A Gear Poll:

[Earth_First]

What is everyone using to create their stunning images with?

In my bag:

Canon 50D

28-135mm 3.5-5.6 IS

70-300 2.8-4.5 IS

[NV Whino]

1. In house

Nikon D300
28-200 mm 3.5-5.6
60 mm micro (macro) 2.8

and
Nikon S4000 point and shoot

Lusting after a 500 mm.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

2. I use my eyes, my brain

and heart

[Mira]

4. not only that...

"you must really have a really good camera"

:rofl:

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

5. nah, you got to say it in the mountain vernacular

to really get my goat....

uuu mus hav a reaal gooood camra, missa

[ManiacJoe]

3. The "serious photography" bag contains

Nikon D200
Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8 DX
Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR
Nikon 50mm f/1.4
Nikon SB800 flash

The "family vacation" bag contains the smaller lighter "consumer" lenses.

[Blue_In_AK]

6. I have an embarrassment of riches,

thanks to my husband who chooses to spoil me rotten. At this point, I'm mostly relying on the Canon 1Ds Mark III for my wide-angle shots and the 7D for the telephotos. The lenses I usually use are the 24-70 f/2.8 L lens and the 70-200 f/2.8 L lens. When I'm in cities and trying to get pictures of skyscrapers, etc. I use the 17-40 f/4.0 .

I've got other stuff, but the above is what I usually use. 100-400 for wildlife.

[juxtaposed]

10. 1ds mk3 cool! I've thought about selling stuff to get one.

[Blue_In_AK]

17. It's a very, very nice camera.

Weighs a ton, but it does take great shots.

And I can say that I will never have camera envy again. :)

[Celebration]

7. Don't have room in the boat for changing lenses

And I mostly use a camera while walking around. At this point I have no desire for anything heavier than this, my new camera.........

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100

[alfredo]

53. I see the ultimate walk around, the Fujifilm X100 should be released

In a few days. They have some sample images over at dp review.

[rdking647]

8. gear

nikon d7000
sigma 150-500
tamrom 18-270
nikon 70-300 (usually left behind)
nikon 60mm f2.8 macro
nikon 10.5 fisheye

the 18-270 tends to be the workhorse.. when I travel its all I take.

[juxtaposed]

9. I've used a lot of equipment

canon 1d-mk3
canon 5d
canon 16-35mm 2.8
canon 70-200mm 2.8
canon 100mm 2.8
canon 300mm 2.8
canon 24-102mm 3.?
canon 50mm 1.4

This is what i us most. The film cameras have taken a backseat

[Richard D]

15. Certainly gives the term

Box Camera a new meaning.

[alfredo]

11. A Canon G10. Looking to move up to a mirror less before long.

What do you use for post processing?

I use The GIMP along with a bunch of plug ins.

[juxtaposed]

12. I like Aperture, Apple, and Adobe Lightroom, both are real good.

I feel!

[alfredo]

13. I've been using GIMP for several years, and it seems to

give good results so far. It lacks some things like lens compensation to counter the barrel distortion that sometimes dogs the G10.

installed scripts

silicosaur photoFX (cross processing, PortraFX, ProviaFX, VelviaFX) I just got these and haven't really explored them yet. I think I'm going to like them. The VelviaFX looks real nice.

fake hdr look This is hit and miss, but using it then Auto White Balance seems to give some images some punch.

filtered BW

infrared simulation

add film grain

lomo

Black-and-White film, This might be redundant with the filtered BW. I was hoping it had PanatomicX but I do like the Ilford films.

[juxtaposed]

55. there is a lot of share ware out there and most are good from what I've seen

[Blue_In_AK]

14. Paint Shop Pro X

It works good.

[alfredo]

18. I like the price of GIMP. Paint Shop seems to serve you

well. Does it allow third party plugins?

[Blue_In_AK]

20. I don't know about the plugins.

Honestly, I don't even know what plugins are. Believe it or not, I'm rather computer dumb.

But, yes, I'm quite happy with Paint Shop. A fraction of the cost of Photo Shop and, at least for my purposes, does everything I need it to do.

[alfredo]

21. They are scripts that extend the capabilities of the program.

One plugin I have emulates different types of black and white films. Another adjusts dynamic range.

