If you had the $ ...

[AxisOfBeagles]

what new photography gear would you buy?

New camera? which one?
Lens? Which one?
What other toys?

[Everythingisnt]

It depends, right?

Unless you mean an unlimited amount.. Then I would indulge my dream of trying out large-format photography.

[AlaskaMoose]

I would just buy a few L lenses, and also a 5D to use along my 40D. That's all.

[iBallz]

It depends, right?

Unless you mean an unlimited amount.. Then I would indulge my dream of trying out large-format photography.

I got a nice LF setup for $500, then a few more things and I was off and running.

As far as digital, I'd wait till Photokina 08 or the release of the new Canon Mark II or Nikons D3x.:)

[iBookG4user]

I'd get a 1Ds Mark III with the Canon 500mm ƒ/4L, Canon 400mm ƒ/2.8L, Carbon Fiber tripod with Wimberley head, and both Canon teleconverters.

[shecky]

i would build a full wet darkroom along with all the goodies. and a few MF cameras + lenses.

[Westside guy]

I'd buy a Hasselblad medium format digital camera and a 24mm lens, plus a tripod; and then I'd buy one each of every lens Nikon makes - since I probably don't want to lug that Hassie around all the bloody time... :D

[Clix Pix]

400mm VR, 500mm VR lenses from Nikon..... maybe a second "backup" D3, too.

[ChrisA]

It depends, right?

Unless you mean an unlimited amount.. Then I would indulge my dream of trying out large-format photography.

Large format is not expensive. You can get into it cheaper than buying a digital SLR setup. An entire setup is less then just a Nikon D80 body.

What would I get? One of these: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/536188-REG/Sea_Sea_SS_06136_MDX_D3_Housing_f_Nikon.html
and then a D3 and a 105mm Macro lens to go inside and then a couple of the ys120 strobe packages on the above URL.

The nice thing about this housing is that it exactly fits the camera with no air space inside so it does not need ballast to make it sink. My video housing is a tube filled with air with a tiny camera inside so it required a bunch of lead and weighs in at 15 pounds, not easy to swim through surf at the beach lugging that thing. But with an unlimited budget I could hire a helicopter or a bunch of sherpas

[Grimace]

Canon 200mm f/2 IS
Canon 300mm f/2.8 IS
Canon 400mm f/2.8 IS
Canon 800mm f/5.6 IS

Sigmonster 300-800mm f/5.6

and some extra compact flash cards! :p

[oblomow]

Canon 200mm f/2 IS
Canon 300mm f/2.8 IS
Canon 400mm f/2.8 IS
Canon 800mm f/5.6 IS

Sigmonster 300-800mm f/5.6

and some extra compact flash cards! :p

You forgot the Canon 5200mm!

[brendanryder]

id buy the canon 1200mm
http://laughingsquid.com/99000-canon-1200mm-f56l-ef-usm-super-telephoto-lens/

someone finally bought the one on B&H for 100000!!!

[Lone Deranger]

I'd get a Canon 1DS III with a Carl Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 Distagon. Best wide angle ever made.

[eddx]

I am going to be a little more realistic...

D300 with battery grip (D3 battery to give 9 frames per second)

Battery Grip for my D80

Two SB-800 Flash Guns

Nikon 18-200mm VR lens

Nikon 85mm f/1.4 lens

Nikon 80-400mm VR lens

Nikon 105mm f/2.8 Macro VR lens


That's not too much to ask really is it?

[thr33face]

This is the gear i would get myself if "i had the $ ...":

-sigma 10-20
-nikon 85/1.4
-wacom intuos A5 wide

this would complete my setup, currently consisting of:
-18-55
-30/1.4
-50/1.8
-135/2.8

in reality i'm going to get the 10-20, 85/1.8 and a wacom bamboo, over the course of the next 9 months.

have a nice day

[Over Achiever]

If I had the money ... D3, FX lenses ranging from ultra wide prime (I love the perspective) to fast zooms (f/2.8) covering shorter zoom ranges. I'd also like a good fast macro lens, not sure on the focal range. Or a zooming macro, why not. SB-800 flash guns would be nice, a high-end lighting setup. I'd have to include software, not just Photoshop but also DXO Optics, Genuine Fractals, etc.

