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What is in your kit(s)?

driftless

driftless

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Sep 2, 2011
1,486
183
Chicago-area
I think that it would be both instructive and interesting to hear what gear folks have in their kit(s)? I don't mean just bodies and lenses but filters, bags, tripods as well. And, I am not thinking of specific gear thread as the Canon vs. Nikon, etc., wars get old. Just saying FF, P&S, APS-C, m4/3's, etc. will certainly convey the necessary information. Certainly it would put the focal lengths of the lenses in perspective.

I was thinking of the following categories:

1. Landscape
2. Hiking (I just made this one up)
3. Travel
4. Street
5. Every day use
6. Macro
7 - 100. Your category

----------

I will go first and and talk about my ideas about a hiking kit. I will carry a very small m43's body (EPM-1) or a better body when I am hiking, fly fishing, etc. With the small body I either carry on a sling or in a field bag or backpack. I normally carry two lenses a 14-42 and 75-150 (150-300 in 35mm equivalent). Those lenses give me plenty of versatility for everything except serious birding or wildlife stalking. I am thinking of adding at least one prime to this kit. I have a travel Oben tripod which fits in a daypack or full bp or attaches to a field bag.
 
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Camera is a Canon T3i.

Landscape = 10-22 lens plus tripod

Travel/Street/Everyday = my beloved 17-55 f/2.8. handheld with occasional use of my 430 EXII flash. As well as my 55-250 for longer range shots. Though I primarily use my 17-55 most of the time.

I'm not a pro by any means but more of an enthused newbie so my gear is moderate compared to other folks. For any active situations like hiking or snowboarding, I'll use my P&S. If anything were to happen to that, I wouldn't be heartbroken at all. Actually, if something did happen to it, it'd be a great excuse to get that S100 I've been trolling for :p
 
Hmm, some of this depends on how I'm feeling


1. Landscape

Tripod (Manfrotto carbon thing), remote release (either canon electronic or old-school threaded), filters with holders and mounting rings and either:

a) Canon EOS 7D, Sigma 10-20mm, Canon 35mm L and any other lens I think I need
b) Mamiya 645 AFD, 55-100mm, 80mm


2. Hiking

Leica M3, Summicron 50mm


3. Travel

Erm, normally EOS 7D and 4 of 5 lenses :p:eek:


4. Street

Leica M3, Summicron 50mm or Epson RD-1, Voigtlander 35mm


5. Every day

iPhone 4S


6. Macro

Don't shoot Macro


7. Cycling

Either Leica or Epson
 
Cameras: Canon 7D & Rolleiflex 2.8f
Lenses: 24-70 2.8 v1, 100-400, 50mm macro and 10-22
Flash: 580exII
Bags: Domke side bag and Kata backpack
Filters: Set of Lee GND soft 4x6 filters with the Lee WA adapter. Tiffen circular polarizer and ND filters.
Tripod: Manfrotto CF tripod with a 3047 head.
Other: BlackRapid straps, remotes, brackets...other stuff.
 
I'll play along

1. Landscape 5DII + 17-40 & 24-105 + Manfrotto tripod + my entire collection of filters
2. Hiking - 5DII + 24-105
3. Travel - 5DII + 24L II + 17-40 + 24-105 (I basically bring everything)
4. Street - 5DII + 24L II
5. Every day use - iPhone 4S
6. Macro - N/A (I don't shoot macro's)
 
Weddings
Lowepro D650 AW containing...
Canon 5D MkIII + Battery Grip
Canon 7D + Battery Grip
Canon 24-70L f/2.8
Canon 70-200L f/2.8 IS
Canon 15mm Fisheye
Canon Nifty Fifty
Canon Speedlite 580EX
Canon Speedlite 580EX MkII
Canon CP-E3 Battery Pack
Wireless Transmitters/Recievers
Reflectors, Diffusers, Microfibre Cloths, Lens Pens, Batteries...
Retina MacBook Pro (although in a seperate bag along with my projector)

Glamour
As above, but no MacBook.