[Blue_In_AK]

22. I think you can do those things within PaintShop,

or at least there are several "filters" within the black and white photo effects tab -- red, blue, orange, green -- that make the black-and-white photo look different. Dynamic range is like HDR, I assume? There's quite a bit of play in the "fade correction" function of PaintShop that works kind of like that (I think).

Like I said, I'm pretty dumb when it comes to software -- just that I've been able to make PaintShop do what I want it to with pretty good results.

[alfredo]

23. GIMP has a full range of the same filters, but allows the plug ins

that quite often automate specific actions like the Channel Mixer presets.

[CC]

24. Paint Shop Pro will accept

most Photo Shop plug ins.


Edited to add, at least up to PSP 10 it will. Not sure what the newest is or will accept.

[ManiacJoe]

28. PSP 9 and 12 will accept Photoshop plug-ins.

Plug-in compatibility is a great selling point for PSP. The two plug-ins I have are Focus Magic and Noise Ninja.

Paint Shop Pro 9 and 12
Photoshop CS 5
Nikon Capture NX 2
ACDSee Pro 3 (mostly for browsing)
BreezeSys Downloader Pro

The biggest reason I still have PSP 9 is that it is the last version that preserves all the EXIF data. PSP 10+ and all versions of Photoshop discard most of the EXIF data they do not understand (Maker Notes).

[alfredo]

29. That's good news.

[alfredo]

30. Here's three images. One is Out Of Camera (no adjustments).

The second is with ProviaFX, then VelviaFX plug ins. You can find plug ins that do the same thing for other editors.

OOC


ProviaFX


VelviaFX


The plugins give the color more punch. The differences between the two plugins are subtle in this image, but with brighter colored subjects more differences can be found.

[NV Whino]

26. I use PhotoShop

I was using PS and Nikon Capture, but PhotoShop CS4 handles RAW and I have't used capture since I got it. I don't use a lot of fancy plug-ins. My processing usually consists of sharpening, adjusting exposure or contrast and bumping the blacks a bit.

I've done some HDR stuff, but seldom have time to set up and plan for it.

[alfredo]

33. I used PS7 until OSX 10.5 killed it. I was too broke to buy

a new version, so I went to GIMP.

[NV Whino]

40. Same here on PS 7

Let's just say I got a deal on CS4.

[alfredo]

44. wink wink nudge nudge

[Richard D]

16. I have

A Nikon D300, slightly broken
18-200mm Nikon VR 3.5-5.6
A tripod
A broken Nikon strobe

Now I suffer from gear envy.

For the future, I want a Nikon D800
A good macro lens
A good tilt-shift lens
A nice 80 mm super fast prime lens

[alfredo]

19. I have a friend with the D300. He loves it.

I am having serious Fujifilm X100 lust.

[Solly Mack]

25. Wow. Having read the thread...

Let's just say I'm behind the curve.

[alfredo]

31. Equipment is just a tool. P&S's like the Olympus XZ1,

Panasonic DMC LX5, Samsung EX1, or Canon G12 can produce excellent images.


BTW, the Olympus E-P1 with OVF and 17mm lens is on sale at Amazon for about $450. Not the fastest kid on the block, but it is a good solid camera.

[Solly Mack]

35. Thanks, alfredo.

I also have a Nikon D40. I just mean I don't have a lot of equipment - multiple lenses, other cameras, etc. Just really getting started in crossing the bridge from taking pictures into photography.

[alfredo]

43. I'm doing fine with a P&S, but I want better low light performance and

more flexibility. I don't like using the flash.

I can now get a much better camera for less than what I paid for my P&S. I'm in no big hurry.

[Solly Mack]

48. I'm all kinds of in love with my new P&S. My D40 was a gift from my husband

years ago. Not knocking it all - it suits me just fine. And I'm not ready to step out of my comfort zone.

The battery bottom on my old P&S broke (Nikon L22) and the repair shop wanted almost as much it would be to replace it (40 euro to fix and for 69 dollars I could buy another one from NikonUSA)...so I just bought new - but I got a Panasonic.

[alfredo]

50. Panasonic, in some instances uses Leica glass. If you look at

some Leica's you can see they are nothing more than clones of Panasonic cams. Leica D-Lux5 = Lumix DMC LX5. The V-LUX20 looks like the Panasonic DMC-ZS7. The only differences could be cosmetic and software.

