Since I was 12 I’ve been using Nikon equipment. My first camera was a used Nikkormat FTn. A perfect camera to learn the basics of exposure, shutter speed and aperture settings. Since then I’ve used a number of different film cameras, including the Nikon FE, F-801 and F5. In 2003 I converted to digital and bought the Nikon D100 - a great step into the digital world.
Canon? Well, I briefly tried a Canon EOS 620 camera, but we never quite got along - it was a very nice camera, but I was already too much of a brain-washed Nikonian…
For a year or so I tried a Hasselblad 500 c/m. I loved this camera - but after getting hooked on digital, shooting film was just to much work. Current budget does not allow for a digital back, consequently the Hasselblad is sold.
This is my current line-up:
Body: Nikon D300 - wonderful camera! Quick, robust, a great sensor, and works well with all Nikon F-mounted lenses.
Lenses
Nikon AF-S 18-200 VR - a “swiss-army-knife” type of lens that does the job in 90% of the situations. I’m impressed with both the optical quality and the performance of the VR functionality that really works well. I typically gain 2-3 stops and this compensates well for the lack of a large aperture. Build quality could be better though. When i zoom in to 200 mm, the front element is a little “loose” and there’s a small wobble.
This lens stays on my camera 80% of the time…
Nikon AF 35/2 - used mostly indoors when I want to avoid flash. Renders colors beautifully and is sharp from f4 and up.
Micro-Nikkor 105/4 - Old manual focus lens, but works just fine. Sometimes I add a Nikon M2 extension tube for closer macro photography.
A while back, I bought a used Nikon AF 300/4. I use way too little, but hope to do more wildlife photography this year. Build quality and optical performance are both great!
Other extras include: Nikon SB-24 and SB-28 flashes, Hoya filters, Nikon cords.
The flashes won’t do TTL wih digital cameras, but I mostly use them in M- or A-mode. Works just fine, and with instant feedback from the LCD I can quickly adjust exposure when needed. Off-camera flash with the SC-17 cord makes the light much better most of the time. And if I really want to get a nice soft light, a bounce it in an umbrella, like here.
I have a few different camerabags, but most of the time I bring a stripped-down setup in an old beat-up shoulderbag. I bought it at a sale at Naturkompaniet nine or ten years ago (in those days they actually had good sales - now a days it seems like they only offer old outdated T-shirts in women sizes XS and XXL - at 20% discount). It’s really a re-branded Tamrac bag, and based on my experience they make first quality products.
And, if I for some reason don’t want to bring a large camera, I have a small Nikon Coolpix P5000 point and shoot. It’s mainly my wife that uses it. It is a compromise compared with what you get with a SLR-type of camera. Lens is not as sharp, and the sensor produces quite a bit of noise - but of course much better than no camera at all!
Next generation…
Of course, I’m eager to see more photography in the family. My wife is not very interested in the technical aspects, but enjoys taking snapshots of the kids every now and then. Filip shows great promise. The other day he used the Coolpix. Dad and son took photos of each other, and I must say that Filips turned out better!
Nice presentation. It’s always fun to see what equipment other photographers have, and how they use it. Well done.
As you know I used a Nikon D200 for a year, but then switched to Canon 30D. I wasn’t too happy with Nikon’s noice reduction. But now… I’ve also been glancing at the Nikon D300 (and dreaming about the D3) because they have passed Canon now with their noice reduction system. Isn’t that typical, now that I recently got four Canon lenses.
Hakuna Matata!