you ultimate kit

[nodabs]

without going too crazy what would your ideal kit be, meaning the one that you would actually use day to day and make use of, and to qualify it what would you shoot with it.

mine:

Bodies
1XD70
1X D2h (D2x soon)
1X F80

lenses
10.5mm nikkor Fish
15mm nikkor fish
12-24mm sigma
17-35mm 2.8 nikkor
28-70mm 2.8 nikkor
50 1.4mm nikkor
105mm 2.8 micro nikkor
70-200mm 2.8 VR nikkor
80-400mm VR nikkor

misc
Sunpack/vivitar cheap flashes X 3
SB800 X 2
Pocket Wizards X2
Optical slaves X2

1.4 and 1.7 tele extenders

lowepro photo trekker AW II
lowepro mini trekkor AW II

4X 1G sandisk Extreme cards
Epsome p2000

Thant would be the kit i'm working toward not the best of everything just what i need only went for one DX lens cause i still want to be able to shoot slides as some magazines STILL don't accept digital. mostly this would be used for action sports mountainbiking, trials BMX etc. but i shoot pretty evely between that landscape, flowers/macro and wildlife as well as some PJ if i'm motivated enough.

so far i have the D70 body and mini trekkor lol if anyone wants to swap my 18-70 and 70-300 for that list i'm open to offers

so what do you want and what would you do with it

[Nnnnsic]

You're telling me that you'd prefer to use an F80 over either an F100, an F5, or an F6?
Blasphemy!

[nodabs]

no i'm saying that i'd rather break an F80 scrambling around on rocks. this is my real world scenario which is why i have the cheap remote flashes because riders skaters etc have a habbit of landing on them.

the F80 would also be a remote camera so hence the choice.

but an F5 or F6 would be the dreamland answer

[birddog114]

without going too crazy what would your ideal kit be, meaning the one that you would actually use day to day and make use of, and to qualify it what would you shoot with it.

mine:

Bodies
1XD70
1X D2h (D2x soon)
1X F80

lenses
10.5mm nikkor Fish
15mm nikkor fish
12-24mm
17-35mm 2.8 nikkor
28-70mm 2.8 nikkor
50 1.4mm nikkor
105mm 2.8 micro nikkor
70-200mm 2.8 VR nikkor
80-400mm VR nikkor

misc
Sunpack/vivitar cheap flashes X 3
SB800 X 2
Pocket Wizards X2
Optical slaves X2

1.4 and 1.7 tele extenders

lowepro photo trekker AW II
lowepro mini trekkor AW II

4X 1G sandisk Extreme cards
Epsome p2000

Thant would be the kit i'm working toward not the best of everything just what i need only went for one DX lens cause i still want to be able to shoot slides as some magazines STILL don't accept digital. mostly this would be used for action sports mountainbiking, trials BMX etc. but i shoot pretty evely between that landscape, flowers/macro and wildlife as well as some PJ if i'm motivated enough.

so far i have the D70 body and mini trekkor lol if anyone wants to swap my 18-70 and 70-300 for that list i'm open to offers

so what do you want and what would you do with it

Bodies
1 x Epson RD-1
1X D70
1X D2h
1 x D2x

lenses
28/1.4
85/1.4
12-24mm Nikon Dx
17-35mm 2.8 nikkor
28-70mm 2.8 nikkor
70-200mm 2.8 VR nikkor
200-400VR
300/VR

misc:

SB800 X 2
Pocket Wizards X2
Optical slaves X2
SC- 29/ 28
MC-30
RRS complete kit (Heads/ L brackets, flah bracket, Pano slider etc...)
Wimberley Sidekick
Gitzo 1325/ 1227LVL/ 1027/ Monopod 1588
1.4, 1.7, 2.0 tele extenders

Bag
lowepro mini trekkor AW II
Photo vest and photo harnesses

Storage:
6 x 2Gb Astone card
Epson P-2000

[fozzie]

Birddog,

I see that you have purchased the ' Wimberley Sidekick'.

Have you had an opportunity to use it

If so, first impression (s).

This is purely curiosity, rather than need to purchase.

Cheerio,

[birddog114]

Birddog,

I see that you have purchased the ' Wimberley Sidekick'.

Have you had an opportunity to use it

If so, first impression (s).

This is purely curiosity, rather than need to purchase.

Cheerio,

Will be testing that weapon at the Newcastle wetland next month.
Do you want to join?

[fozzie]

Birddog,

Can't make it in February. If for some reason the date changes to sometime in March, please let me know.

Off to work now.


