What's your camera setup?

[Duke]

Just starting a discussion on what people shoot with, what you'd like to be shooting with, future upgrades (body, lenses, etc.). What's your dream set-up?

I'm shooting with a Nikon D300 (12mp dSLR). For lenses, i've got 15mm f2.8 fisheye, 50mm f1.8, 18-70mm f3.5-4.5, 80-400mm f4.5-5.6. It's quite a nice setup, for what we shoot. The only disadvantage with this camera is that it's not 'full-frame', so I don't quite get the wide angles that I'd like (unless I buy a really wide lens) because of the 1.5x crop factor on the sensor (which most dSLR cameras have). The advantage to this camera is that my 400mm zoom now becomes a 600mm zoom.

I love Nikon, especially for the colours, the frame rate of the camera is fantastic (i get 6 fps, & 8 fps with the battery grip attachment), the sharpness of the lenses is really good.

I'd like to step up to a full-frame camera for my landscape shots, maybe a D700 or a D3 (drool). I've even contemplated switching to the new Canon 5D Mark II, unfortunately, switching over lenses would be very costly.

We use Aperture for our workflow, mostly for image organizing & metadata labelling, as well as some colour correcting. Aperture is used only for jpeg shooting. Any RAW adjustments are done in Nikon Capture NX2 because Aperture doesn't handle Nikon RAW files properly (see other my other posting in shooting RAW)

My dream setup would be a Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III, with an assortment of Canon "L" series lenses (sigh, if I only had an extra $20,000 for camera gear).

I've also got an assortment of lights, few backdrops, & other accessories.

Look forward to reading other posts.

[BobMarley]

I really want to get back into photography, not sure where to start. My old camera is a Cannon 35mm.

[Duke]

Originally Posted by BobMarley

I really want to get back into photography, not sure where to start. My old camera is a Cannon 35mm.

Hey Bob, my recommendation would be to stay with Canon if you've already got some lenses. Lenses are will generally cost more than the camera body itself (especially for nice lenses).
Trying to figure out what camera you need when starting out again is always tough. To begin with, the type of photography you want to do really influences the camera you buy (ie. landscape, portrait/studio, sports, etc.) as there are some camera bodies more specific to each area.

For landscape & studio work (bear in mind, these are only Canons I'm recommending), I would get the EOS 5D (or the new EOS 5D MarkII), they are full-frame cameras allowing for very wide angle lenses. The full-frame sensor (exactly the same size as a 35mm film frame) gives you sharper image, especially in lower light conditions or higher ISO's. (body will be between $1800 - $2700 depending whether you want the older or newer)

For sports & action, the EOS 50D is great, it shoots almost 7 fps. Also, the 1.5x sensor crop allows your zoom lenses to reach further, for example, a 300mm lens actually shoots at 450mm, & is very sharp. It's the newest generation of Canon high-end amateur camera (body is around $1400).

if you're just a weekend shooter on a budget, look at the Rebel xsi, about $800. It's a good camera to get re-introduced into digital SLR photography.

Hope this helps.

[BobMarley]

Thanks Duke,

I'm looking at this setup, opinions?

ShopDigitalDirect.com

[Duke]

Hi Bob,

That's a great package to get you re-acquainted with photography. It's a smart way to go because you're not spending a lot on the body (& it's a great body to get started with), but as you become a better photographer, you will begin to see the things that you will expect from a better camera when it comes time to upgrade (if you ever even need to upgrade).

My advice to you though, spend the money on good lenses when the time comes to buy them, don't cheap out!!! Camera bodies come & go... but you will always take your lenses with you. A cheap lens can limit what you shoot & how the photo will turn out... believe it or not, a lens will even affect your colour. A great lens on a cheap-crappy 6mp. camera will produce a BETTER photo than a cheap-crappy lens on a great 21mp. camera.

Let me know how you like your camera when you get it. I can also help you find the right lenses when you're ready to buy some.

Good luck & happy shooting!!!

[Jack]

Olympus E-510 with a Zeiko 14-54mm lens. I want one of those new Olympus micro 4/3s concept cameras.