| Type |
Description |
Commentary |
| Camera, Digital SLR |
Nikon D70s |
Acquired September 2005 in Singapore at a 15%
discount to best available US price. While the march toward all digital
photography is constantly moving forward and even better, cheaper products
will be available tomorrow, was quite impressed with the current level of
quality both in product and, the ultimate judge, results.
So while in Singapore for business took advantage of the lower price and
purchased the new D70s DSLR camera & lens kit introduced this past March.
No question. This is a great camera which produces great results.
And it certainly brings about a huge photographic paradigm shift for me. |
| Camera, 35mm SLR |
Nikon F100
Nikon N8008s |
Acquired the Nikon F100 March 2004. Perhaps an odd choice
in 2004 given the market shift from film to digital imaging. But this product first introduced in 1999 is
one of Nikon's finest and most advanced 35mm cameras and should provide
years of great photography. My F100 is equipped with -
- E Focusing Screen
- DK-6 Rubber Eye Cup
- DK-15 Anti-Fog Eyepiece
The Nikon N8008s (acquired July 1991)
continues to be a solid, outstanding performer and now functions as a
backup 35mm body. |
| Camera, Point & Shoot |
Olympus Stylus 300 Digital |
Great little digital point and shoot. |
| Lens |
Nikon 18-70mm f3.5-4.5G ED-IF AF-S DX
Nikon 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 AFD ED
Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 AFD ED IF
Nikon 105mm f/2.8 Macro AFD
Nikon 35-70mm f/2.8 AFD
Nikon 50mm f/1.8 AF
Nikon 24mm f/2.8 AFD
Nikon 35-135mm f/3.5-4.5 AF |
Use either the 18-70mm or 70-300mm lens when
shooting with the D70s. When its 35mm the 80-200mm f/2.8 is my most
frequently used lens (closely followed by the 35-70mm f/2.8). |
| Filters |
Nikon Circular Polarizer (52, 62, & 77mm)
B&W KB-15 80A MRC Cooling (52mm)
Nikon UV Haze L37C (52, 62, & 77mm) |
| • |
Polarizer filters (one to fit each lens) used to accentuate color
and remove unwanted glare or reflections from non-metallic surfaces such
as water or glass. |
| • |
80A Cooling filter specifically for use with daylight film and 3200K
tungsten studio lights. |
| • |
UV Haze filters (one to fit each lens) for occasional use to protect
the front lens element from blowing sand or water. |
|
| Filter Holder |
Kirk Stacking Caps (52, 62, & 77mm - 2 sets)
Nikon Front Lens Caps (58 & 72mm)
Contax Front Lens Cap (89mm) |
Stacking caps are easier to access, store, and
carry than traditional filter holders or files. They're sold as a two
piece set for securely sandwiching filters between them. One cap
screws onto the rear threads of the filter while the other cap screws onto the
front threads. Between the caps you can store one or more filters.
Use one set from Kirk Enterprises for storing regular sized filters.
Nikon's Circular Polarizer filters, however, present a challenge as the
front of the filter has a larger diameter than the rear of the filter (the
front is larger to minimize the possibility of vignetting). For
securely storing these filters use a rear stacking cap set cover for the
rear threads of the filter. And use specific sized front lens caps for
the front of the filter. Following are front lens cap sizes
(undocumented by Nikon) which fit the front of the corresponding Nikon
Circular Polarizer filters.
| • |
52mm filter requires 58mm front lens cap |
| • |
62mm filter requires 72mm front lens cap |
| • |
72mm filter requires 77mm front lens cap |
| • |
77mm filter requires 89mm Contax front lens cap* |
* Nikon's 77mm Circular Polarizer filter requires a unique solution.
Nikon does not offer a front lens cap to fit the extra large front end of
this filter. But through trial and error have discovered the 89mm
Contax K-84 Metal Lens Cap fits the front of this filter perfectly. |
| Electronic Flash |
Nikon SB-50DX
Nikon SB-24 |
|
| Monopod |
Manfrotto 680B Compact 4 Section
Manfrotto 3423 Flexhead |
|
| Tripod, Legs |
Manfrotto 3021b Pro |
Sturdy and durable, but heavy. Perhaps someday Santa
will bring one with carbon fiber legs. |
| Tripod, Head |
Arca-Swiss B1 QR Ball Head |
Very high quality and easy to use. Have
never experienced "freeze up" with this head. |
| QR Mounting Plates |
F100
N8008s
80-200mm |
- Kirk Enterprises PZ-42
- Really Right Stuff B23
- Really Right Stuff B69 |
|
Great tools for quickly attaching (or removing) camera to tripod. |
| Camera Remote Cord(s) |
F100
N8008s
N8008s
N8008s |
- Nikon Remote Cord MC-30
- Nikon Remote Cord MC-12B
- Nikon Terminal Release MR-3
- Nikon Threaded Cable Release AR-3 |
|
One can't effectively use a tripod without these. |
| Camera Bubble Level |
Manfrotto 2 Axis Hot Shoe Double Bubble Level |
|
| 35mm Color Slide Film |
Fuji Provia F 100 |
|
| Camera Strap |
Domke Gripper Camera Strap 1.5" Swivel QR |
|
| Shoulder Bag(s) |
Domke J-2
Domke F-4AF
Tamrac Photo-Video 1
LowePro S&F Toploader 75 AW
LowePro S&F Lens Case 2
LowePro S&F Lens Case 3
Manfrotto 3280 35" Tripod Bag |
The wide, comfortable straps of Domke's bags feel good and secure
on the shoulder and their refined, muted design doesn't shout "camera bag". |
| Backpack |
LowePro Nature Trekker AW
LowePro Mini Trekker AW
LowePro SlingShot 100 AW |
LowePro's Nature Trekker is a large yet comfortable to wear backpack
for carrying lots of gear. The Mini Trekker is great all around bag
with capacity for a nice complement of gear while also providing room for a
few other non-photo personal items. |
| Photo Vest |
Domke Photogs Vest, Khaki |
|
| Gloves |
LowePro Photographer's Gloves |
Michigan winters can be very cold. Although
these gloves are way too thin for use in the Artic (for me anyway), they're fine for temps 10°F
and above. |
| Hiking Shoes |
Merrell Chameleon Low Ventilator |
These are just great shoes for traction and stability on
hilly or rocky terrain. They're not for street wear, however, as the
depth of the tread on the soles make them a bit unstable and awkward on pavement. |
| Background Stand |
Photek 12' Background Support System w/ Bag |
|
| Light Diffuser/Reflector |
Stroboframe Pops 32" White/Gold Reflector |
|
| Other |
Domke 6 Pocket Filter File
Microstar Microfiber Cleaning Cloth
3M Microfiber Lens Cleaning Cloth |
|
