Lenses, Flashes, SLR Bodies, Cords, Filters, Film... These are the tools
of every professional photographers trade. Choosing just the right lens,
filter or film can easily add or subtract from a shot. All these items,
as important as they are, are just tools to enhance the photographers
talent. Just because one has the most expensive tools does not mean
they will produce better photos. The photographer him/herself is the
most important asset, their eye, creativity, passion and imagination
outweighs everything else.
Here are some of the photography tools I use
in my professional shoots. By no means is my collection complete. I
am always adding, trying new tools out, buying/selling are carefully
selecting each and everyone for the finest in performance for the price.
Lenses
Lenses are the eye of the photographer.
They help and assist him/her in expressing what they see though the
use of their creativity, style and imagination.
Lens Tip: Always look beyond a
"brand name" into its optical qualities to get a real picture
of a lens. You would be surprised that a 3rd party lens may be better
and cheaper than a brand name one, and that piece of advice can save
you thousands!
These are the lenses I use in
my collection:
• Sigma
28-70mm EX f2.8 AF-D Pictures: 2,
3, 4
. . . This is my "main" camera
lens. A true PRO lens that produces amazing results from landscape to
portraiture and fast action.
"It
features a fast, constant maximum aperture of F2.8 and covers the popular
focal length range of 28mm wide angle to 70mm midrange telephoto. Two
aspherical elements help maintain its high optical performance throughout
its zoom and focus ranges. It is the world's smallest zoom lens in this
category, just 3.9" in length. A minimum focusing distance of just 15.7
inches, at all focal lengths, also gives it the world's shortest close
focusing capability. The 28-70mm F2.8 EX is equipped with a perfect
hood and incorporates helical focusing to eliminate front lens barrel
rotation during focusing, for added convenience when using
polarizing filters."
Lens
Review
. . .
. . . . Sigma
Web site
• Nikon
50mm f1.8 AF Pictures: 1,
2, 3
. . . The sharpest lens Nikon makes. An
outstanding prime lens for low light situations or for extreme detail
at a normal view.
"An
affordable Nikkor that combines the ease of autofocus operation with
advanced Nikon optics. Ideal for scenery or full-length portraits. Weighs
only 5.1 ounces. Stops down to f/22 for additional depth of field control."
Lens
Review.
. . . . . .
Nikon
Web site
• Nikon
35-80 f4-5.6 AF-D Pictures: 2,
3, 4
. . . A light weight, do it all short zoom
for travel photography. Highly recommended due to its high contrast
of colours.
"Weighing
in at only 6.2 ounces, this powerful little zoom is ideal for travel
photography"
Lens
Review. .
. . . . . .
Nikon
Web site
• Phoenix
60-300 f4-5.6 AF Pictures: 2,
3, 4,
5. . .
. . . . . . . ..
. . . A pity Phoenix discontinued this
lens early. The glass in this lens (67mm) is still the largest in this
zoom range and has produced very pro like images consistently. Update:
August 2000: I have sold this lens to a friend to get him started in
Photography. I regret selling it due it its optical quality and look
forward to buying another one rather than a Nikon equivalent.
"The
NIKON-S MOUNT 60-300MM PHOENIX F4.0-5.6 Auto Focus Lens. This versatile
one-touch macro AF lens will lighten your lens load with a minimum
focus distance of 5 ft. for macro, 6.6 ft. standard, and a maximum
reproduction ratio of 1:4. This big eyed, bright eyed beauty is a
top quality optical instrument comprised of 13 elements in 9 groups,
with multicoated optics, and an acceptance angle of 8 to 38 degrees.
Weighs only 23 oz., measures 118mm by 76mm (width). Takes 67mm accessories."
. . . . . . . .
. .
. . . . .
. . . Phoenix
Web site
• Phoenix
19-35 f3.5-4.5 AF-D Pictures: 2
. . . A new lens to my collection. The
reviews of this lens foretell outstanding sharpness and contrast for
this Ultra-wide zoom. Update: October 2000. After using this lens for
sometime, I am very pleased (overly so) at its optical quality. The
lens construction is not as good, but I would recommend this lens to
anyone. A real A+ Buy.
"Because
of the angle of view, this auto-focus,ultra-wide angle lens is perfect
to capture all of your creative ideas. You can also fit all of your
family in the picture at a holiday get-together. Landscapes are great
with this wide view lens; the entire horizon is yours."
Lens
Review .
. . . Phoenix
Web site
• Tokina
AT-X 80-200 f2.8 SD APO AF Pictures: 2,
3, 4
-
. . . The newest lens in my collection.
The 80-200 f2.8 zoom. Some say it rivals prime lenses. I will have to
see. Quite a cult classic telephoto zoom. Update: October 2000: Quality
optics and quality construction. Simply, I know why this lens is a cult
classic. Just plain WOW on the sharpness and contrast even when using
it a f2.8 30sec at night!