Cheerio,

[birddog114]

Birddog,

Can't make it in February. If for some reason the date changes to sometime in March, please let me know.

Off to work now.


Cheerio,

We will see how we go! and will keep you posted.

[MHD]

Hmmm...

Assume the D2X is out

1 d2x
1 D70

17-55DX
12-24
70-200VR
TC-17IIE
50/1.5
28/1.4
85/1.4
300/2.8 VR

Gitzo 1277LVL
RSS Ballhead
King Cobra
Gitzo Monopod with small (tilt) head

SB-800 and RSS flash bracket
extra battery pack for SB-800 (for Paparatzi style flash rep rates!)
Vest
A collection of Bags (would need more research)
Usual collection of filters

Lotto Ticket anyone?

[sirhc55]

Nodabs - your list is very interesting in that out of all the lens you have but one Sigma - why not the 12-24mm DX Nikkor? BTW I have the Sigma.

Chris

[JordanP]

ultimate kit hey....
based on my current knowledge

1x D70
1x D2X
1x F5

28mm f1.4
85mm f1.4
400mm f2.8
600mm f4

Sigma 12-24mm (want to be able to use it on my F5)
17-55mm DX
70-200mm VR

TC-14IIE
TC-17IIE

3x SB800 speed light

2x lowepro mini Trekker AW
1x lowepro Photo Trekker AW
2x Photo vests

Epson R800

1x Gitzo Monopod
1x Gitzo Tripod
3 different heads (not sure which ones yet)

2x Pocket Wizards
3x Optical slaves

2x 2gig CF cards
2x 4gig CF cards
Epson P-2000

and a budget of another 2k to pick up handy gagets I learn about by going to Birddogs once a month

[nodabs]

i chose the sigma because i also have a film camera in i would rather the nikkor mostly because of the extra stop but because it's a DX it won't cover the film.

oh i forgot tripods too i guess then

i'll go the smaller birddog route
Gitzo 1277LVL
RRS complete kit (Heads/ L brackets, flah bracket, Pano slider etc...)

add to that

aout 4 cheap velbon units and 4 monfrotto table tripods.

also a ladder, got perspective?

nice lists, but what would you use it all for? sports birds architecture

[JordanP]

I'd use mine for

Photo Journalism
Sports
Wildlife
Landscape
Protrait
Commercial

I'd also like to get a custom made water housing for in water surf photography.

[birddog114]

i chose the sigma because i also have a film camera in i would rather the nikkor mostly because of the extra stop but because it's a DX it won't cover the film.

oh i forgot tripods too i guess then

i'll go the smaller birddog route
Gitzo 1277LVL
RRS complete kit (Heads/ L brackets, flah bracket, Pano slider etc...)

add to that

aout 4 cheap velbon units and 4 monfrotto table tripods.

also a ladder, got perspective?

nice lists, but what would you use it all for? sports birds architecture

I use it for everything I see in front of me and within my reach. I'm not a pro and nor my business in photography or earn my living from those stuff, just having fun with new toys and try them out to see what can they do for me. One day I left this world, I'll be happy I tried all stuffs I can.

[Onyx]

Sweet dreams are made of these... who am I do disagree?!

1 D70
1 D90/D200 (with vert. grip)

Nikkor 12-24DX
Nikkor 28-70/2.8
Nikkor 28/1.4
Nikkor 70-200/VR-2.8G
Nikkor 200/2VR
Nikkor 85/1.4
Nikkor 105/2.8 macro
TC14E, TC17E

3x SB800, SD-8A external battery packs.

4x 2Gb Sandisk Ultra III

Expodisc 81A Warming

Lowepro Compu-trekker
Lowepro Stealth Reporter 600
Lowepro PJ vest

Gitzo 1348, with Kirk BH-3/Markins M20 head. Manfrotto 682B - self standing monopod.

[MCWB]

Mmm, the "If I won lotto tomorrow..." thread!

Semi-realistic list:

D70 (already have)
D2H/D2X (for fast continuous shooting)

Nikkor 24-120 VR (already have)
Nikkor 12-24 DX
Nikkor 70-200 VR
SB800
TC17E
3-4 X 1 GB cards

That's pretty simple, but I reckon would cover 99.99% of the stuff I'm likely to shoot. Then the wish list comes:

17-55 DX
A few long, fast primes (maybe VR) or 200-400 VR
Maybe some shorter fast primes, but I really need to play around with them more to see.

Halfway between the lists is the usual tripod/monopod gear, the 'need' being less expensive than want...

[plukaduck]

Well this is a hard one.

