“What Digital Camera do you use?”

It’s a question that I get asked a lot any time that I mention I run a photography website or meet anyone who shares my passion for photography.

So today I’d like to ask YOU what camera you use and what other accessories are a part of your regular kit. I also thought I’d kick things off with a quick exploration of my own photography kit.

My Digital Camera Kit

Camera Bodies:

I have been using Canon DSLRs since I first upgraded from a point and shoot digital camera a number of years ago.

Canon EOS 5D (pictured left) – this is my primary body and I use it 95% of the time unless I need something lighter, compact, with an inbuilt flash and/or need a backup body. It has everything I need in a DSLR although I do sometimes look at some of the newer Canon bodies with auto dust reduction and faster burst mode and wish my 5D had features in those areas.

Canon EOS 20D – my first ever DSLR and still a great camera. It’s handy to have this one around. As I mention above it’s lighter and more compact than the 5D and has an inbuilt flash. It’s also handy to have a camera that doesn’t have a full frame sensor. Of course the 20D has been somewhat superseded by the 30D and 40D from Canon – but still takes a lovely shot.

Leica D-Lux 3 – I picked this up recently before a trip oversees when I knew a DSLR wasn’t really something that I could fit into my luggage (I was packing VERY light). I’d always wanted a Leica so decided to lash out. It’s a good camera although not as compact as some point and shoots out there. I also realized how spoilt I’ve become to have a DSLR with the ability to use a speedlight flash at night. I was a little disappointed with evening shots – but in well lit conditions it’s excellent.

Lenses:

Canon 50mm f/1.4 – One of my favorite lenses and one that features in many DSLR owners kits (is my 50mm prime lens). This is my fastest lens and creates shots with the most amazing depth of field! Before I bought the f/1.4 version I had the Canon 50mm f/1.8 (in fact I still have it). This is a much cheaper lens but still produced some great results. It’s also pretty fast although the construction is a lot less solid.

Canon 17-40mm f/4L – I love this lens, even more now that I have the full frame 5D body as on the 20D it was cropped and the equivalent of a 27mm lens at it’s wider end. 17mm is pretty wide and the effect is quite stunning. This is an L Series lens (the ‘L’ is for luxury – it’s a Pro level lens – you can pick these lenses by their Red ring around them) and as a result it’s not cheap. However the quality is beautiful with sharp images and a lovely solid construction. If you’re looking for an alternative to this one try the Canon 16-35mm f/2.8 which has a little extra speed (although you’ll pay for it).

Canon 24-105mm f/4 IS L (pictured above/left) – another L series lens, this one with Image Stabilization. If I can only pack one lens, this is it as it has a very convenient focal range which makes it an ideal walk-around lens. 24mm is pretty wide (although there is actually a big difference between it and the 17mm on the last lens) and 105mm is ideal for zooming in tightly in portaits, weddings etc. While f/4 isn’t super fast the Image Stabilization gives you an extra stop or two which is great unless you’re shooting sports/action when you need faster shutter speeds rather than just to stabilize your lens. If you’re looking for an alternative to this lens the Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 L is also pretty popular, faster and a little cheaper (but no Image Stabilization).

Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS L – you don’t know how much I had to beg for this lens! I previously had the Canon 70-200mm f/4 L lens which is actually pretty good – but at times found that it just wasn’t fast enough. So to upgrade to the larger yet faster f/2.8 version WITH the bonus of image stabilization was a pretty nice treat. I’ve had so much fun with this lens and the quality is spectacular. There is a 3rd and 4th 70-200mm lens in the Canon lineup these days – the Canon 7-200mm f/4 L IS -and the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L (no IS).

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro – I love a little macro work (no pun intended) and this lens has served me very well. It’s sharp, solid and takes a lovely shot. I know a few people who even use it as a standard prime lens in portrait work too with great results.

Flashes:

Canon Speedlite 580EX II (pictured left) – my primary flash is the 580EX II and I use a Canon 430EX as a secondary one. They pair well together when I need two light from two points and the 430EX is a little more compact if I’m tight for space. Both have never caused me any bother – although I feel like I’m only using a small part of their potential and probably need to sit down and learn a little more about getting the most out of them.

Accessories:

Canon BG-E4 Battery Grip – when I bought my 5D I also invested in this battery grip which gives extra battery power but also has a few other benefits that I outlined here.

So that’s my camera kit – what do you have in yours?

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