The gear thread - what have you got?
Discussion
Let’s have some pictures of what you use to take your pictures. Old, new, basic or advanced, what have you got?
Here’s one of mine, the Nikon D300. Owned from new (still have the box) no video capabilities, just a rugged, early DSLR which is now being used to explain to the kids the basics of photography.
Great bit of kit, I would be genuinely astonished if it ever stopped working.
Here’s one of mine, the Nikon D300. Owned from new (still have the box) no video capabilities, just a rugged, early DSLR which is now being used to explain to the kids the basics of photography.
Great bit of kit, I would be genuinely astonished if it ever stopped working.
I have a Nikon Z5. Loads of lenses, too many, need to sell some. Most commonly used are a 28-400mm Nikon, 35mm f0.95 Laowa, and a 100mm f2.8 2x macro Laowa.
Also shoot some film, and have a Hasselblad 500cm.
My older lad has got into photography and shoots almost entirely film on a variety of vintage cameras, and he's turned the spare bedroom into a darkroom. So he now processes all my films, colour and B&W, and now has an enlarger and can print up to about 14x14" prints too. All it costs me is buying chemicals and paper once in a while.
Also shoot some film, and have a Hasselblad 500cm.
My older lad has got into photography and shoots almost entirely film on a variety of vintage cameras, and he's turned the spare bedroom into a darkroom. So he now processes all my films, colour and B&W, and now has an enlarger and can print up to about 14x14" prints too. All it costs me is buying chemicals and paper once in a while.
I haven't got any photos of my current kit (Fuji), but here's a photo of my first DSLR, which I still have, albeit with no lens to use it with.
Canon EOS 20D by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
Canon EOS 20D by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
I started with a box Brownie, then a 35mm rangefinder given to me by an uncle. Sort of given. I had no opportunity to thank him. I got the bug, going onto developing and printing, then spending a fortune, at the time, on a Voigtlander Vito B - superb camera. Cracking lens. I bought a Durst Reporter enlarger. A fortune.
I helped a friend with wedding photography, he having two Mamiyaflex C3s. I loved the images and bought a Yashicamat 24G twin lens, 6x6, which was my favourite camera of all that I had up to then and since. Every press of the shutter an event. I have retained the discipline of taking few images in the main. Mind you, it took 21 frames to get all my grandkids looking sensible in a family portrait.
Back to 35mm, although keeping the twins lens, with a Minolta, then another one, with a few lenses. I liked it but both bodies developed faults and I was forced to buy a third. I sold the Yashicamat, and regretted it immediately. Next came a Nikon bridge, and later a Panasonic one. Then I went for micro four thirds, with a GH2, G7, and now I have two G9s, while retaining the GH2. I also bought a Panasonic TZ which developed focusing problems after 18 years of heavy use. It was the family hack and has visited many more countries than I have.
I have five lenses: two primes, a superb F1.4 25mm (50mm old money) and an f2.8 42.5 (85mm); both primes are badged Leica. I also have three zooms: 12-60 which I use for video, 14-140 (my favourite zoom) and a 100-300. Despite comments in reviews, my 100-300 gives excellent images. I have some cracking images at full zoom - 600mm equiv in 35mm - handheld. The in-body and in-lens stabilising is close to magic. I think I read it is worth 7 stops.
I feel I am well set-up now and have no particular wish for another camera. I might, just might, go for the G9ii, but more likely is something newer to replace the GH2. The GH6 is reported, by friends, to be a very good video camera and worth the money. I'll wait for the price to drop.
EDITED TO ADD:
I have two flashguns, plus a number of LED lights and a couple of mains lights.
I have three full-size tripods, two of which remain in my little studio - a grand name for half a garage. The third is a lighter one, just, and more compact and I take that on shoots. I have two monopods, both Manfrotos, one alloy and heavy, which has only three sections, the other closes to more manageable proportions and is a bit lighter.
I have two table-top tripods, cheap stuff but useful.
I have a gimball, a Weebill S, which is excellent. It's a bit heavy and tiring for a day's shooting.