What I have already plus:
TC 17E
50 1.4
105 2.8 Macro for the underwater shots, then I will have to get the prot to suit
24 -120VR Do I need this one
600 F4

This may be a dangerous situation for the AMEX, as I am in Seoul at the moment and about to venture to the markets where there are endless camera shops.

Cheers,

Darryl.

[birddog114]

Well this is a hard one.

What I have already plus:
TC 17E
50 1.4
105 2.8 Macro for the underwater shots, then I will have to get the prot to suit
24 -120VR Do I need this one
600 F4

This may be a dangerous situation for the AMEX, as I am in Seoul at the moment and about to venture to the markets where there are endless camera shops.

Cheers,

Darryl.

Darryl,
Enjoy your stay there, talk to the Markins people and grab few heads, bring them home. If you can, please let me know by PM or email.

[plukaduck]

Well,

Shoping all done for today, I have added a 2005 model Markins Ball Head (I do not know what the difference between the 04 and 05 models are but they sounded good). I will blame Birddog for this.

50 1.4 and the TC-17EII

Now to let the plastic cool down and the most important thing, is to find the time to use these new aquisitions.

Cheers,

Darryl.

[birddog114]

Well,

Shoping all done for today, I have added a 2005 model Markins Ball Head (I do not know what the difference between the 04 and 05 models are but they sounded good). I will blame Birddog for this.

50 1.4 and the TC-17EII

Now to let the plastic cool down and the most important thing, is to find the time to use these new aquisitions.

Cheers,

Darryl.

Darryl,
have you met the owner of Markins?

[fozzie]

Daryl,

Did you get the Markins M-10 or M-20 with QR Clamp .

I have the M-20 with QR Clamp and the workmanship is excellent IMHO.

By tomorrow morning your AMEX card will have cooled down, ready to start shopping again .

Cheers,

[sirhc55]

After much reflection this would be my list if I had the gelt:

D2x
Primes:
10.5mm f/2.8
28mm f/1.4
85mm f/1.4
135mm f/2
200mm f/2
400mm f/4
Sigma 150mm f/2.8 macro
Sigma 180mm f/3.5 macro

Zooms:
17-55mm f/2.8
70-200mm f/2.8 VR

3 more SB800
Marklins head


Chris

[birddog114]

Daryl,

Did you get the Markins M-10 or M-20 with QR Clamp .

I have the M-20 with QR Clamp and the wokmanship is excellent IMHO.

By tomorrow morning your AMEX card will have cooled down, ready to start shopping again .

Cheers,

Actually, it's cold now, cos South Korea is -1 - -5 degree tonight

[Mj]

mmm.. don;t know about ultimate.... but would like to start collecting the following...

12-24DX
28/1.4
85/1.4
70-200VR
1.7 tele
600/4
RRS 55mm ballhead
couple of extra SB800s
and lotsa sundry stuff

[Mj]

oops... forgot I'd also be looking for a macro lens at some point... possibly the 200mm.

Michael.

[plukaduck]

Fozzie,

I got the M10-Q, looked at the M-20 but it is way too big for what I need it for.

Looked at several plates but none of them looked as good as the RRS plates that I have seen at Birddog's. I think I will have to depart with some more pennies to ensure I am set-up properly.

I went to their shop front in Seoul and it was vey small, I had a problem that their english was not to good and my Korean is not crash hot as well. Only talked to staff with great difficulty.

I have an interperator from tomorrow and if I get a chance I might venture back there.

Cheers,

Darryl.

[fozzie]

plukaduck,

As stated, I have the M-20 but everything else is 'RRS' ie:

'L' Bracket

B87-B Portrait Perfect Package

'LCP-10' lens foot for AF-S VR Zoom 70-200mm f/2.8

'B97L' lens plate for Sigma APO Macro 150mm F2.8 EX DG HSM

Cheers,

[birddog114]

Fozzie,

I got the M10-Q, looked at the M-20 but it is way too big for what I need it for.

Looked at several plates but none of them looked as good as the RRS plates that I have seen at Birddog's. I think I will have to depart with some more pennies to ensure I am set-up properly.

I went to their shop front in Seoul and it was vey small, I had a problem that their english was not to good and my Korean is not crash hot as well. Only talked to staff with great difficulty.

I have an interperator from tomorrow and if I get a chance I might venture back there.

Cheers,

Darryl.

The only product they have which I can see "good" in my term is the Markins 20 head, their plate are not so flexi and compatibility as RRS or Kirk. So don't settle on their plates.
Get the Markins 20 if you can, the Markin 10 is smaller and you'll change you mind after.