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Old 11-17-2009, 03:29 PM
equilution's Avatar
equilution equilution is offline
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Hot...really hot...like, Africa hot!
Posts: 3,550
Default The Mayor's Toys

Camera:
Nikon D3 with two 32gb CF cards

Lenses: (All Nikkor)
14-24 VR f/2.8
24-120 VR
85 f/1.4 (my baby!)
105 VR f/2.8 (my other baby!)
80-400 VR
300mm old school manual focus

Flashes/Lighting:
SB-900 Speedlight (as my commander)
SB-800 Speedlight
24" and 36" light boxes
4 400W strobe units w/umbrellas
1 slaved modeling light
wireless strobe trigger
misc stands, muslins, and reflectors

Tripods:
Manfrotto tripod with 322RC2 grip ball head (mixed feelings about this head)
Manfrotto monopod (nice and lightweight)

Accessories: (all Nikon)
wired remote trigger release
wireless infrared trigger release
programmable interval timer

Filters: (Hoya)
polarizers
warming filter (for my 85mm...does wonders for skin tones outside)
diffusers

I highly recommend Hoya's new HD UV filters. They'll all but stop a bullet. I have one on each of my lenses. They're pricey, but they'll absolutely free you from worry when you've got all that exotic glass hanging out front!!
Amazon.com: Hoya 52mm HD Hardened Glass 8-layer Multi-Coated Digital UV (Ultra Violet) Filter.: Electronics

Bags:
Tamrac 614...the big Kahuna
Tamrac 5550 Backpack-for carrying my laptop and most of my gear...heavy, but you can carry it onto a plane!!
Tamrac Velocity Sling pack for small excursions


Reviews/Comments about my gear:

Photography is all about managing your light. The best thing I've found to help understand it better is Nikon's Creative Lighting DVD. Best 25 photography bucks I've ever spent: Amazon.com: Nikon School presents A Hands-on Guide to Creative Lighting: Software

I learned tons, and have already put some techniques into practice with this shot for a local BBQ joint!
Juicy Goodness w text

-can't say enough good things about the D3...too much to list! Nothing I haven't been able to do with it yet!

-24-120 is a little soft around the edges, but it's a good all-around lens if you can only take one with you

-105mm Micro: best lens Nikon ever made, in my opinion, a must have for any Nikonian!

-85mm: second best they ever made (although 14-24 is in the running)

-80-400 VR is heavy, and a tank, but for the money, it's a must have...especially if you're shooting outside and don't need the 2.8 of the $7K 300mm for indoor sports! The 80-400 has great reach, but you can't use any of the Nikon converters with it.

-SB-900/800s: a must have for lighting. The 900 can act as commander, and trigger the 800 remotely, to get the side/back/top lighting you need in any situation

-Tamrac bags: sling pack is a little awkward, but is small enough yet holds a lot of gear, as well as my personal items (keys, wallet, etc). The 614 is huge, and can house everything listed above. You may need a dolley to lug it around though. The backpack is awesome. Holds tons of gear and accessories, as well as my 17" laptop. However, the catch all compartment is just that-it's just one big open pocket...no zippers inside or dividers...just one big hole!

I've done a lot of research on a lot of gear. Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Last edited by equilution; 02-01-2010 at 11:08 PM.
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