I have a 'universal' full cage, which fits my three MFTs, as well as my little compact.
I have two camera bags, both backpacks, one large, which I store a lot of gear in and mostly remains in the house, and a smaller one, converted backpack, which I use in the main.
Apart from the gimball and lights, most of my gear is secondhand. One of my studio tripods cost me £11 on ebay, a Velbron, but was unused and still in its original wrapping. The other, which is 20+ years old, was bought for me to video rugby matches, but was given to me when I stopped doing it because the club had newer ones. Both monopods were ex-display. The large camera bag I bought new, but the smaller one was repurposed from camping days. The cage was again new but bought from a filming company that went bust.
I buy gear that's used because most people look after their gear. My 20-year-old tripod was out in all weathers, every weekend in season, and is still in excellent condition. My other one, which is the replacement model for my 20-year-old one, is in perfect condition.
I have a second-hand focusing rail that a friend was discarding. I offered him £10, but he refused. It's turned out to be extremely useful in my studio. It's good quality, a wee bit old - probably 15 years - but still as effective as it ever was.
I helped a friend with wedding photography, he having two Mamiyaflex C3s. I loved the images and bought a Yashicamat 24G twin lens, 6x6, which was my favourite camera of all that I had up to then and since. Every press of the shutter an event. I have retained the discipline of taking few images in the main. Mind you, it took 21 frames to get all my grandkids looking sensible in a family portrait.
Back to 35mm, although keeping the twins lens, with a Minolta, then another one, with a few lenses. I liked it but both bodies developed faults and I was forced to buy a third. I sold the Yashicamat, and regretted it immediately. Next came a Nikon bridge, and later a Panasonic one. Then I went for micro four thirds, with a GH2, G7, and now I have two G9s, while retaining the GH2. I also bought a Panasonic TZ which developed focusing problems after 18 years of heavy use. It was the family hack and has visited many more countries than I have.
I have five lenses: two primes, a superb F1.4 25mm (50mm old money) and an f2.8 42.5 (85mm); both primes are badged Leica. I also have three zooms: 12-60 which I use for video, 14-140 (my favourite zoom) and a 100-300. Despite comments in reviews, my 100-300 gives excellent images. I have some cracking images at full zoom - 600mm equiv in 35mm - handheld. The in-body and in-lens stabilising is close to magic. I think I read it is worth 7 stops.
I feel I am well set-up now and have no particular wish for another camera. I might, just might, go for the G9ii, but more likely is something newer to replace the GH2. The GH6 is reported, by friends, to be a very good video camera and worth the money. I'll wait for the price to drop.
EDITED TO ADD:
I have two flashguns, plus a number of LED lights and a couple of mains lights.
I have three full-size tripods, two of which remain in my little studio - a grand name for half a garage. The third is a lighter one, just, and more compact and I take that on shoots. I have two monopods, both Manfrotos, one alloy and heavy, which has only three sections, the other closes to more manageable proportions and is a bit lighter.
I have two table-top tripods, cheap stuff but useful.
I have a gimball, a Weebill S, which is excellent. It's a bit heavy and tiring for a day's shooting.
I have a 'universal' full cage, which fits my three MFTs, as well as my little compact.
I have two camera bags, both backpacks, one large, which I store a lot of gear in and mostly remains in the house, and a smaller one, converted backpack, which I use in the main.
Apart from the gimball and lights, most of my gear is secondhand. One of my studio tripods cost me £11 on ebay, a Velbron, but was unused and still in its original wrapping. The other, which is 20+ years old, was bought for me to video rugby matches, but was given to me when I stopped doing it because the club had newer ones. Both monopods were ex-display. The large camera bag I bought new, but the smaller one was repurposed from camping days. The cage was again new but bought from a filming company that went bust.
I buy gear that's used because most people look after their gear. My 20-year-old tripod was out in all weathers, every weekend in season, and is still in excellent condition. My other one, which is the replacement model for my 20-year-old one, is in perfect condition.