My first DSLR once I save the money will probably realistically be the D300 though.

[ejb190]

If I had the money I would take a few weeks off of work and concentrate on learning to better use what I have (Nikon D70). Though a nice macro and a strobe would probably be my next purchase.

[Shacklebolt]

Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8
Nikkor 300mm f/2.8
Nikon D3.

[jpfisher]

I'm pretty close to pulling the trigger on an M8 + Summilux 35mm f/1.4 + Voigtlander 21mm f/4 kit. A lot of situations where I'm not willing to lug the DSLR kit or medium format kit around, looks like the rangefinder is my answer to that one....

... if I had an unlimited cash flow I'd tack on a Hasselblad SWC to the order, and a few lenses for my DSLR.

[Digital Skunk]

400mm VR, 500mm VR lenses from Nikon..... maybe a second "backup" D3, too.

I always thought you that glass Clix.

For me, I'd grab about four D3 bodies, two D300 bodies the 14-24, 24-70, Lexar 4GB cards (x12) 8 SB-800s a studio and GOBBS of lighting gear from Elinchrome.

On the media side it'd be a Red Epic when it comes out with all viable accessories and lenses and tripods. An Xserve with 20TB of Xserve RAID storage 6 Mac Pros 12 23" ACDs and just a bunch of stuff to get my studio started...

Oh yeah! And to hire the guys I went to college with as graphic designers and videographers.

[Abstract]

I am going to be a little more realistic...

D300 with battery grip (D3 battery to give 9 frames per second)

Battery Grip for my D80

Two SB-800 Flash Guns

Nikon 18-200mm VR lens

Nikon 85mm f/1.4 lens

Nikon 80-400mm VR lens

Nikon 105mm f/2.8 Macro VR lens


That's not too much to ask really is it?


Yeah, I'd go realistic as well:

- Two Nikon SB-800 flashes, some reflectors, etc.

- Nikon 14-24 mm, 24-70 mm.

- Nikon 70-200 mm f/2.8.

- Nikon 85 mm f/1.4

- New MacBook Pro + 30" ACD.


That's "it". It's still a LOT of stuff to ask for, but I'm not asking for 400 mm, 500 mm, 600 mm primes or anything. The Nikon 24-70 mm would replace my Sigma (which is great), and the Nikon 14-24 mm would replace my Tokina 12-24 mm.

However, I don't really "need" them to be replaced, so all I actually want is the 70-200 mm f/2.8, 85 mm f/1.4, and a pair of flashes. That's actually not too unrealistic, so maybe one day....

[Digital Skunk]

D300 with battery grip (D3 battery to give 9 frames per second)

It only allows 8 frames per second and it's called the EN-EL4 or EN-EL4a which debuted with the D2h about three or four years ago.

Just clarifying. ;)

[nburwell]

I would love a 1DsIII, EF 16-35 f/2.8 II (would sell my 17-40 in the process), and a Mac Pro set-up.

[Everythingisnt]

Ah, media side..


Definitely a Panasonic Genesis, as well as a team of professional body-builders to carry it around for me :D.


Then maybe I'd go for 6 Nikon D 3's - 3 striped for parity and another 3 for redundancy.. :rolleyes:

[SLC Flyfishing]

All the Pentax DA* and FA* lenses. A few K20D's (one for my use, one for my wife, and a few as backups). I'd get a complete set of 645 equipment, and some nice film scanning gear. Lastly I'd get a fully blown Mac Pro.

Oh and some nice tripods and hardshell water/fireproof cases for it all.

SLC

[seenew]

how much money?

I'd pay off my student loans. :( Can anyone spare $85,000?

[Digital Skunk]

how much money?

I'd pay off my student loans. :( Can anyone spare $85,000?

GOOD GOD ALL MIGHTY!!!

What school did you go to and for what degree?

I have about half that much and most of that was for photo/video equipment.

[dukebound85]

how much money?

I'd pay off my student loans. :( Can anyone spare $85,000?

holy a** and i thought i had a lot. i am 15k in student loan debt and thankfully thats my only debt

just graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering

[Abstract]

He went to uni for photography or something. Good luck paying that off as a photographer.

