Whats you best bit of kit this year? 2009

Camnera kit: The Nikon D3 and D3x cameras and the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4
Other stuff: 1.5" paintbrush and a Blackhawk tactical pistol holster.
 
cowasaki said:
Wail,

Did I miss a thread about these? What are they like? Looking forward to seeing some images.
Click to expand...

About the T. / S. lens; I bought the 45 PC-E when I was last in UK (Aug. / Sept.), but I never got to play with it. Was too arsed to do so until I got back to Saudi.

Here, I started architectural photography and fell in love with it and what the Shift function can do. Mind, the reason I got the T. / S. lens was for the DoF for landscape, which is what I do mostly.

It turned out 45mm was too long for architectural, so I wend and got the 24mm as well. A fantastic bit of glass, too. Though, both are manual focus.

I am still trying to get my head around the DoF for landscape; since reading more about it, and a lot of help from other members here. But recent issues here have limited my shooting in the past couple of weeks.

I think this Friday will be a good day for me, I hope :shrug:, and I should be able to go out shooting with them.

Here are a couple of links to the threads on this, thread by EdBray, and thread by DuncanDisorderly. Lots of great photos, tips and pointers to get anyone addicted to this type of lens.

Now, did I hear you say your purchases for 2010 weren't to be as substantial as that of 2009 :p; I am sure I hear a T. / S. lurking in your minds' eye :suspect:?!
 
for me getting the IXUS
 
Everything in my 'Camera Bag' (including four different camera bags :D) was purchased in 2009, so I have a lot to choose from.

I suppose that first prize goes to the Nikon D700, for becoming like an extension of my right arm and just doing everything that I ask of it, so very well.

The other bit of kit, which never fails to impress and was a complete bargain too, is my Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 lens. I have 'better' (i.e. more expensive) lenses, but the sharpness and accurate focusing of the Tamron are far better than I expected in a 260 quid plastic lens from Thailand :eek:! It does tend to get a lot of use, too.

I think that I can safely say that I will be spending a lot less on photographic equipment in 2010, as there's not much more that I really need now (famous last words :D) and I really won't have another 8K spare, either :(!

Maybe I'll actually get out more and use all of the stuff that I bought in 2009!? (More famous last words ;)).
 
My Manfrotto MN393 gimbal type head:D

I use the Sigma 50-500mm and it's quite a heavy lens, I have a Manfrotto/Bogen tripod and have been making do with a video camera fluid head. Because of the weight/balance of the lens when extended the fluid head had to be adjusted quite tightly, this made it difficult to aim the camera at anything and resulted in missed shots.

The MN393 was recommended and I checked it out on various websites and thought seems expensive for a bit of bent flatbar, I tried to get one on ebay but they always finished up at nearly new prices.

I took the plunge and ordered one from http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-manfrotto-393-long-lens-monopod-bracket/p11050 who were the cheapest at £107.00, I ordered the head after 8pm on the 23rd Dec and was only fitting it to my tripod at 8am on the 24th:eek:

When you first open the box you think, god it's huge easily accommodating larger lenses. It's quite heavy but put this down to the quality of materials used, it has a smooth fully adjustable action that's a pleasure to use and what's more you feel confident using it.

What can I say, a wonderful bit of kit and no you couldn't make it cheaper yourself.
With it all set up properly [easy] it's like your camera's floating, the ease of movement in any direction, smooth action, balancing, well it's fantastic.

Yes I am enthusiastic, I don't have a lot of money for new kit and no I've not got shares in the company, I just love it to bits:D
 
My 50d and 70-200f4L great combination, and allows me to leave the 30d with a short lens on (18-55 kit lens - for now)
 
70 - 200 F2.8 VR NIKKOR:thumbs: - Hold on its not mine I borrowed that:suspect:

No wait My 50mm f1.8 nikkor - Yes thats it - the most used lens this year and I suppose as I have only just got into Digital photography my D300:thumbs: Thanks Calumet Liverpool and Harrison Cameras in sheffield for parting me from my money:naughty:
 
I only got into photography this year but for me its got to be my 40D, love it! :D
 
For me the best bit of kit for 2009 is the Panasonic Lumix GF1. Love it!
 
My Olympus Zuiko 14-35mm f2 and 35-100mm f2 lenses!!! Just got them recently, love them to bits.

Paul
 
I might have to revise my earlier post :thinking:.

This lens turned up this morning :naughty: ...

D700TC17EII70-200mmf28VRII_1000.jpg


I haven't done much with it yet, as it's snowing like mad over here in Germany and so I don't have any clear air to shoot through :(.

I'll put it through it's paces tomorrow (hangover permitting :D) and post a thread if I have any worthwhile images. Still, I wanted to post it here, as I'm sure that it's going to prove to be a great investment (being 'good glass' and all that).

All I know so far is that the VR II performs noticabley better than the VR on my 70-300mm, even at 340mm using a 1.7x TC! Can't wait to get out and use it properly :).
 
with me its a lowepro fastpack 200 (so much gear in a smallish bag)
minolta 50mm f1.7 - im a primey now
jessops 360afds - im now doing strobist

next year theres so much im after but i need my part time job at the moment but when i do im going to get:

KM 100mm f2.8 macro
KM 85mm f1.4
KM 35mm f2.0
sony hvl f42am
lowepro mini trekker, or micro trekker 200

these are the biggest purchases, and then theres little things like light stands and wireless trigger and receivers.
 
Well I'm going to change my mind, because all being well, in about 2.5 hours I will be getting my hands on my Canon EOS 1Ds MkIII.
 
The 2 additions this year have been the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 and the Nikon D300s. Just waiting now for the free SB900 from Nikon :D.
 
musical keyboard & by next week a Sony alpha 300 with lenses
 
I bought an insane amount of gear last year. The highlight has to be Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 as I have taken some of my best photos this year.

Next year might see a splash on full frame.
 
Without doubt it was my Tokina 11-16 f/2.8. Have had a great time using this lens for all sorts in the last year.
 
My A200 definitely. I bought an A700 and didn't like it as much so sold it on (I also needed some monies :p) and other than that, probably my Minolta 28mm prime. With this lens attached I am a lot happier with most of my shots, I seem to get a lot more keepers. Also generally very impressed with it for such an inexpensive lens.

Overall though, my best piece of kit this year has definitely been the A200. My first SLR, and I love it and have been to many beautiful places with it and got many shots I love with it already :D
 
Only took up the hobby 8 months ago, but the Canon 17-55mm IS and the 300mm f/2.8 IS L USM are my two favourite purchases.
 
My best bit of kit last year was a 100-400 IS, I'd had one in the past and sold it. I only bought another one because it was a good deal and I wanted it for a specific project (at the price I wasn't going to lose out by selling on afterwards). I'd forgotten what a useful lens it is and now can't see me selling it unless I really have to.
 
Canon 300mm f2.8 IS :D
 
Went from a Panasonic Lumix FZ18, to a Nikon D90...

BEST... PURCHASE... EVER.! :):):)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top