Lens
Review . . .
. Tokina
Web site
• Quantaray
500mm f8/1000mm f16 AI Pictures: 2,
3
. . . This was a "Super Zoom"
though it was really a 500mm f8 prime with a x2 matched teleconverter.
This really was an amazing lens, but not all that great in optical quality.
I have to give a lot of credit to it because it expanded my photography
thinking, and allowed me to take pictures of the moon in almost full
frame at 1000mm! Great deal for under $150!
"Use this lightweight
500mm with or without the matched 2x extender for amazing long-distance
photos! Features: Needs a T-mount adapter (not included). Aperture
Range: F: 8.0-32 Filter Size: 67mm"
Lens
Review . . . . Quantaray
Web Site
• Konica
Hexanon 57mm f1.4 Pictures:
. . . Built over 30 years ago but the reviews
say the optical quality is still top-notch vs. primes today. I will
have to see, I just bought it and it is my fastest lens so far. (I just
missed out on a 57mm f1.2. But have heard it is not as good). As with
Konica Hexanon lenses, you just cannot find a better deal out there.
Purchase price: $33 canadian. Condition: Mint -
• Konica
Hexanon 50mm f1.7 Pictures:
. . . What can a 30 year old prime lens
do? I will have to see, but the reviews say the optical quality is still
top-notch vs. primes today. I just bought this lens with my Konica T3
camera. It is Konica's standard lens back then.As with Konica Hexanon
lenses, you just cannot find a better deal out there. Purchase price:
$100* canadian. (*inc. T3 SLR) Condition: EX
• Konica
Hexanon 28m f3.5 Pictures:
. . . This lens was considered "wide"
at the time over 25 years ago. At f3.5 I can't say it is fast, but since
I will be using it for day time shooting (I think), it should be OK.
I will post more and I know first hand more. As with Konica Hexanon
lenses, you just cannot find a better deal out there. Purchase price:
$30 canadian. Condition: Mint
• Vivitar 80-200 f4 Zoom 1:3.4 Macro - Pictures:
. . . I don't know much about this lens
other than what I have been told. What I have been told is that even
though it was made in 1983, it is a very good zoom lens. Problem with
it is the apateur blades are very slow and require some repair. It is
ok to shoot at f4 manually with it though. Purchase price: $Free canadian.
Condition: EX -
• Soligor
17mm f3.5 - Pictures:
. . . I know it is 20 years old and the
original owner says it is very sharp and flat field. Perfect for architectural
/ scenics. So I wanted a good wide lens to use since the 19-35mm Phoenix
lens made me so happy. Purchase price: $60 USD. Condition: Mint+
• Quantaray
200mm f3.5 - Pictures: 2
. . . Just picked up this lens on eBay
used for the Konica SLR. I wanted to use my NIkon lenses via Nikon to
Konica adapter (but they cost $150 US) and felt that was too much. So,
I am trying to get the quickest 200mm I can (that was the f3.5). I got
a really great deal on it as well, just have to try it out and see how
good it is. Can't be too bad I think because it is a fast prime. Purchase
price: $20 USD. Condition: Mint
"Use this lightweight
500mm with or without the matched 2x extender for amazing long-distance
photos! Features: Needs a T-mount adapter (not included). Aperture
Range: F: 8.0-32 Filter Size: 67mm"
Lens
Review . . . . Quantaray
Web Site
Camera
Bodies
Camera bodies today can come in
many shapes and sizes, from manual focus to auto focus. They hold the
lenses, film and accessories important to the photographer.
Camera body tip: It is important
not to get wrapped up in features you will rarely use or get a body
for harsh environment you rarely will shoot in. With today's camera
technology, it is hard to get a body with a lack of features, or one
that is not rugged enough for outdoor use. After all, the body is really
a light box in the simplest form.
• Nikon
F50/N50 AF/MF Camera Body Pictures: 2,
3, 4
. . . While not a true "Pro"
body in the sense of the word, but the Nikon F50/N50 has proven itself
highly reliable in professional use. Not only does it have a lot of
features that are important to photography, but more importantly, does
not clutter up or slow down the photographer with features and controls
he might not ever use. I was so impressed by the Nikon F50/N50 I now
own and use two on every shoot. What a great deal this Nikon is!
"See
the difference a Nikon makes. How far can you go with the Nikon F50?
Is your old camera just gathering dust on the closet shelf? Do you
doubt that it can give you the results you expect? Are you ready to
take the next step toward making better, more beautiful and colorful
pictures? Ones you'll be proud to display? If so, then we suggest
you move to the new Nikon F50 35mm Single Lens Reflex Camera. Vacations,
family events, travel, portraits, close-ups, wide shots, telephoto
shots — the Nikon F50 and a high-quality Nikkor lens can handle them
all. Opt for totally automatic operation and make photos with ease.