Car Shows
ThinkTank Retrospective 10 containting
Canon 5D MkIII + Battery Grip
Canon 24-70L f/2.8
Canon 70-200L f/2.8 IS
Canon 15mm Fisheye
Canon Speedlite 580EX MkII
Wireless Transmitters/Recievers

Everyday
Canon IXUS 300 HS
iPhone 4
 
(1. Landscape) D800 + 24-70 f/2.8 + Gitzo 1542T + Arca-Swiss p0 + B+W c. polarizer/nds + cable release

(2. Hiking) Same as above, or replace Nikon gear with E-M5 + 7-14 + 14-140

(3. Travel) E-M5 + extra m4/3s body + 7-14 + 14-140 + 20 + 12 + 75 (whenever it ships) + maybe tripod

(4/5. Street/Every day) E-M5 + 12/20

(6. Macro) n/a

(7. Portraits) D800 + 85mm f/1.8 + SB600/700s + a couple umbrellas and light stands + tripod thing + remote trigger

(8. Events) D800 + 24-70 + E-M5 + 7-14 + 20 + speedlights + expodisc
 
I don’t really fit into the categories as I haven’t really done many of them!

600d, with 50mm f1.4, 17-55mm f2.8 & tokina 11-16mm f2.8 (UV filter on all and circular polarising for the 50mm)

430exii

Manfrotto 561 bhdv-1 monopod

small cheap tripod

Hasselblad 500c + 500ELM with 150mm f4 & 350mm f5.6

iPhone 4s for general walk around shots which can be seen in my IG.

I find this kit does me well but I am looking to add something along the lines of a 70-200mm to add to the portrait work and if the right body comes out or the 5diii comes down in price that’ll see an upgrade too unless I but the BlackMagic Cinema Camera!
 
This is my one body kit for portrait shoots. This photo is 'outdated' in that the photo shows the Canon 5D Mark II.


Ocab-20120129-180558-1024 by ocabj, on Flickr

Anyway, my Think Tank Photo Streetwalker Pro usually contains:

  • Canon 5D Mark III with grip and Really Right Stuff L-plate/bracket
  • 70-200 f/2.8L IS II
  • 24-70 f/2.8L
  • 85 f/1.2L II
  • PocketWizards (MiniTT1, FlexTT5, AC3, PowerMC2, Plus III units)
  • Singh-Ray Vari-ND 77mm
  • B+W Kaesemann CPL 77mm
  • Misc sync cords
  • 580 EX II Speedlite
  • 72mm to 77mm step up ring
  • Spare batteries (AA Eneloops and CR2450)

Then my basic lighting kit is:
  • Two (2) Einstein 640
  • ABR800 ring flash
  • Lightstands
  • 47" Octabox
  • Two (2) strip boxes with grids
  • 10,20,30, and 40 degree grids for 7" reflector

This is more than enough for a basic shoot. The Speedlite I don't use really, but it's just there for when I just want to do a quick shot with some fill.
 
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C'mon... a photography gear thread by photographers, without any photography?!?! :eek: :D

postpics.gif


Ocabj can ignore this post! :)
 
Street

Fuji X100
Fuji X-Pro1 w/ 35 f/1.4 and 60 f/2.4
Canonet QL17 GIII w/ Ilford HP5+

Landscape

Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 17-40 f/4L

Portraits and Editorial

Canon 5DII
Canon 1D2
Sigma 50 f/1.4
Canon 85 f/1.8
Canon 35 f/1.4L

Lighting

Canon Speedlites (580EX and 550EX x 2)
Pocketwizard MiniTT1
Pocketwizard FlexTT5 (x3)
Westcott Apollo 28"
Westcott reversible umbrella
Rosco Strobist gel pack
PCB Baby Boomer arm (to allow me to angle the Westcott)
Many, many homemade modifiers (snoots, grids, etc)
 
the stuff I carry most of the time to shoot landscapes and wildlife:
Canon 5DIII with 17-40, 100 macro, 24-105, 100-400
Canon 7D with Tamron 18-270
Canon 580II flash
 
For me its a Canon 5DMKII with:

Landscape
24-105
70-200 MKII
1.4TC

Portrait
100L
Sigma 50mm
70-200 MKII

Travel
24-105
Sigma 50mm

Street
I wish....No time!