[Grimace]

I had $166,000 -- sadly, selling my body on the weekends didn't work out :p

[genshi]

A Leica MP (http://en.leica-camera.com/photography/m_system/mp/) for me with the Summilux-M 50 mm f/1.4 (http://en.leica-camera.com/photography/m_system/lenses/2183.html) lens (I aspire to be like Cartier-Bresson someday.)

http://en.leica-camera.com/assets/gallery/1584.jpg

[seenew]

I had $166,000 -- sadly, selling my body on the weekends didn't work out :p

Yeah, I would have around that, but I've got "top honors scholarship" that pays half. :| They only give athletes full rides. Isn't that a crock? At an art school!:mad:

[snberk103]

what new photography gear would you buy?

New camera? which one?
Lens? Which one?
What other toys?

Think big!! I'd buy a camera store with a really good rental department. Then I'd just borrow what I wanted. If the rental section didn't have what I wanted - heck, its my store - I'd tell them to stock it. Then I'd borrow it. :)

[John T]

A Leica MP for me with the Summilux-M 50 mm f/1.4 lens (I aspire to be like Cartier-Bresson someday.)


Yes, that really is a thing of beauty!
Many moons ago, one of my first film cameras was a second-hand IIIg with an f2.8 (I think!) Summicron lens. In spite of its age it was still superb in every way.

Happy memories!

[Over Achiever]

how much money?

I'd pay off my student loans. :( Can anyone spare $85,000?
How about $200k? (med school is so expensive nowadays)

[kieko]

1d mIII, 500mm L f4, 1.4x convertor, 24mm f1.4, wouldn't mind the 400mm DO and 70-300mm DO (just to see what they were like)

probably would get a series of L zooms, but not sure which ones, have just bought the 17-40mm and have use of the 24-105mm and 70-200mm f2.8 IS

[juanm]

It depends, right?

Unless you mean an unlimited amount.. Then I would indulge my dream of trying out large-format photography.

Large format isn't expensive. Anything over 35mm will give outstanding results (since the next step is already in the 6x... realm. You can buy a 4"x5" camera for cheap, and use a d-slr as a lightmeter.

[Mr.Noisy]

I'd be happy with a D3 and some nice lenses.............:)

[Digital Skunk]

How about $200k? (med school is so expensive nowadays)

I hope this is for your PhD in astrophysics and trilithium dethering. :D

I am over here pissed that I have $45,000 that I haven't even begun to pay off yet, I should be praising the Lord!

[leighonigar]

The only things that irritate me about my current D70/lenses are:

• Water resistance.
• Size.
• Lens speed.
• Chimpability of the 1.8" screen.

Sometimes noise, but really I like the grainyness.

What does drag is the speed of post processing in aperture on my stock mini. As such a faster computer, a water-resistant body and a couple of lenses, and something small would be the order of the day. Compacts are pants for me because of the MASSIVE DOF as a result of the small sensor, more so than the noise.

I guess a D300, some fast primes and a 70-200 f/2.8 would be nice. Maybe a small E-410 olympus and 25mm pancake would be small enough. I'd also add a decent flash, probably the SB-600 to the nikon kit, a solid, light tripod, filters and a big printer!

Oh, yeah, and a studio...

[AxisOfBeagles]

Lots of interesting items in this thread ... my needs are somewhat more modest.

I'd like a new 40D.
An EF 50mm f/1.2
An EF 16-35mm f/2.8L super wide angle
An MP-E 65mm f/2.8 Macro
An EF 70-200mm f/2.8
An EF 24-70mm f/2.8
A new tripod
A macro ringlight flash

and a few bits and pieces ...

nothing much :)

[ButtUglyJeff]

If somebody gave me any of the white Canon lenses, a really big smile would come on my face.

The funny thing is, if I told my wife I got one of these gems for half price, the sticker would still get me a life sentence............

[seenew]

How about $200k? (med school is so expensive nowadays)

Oh, I know. My girl is in med school. :) (Or should I say :()

But at least that career will help pay off the loans.
I mean, I think I'm pretty good, but I've got a lot more to learn, and the pay is not nearly as good starting out-- no matter where you start.

[AlaskaMoose]

If somebody gave me any of the white Canon lenses, a really big smile would come on my face.