I have a second-hand focusing rail that a friend was discarding. I offered him £10, but he refused. It's turned out to be extremely useful in my studio. It's good quality, a wee bit old - probably 15 years - but still as effective as it ever was.
Edited by Derek Smith on Thursday 8th August 22:17
Nikon D500*
Nikon D200
Lumix XS3*
Sigma 10-20mm
Nikon 17-55mm f2.8*
Nikon 50mm f1.4
Nikon 105mm f2.8 macro
Sigma 70-200 f2.8
Nikon 70-300 f4.5 VR*
Photex 80mm TS lens
SB800 flash*
Stroboframe flash bracket
Manfrotto 055 ProB tripod
Elinchrom monobloc studio lighting, stands, wall arm and various modifiers
Cheapo portable backdrop set for the local theatre group portraits
The ones marked * live in the bag and are my usual weapons.
Nikon D200
Lumix XS3*
Sigma 10-20mm
Nikon 17-55mm f2.8*
Nikon 50mm f1.4
Nikon 105mm f2.8 macro
Sigma 70-200 f2.8
Nikon 70-300 f4.5 VR*
Photex 80mm TS lens
SB800 flash*
Stroboframe flash bracket
Manfrotto 055 ProB tripod
Elinchrom monobloc studio lighting, stands, wall arm and various modifiers
Cheapo portable backdrop set for the local theatre group portraits
The ones marked * live in the bag and are my usual weapons.
Edited by Simpo Two on Thursday 8th August 23:00
Also have a Canon Poweshot G2 from back in the day. I really must get out with it and see if I can still work it as it's got a decent built in lens (f2.0 I think) and appears to be a darling of the retro-camera crowd.
I think the Canon Powershot G2 uses a more common battery type so fingers crossed you can still get them.
I think the Canon Powershot G2 uses a more common battery type so fingers crossed you can still get them.
Julian Scott said:
Phone aside, just a Leica Q2.
Oh that's rather nice! How are you finding it and what sort of stuff are you using it for?I'm too poor for a Leica, but wanted to get into street photography so have a second hand Fujifilm X-Pro1 on the way with a manual 35mm equivalent (so 25mm as the camera has a 1.5 crop factor).
No idea what it will be like but happy to try and find out if it's any good as I believe it's a bit of a nightmare on manual focus lenses so will need to teach myself zone focusing.
pistonheadforum said:
Julian Scott said:
Phone aside, just a Leica Q2.
Oh that's rather nice! How are you finding it and what sort of stuff are you using it for?I'm too poor for a Leica, but wanted to get into street photography so have a second hand Fujifilm X-Pro1 on the way with a manual 35mm equivalent (so 25mm as the camera has a 1.5 crop factor).
No idea what it will be like but happy to try and find out if it's any good as I believe it's a bit of a nightmare on manual focus lenses so will need to teach myself zone focusing.
I just need to my photography skills to do it justice ;-)
In the last stage of GAS I've now got a Nikon D610 incoming. I know they have had issues (more the D600) but the price was right I'm keen to see what a full frame sensor is like.
It was the sweet spot in terms of features and price as I would rather have a selection of different cameras rather than a single expensive new camera.
Any suggestions of what lens to get? I'd like 50mm or 35mm but I'm trying to shoot more manual focus so the physical feel and operation is important rather than the autofocus. Budget is very low!
What I'd really like is a split prism focusing screen I think that's what it's called when you have a small section that lines up when in focus?
Can these be retrofitted as no modern DLSRs seem to have them.
Thanks in advance.
It was the sweet spot in terms of features and price as I would rather have a selection of different cameras rather than a single expensive new camera.
Any suggestions of what lens to get? I'd like 50mm or 35mm but I'm trying to shoot more manual focus so the physical feel and operation is important rather than the autofocus. Budget is very low!
What I'd really like is a split prism focusing screen I think that's what it's called when you have a small section that lines up when in focus?
Can these be retrofitted as no modern DLSRs seem to have them.
Thanks in advance.
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