Favourite bit of camera kit?
Discussion
Just out of interest, what's your favourite or most useful bit of camera gear?
My favourite is my Canon 300mm f2.8 lens - the build quality is just amazing, and it gives fantastically sharp shots. My most useful is my tripod - it's carbon fibre so is not too heavy to lug around all day, is sturdy enough to hold even my biggest lens, and is invaluable for those moody night shots at Le Mans!
My favourite is my Canon 300mm f2.8 lens - the build quality is just amazing, and it gives fantastically sharp shots. My most useful is my tripod - it's carbon fibre so is not too heavy to lug around all day, is sturdy enough to hold even my biggest lens, and is invaluable for those moody night shots at Le Mans!
Depends upon the mood really!
Red filters!!!!!!!!
20mm lens goes out with me always!
85mm f1.8 is so much fun in low light!
But probably the best thing I did was get the grip/battery housing for the Nikon F90X - portrait format is so much easier with the extra shutter release.
(It's probably one of the reasons why I don't like my F100 body - haven't got the MB for that yet)
(Everything I buy is secondhand - hence I don't always fork out for all the kit I really want in one go - Nikon package up the bodies with the grips as the "Pro" version, so as a used item they are cheaper without and then hunt them down separately - if anyone knows of an MB-15 at a better price than ~£90 let me know )
Red filters!!!!!!!!
20mm lens goes out with me always!
85mm f1.8 is so much fun in low light!
But probably the best thing I did was get the grip/battery housing for the Nikon F90X - portrait format is so much easier with the extra shutter release.
(It's probably one of the reasons why I don't like my F100 body - haven't got the MB for that yet)
(Everything I buy is secondhand - hence I don't always fork out for all the kit I really want in one go - Nikon package up the bodies with the grips as the "Pro" version, so as a used item they are cheaper without and then hunt them down separately - if anyone knows of an MB-15 at a better price than ~£90 let me know
)I think my favourite bit of kit changes year by year as and when I try different things. A number of years ago I bought a cheap secondhand Yaschicamat 124 medium format camera which was more diffuclt to use than a 35mm SLR but (a) helped to improve my photography no end, (b) took excellent quality pictures on 6 x 6 negative format. Unfortunately, it got damaged coutesy of British Airways. I used the insurance money to contribute to buying a Mamiya 6x7 medium format camera which is brilliant - really easy to handle and fantastic quality pictures though not quite as flexible as a 35mm SLR. Again, purchased secondhand.
My current favourite 'kit' must be the Kodak infrared film whcih has helped to re-inject some new enthusiasm into my photogrpahy. Which reminds me, I must order some more ....
My current favourite 'kit' must be the Kodak infrared film whcih has helped to re-inject some new enthusiasm into my photogrpahy. Which reminds me, I must order some more ....
Yep - chunky is one thing you can call it!
I guess it would be the equivalent of 480mm on the 10D, although I also have a 2 x tele converter, so I'd end up with a 960mm lens, with a max aperture of f4.5 I think (you lose 2 stops with the converter).
Actually - my most surprising lens has probably been my 50mm 1.4 - it's taken some pin-sharp shots inside buildings without using any flash. Most impressive!
I guess it would be the equivalent of 480mm on the 10D, although I also have a 2 x tele converter, so I'd end up with a 960mm lens, with a max aperture of f4.5 I think (you lose 2 stops with the converter).
Actually - my most surprising lens has probably been my 50mm 1.4 - it's taken some pin-sharp shots inside buildings without using any flash. Most impressive!
Ed - do you stick a Travelcard on a bit of string round your neck and get into all the press areas when you're brandishing the 300? 
And what's your disappointment?
I bought a Billingham bag, it's brilliant - one of the big 550s - and the only problem is when you fill it up and can't walk more than half a mile with it, because of the weight!!!
Also a Tokina 28-70 - it's good, but just that bit too heavy for carting around.....
And what's your disappointment?
I bought a Billingham bag, it's brilliant - one of the big 550s - and the only problem is when you fill it up and can't walk more than half a mile with it, because of the weight!!!
Also a Tokina 28-70 - it's good, but just that bit too heavy for carting around.....
I was actually asked if I was a pro by a pro photographer at Donington earlier this year, and he invited me round in front of the wire fencing where he was standing! I had to decline his offer though as I still hadn't got round to reading the manual for my camera, and didn't want to prove my ignorance by fiddling around with my camera like the complete amateur that I am! 
Funny you should mention the Billingham bag - I've got the 550 as well, and while it is a great bag, it is bloody heavy when fully loaded, especially when walking between the circuit and campsite at Le Mans! I'm now looking at the big Lowepro backpacks which also have wheels and a handle so you can wheel them around like a suitcase!
Nothing else that I've bought recently has really disappointed me though - I've been most impressed with all the Canon gear I've got.
Vivitar 2x macro-focusing teleconverter. You put a 50mm standard lens on the front and get a 100mm lens with good aperture. Nothing special there of course - *until* you twist the helical part which then makes the device into an extension tube and gives you real (ie 1:1) macro.
Vivitar don't sell them in the UK - I had to import mine from the US. It doesn't support autofocus but when you're doing close-up stuff that's not so important.
Vivitar don't sell them in the UK - I had to import mine from the US. It doesn't support autofocus but when you're doing close-up stuff that's not so important.
Thanks Alien - though having banged on about macro-focusing telewotsits, that pic was actually taken with a Mju300 ('Stylus' across the pond I think). When it works it's damn good, though it's very picky with focus and exposure.
That pic on your website - can't figure it - is it two dancing bears?
That pic on your website - can't figure it - is it two dancing bears?
Being a cheapskate my favourite bit of kit is a film header extractor I bought in a bargain bin in the 'States. 99 cents. It works much better than the much more expensive Ilford and Jessops ones and is light and easy to carry around. It's rescued other people's films a number of times and saved me ages in the darkroom.
My favourite lens is my 24mm EF though. Every time it goes on I get an interesting photo.
My favourite lens is my 24mm EF though. Every time it goes on I get an interesting photo.
ehasler said:
Just out of interest, what's your favourite or most useful bit of camera gear?
My favourite is my Canon 300mm f2.8 lens - the build quality is just amazing, and it gives fantastically sharp shots. My most useful is my tripod - it's carbon fibre so is not too heavy to lug around all day, is sturdy enough to hold even my biggest lens, and is invaluable for those moody night shots at Le Mans!
It'd have to be my 1D, amazes me every time I use it. I'm seriously jealous of you 300mm 2.8 though. It's next on my list, unless I get the 1D replacement 1st
Well my favourite piece of equipment at the moment is my new Canon 70-200 2.8 L IS lens which is great and produces some great photos, like a few of you already have I am considering the Billingham 550 aswell as I have a smallish Lowe Pro backpack at the moment but it is just too fiddly getting gear in and out and hopefully soon I would like to get a 1D to compliment my 10D as I do quite a bit of motorsport photography and I agree with Steve that it is ideally suited to Motorsport photography and the prices seem to be coming down.
Cheers
Ian
Cheers
Ian
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