Home»Camera Gear

 

 

~ My Gear ~
 

 

 

 

 

As I mentioned on the home page, I use Canon cameras and lenses.  Arguably

the most important gear in your bag is your lens selection.  I, like many others learned this

lesson the expensive way.  When I started out, I couldn't afford pricey lenses.  So I bought

what I could afford.  Thinking the camera was the hub of my outfit, I bought a camera

and built around it.  The last area of attention was top quality lenses.  Although, cameras have become more important simply

due to the technological advances made since then.

 If I had it to do over, I

would make lenses my priority and build around them. I'm still in the process of

building my "Lens Selection".  

 I have found my photography is a work in progress and a continual learning experience

that will not cease until I stop doing it.

 

* Equipment *

 

Cameras

 

Canon ~ 1DX MK II

 

   Just recently purchased this flagship machine gun!

Will update when I get more time with it...

 

Canon ~ 7D MK II - x2

 

 

  I think this camera is a great step forward.  The ergonomic considerations are vast.  It's obvious the sports and wildlife photographer was the target market when designing this camera. When shooting wildlife, having to change settings on the fly is part of the game. This camera gives you the ability to custom set the rear controls so things like; ISO, focus point, one shot, AI-Servo, and so on, can be changed on the fly without removing your eye from the viewfinder. This, along with ten frames per second, can make the difference between getting the shot and not.

 This camera also has the ability to auto focus down to f8. So you can use a 2x tele on a 500mm f4, and still have auto focus... cool!  For wildlife this is what I use exclusively in the field. I have one on the 500mm f4 w/1.4x tele, and one on my backup setup, with the 70-200 w/2x tele.

 They put some real thought into this camera's setup, and I'm glad they did!

 

 

 

Canon ~ 7D - x2 

 

For wildlife photography, getting close is a main concern. That's why the APS-C sensor is my choice for

telephoto work. With the 1.6 crop factor, a 500mm f/4 with a 1.4 teleconverter,

(normally 700mm) effectively becomes an 1120mm f/5.6 and maintains auto focus.  For five years this

camera was the most advanced APS-C camera Canon offered.  Not to mention the 1920 x 1080 HD

video capability @ 24p.  Did I mention the eight frames per second, and the nineteen auto focus points,

and the 18 megapixels, and....

 

Canon ~ 5D Mk II 

 

 Being a full frame camera with 21 megapixels, I use this for landscape, portrait, and other uses that

don't demand the telephoto reach of the APS-C sensor. Low noise and beautiful resolution make this

camera an impressive addition  to any camera arsenal. To see some examples from this camera, visit

my Landscapes Gallery, most of the shots were taken with this camera. Since most of my work is wildlife, I don't get as much time with this camera as I do with the 7D MKII, but when I do, I'm allways pleasantly surprised and impressed all over again just how nice this camera performs.

 

Canon ~ 50D

 

I have owned every model in the 10 series line up, except for the 60D, and I intend to keep this camera.

 It had the longest production run of any 10 series camera and was still available long after the 60D

debut.

I bagged one of my favorite and most challanging shots with this camera, a Golden Eagle on an elk

carcass.

 At 15 megapixels, it should have good utility for some time to come.

 

Canon ~ 10D

 

This camera is what I started digital with.  Camera technology has evolved at a rapid pace, and

this was my hub that quickly became obsolete.  I still have it because it's worth more to  me than I could

get for it.   At the time it cost the same as a 7D MK II did new.... ouch!!
 

 

 

 

 

 

Lenses

 

Canon ~ 500mm f/4 L IS USM

 

This is my main workhorse for wildlife.  I usually run the 1.4x tele. on it. With  this setup it maintains

auto focus and is tack sharp.  This lens is large and white, so to tone it down, and also add some

protection, I have it dressed in Realtree Max 4 Camo by LensCoat. When needed, I also use the Rain

Coat Pro.  I love this lens!!

 

Canon ~ 70-200 f/2.8 L IS II USM

 

I can't say enough about the image stabilizer on this lens.  It's nothing short of amazing!  I used to have

the non-stabilized original version of this lens and used a Bushhawk shoulder mount with it.  This lens

however is so stable handheld, I no longer do.  When the IS comes in, the view simply stops moving,

period!  The first time I used it, my response was an audible, "wow"!  When I'm shooting wildlife I

normaly have a 2x tele. on it.  Being that it's an f/2.8, it maintains auto focus. The Golden Eagle shot
 

mentioned in the 50D review was also taken with this lens handheld.  Since then I have taken

shots at dusk of  two Great Horned Owls  at 1/80th of a second, also handheld with the 2x 

tele.! Perhaps the best example to date of the IS performance is some shots of Honey Bees I took handheld with
 

an extension tube installed. This lens mounted to a 7D MK II, is my companion
 

setup in the field when I'm shooting with the 500mm.  Due to the impressive IS, I have removed the tripod
 

collar and always shoot handheld with this lens. 
 

 

Canon ~ EF 17-40 f/4 L USM

 

This lens is for the 5D, since the Tamron 17-50 is not designed for a full frame camera. When I get some

time on it, along with the 5D, I'll report my impressions.

 

Canon ~ Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM

This lens is also for the 5D. I will report my impressions when I get some time on it.

 

Tamron ~ 28-75mm XR DI LD f/2.8 Macro

 

When I did my research on this lens I was a little doubtful it would live up to what the reviews said

about it, but when I saw the results this lens gives you I was impressed.  This was the first lens I

purchased that put me on the road to quality lenses.  Even though it is not an expensive lens it performs

beyond it's price tag.  At the time, I had no Canon "L" glass to compare with, but when I got the first 70-

200 f/2.8 L USM,  I saw for myself what the pro stuff was all about, and this lens for the money holds it's

own. 

 

Tamron ~ 17-50mm SP Di II VC f/2.8

 

I had the non stabilized version of this lens and was very happy with it, so I  didn't hesitate when the VC

version came out.  I use this lens for landscape. Both of these Tamron lenses have surpassed my

expectations!

 

 

Tripods and Mounts 

 

Wimberly ~ Gimbal Head II

This head deserves a mention!  I use this head for the 500mm setup, and when I do, the only limitation

is me.  If you've read about this head then you've heard about how effortlessly you can swing

around a big setup.  Well I'm here to tell you, it's all true!  The main factor in getting my Raptors in

flight shots, is this head!

 

Manfrotto ~ 322RC2 Grip Action Ballhead

 

Manfrotto ~ Proball 468RC2 Ballhead

 

Manfrotto ~ 701RC2 Mini Fluid Video Head

 

Manfrotto ~ 055X PRO   Tripod - x2

 

Manfrotto ~ 055CXV3 View Carbon Fiber Tripod

 

Kirk Enterprises ~ BH-3 Ball Head

 

Kirk Enterprises ~ W/BG-E6 L-Bracket - "5D-MK II"

 

Nature Scapes ~ Tripod Shoulder Pod Pad - Camo

 

Nature Scapes ~ Tripod Leg Wraps - Camo

 

 

anfrotto~ 055CXV3 View Carbon Fiber    

 TripodTTtt

 

 

 

 

Misc.

 

 

 

 

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