, without driving me nuts when I'm out and about.

My to-buy list:

- A new Hoya R72 IR filter to fit the 18-105 soon so I can dabble in IR photography this Spring/Summer once everything greens up again. I really enjoy IR imagery,

- Maybe a Nikkor prime lens later this year but the 18-105 meets my needs at the moment,

- A new tripod; my current one is pretty solid but the head is (shall we say) somewhat arthritic and it doesn't like fine adjustments anymore.
 
#6 ·
I have a Canon Rebel XT (but would really like to upgrade to the new T1i)

I picked up the 18-55IS lens as well as a 60mm macro and a 85-300 zoom.

I just got a great manfrotto tripod that is crazy light and folds down very small but extends to almost 6 feet tall.

For bag I have a LowPro but not too happy with it been looking for the perfect bag for some time but yet to find it.

Software I am still using iPhoto although I do own Aperture but have yet to make the switch.
 
#7 · (Edited)
I may be the odd one out here. I only shoot film. Digital is my polaroid.

Nikon F100
nikon F90x
Nikon 28mm f2.8
Nikon 50mm f1.8
Nikon 180mm f2.8 Manual Focus
Nikon D50 "Polaroid"
Tamron 35-105mm f2.8 (when I am lazy)
5 Speedlights triped opticaly

And the best camera I own, about 70 years old.
Speed Graphic 4X5 view camera
135mm + 180mm
 
#8 ·
I've got a Sony a-200 that comes with me everywhere. I've got the 18-70 kit lens that is next up to be replaced. Then I've got a Sigma 18-70 lens and the Sony 50mm f1.8. This thread inspired me to run out to henrys and get a blower to get the dust off my sensor.
 
#9 ·
Nikon D40 with the stock 18-55mm lens. Does everything I need, an amazing value for the quality of the shots I get. I've considered getting a zoom lens, but I can't see needing to upgrade the body anytime soon unless something happens to it.
 
#10 ·
Nikon F3 with a Nikkor 28mm 3.5.

Hasselblad 501c with 80 & 65mm.

Looking for a Linhof Technika IV 6x9.

One day I'll get serious about digital but until that time I have a Canon G3 which was pretty top of the line when I bought it years ago. It has great manual controls and produces excellent web work.
 
#16 ·
Looking for a Linhof Technika IV 6x9.

.
A friend of mine had two Technika Press models. I think these did not have the bellows, but did have the rotating backs. One had a wide angle lens on it which needed a special viewfinder to be attached to the body. Monster cameras and even more unwieldy when the large Metz was attached . They were his dad's who shot weddings with them, unfortunately I think he got rid of them many years ago.
 
#11 ·
Canon

- I have a Canon 5D MkII since last summer.

Getting this camera has been like upgrading from a Piper Cub to a Jumbo Jet - it's a great camera, a bit intimidating, and it has forced me to be a better photographer. Good for me, good for my photography.

- A bunch of wonderful lenses, mostly bought used.

- Flash (used) that I've never used. :rolleyes:

- The light-box kit from eBay has been excellent and surprisingly flexible for various photo styles.

- MacBook Pro with Aperture, external monitor for spanning.
- External FW drives.

Wishlist:
1. I have the 70-200 IS L (amazing lens!), but I think for wildlife shots, I'd even like the 400mm lens.

2. A wider lens (17mm?) for architecture, landscape shots. The 24-105 kit lens is very good, but ... well ... you know. :eek:


- I have a big camera bag that I bought at Henry's on sale, that holds all lenses and accessories, but it's too big for grab-and-go.
So I bought a $19, soft-sided tool bag from RONA, lined it with an old, foam, yoga mat I cut to fit and hot-glued, and it holds camera, 1 or 2 lenses, extra batteries, and lens cleaning stuff. The RONA bag fits between the car seats, is easy to carry with one hand, or slings lightly over my shoulder.
 
G
#12 ·
Wishlist:
1. I have the 70-200 IS L (amazing lens!), but I think for wildlife shots, I'd even like the 400mm lens.

