[Jawbone54]

The photo critique thread's images of broken gear got me wondering...

What kind of gear does everyone here use? I don't want to get into the Canon/Nikon debate; I just want to know what everyone uses. As for me...

Canon XTi/400D
18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens (blah)
50mm f/1.8
85mm f/1.8 (fantastic lens!)

I'm about to possibly upgrade to a Canon 40D, but since I haven't invested a ton into lenses and accessories (yet), I've given some thought to going the route of the D300. I got my hands on one the other day, and I absolutely loved it. It felt sturdy, quiet, and I got some good shots out of it.

Any D300 users in here? 40D?

POST YOUR GEAR!

[mdc]

Nikon D50
18-55mm f/3.5 - f/5.6
55-200mm f/4-5.6
55mm f/1.8

I too played with the D300 recently and plan on buying one in in a few months time.

[ARENA]

Body: Canon 5D
Lenses: Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L mk2, Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L, Canon EF 135mm f/2L. Flash Canon 580EX.



Sergio
Sergio Recabarren G.

[RAILhead]

Canon EOS 40D

Tamron SP AF28-75mm F/2.8 XR Di LD
Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM

[Jawbone54]

I'm liking the web-site, Sergio. Did you build it?

[iMOTOR]

Digital:

Canon 30D
50mm 1.4
17-40mm 4.0L
70-200mm 2.8L

35mm:

Olympus OM1
several lenses

Pentax ME super
Pentax K1000
several lenses

Medium Format:

Mamiya RB67
127mm 3.8KL

Large Format:

4x5 SpeedGraphic
135mm Kodak lens

[ARENA]

Thanks Jawbone. It's actually just a simple I site i build quickly while I work on a more structured design and photography portfolio.

Glad you like it.

[James L]

Camera:
- Nikon d80

Lenses:
- Nikkor 18-200 VR
- Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

Flashes:
- Nikon SB600
- Nikon SB28

Misc:
- Manfrotto/Bogen tripod
- Lowepro slingshot bag
- Second battery
- Remote wireless shutter release
- Stands and umbrellas for the flashes

[Goldfinger]

Nikon D200

Nikkor 12-24 f4.0 DX
Nikkor 20-35 f2.8
Nikkor 35-70 f2.8
Nikkor 70-210 f4.0
Micro Nikkor 60mm f2.8

SB24
SB600
SB800

Gossen Digipro F

some tripods, light stands, poverty wizards, umbrellas, two lowepro bags, extra battery (that D200 eats power) etc.

[powerbook867]

Pentax K10d
16-45 F4
50-200 F4-5.6
28 F2.8
50 F1.7
300 F4
360 flash + diffuser
Knock off carbon fiber tripod

Soon to acquire either a Sigma or Tamron 70-200 2.8 once they are released and some reviews are up..

[design219]

Nikon D200
Nikon F100 (rarely use anymore)
Nikkor Lenses
12-14
18-200 VR
20-35 2.8
50 1.4
55 macro
105 1.8
105 2.8 macro
80-200 2.8

Horseman 4x5 studio view camera
Nikkor Lenses
90 sw
150
210

A variety of older Bogen tripods
Calumet 3000 w.s. strobe set
Novatron 400 w.s. strobe set
A few light boxes

Extension tubes, and misc. other stuff.

[glideslope]

A wide selection of tools manufactured by companies based in Asia. and the United States.

[davidflas]

Nikon D80
Nikkor Lenses
50mm 1.4
20mm 2.8
105mm Micro 2.8
70-300 4.0-5.6
17-55 DX 2.8
Nikon Flash
SB600

[Timo]

Pentax K10D (two bodies)

DA 12-24mm f/4.0
DA 21mm f/3.2
FA 31mm f/1.8
FA 43mm f/1.9
FA 77mm f/1.8

The zoom is for interiors, the 21 for street/travel (super compact pancake lens), the 31 is always on one body, and the 77 is a stellar portrait lens (and my favorite of these lenses).

[MacosNerd]

Camera: Nikon D70s
Flash:SB800
Lenses:
NIKKOR 28-70mm f/2.8D
NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4D
NIKKOR 60mm f/2.8D
NIKKOR 12-24mm f/1.4G
NIKKOR 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G (the D70s kit lens)
NIKKOR 70-300mm f/1.4-5.6G

The kit lens that came with my D70 is excellent but I was blown away after getting the 28-70mm lens. That puppy stays on my camera 95% of the time. I use that for all my events and personal shooting.

I don't use the 50mm to much any more even though it takes some great shots, I used to own the 85mm prime lens which was sharp but, I never used it so why tie up the $$ on something that was collecting dust.

I have a no name tripod that I use and has served me well.

[BoingoBongo]

I have a Canon XTi (400d) with the 18-55 IS lens. It's not a bad lens for the price. I've had this camera for a couple of months, and I really really like it.