Every day use. (In order of use)
50
100
70-200
24-105

Macro
100L
1.4TC
70-200/1.4TC

Product
100L
 
1. Landscape

Canon EOS 30D body, EF-S 17-55 f2.8 lens, Manfrotto 190B Tripod, Canon remote


2. Hiking (I just made this one up)

Probably the same, although I don't hike much!


3. Travel

Canon EOS 30D body, EF-S 17-55 f2.8 lens, EF 70-200 f4 lens, Manfrotto 190B Tripod and/or Manfrotto Monopod, 430EX Flashgun, Canon remote, Canon Battery Grip

4. Street

Canon EOS 30D body, EF-S 17-55 f2.8 lens


5. Every day use

Canon EOS 30D body, EF-S 17-55 f2.8 lens


6. Macro

I don't own a Macro lens :-(


7. Motorsport

Canon EOS 30D body, EF 70-200 f4 lens, Manfrotto 190B Tripod and/or Manfrotto Monopod
 
For general Landscape, Hiking, Travel, Street, Every day use I have a 5DII with:

28-70mm f2.8
17-35 f2.8
and either 70-200mm f2.8 or 135mm f2
A Hama traveller compact pro tripod (small, light sturdy and cheap!)
remote shutter release
Polarising filter and variable ND filter
all in a Lowepro Varisomething backpack

For work - commercial studio/location work I have an H3DII-39 and 80mm f2.8 and various lighting stuff. I hire other gear for what is required.
 
1. Landscape
I have a crop camera, which isn't the best thing when combined with a full frame lens for landscape. Nonetheless it doesn't stop me from using my T2i with the beloved 24-70. Yes I miss out on the extreme wide angles, but if push comes to shove I can take out the 18-55 kit for those situations.
A tripod is a must. MUST.

2. Hiking (I just made this one up)
Either a nifty fifty or a standard zoom on a light body. If I could I would prefer the 24-105 over my 24-70 since it's half as heavy, but weight doesn't bother me as much as some people, so oh well.
I heard of people using monopod/walking stick hybrids; how well do those work?

3. Travel
A fast standard zoom for the day, nifty fifty for the night. Which means the 24-70 wins over the 24-105 in this situation. Tripod is unnecessary. Carry a tele in the bag for those times when you need the reach.

4. Street
I don't have one, but a Leica with a Summicron or a Summilux would be mighty fine :p

5. Every day use
The 24-70 and the 70-200 f/2.8 IS II live permanently on my camera.

6. Macro
I don't have a macro lens, but if I did, here would be my setup:
A ring flash mounted on a 100mm macro lens, with the camera on a tripod. Additional flashes for other lighting.
 
Oh this is an easy one for me, since I'm a total amateur and I haven't splurged too much on any gear yet:

Landscape, work, travel, everyday: Nikon D5000, Nikkor 18-200 lens, UV filter, CP filter, heavy tripod that I sometimes leave at home. This is all I bring with me when I'm working in remote areas (I don't want to change lenses, too dirty!).

Indoor/people: 50mm f/1.8g +UV filter. New lens, I haven't had much time to experiment with it.
 
1. Landscape - don't do it
2. Hiking - don't do it
3. Travel - iPhone
4. Street - my eyes
5. Every day use - my eyes
6. Macro - don't do it
7. Staged Directorial Settings - Canon 5D with a 24-105L... this is the only DSLR and lens I own. I also don't own a camera bag, so the kit packaging is more theoretical.

I have a couple tripods, one for above 2' and one for below 2'. I think they're from Manfrotto. I do own or use a wide range of lighting gear, though. Four AlienBee heads, five Einstein heads. A trunk full of modifiers, from boxes to umbrellas to barn doors to grids to dishes to etc etc etc etc etc.