The funny thing is, if I told my wife I got one of these gems for half price, the sticker would still get me a life sentence............
Take a look at a whole bunch of white lenses. Please note that this is a sort of joke, since the lenses are all Canon, except for one or two (the black ones may be Nikon):
http://www.slrclub.com/bbs/vx2.php?id=work_gallery&no=435970

I had to post it, because it's quite funny.

[terriyaki]

A second 5D
24L
45 TS-E
50L
85L II
135L
200L (2/IS)
300L (2.8/IS)
and a lot of lighting equipment.


Yeah, that would be real dreamy.

[alphaod]

See if I had unlimited money I'd hire a photographer....

But in all practicality, probably a 5D and a 40D and then all the lens.

[Goldfinger]

Probably a D3 and use my D200 as a back up. I'd also add some lenses and expand my strobist setup + add a real studio at home.

If there is no limit to the budget I'd just let Nikon engineer a one-off D300 with the FF sensor from the D3 in it.

[ButtUglyJeff]

Take a look at a whole bunch of white lenses. Please note that this is a sort of joke, since the lenses are all Canon, except for one or two (the black ones may be Nikon):
http://www.slrclub.com/bbs/vx2.php?id=work_gallery&no=435970

I had to post it, because it's quite funny.

That's alot of Yen right there......................

[netdog]

http://www.photokina-show.com/news_images/00344_leicam8_zoom3.jpg

I'd get myself a digital rangefinder. :D

[flinch13]

Canon 5d II (unreleased, of course), and some nice new EF lenses. Nice and light for working out in the field. Honestly I'm pretty happy with my own setup, but it's always fun to dream about what's next.

[eddx]

Can I change mine???

How about a Nikon D3 and one of these...
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/late70nikkor/fisheyes/6mmf28F2A.jpg (http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/late70nikkor/fisheyes/6mmf28.htm)

The infamous Nikorr 6mm f/2.8 from 1979. Come on!

[Martin C]

Hmm...

D3
14-24
24-70
10-20 (Sigma)
(3x) SB-800

[bluesmap]

if this attempt to dream does not come true i will come back here and hunt you down.

so let me close my eyes and dream this one:

canon 1v
canon 1ds mark 3
400mm 2.8
70-200 2.8
135 f/2
50 1.0
85 1.2
16-35II

that's it. i dont ask for alot.

[Karpfish]

My somewhat realistic dream setup:
Nikon D3 x2(or D3 and D300)
Nikkor 14-24/2.8
Nikkor 24-70/2.8
Nikkor 80-200 AF-S/2.8(70-200 has issues with D3)
Nikkor 200/2 VR
Nikkor 400/2.8 VR
Several SB-800s
Dyna-lite strobes/packs

Then probably a Nikkormat FTn with a 50/1.2 including full processing/printing darkroom and tons of bulk load film :cool:

[bluesmap]

i forgot one thing.

gimme a mamiya 645 af.
i'll even buy my own lenses

[Everythingisnt]

Can I change mine???

How about a Nikon D3 and one of these...
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/late70nikkor/fisheyes/6mmf28F2A.jpg (http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/late70nikkor/fisheyes/6mmf28.htm)

The infamous Nikorr 6mm f/2.8 from 1979. Come on!

HOT DANG! :eek:

[leighonigar]

Can I change mine???

How about a Nikon D3 and one of these...
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/late70nikkor/fisheyes/6mmf28F2A.jpg (http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/late70nikkor/fisheyes/6mmf28.htm)

The infamous Nikorr 6mm f/2.8 from 1979. Come on!

Don't those protrude right back into the camera - can you even use those with modern cameras? I don't think so... but yeuch!

[tom.]

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens
Canon EF 35mm f/2.0 Lens
Canon EF 15mm f/2.8 Fish Eye
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L USM Lens

[Abstract]

Don't those protrude right back into the camera -

What do you mean?

Is that any better than a 180 deg fisheye?

[Digital Skunk]

What do you mean?

Is that any better than a 180 deg fisheye?

It's actually so wide that you can look at yourself taking the photo yesterday.
:D :D

Seriously though, you can use it on current FX bodies and I'd rather have an 8mm Sigma on a DX sensor that that huge dome on the front of my body.

But that is just me.