2. A wider lens (17mm?) for architecture, landscape shots. The 24-105 kit lens is very good, but ... well ... you know. :eek:
1. If you can't afford to get the 400mm IS lens (and who can) I'm not sure I would go with a lens that long unless you have tons of light and the ability to use tripod all the time. Getting a good solid shot at 400mm handheld can be a challenge! If you haven't tried it already I'd suggest a (cheap) 2x extender. I picked one up on ebay for around $20 USD or so that works fine.

2. The 17-40 f/4 L are great lenses for their price and you can find them for good deals used. I had one that I used for a few years before I traded up to the 16-35 II lens .. I needed the faster lens as I tend to do a lot of indoor work that doesn't allow or doesn't work well with flash (like bands).
 
#14 ·
I just found out that my LowePro Slingshot 102 AW is on back order for 2 - 4 weeks. :(
 
#23 ·
Alas, still no word on my Slingshot.

Maybe next week.
 
#15 · (Edited)
Cool thread.

Since going digital, I have the following:

Nikon D700
Nikon D300
Nikon D70 (the electronic shutter allows flash synch at any speed. or I may convert it to infra-red at some point. It's still a good camera.)

Most used:
Nikkor AF S 24-70mm f/2.8
Nikkor AF S 50mm f/1.4
Sigma 70mm-200mm f/2.8
Nikkor AF S 18mm-200mm f/3.5-5.6
Nikkor 10.5mm DX fisheye
Nikkor 60mm f/2.8 macro

Little used:
Nikkor 70mm-300mm
Nikkor 18mm-70mm

SB800 strobe
SB600 strobe
SB80DX strobe

Manfrotto tripod, monopod, various heads, clamps and grip acc.

Various polarizer filters, ND filters

Various light stands, umbrellas, reflectors, background stand.

Generally carry the cameras and lenses in a Lowepro Stealth Reporter bag.

Post processing done in Lightroom3 and Photoshop CS5. All prints are sent out to the lab. I do not print at home.

My wish list would include:

Nikkor AF S 17mm-35mm f/2.8
Nikkor AF S 85mm f/1.4
Nikkor PC_E 24mm f/3.5 tilt-shift
 
#17 · (Edited)
I have a Canon 40D body with a few lenses:

EF 70-200 f/2.8L
EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX
Lensbaby 2.0

also have a couple of flashes: 430EX/580EXII plus the usual tripods, bags, filters etc.

Edit: forgot about my P&S! A Lumix DMC-FX500. Great little camera with a touch screen LCD.
 
#18 ·
Currently have a Canon Rebel T1i with the EFS 18-55mm IS lens that was in the kit, and an amazing Canon Ultrasonic 70-300mm IS lens f/4-5.6

I'm currently going thru an "anti flash" phase, using aperture and exposure settings instead.

Soon I will be down to my N97's 5 MP Carl Zeiss lens, if my sale of the camera and lens goes thru.
 
#20 ·
Three digital cameras at the moment.
But funnily enough, I use my pocket Canon Digital ELPH SD1000 the most.
(For everyday shots when I'm out and about)

The others are clunkier, They are on tripods mostly for more serious shots,
First one is my most precious camera, It's a Minolta Dimage 5 with a 50 - 250mm fixed lens
The second is a Konica Minolta Dimage A2 with a 50-200mm fixed lens
Both of these cameras can accept 49mm fliters, I use a Hoya near infrared filter with the Dimage 5.

I like to use the Dimage 5 the most over my Konica Minolta Dimage A2,
Mostly because it can shoot in near infrared, Whereas the Konica Minolta Dimage A2 can't.

You get some nice effects with a camera that can shoot in pitch black.
 
#21 ·
After years of shooting medium format, I was looking for a camera that could go everywhere without getting in the way.

No one was more surprised than I that I selected a Kodak Z915. Let's be blunt the last good camera Kodak made was pre-WW2. However this has a 35-350 mm equivalent lens. More importantly the anti-shake feature is rock solid and does its job within the optimum ISO range of 100-200, making the entire zoom range usable. The camera can be easily held with one hand leaving the other to shade the lens or the display. Lightning fast shutter response. Sports setting kicks up the ISO to allow fast shutter speeds, best results are at 5 MP. As with all cameras using the small CCD, going to 10 MP simply wastes storage space. Shooting at 5MP and interpolating to 10 gives identical results as shooting at 10.

For me the size, shape & weight combination is perfect.