Or use the F50's full set of controls for personal picture-taking
pleasure and creativity. For the Nikon F50 has features and performance
that will more than satisfy you — like accurate or sharp autofocus,
a selection of automatic and manual exposure controls, and a built-in
automatic flash that will brighten your pictures. And the F50 does
it all with Nikon quality and reliability. So if you're ready for
great photography, choose the Nikon F50 and you'll see what a difference
a Nikon makes. Nikon. We take the world's greatest pictures. Yours."
. . . . . .
. . . . . .
. . . . . . Nikon
Web site
• Konica
T3 MF Camera Body Pictures: 2
. . . I wanted
to try something "new" and I looked really hard for the best
in quality and price value out there on the used market and think I
have found it. Konica is/was very renown for their Hexanon lenses and
their SLR cameras. They stopped making SLR's in 1983 but their lens
quality has kept up even with todays lenses. So I had to try it out
and see for myself. Where else can you get a 57mm f1.4 lens for $30?
The T3 is the "one to get" if you want "the best"
Konica MF SLR in the T line. So far, I'm impressed with its quality
and construction. It has lasted since 1973 and still works, and is in
mint condition! I think it will outlive me. Purchase Price: $100 canadian
with 57mm f1.7 Hexanon lens.
• Konica
T MF Camera Body Pictures:
. . . This
is my 2nd Konica MF SLR body. Since the T3 was so good for the value
I looked to get another Konica SLR. I found this one with a 57mm f1.4
lens, a 28mm f3.5 lens and a 80-200 Vivitar f4 lens for $125 canadian,
so I feel kinda bad I got it for $100 canadian. The quality is just
great. The Konica T was the first T camera, and was made in 1969. It
is 31years old today and is older than I, but I don't think it will
die till another 31 years. Purchase Price: $100 canadian. Condition:
EX
Flash
& Accessories
A flash is very important to photography,
it is like carrying around the sun with you when light is low, or you
need a fast shutter speed to capture the action. Accessories like the
SC-17 flash cord can not only extend the flash away from the camera
(important in flash photography to give you softer light) but allows
you to work more creatively as well.
• Phoenix
ZIF105N TTL Nikon Flash Pictures: 2
. . . This powerful professional flash
allows TTL (though the lens), bounce (up to 90 degrees up), Swivel (150
degrees left/right) and also had infrared targeting in low light so
you can see where you are pointing it.
"Guide
Number Guide Number (ISO 100 ft) 62.0 (@ w1 setting) 82.0 (@ S setting)
105.0
(@ long FL setting) 122.0 Color Temperature 5600 Features Hot shoe
Yes Auto off Yes Confirmation light Yes Coverage Angle of Coverage
(°w x °h) 70 x 53 @ long FL setting 32 x 23 Bounce Maximum Bounce
Angle 90 Illuminance Min Illumination 2.3 Max illumination 87.0 Power
Batteries 1.5V AA Batteries # Batteries 4 Number of Flashes 120-2000
Recycle Time (secs. with alkaline batteries) 0.2-9 Dimensions Height
(in) 5.25 Width (in) 3.14 Depth (in) 4.50 Weight (oz) 11.00 Dedication
Dedicated For: Nikon AF"
. . . . . . . .
. .
. . . . .
. . . Phoenix
Web site
• Nikon
SC-17 TTL Flash Cord
Pictures: 2
. . . A true staple in flash photography
to allow you to use the flash away from the camera body to produce more
lifelike light. I also use a LumiQuest Ultrasoft Box to further soften
the shadows in my pictures.
. . . . . .
. . . . . .
. . . . . . Nikon
Web site
Filters
Filters not only allow you to
protect your lens, but they can have special functions as well to express
the photographers vision, creativity and imagination. Currently, I own
filters in 52mm, 67mm and 77mm sizes, based on the diameter of the lens.
• Hoya
Skylight 1B Filter
. . . Reduces the excessive blueishness
that frequently occurs in outdoor color photography, especially in open
shade under a clear, blue sky. The absorption peak is in the range which
corresponds to the film's green spectrum. This means outstanding outdoor
shots with superb color balance and clarity under all conditions. Also
keeps skin tones free of colored reflections from nearby objects such
as the shade of trees. I own one for each lens I have they are that
useful.
. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
. . Hoya Web site
• Hoya
81A Warming Filter.
. . . This is a light balancing filter
used to decrease the color temperature slightly for a warmer (redder)
tone and adds more warmth to a picture even more so than the Skylight
1B. Very useful for cooler scenes, or to add more colour to a sunset/sunrise.
. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
. . Hoya Web site
My Photography Equipment
