My Equipment

[misterx]

I made this for my website, I figured I'd publish it here as well. It's not complete but it's a good start.

My Camera: the Canon 5d

When I purchased the 5d, I had previously owned three film cameras and four digital cameras. My previous camera had been the excellent Canon 20d, but I was wanting the improved low-light abilities of the 5d, along with the greater variation in ISO selection and numerosu other small improvements.

The Canon 5d has exceed all my expectations, I must say am thrilled with it. It feels wonderul in my hand, with a comfortable heft that is just right. The battery life is exceptional, the viewfinder bright, the controls instinctive. I never feel the camera is getting in my way, which is what has caused me to upgrade every time in the past. At the point where I feel I am fighting against the limitations of my equipment, it is time to upgrade. So far, the 5d has been a willing and capable partner in all my photographic endeavors. And the quality is bloody outsanding. Top notch. I HIGHLY recommend this camera.

Canon EOS 5D 12.8 MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
Canon EOS 5D 12.8 MP Digital SLR Camera with EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens

Wide Angle Lens: the Canon 17-40mm F/4.0 L

I read a lot of reviews before purchasing this lens, and for the price it can't be beat. Excellent color satuation, tack sharp, you can't go wrong with this lens. I used this as my general purpose lens when I had the Canon 20d (it's 1.6x crop factor made this lens more like a 28-64mm), but on the 5d it's a true wide-angle. I love using this lens for shooting interiors and landscapes. I find it particularly suited for landscapes, as I seldom want a shallow depth of field. It was also my first L lens, and it's spoiled me rotten.

Canon 17-40mm f/4.0 L Wide Angle Zoom

 

Telephoto Zoom Lens: the Canon 70-200mm F/2.8 L IS

Wow, what a lens this is. As I write this I have only had it a couple months, but I am constantly impressed with the results I can get from this high-end glass. The bokeh is silky smooth, the color is true and saturated, and between the 2.8 speed and the image stabilization, it is VERY versatile. There are lots of positive reviews on the net of this lens, but I want to point out something I have not seen others talk about. This lens is an incredibly kind lens when it comes to photographing people. I say it's kind because for a given subject, the image coming out of this lens is more flattering than one from a similar lens. As good as you look, it will make you look better. I haven't been able to pinpoint what technological factors are at work here, but I can see why people rave about this lens for portraits and weddings, this baby was MADE to shoot people.

It was a difficult decision deciding between this and the excellent Canon 70-200mm F/4.0L, but in the end a few factors finally recommended this lens to me. One, I like to shoot in low light, and I knew that I would definitely take advantage of having a faster lens (2.8 vs. 4.0). Second, the image stabilization would further enhance my ability to work in low light, and reduce the need for a tripod. Third, the 2.8 f-stop makes it well suited for portraiture, something I am focusing upon more and more. You just can't get that amazing background blur with a 4.0.

This lens is a healthy chunk of change, no doubt, but in my opinion it is worth it.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom

Selective Focus Lens: the Lensbaby 3G

The Lensbaby 3G is a unique product. At the center of this lens is a bellows that allows you to twist and bend where the lens is aiming. Moving the focal point of the lens off-center creates a lovely blur effect moving away from the area of focus. Examples can be seen here, here, and here. When I get stuck in a rut, this is the lens I break out to shake the neurons loose. It also makes a great portrait lens, with its soft-focus effect.

Lensbaby 3G Canon EF mount SLR Camera Lens (LB3GC)

Accessories

Opteka Remote Release Cord for Canon EOS 5D

A remote release is essential for working in low light situations. Even with your camera on a tripod, manually pressing the shutter button to take a photo shakes the camera and leads to reduced sharpness and blur. Using a remote release, you can trigger the camera without touching it, for much sharper photos.

 

Canon Spare Battery - BP511A 1390mAh Lithium

Everybody needs a spare battery. You do too.

 

77mm Circular Polarizer

Use a Circular Polarizer to control reflections when shooting outdoors. Cancel out reflections on glass and water, deepen the color of vegetation, add contrast and depth to skies. A must if you are shooting outdoors.

Comments

[midnightsrain.livejournal.com]

OK---Now you've gone and done it! I need to go out and play my numbers on the powerball, and hope and pray that I win. You've already done all the difficult work, all I have to do is go out and purchase! (Well that, and hope that practice will compensate for talent; in my case; and wish that all my photographs come out as beautifully as yours do) Thanks for always sharing your gorgeous images.

