Quick View

Most photographers would list one, or maybe two, primary shooting kits. In looking over a quick view of my primary shooting kits, you'll notice that I list four. It's not that I can't decide on one, but more upon my mood. There are times I'd rather shoot with a Konica or Nikon manual kit, or with a Nikon autofocus kit, or just get out with a digital kit. All get about equal time, so it's difficult to say which would be my single, primary shooting kit. In fact, on a long photo trip I'll take two, and sometimes three.

Primary Konica Kit

CAMERAS:
T3n and FS-1

LENSES:
Hexanon 24mm f/2.8
Asanuma 35mm f/2.8
Hexanon 57mm f/1.2
Hexanon 85mm f/1.8
Hexanon 100mm f/2.8
Hexanon 135mm f/3.2
Hexanon 200mm f/3.5
Vivitar 400mm f/5.6
Tokina 60-120mm f/2.8 Zoom
Hexanon 80-200mm f/3.5 Zoom
Hexanon AR Teleconverter

FLASH UNITS:
Vivitar 285HV
Konica X-24

ACCESSORIES:
Sekonic L-358 Flash Meter
Manual and Electronic Cable Release
Step Rings
Nikon 5T & 6T Diopters
Canon 500D Diopter
Off-Camera Flash Cord

Primary Nikon MF Kit

CAMERAS:
FM3A and FE2

LENSES:
Vivitar 17mm f/3.5
Vivitar 24mm f/2.8
Nikkor 50mm f/1.4
Nikkor 50mm f/1.8
Nikkor 105mm f/2.5
Nikkor 180mm f/2.8
Nikkor 300mm f/4.5
Vivitar Series 1 28-90mm f/2.8-3.5 Zoom
Nikkor 50-135mm f/3.5 Zoom
Nikkor 80-200mm f/4 Zoom
Nikon TC-14B Teleconverter

FLASH UNITS:
Nikon SB-15 Speedlight
Sunpak 433D Dedicated Flash

ACCESSORIES:
Nikon MD-12 Motor Drive
Sekonic L-358 Flash Meter
Cable Release
Step Rings
Nikon 3T, 4T, 5T & 6T Diopters
Canon 500D Diopter
Off-Camera Flash Cord

Primary Nikon AF Kit

CAMERAS:
F5 and F100

LENSES:
Tokina 17mm f/3.5
Nikkor 24mm f/2.8
Nikkor 35mm f/2
Nikkor 50mm f/1.4
Nikkor 50mm f/1.8
Sigma 105mm f/2.8 Macro
Nikkor 180mm f/2.8
Nikkor 300mm f/4
Tokina 20-35mm f/2.8 Zoom
Sigma 24-135mm f/2.8-4.5 Zoom
Tokina 28-80mm f/2.8 Zoom
Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 Zoom
Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6 D Zoom
Kenko 1.4X and 2X Teleconverters
Sigma 1.4X Teleconverter

FLASH UNIT:
Nikon SB-80DX Speedlight

ACCESSORIES:
Sekonic L-358 Flash Meter
Electronic Cable Release
ML-3 Remote Set
Step Rings
Nikon 3T, 4T, 5T & 6T Diopters
Canon 500D Diopter
Off-Camera Flash Cord

Primary Digital Kit

CAMERAS:
Nikon D100

LENSES:
Nikkor 50mm f/1.8
Tokina 12-24mm f/4
Nikkor 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6 VR
Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.3-5.6 G
Nikkor 70-300 f/4-5.6 G
Tokina 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6

MEDIA CARDS:
128MB to 1GB Compact Flash Cards

FLASH UNIT:
Nikon SB-80DX Speedlight

ACCESSORIES:
Filters
Step Rings
Card Holders
Battery Charger
ML-3 Remote Set
MB-D100 Battery Pack

TRIPODS AND HEADS:
Regardless of which kit I use, my primary tripod is a Manfrotto 055MF3, with Manfotto 468RC4 Ball Head. However, if I'll be doing any hiking I'll replace it with, or also include, the lighter Bogen 3001N tripod, using a 3055s ball head. Also, for those times I might need to shoot from my truck, I always carry a Bogen 3292 window tripod, with 3009 mini/micro ball head. And, if I need to work absolutely down to the ground, I have a home-made bean bag that I take along.

FILTERS:
I have a plethora of filters. However, the only filters I carry regularly are circular polarizing, graduated neutral density, neutral density, red intensifier, 85C, and 81A warming filters. With my digital camera I'll also carry an R72 Infrared filter.

FILM:
I've tried a lot of films and still try some new ones when they come out. There is no right or wrong film. Everyone has their own taste. I primarily shoot slide film, with those that I prefer being: Fuji Velvia and Fuji Sensia 100 and 400, and Kodak Ektachrome 100VS slide films. When I do shoot negative, or print, film, I primarily use Konica Impressa (50 ISO) or Agfa Ultra 100. If I need a fast print film, I'll use Konica Centuria 400 or Fuji Superia X-tra 800. For Black&White, I generally use Agfa Scala 200 slide film.


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