What photo gear do you use?

gzoladz · 02-02-2015 05:43PM #1

Hi,

The intention of this poll is to have ab idea of the most used photo gear of the N&BW forum.

Appreciate your participation, and feel free to elaborate by posting below (i.e. your ideal setup, any comment about the aprrture, etc).

Multiple choice is allowed.

Rosahane · 02-02-2015 11:57PM

OK, I'll open the batting.

I have a Canon 60D with a reasonable 18-135 and a crap 70-250. I've taken very few wildlife shots with the camera - just a few of the bird table and the garden.

I've mostly used my iPhone for the nature shots (wild flowers etc) that I spotted last summer. The problem is that when I'm out Im usually accompanied by the wife and the dog, neither of which will sit still for any period of time

To get value from the Canon I need a decent macro lens for the flowers, grasses, insects etc. and a longer lens for the other wildlife shots. Plus it's a bit cumbersome to haul around on the daily walk. However I'm considering shelling out for something like the Sigma 150-500 which is reasonably priced and decent quality.

I also have a little Olympus waterproof and shockproof digital that I bring fishing that is an option for the macro stuff but would be pretty limited for wildlife.

vandriver · 03-02-2015 10:04AM

I have a Canon 450d and a 70-300 mm is Canon lens.If I had the cash a 500 would be so much better for birds.

Half-cocked · 03-02-2015 01:32PM

Canon 400D and 50D. Canon 300mm f4L with 1.4 teleconverter for birds etc. Canon 100mm f2.8 macro for insects. Just bought a macro bellows with a 75mm enlarger lens to get even closer.

vandriver wrote: »

If I had the cash a 500 would be so much better for birds.

The new 150-600mm zoom lenses from Tamron and Sigma are getting decent reviews. They mightn't be as good as fixed focal length primes, but they are priced within range of us mere mortals.

gzoladz · 03-02-2015 03:29PM

Nice to see this thread walking

I got a Canon Eos100d last year with a Tamron 70-300mm. And I am considering the 150-600mm. I actually went to the shop to play with it a few times and its weight puts me off a bit.

I did consider a 400mm prime, but one of the advantages of the zoom is that you can use the wider fov to find the subject (it is not only about the focal lenght at which you shoot).

vandriver · 03-02-2015 07:00PM

My sisters mate(university funded!)uses this modest lens

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3740/12821175225_b1e49371ba_b.jpg

Iranoutofideas · 03-02-2015 08:41PM

vandriver wrote: »

My sisters mate(university funded!)uses this modest lens

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3740/12821175225_b1e49371ba_b.jpg

That's not a lens, that's a bazooka!

bernard0368 · 04-02-2015 10:31AM

I have the tamron 150-600 lens it is a great lens, however it comes with a huge learning curve. I am still trying to get the best from it. A monopod at the least is required.
If anyone is looking for a long lens keep an eye out for the Sigma 150-500 I would think there will be a few coming on the s/hand market now that the tamron and sigma's are out and about.

gzoladz · 04-02-2015 08:47PM

bernard0368 wrote: »

I have the tamron 150-600 lens it is a great lens, however it comes with a huge learning curve. I am still trying to get the best from it. A monopod at the least is required.
If anyone is looking for a long lens keep an eye out for the Sigma 150-500 I would think there will be a few coming on the s/hand market now that the tamron and sigma's are out and about.

Hi Bernard, can you please elaborate on the "long learning curve" statement. I am considering one but not yet sold on it.

keps · 04-02-2015 11:32PM

Wildlife

The lens I use most these days is the Nikon 80-400mm (older version).

It's light, flexible in terms of focal length( obviously) and some days I like it... but I'll never love it.
I find that the VR system is dodgy over certain shutter speeds and I must say a lot of the time I switch to manual focus.

The lens I love is a 24 year old Nikkor 300mm/F2.8 AF ( bought second hand 10 yrs ago)- but it's heavy and a bit clunky. But what sharp images it produces. I use it from time to time with a 1.4x which brings it up to just over 400mm at the loss of a stop.

bernard0368 · 05-02-2015 11:14AM

@ gzoladz,
Dont get me wrong this is a stunning lens for the money, I would highly recommend it.

It is heavy, you need to factor in this and it works best at F8 which can mean higher iso.

The learning curve is going to be more about your style of shooting, depending on your camera what settings you dial in to get the best for focusing static birds, birds in flight etc. Are you going to use AE priority, what metering, spot, center weighted, does your camera have Ai servo tracking if so what is the best setting for you. There are other settings relevant to focusing you may want to try out.
Once you are happy its plain sailing and you can leave the settings dialed in on one of the custom sections in the camera.

There are plenty of tips in some of the forums.
I just need to get out more.

Bonedigger · 05-02-2015 03:09PM

@Bernard
I have the Tamron 150-600mm. lens too(Nikon mount). It's a great lens in my opinion, but was wondering if you ever tried a teleconverter with it?
If so, what sort of results did you get ?
Thanks.

bernard0368 · 05-02-2015 08:42PM

Hi Bonedigger,
Yes tried it with 1.4 and the 2. It was awful on the 7D focus did not work at all but that was not unexpected. To get a decent exposure you had to dial in some serious compentsation. I gave up as it was near impossible to get a decent shot.

Bonedigger · 05-02-2015 09:16PM

bernard0368 wrote: »

Hi Bonedigger,
Yes tried it with 1.4 and the 2. It was awful on the 7D focus did not work at all but that was not unexpected. To get a decent exposure you had to dial in some serious compentsation. I gave up as it was near impossible to get a decent shot.

Hi Bernard,
I was toying with the idea of using a 1.4 knowing a 2.0 would be pushing the boat out somewhat. I think I'll knock that idea on its head so!
Thanks for your help.

keps · 05-02-2015 11:12PM

BTW moving slightly away from 'gear' - I would say that shooting RAW and availing of serious RAW software is one of the most important aspects these days

minikin · 06-02-2015 08:30AM

For the long stuff: Canon 1Ds mk2, 1d mk3 with a 300mm 2.8 & beautiful sigma 500mm 4.5. Haven't got anywhere near as much use as out of these for the last few months due to work commitments (the 15 hour day joy of being the boss!)

Maybe it's time to sell on and buy something I'll get more use out of for the summer - like good thick curtains and a decent bed!

gzoladz · 06-02-2015 08:50AM

I believe there is a Sigma 500 4.5 second hand in Conns.

Good point re software. I gave raw a go, but PS on Android does not support it, so I reverted to jpeg. Tony Northrup has a very good educational video on youtube about the advantages of raw over jpeg.

keps · 06-02-2015 11:39PM

I think Bernard mentioned it - but for out and about long lens photography
- whether sport or wildlife, a monopod is a very good friend to have.

gzoladz · 13-02-2015 08:53AM

For the benefit of those like me observing the development of the long zooms market, Sigma announced pricing of its 150-600 C. About USD 1,000, which is more or less the same as the Tamron.

What photo gear do you use?

Please pick the photo gear you use for nature photography 24 votes

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