Obviously I would prefer the 8x larger sensor area of a DSLR but truthfully this guy meets my needs every time out.

Biggest complaint would be that I have to correct a bit more frequently for density than with the Panasonic I tested, but if I am being fussy I have program, or aperture and shutter preferred settings that allow for under/over compensation on the spot. More often a quick tweak in PhotoShop Elements is all that is required.

AAs give about a month. NiMH about 2 weeks but admittedly that set is ready to be replaced.
 
#25 ·
New unit in da house! Picked up an Olympus EPL-1 yesterday, and plan to give it a workout on an upcoming road trip to the heart of darkness. Well OK, we'll be in Memphis at the tail end of our journey, during an international BBQ cook-off. Kind of a Graceland with extra chipotle thing.

It's my first Oly and I'm hoping it makes me happy, because I HATE lugging a DSLR around. My D80 has been a flawless shooter (w/ several lenses & filters) but I've felt zero compulsion to upgrade DSLRs because till now, a nicer camera always meant even more weight.

I say "till now", because I'm sure you're all aware how everyone's suddenly yanking the bulky innards out of their units, to offer lighter, more compact bodies. It could well be the way things are headed.

One model that's caught my eye is the new Samsung NX10. 14 MP on a nice size sensor (not a 4/3 like the Oly) with a compact and thoughtfully styled body. It was demoed at Henry's a short time ago and the sales guys I spoke with are jazzed. It's one I'll be watching.

Yeah, in my quest to find a decent go-anywhere shooter, I've recently gone through a G10 and an S90 without lasting happiness. Got my fingers crossed with this Pen thing.
 
#28 ·
I just received my Lowepro Slingshot 102 AW yesterday.

A nice compact bag that can hold a DSLR with Lens, spare lens, a flash , memory cards and has room for storage on top. It doesn't feel like I'm carrying a ton of stuff with me either. This is now my everyday bag.
 
#31 ·
Keep an eye on the Classified section in Miscellaneous. I have my Minolta gear up for sale there if anybody is interested.
 
#32 ·
I am in love again.

My new E-PL1 takes gorgeous shots. Very little CA or distortion with the kit 14-42 (added a B+W UV). The flash fills things in nicely. The shots are razor sharp, it reads the light well, and the colours are quite accurate.

Its ORFs respond well to RAW manipulation. And the contrast focus speed that everyone nit-picks, has never bothered me. A recent firmware upgrade has made it even better.

Best of all, with lens, it weighs about a third that of my Nikon.

I'm off tomorrow for a road trip (NYC, Washington, NC, Memphis) where I'll take maybe 4-5 thousands shots. After that, I'll have a pretty good idea of whether the days of lugging around 5lbs of hardware have come to an end.

It's everything Steve says it is:

Olympus E-Pl1 Review: Steve'S Conclusion
 
#33 ·
#34 · (Edited)
I am looking for a good piece of kit to take on a trip to Greece next summer...This Olympus is looking better and better.
What better camera to take to Greece!:D

I'm not into video, but I've been reading that the Oly shoots it well. I can see how this grip kit would really help in bright conditions. FYI, from what I've experienced so far, the in-camera stabilization works great.

(edit) Just saw the flyer...$599 this week at FS.
 
G
#36 ·
Love the 16-35L lens but to be honest the one that gets the most use these days is the cheaper EF-50 f/1.4 as I tend to do a lot of event shooting in places where flashes don't work so well, not to mention the fact that I hate flash photography (unless it's in a studio type setup where you have full control over everything, but that's a different story).

The next lens I'm lusting over is the Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II .. but with that price tag that comes with it I think I'll have to stay lusting over it for quite a while before I actually spend the dough on it! ;)
 
#37 ·
Yeah, with photography it never ends. The next lens I really want is the Canon 50 1.2L since my nifty fifty is hardly getting used. Come to think of it; there are a couple of things I need to get rid of since I hardly use them.
 
#40 ·
All my camera's have fixed lenses,
Saves me having to buy lenses.

Just make sure the lens that comes with the camera is long and short enough for you.

My fixed lens cameras are either Konica or Minolta digital camera's.

Dimage 5 is 50mm - 250mm

Konica Minolta Dimage A2 is 50mm - 200mm

Dave :)
 
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