[Oisín]

Originally Posted by mdc 

Nikon D50
18-55mm f/3.5 - f/5.6
55-200mm f/4-5.6
55mm f/1.8

I too played with the D300 recently and plan on buying one in in a few months time.

Substitute Canon 350D for the D50 and you have my exact setup, too.

[olePigeon]

Kodak disposable film camera.

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by powerbook867 

Soon to acquire either a Sigma or Tamron 70-200 2.8 once they are released and some reviews are up..

I was going to wait, but all evidence of the Sigma price on that lens was putting it with in ~$150 of the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L, so I just decided to go with the Canon.

Canon XTi
Battery Grip
18-55mm kit lens - Canon
30mm f/1.4 - Sigma
50mm f/1.8 - Canon
70-200mm f/2.8 L
2x extender - Sigma
430EX Speedlight - Canon
58mm & 62mm ExpoDiscs
Manfroto Tri-pod and Ball Head
Lowepro backpack

The battery grip is nearly indispensable. Allows me to use AA batteries which are much cheaper than Canon's proprietary batteries.
The kit lens goes on for nearly nothing.
The 30mm is used for group shots and artsy portraits at a very shallow depth of field and very low light
The 50mm cheapo is great for beach and other dusty or "risky" locations.
The 70-200 is on there about 50% of the time. It is AMAZiNG.
The 430EX is nice and powerful, and is ready for when I step up to a "master" flash and can act as a "slave".
I like the ExpoDiscs a lot for shoots where lighting changes a lot and I don't have time to set WB.
The Manfroto TP is rock solid and very versatile.
The back pack needs to be upgraded. It will hold my laptop and about half of what I like to travel with.

I am very satisfied with what I have, though I would like a 10mm prime.

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by olePigeon 

Kodak disposable film camera.

110? Or APS?

[Jawbone54]

Update:

I don't know what I was thinking. I shot Nikon extensively throughout the day (co-worker brought their's). The bodies for Nikons are nice and sturdy, but less ergonomic, especially for someone with smaller-than-average hands like myself. After about an hour, I started really noticing that I missed the feel of my XTi. After uploading the photos, I wasn't seeing great results, so I decided to stick with what feels better and more comfortable to me personally. No Nikon switch for me.

So that leaves me with a decision:
Canon 24mm f/1.4 or Canon 70-200 f/2.8L IS

I do mostly portrait shoots with intermittent events sprinkled throughout. My "perfect setup" would look something like this:

Canon 5D
24mm f/1.4L
85mm f/1.2L II
70-200 f/2.8L IS

Those three lenses with a full-frame camera would cover me for pretty much every scenario I'd find myself shooting in. We'll see how close I am to this in about a year or two.

[cszar2001]

Nikon D70 (D300 later this year)

Tokina 12-24 f/4
Nikkor 50 f/1.8
Nikkor 85 F/1.8
Nikkor 70-200 f/2.8 VR
Nikkor 18-70 f/3.5-4.5
Tamron 90 f/2.8

2 Speedlights (SB 800 and SB 600)
Filters (infrared Hoya R72, Heliopan RG695), Linhof Tripods, Linhof Ballhead, Lowepro Bag (Slingshot 200), Tamrac Expedition 9, Lightstands, Manfrotto Superclamps, ..........

[OreoCookie]

My current setup is:

Nikon D80
Nikkor 3.5-5.6/18-70
Nikkor AF-D 2.8/80-200 ED (last push-pull zoom)
Speedlite SB-400
Loewe Pro bag

I want to replace the kit lens with something for portraits (the minimum focussing distance of my bazooka is too large, the viewing angle too small). I thought about a Tokina 2.8/28-70 Pro SV (which I've owned before and loved), but the prices on the used market are ridiculous (10 % less than what I paid for the lens when it just came out!). I'm hearing good things about the Nikkor 2.8/35-70, any opinions?
(As I said, I would like a portrait lens, so 42/55-105 is fine.) I'm also eyeing for a Tokina 12-24, but my budget is finite and limited

@Jawbone
The Canon 5D, 40D and Nikon D300 are about the same size. Probably you should stick to your 400D if you don't like to have a larger camera. Also, if size is an issue, I'm not sure you want the 1.2/85, it weighs as much as my bazooka zoom

[dav]

pentax k100d
50 f1.4
55 f2.8 (macro 1:1)
18-55 (kit)
50-200

[Jawbone54]

Originally Posted by OreoCookie 

@Jawbone
The Canon 5D, 40D and Nikon D300 are about the same size. Probably you should stick to your 400D if you don't like to have a larger camera. Also, if size is an issue, I'm not sure you want the 1.2/85, it weighs as much as my bazooka zoom

Well, it wasn't the size that bothered me, really. Nikons feel a bit "boxier" to me with contours that aren't as smooth. Size and weight aren't really issues that affect my "feel." Does that make sense?