[CC]

32. No you're not.

You have a good eye and are smart enough to learn your camera. You can have a million dollars worth of high end equipment and have every single photo taken suck if you don't have the eye and ability to learn. You can also make a pinhole camera and with a good eye and knowledge of what it will do take wonderful artistic photos.

Same goes for image editors. You have to know your program and what it will do plus know when to stop. Seen some crap come out of expensive editors and some beautiful artwork come out of free editors.

On both types of equipment telling others what you have is not a bad thing but it is much more informative and helpful if those telling go into detail on why they like whatever and how it is important to what they do, with examples. An example would be I tend to favor Nikon DSLR's because the buttons work more like the film SLR. The placement and ease of use and how the camera felt in my hands won me over at the beginning. When comparing brands I haven't seen a significant enough difference in quality to make me want to relearn what I now do with out thinking. Blue is used to Canon's and is used to that set up, I haven't seen Nikon come out with anything that should tempt her to relearn different controls.That's with not even going into lens replacement.

[Solly Mack]

36. Thank you, CC.

I'm still just learning. Like I said above to alfredo, I'm still going from just taking pictures to learning photography...so my equipment is fairly basic. That suits me as I still have a lot to learn. Maybe as I learn more I'll invest in other equipment...maybe not. I dunno.

I use free editors mostly though I do have photoshop - because I create cartoons (upon occasion). Now I use it for photos. (sometimes)

I just read the thread and felt a dose of gear envy and a touch of inadequacy.

Thanks, again! (for your kind words!)

[CC]

37. I get gear envy/lust

every time I get an email from B&H or Nikon. That is normal. I've learned to really read and see if the gear would really give me a better end product. Good glass most likely would, but then I have to save for it so have time to think about it. Right now what I really want, even after thinking about it for a couple years is a full time infrared DSLR. Everyone will know when I finally decide to invest in one. lol

[Solly Mack]

47. That's another thing I want to avoid - buying equipment I don't need.

Buying a lens when another lens would do me better. Or buying a whole other camera when all I need is a lens. That kind of thing. So I read....but often still end up confused. lol


I really like infrared photography! Looking forward to seeing your results!

[Blue_In_AK]

42. You are exactly right.

I have Canon stuff because it's what I started with (thanks to F. Gordon), and I'm happy with the results. It would be foolish for either you or me to switch up at this point after all the money we have invested in our lenses and so on.

[Earth_First]

57. I'd say NOT!

Congratulations on the contest this month!

[BuddhaGirl]

27. I've just started getting really into photography

so all I have now is a Panasonic Lumix DMC ZS3 point and shoot.

I use Topaz products for effects - makes HDR pretty easy!

Can't afford a digital SLR right now, but one day I'll get one...can't wait!! :bounce:

[alfredo]

41. That's a good solid camera. Before you spring for a DSLR, look at

Mirror less cameras like offered by Lumix, Olympus, Sony, and Samsung. They are lighter, and less bulky. Until then enjoy your camera and take a lot of pictures.

They say the best camera is the one you carry with you.

[BuddhaGirl]

49. thanks Alfredo!

I have looked at (and drooled over) the Lumix micro 4/3rds :-) It is beautiful!!

[alfredo]

51. The Olympus E-Pl2 is also an excellent choice. Team the Oly

with the Panasonic 20 or 14mm pancake and you will have an excellent street camera.

The 14mm that comes on the Lumix GF2 is reviewed here:

http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2011/02/16/the-panasonic-14mm-2-5-micro-43-lens-review-by-steve-huff/ The Lumix GF2 is worth it just for this lens. Purist don't like the GF2 because it went to touch screen controls, but I think they are just being camera snobs. There's some features on the GF2 that I wish were on other cameras.


One good thing I see happening is the adaptors that enables you to use legacy glass. I have some old manual lenses around the house, I will be using them when I get my M4/3.

[Alameda]

58. Looks really nice....but $750 is way out of my budget now....sigh...

[bluedigger]

34. More Nikon

I have a tired D-60 that's ready for an upgrade after falling off my Jeep in the Bighorns last summer.:dunce:


That was about it for the kit lens (18-55?):banghead:, so I replaced it with a Nikon 18-105 DX which is my everyday lens now, and I like it.:)

Also use the 55-200 DX lens that came with it, too.

I use Photoshop, but am not very skilled with it. :shrug:

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

38. My all-time favorite gear

[Celebration]

39. that is a perfect gear

would love one of those..........

[CC]

45. I always had a thing for

this gear....