I use this stuff to make other stuff like this:

003.jpg
 
Landscape/nature/sports - Pentax K-5 and K200D; about a dozen Pentax lenses, half zooms and half primes.

Travel/street - Micro four thirds - Panasonic G3 and GX1 and five lenses, three zooms and three primes

Everyday/hiking - Pentax Q with one prime and one zoom; although the Q can be (and has been) used for street work

Macro - Pentax DA 35mm Limited f/2.8 and D FA 100mm f/2.8 on one of my Pentax bodies

I'd love to be able to justify a Fuji X100.
 
FrankieTDouglas said:
1. Landscape - don't do it
2. Hiking - don't do it
3. Travel - iPhone
4. Street - my eyes
5. Every day use - my eyes
6. Macro - don't do it
7. Staged Directorial Settings - Canon 5D with a 24-105L... this is the only DSLR and lens I own. I also don't own a camera bag, so the kit packaging is more theoretical.

I have a couple tripods, one for above 2' and one for below 2'. I think they're from Manfrotto. I do own or use a wide range of lighting gear, though. Four AlienBee heads, five Einstein heads. A trunk full of modifiers, from boxes to umbrellas to barn doors to grids to dishes to etc etc etc etc etc.

I use this stuff to make other stuff like this:

Image
Click to expand...

You forgot to mention the really important pieces of your kit, creativity and a unique vision...:cool:

Dale
 
My kit comprises of;

Nikon D2Hs
Nikon D200

Nikon 135mm f/2
Nikon 50mm f/1.8
Nikon 18-70mm 3.5-4.5
Nikon 20mm f/3.5

and a Yongnuo 565EX :)

I'm selling all of this to get my hands on either a Fujifilm XPro-1, or a rangefinder with a 12mm Voigtländer :D
 
I mainly shoot people. I do other stuff on the side, but my focus is on on location portrait work. I do some work on the side shooting and writing reviews and articles for a travel site and generally use my Olympus gear for that since it's small and will fit well on my motorcycle.

Cameras:
5D MKII
Olympuse OM-D

Lenses:
Canon 85 f/1.8
Canon 15 f/2.8 fisheye
Canon 17-40 f/4L
Canon 24-70 f/2.8L
Canon 70-200 f/2.8L IS
Olympus 85 f/1.8
Panasonic 20 f/1.7

Lighting Gear:
Dynalite Road Max 800w/s pack
Dynalite MH2050 head x 2
Dynalite SH2000 studio head
Innovatronix Tronix Explorer XT SE
Canon 580 EXII
Canon 430 EXII x 2
Vivitar 285HV x 2
Pocket Wizard PII x 5

I also have a bunch of lighting modifiers and other gear too. Beauty dishes, softboxes, etc... The speedlights are used on days where ultra portability is an issue and power is not. The Dynalites are used when I need to extra power. I used to have a set of Speedotron Blacklines, but the whole kit weighed over 100lbs when packed into my pelican. I'll probably end up with more Dynalite gear down the road, but that's what I use for now. I'm also going to pick up a PW MiniTT and maybe some new PW PIII's in the future.

I use the whole array of lenses as well since I'm not shooting traditional portrait work. I love using wide angle on scenes and I've even used the fisheye for portrait work.

I've also done concert photography and haven't done as much lately as it's kind of hard to get photog passes without any type of publication to back you up. Generally I stick to my fish and my 17-40 and 24-70 for that since even at larger clubs, you're right up on the action and the 70-200 is just way too long. That's even on a FF camera.
 
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Just a Nikon D3s and D800e, 24-70mm, 300mm, 200-400mm, 16mm, 70-200mm and flashes.

But I also use Canon cameras for those times at work where I didn't bring my Nikon gear and someone has the last minute "OMG OMG" photo request (it happens).

I don't do a lot of photography on my own site anymore - I'm mainly doing much more work stuff (my day job) and I'm invariably tired by the time I get home or I want to get out and ride the bicycle rather than take photos in my spare time. ;)
 
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