[misterx.livejournal.com]

heh, I hope it has at least a little to do with the photographer, but good equipment is helpful.

[midnightsrain.livejournal.com]

Of course. At least 90% of a beautiful photgraph is the work/skills that the photographer puts behind it.

[misterx.livejournal.com]

The main thing is I hate it when my equipment is getting in the way of what I want to do. When I get to where I have to "trick" my camera, lens, or whatever, to get the results I want, instead of being able to control it, it's time to upgrade.

"Time to upgrade" seldom corresponds with "funds to upgrade with", but that's another story. :)

[busychild424.livejournal.com]

That 70-200 is #2 on my list of accessories to get for my new 40D, right behind a 580EX.

I shot with my buddy's non-IS version of the 2.8 70-200 this weekend. I love that lens so hard.

Also need a battery grip. :-)

[misterx.livejournal.com]

why are you deciding on the 580ex?

[busychild424.livejournal.com]

It's their best flash, right?

[misterx.livejournal.com]

I was just wondering if you had compared the stats or anything and had a specific reason/justification for choosing it.

I was surprised how much larger it is than the 430.

[busychild424.livejournal.com]

I just want the best and most powerful flash they have.

Also if I decide to expand to multiple Canon flashes and do their wireless sync, the controller on the hotshoe has to be a 580, from what I understand, so you'd want at least one of them.

[misterx.livejournal.com]

i thought they sold a separate wireless sender that fit in the hotshoe, but I could be wrong.

my Q is why would you want multiple 580 flashes that run on AA batteries, instead of regular studio strobes that would probably cost less?

Playing devil's advocate here, but also truly inquiring, because I have studio setup somewhere in my future.

[busychild424.livejournal.com]

Nono - I don't think I would actually go the multiple 580s route. I was trying to come up with reasons why the 580 is better than the 430, aside from guide number. I don't actually know the details of the comparisons. I do however know that I just bought the top of the line Pentax flash and absolutely love it, and want the best I can get for my Canon.

But yeah - if I were going to go the direction of studio or product lighting, which I am, I'd do like you described and get a set of wireless strobes with independently adjustable brightness settings, that could be set up with a softbox, umbrella, or whatever. The 580 is primarily going to be for traveling light.

[misterx.livejournal.com]

From what I recall, the 580 doesn't have THAT much extra over the 430. A bit more range, a strobo-scopic flash mode (which I had on a previous camera, and used exactly once, ever), and it has the ability to control other flashes, which neither of us sees as useful. It is however, larger (50% and heavier, and about $200 more.

Actually, if you want to compare, here's a good article:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-430ex-Speedlite-Flash-Review.aspx

(I'd rather have the $200 to put towards a studio setup.)

[busychild424.livejournal.com]

*goes off to read*

[misterx.livejournal.com]

for what it's worth, the author of the comparison suggests the 580, but when i read the various differences, I really didn't miss anything the 580 added except a little range. and that wasn't worth the extra $ to me.

[busychild424.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's what I've noticed too. Guess I have some more thinking to do before I make a purchase. Thanks!

[zeppo-marx.livejournal.com]

I looked very seriously at the 5D when I got the 40D, because the sales were on and the difference wasn't that great. The FF, the picture quality, were huge pluses for the 5D. The frame-rate on the 40D for me for nature shooting, however, plus the fact that the difference in price covered 70% of the cost of my own 70-200F4IS tilted the scales the other way.

Given that so much of my shooting is outdoors in daylight, I traded the one stop for the price and weight differences (plus the 100mm 2.8 macro that this let me acquire).

Which is to say.... I'm envious, yet more than comfortable with the trade-offs I made to get me up and going in SLR gear.

Except that I really, really, really want that 17-40 to replace the shit 17-85 kit lens.

Oh yes, and a 10-22.

...and a 500mm

... and a full wireless flash setup


...and the 200 f1.2


...and.....


It never ends, does it?!

;)

[misterx.livejournal.com]

Not that I can foresee.

I somewhat missed the framerate drop when moving from the 20d to the 5d, but in truth I had only used it a handful of times for it's intended purpose. I decided I'd prefer a more dampened shutter than the speed. I'm pretty happy with the 5d though, would decide the same way again.