[alfredo]

46. A rack and pinion. Cool

[AlabamaLibrul]

52. ...

Canon 20D, Rebel XS 35mm, Tokina 24mm 2.8 (Nikon mount manual focus, adapter for Canon EOS) Canon 50mm 1.8

Minolta Autocord - 6x6cm TLR

Minolta X-700, XE-7, XG-7, 50mm 1.4, Vivitar 19mm-35mm ultra-wide angle zoom. I repair and resell these cameras from time to time, but the XE-7 is my personal one, so this list kind of varies.

Voigtlander Bessa 66 prewar model - 6x6cm primitive camera (no coupled viewfinder, no coupled focus, no meter etc) but the lens is an incredible Tessar design copy and some of my best images are from it

Konica Auto S2 - fixed-lens 35mm rangefinder camera

Some nondescript Polaroid cameras, toy 35mm cameras, etc. This is significantly trimmed down from what it was a few months ago, as I bought the estate of a photographer that included many cameras and a full darkroom. I print black-and-white images with a circa 30s enlarger, scan slides (especially Velvia in 120 size) and shoot digital. I have a Sunpak manual thyristor flash, light stand, 36" and 60" umbrellas etc for lighting.

Neutral density and polarizing filters, really like the B+W ND1000 ten-stop neutral density filter.

I think that covers it, and the only thing I don't use as much as I'd like is the Bessa 66. This is not a place where old cameras go to die.

[Alameda]

54. Casio XLM S10

It's a simple point and shoot, but it is small and easy to take with me everyplace I go. I've had fancy Nikon SLR and took great shots with it, but the spontaneity possible with this little gem is more to my taste. It's small enough to be discreet, and the results are more than I really expected from such a small package.

I do get gear envy when I see some of the great close ups and all others get, but in the end, it's the eye that counts, so I try to concentrate on that.

For processing, I use Thumbs Plus and have been using this program since it first came out almost 20 years ago. I don't do a lot, just darken, lighten and sharpen and maybe crop.

I am sort of a minimalist. This little camera has taken a beating as it's been dropped numerous times, but keeps on working. It's my second of this line. The first one was a XLM S 600

[Cassandra]

56. Ok.

I now have a Canon 7D (my Xsi needs repairs).
I still have the 24-70mm, 2.8 and upgraded my 100mm macro to the image stabilized version. I also have the 50mm, 1.4.
Almost forgot.... Lightroom 3.3.

[MattSh]

59. Camera and Software.

Camera...

Canon 400D, aka the xTi in the states, I think...
Canon 35-105, circa 1992 model
Canon 100-300, circa 1992 model
Sigma 10-20, actually pretty new!
Canon EOS Elan A2E (not used anymore, may trade this in)
Bogen tripod and head (getting a bit old to drag these around, may trade for something lighter)
May be in the market for a Canon 50mm prime lens too.
Would love to get an IS lens sometimes.
Recently inherited two Soviet era Zenit Cameras. Not sure what I'll do with those!
A GorillaPod and other assorted accessories...

Software

Adobe Lightroom
Adobe Photoshop, plus assorted plugins. Mostly Topaz products.
Photomatix, AutoPanoPro

[HappyCynic]

60. Mostly used...

I believe I'm one of the few (but not only) ones with a Sony DSLR. I have a lot of equipment but most of it was cheap. I only bought one new lens, unless you count the kit lens, which would bump the new lenses to two. I got the Sony because I already had a Minolta (film camera) with a couple lenses.

Sony A330
Sony 18-55mm (kit lens)
Sony 50mm f1.8 (the only new lens I bought)
Minolta 70-210mm f4 (the "Beercan" - one of the lenses I started with)
Minolta 28mm f2.8 (the other lens I started with, although I've never actually used it with the Sony)
Minolta 35-105mm (old style)
Bellows (with adapter)
A few MD/MC lenses (manual lenses I use with the bellows, average cost for each lens - $25)
Slik Pro 340DX Tripod
Ring Light

I have a few other things I never use these days so I won't bother listing them. Needless to say, I don't carry it all with me. I have a point-and-shoot I use as my "carry around" camera but it doesn't get much use. What I carry on a photo outing depends on what I intend to take photos of but always seems to include the Beercan, the 35-105 (my walk-around lens), the 50mm (my low light lens), and 18-55 (my only really wide lens).