[OreoCookie]

Yeah, sure it does.
Use whatever fits you best, otherwise your gear can get in the way.

[powerbook867]

Cool, dav is another Pentax person... I was starting to feel lonely..

[tie]

Does the Nikon wireless remote allow you to shoot bulb mode on the Nikon D80? I had a wired remote, but it broke very quickly (one of the little contact wires came loose).

Nikon D80, 18-70, Tamron 90

[Oisín]

Originally Posted by powerbook867 

Cool, dav is another Pentax person... I was starting to feel lonely..

And Timo. And Mastrap, too.

[fhoubi]

Nikon D50
(Nikkor 18-55)
Nikkor 18-200VR
Hama HTMC UV filter
SpeedLite SB-600
Stofen Omni-Bounce OB-600
extra EN-EL3e
Sandisk SD Extreme II & III's

[glideslope]

Nice to see all the Nikonians in here. But alas, it's only a tool.

[design219]

Originally Posted by glideslope 

Nice to see all the Nikonians in here. But alas, it's only a tool.

Yeah, I though this place was dominated by Canon users. But you're right, just a tool. I started in the mid 70s, and then it was Nikon all the way. If I was starting today, I'd sure look at Canon as well as Nikon.

[Timo]

Originally Posted by powerbook867 

Cool, dav is another Pentax person... I was starting to feel lonely..

and I'm chopped liver?

edit: ah, I see my posse has already been here

[powerbook867]

Sorry Timo, just missed you..

I love my Pentax gear and there a quite a few deals to be be had on some choice glass.

[Timo]

yep, I've been quite happy too ... currently lusting after the new K20D

[Oisín]

Originally Posted by Timo 

and I'm chopped liver?

edit: ah, I see my posse has already been here

Yes, on both accounts.

[JMan09]

This may not count because I don't have it yet. I just ordered a Canon Digital Rebel XTi with the 15-55 kit lens. And a SanDisk Extreme III 4GB CF card. Should get it Tuesday.

[Goldfinger]

Originally Posted by OreoCookie 

I want to replace the kit lens with something for portraits (the minimum focussing distance of my bazooka is too large, the viewing angle too small). I thought about a Tokina 2.8/28-70 Pro SV (which I've owned before and loved), but the prices on the used market are ridiculous (10 % less than what I paid for the lens when it just came out!). I'm hearing good things about the Nikkor 2.8/35-70, any opinions?
(As I said, I would like a portrait lens, so 42/55-105 is fine.) I'm also eyeing for a Tokina 12-24, but my budget is finite and limited

I highly recommend the 35-70 2.8. It's cheap and performs like the 28-70 2.8. It's also a lot smaller. I bought it for the exact same purpose: portraits.

I was somewhat disappointed with it on the D70s but on the D200 it's fantastic. Probably because of the better AF system, the D80 has the same AF system. It was somewhat soft on the D70s at 2.8, it's much sharper on the D200. Which probably means focussing errors caused by the D70s' less advanced AF.

[OreoCookie]

I tried it yesterday, It's nice, feels good, but it's a push-pull zoom (which I don't like so much). I've heard good things about the optical quality.
But unfortunately, I don't trust the shop I've seen it in. The guy had no clue, no clue whatsoever. I asked whether I could try it (to see whether the lens was in good working order), he pulled out a Canon pro body and asked: `Does it fit?'

I went to one of my two favorite camera stores in Munich, but all they had was a nice 1.4/50 and I almost got weak. I can trust the prices are fair and they give one year of warranty -- they know their stuff and they're fair. He advised me to keep my eyes open for a 1.8/50 made in Japan -- which is probably in my price range now (my amp started dying yesterday, argh!). I'll keep my eyes open for one, though

[James L]

Originally Posted by tie 

Does the Nikon wireless remote allow you to shoot bulb mode on the Nikon D80? I had a wired remote, but it broke very quickly (one of the little contact wires came loose).

Nikon D80, 18-70, Tamron 90

Sorry tie, I missed this question.

The wireless remote does work in bulb mode. When you set your camera to bulb mode, the remote works like a toggle - click it once to open the shutter, click it again to close the shutter, so the time in between is up to you.

I think there is a 30 minute time limit with the remote though on the bulb exposure.

[JMan09]

Can anyone recommend a good zoom lens about 28-200? Doesn't have to be this exactly, but I want it to go along with the 15-55 kit lens that I go with my camera. The most I want to spend is $250. The main reason I want another lens is to use when I travel this summer. I've been looking around at Sigma and Tamron but I'm new to this so can't decide what's good. Thanks in advance for any help.