DigitalPro Shooter Volume 2, Issue 22, April 7th, 2004

Welcome to DPS 2-22: Photo gear. Nothing generates more interest than cameras, lenses and all those accessories we cart around with us. I get lots of email asking what I shoot with and why, so this issue of DigitalPro Shooter covers what is in my camera bag and why I use it. Obviously it is mostly Nikon equipment, but I've provided Canon equivalents for almost everything in the list. Of course, my selections are designed to work for my shooting needs. Your needs will be different, but hopefully you'll benefit from seeing how I've thought about what I use.

My Camera Bag:

When I head out in the truck or for most photo trips here is what I pack in my MP-1 from WRP:

Camera Bodies:

Nikon D2H with Really Right Stuff (RRS) plate:

 

For anyone shooting action with Nikon, this is the camera to have. At 8fps and 4MP the D2H is my workhorse camera. There is lots more information on it elsewhere on the site. Image quality is excellent and battery life is even better. Flash performance is also improved over older Nikon bodies, particularly when using the SB800. This camera is finally the digital equivalent of the F5. A joy to use. For Canon shooters the 1D MkII will be the equivalent if you can justify the money.

Nikon D1H with RRS plate:

I faced a hard decision about whether to sell my 1H or my 1X to buy my 2H. I decided to keep the 1H since I really like the 6fps and I use the camera as my second camera for flight shots. Obviously a second D2H would be even better, but that would be another $2000 to upgrade. I've thought about getting a D70 as a backup camera, but I like the speed of the D1H and the fact that it is very similar to the D2H to use. I'm guessing that before the year is out I'll wind up with a "D2X" as my other camera--assuming its price makes sense for me when the time comes. For Canon shooters the 1D would be the equivalent, although if I had an unlimited budget I'd love a 1Ds as a "backup" for scenics!

Lenses:

Nikon 600f/4 AF-S II or 400f/2.8 AF-S w. RRS combined foot/plate:

For birds, the 600f/4 is the cat's meow. Many photographers now opt for the smaller and less expensive 500f/4, but if you want the perfect bird photo lens, it is the 600. I use the 400f/2.8 for large mammal photography, although anyone with a 500f/4 can use it to serve double duty. With more and more parks enforcing restrictions on how close you can get to subjects (a good thing for the most part) and the practical and ethical restrictions when working with threatened and endangered species, the 600f/4 and 1.4x Teleconverter combination provide nearly 1200mm focal length or nearly the equivalent of a 24x spotting scope. This is a great combination. Canon options are very similar, but include IS and the ability to stack teleconverters.

Nikon 70-200f/2.8 AF-S VR w. RRS plate:

The big news with this lens for me was not the VR but the size. Smaller than the 80-200 AF-S, this version fits in my bag comfortably so I can travel with it. Fast and sharp, just like the prior 80-200f/2.8 it is a winner all around. The AF is very smooth and the lens handles very well hand held. The Canon equivalent is also a 70-200f/2.8 USM L lens with IS, but it is slightly more expensive.

Nikon 12-24:

Ultra-wides have been the province of prime lenses until recently. By producing a line of digital only (DX) lenses, Nikon has been able to produce a competent ultra-wide angle zoom. I've been able to replace my 14mm with this more versatile zoom, since I almost never need the added speed of the f2.8 on the 14mm. I really enjoy having an effective 20mm back in my bag with my digital without needing a separate lens for it. I don't know of an exact Canon equivalent to this  unique zoom.

Nikon 24-120VR:

I'm torn between this lens and the 24-85 which is smaller and fits nicely into a vest pocket. However, I really like having the reach to 120mm so I don't have to switch back and forth with my 70-200 all the time, so the 24-120VR is in my bag most of the time. This lens is head and shoulders above the older 24-120 in speed and image quality, but actually costs less. I wouldn't have paid extra for the VR capability, but when shooting with the Wimberly head on my tripod the VR helps for slow shutter scenic or macro shots by not requiring that I also lug around and convert to my B1 ball head before taking them. Of course if I'm out to photograph scenics I start with the B1 on my tripod and leave the VR turned off. Canon has a variety of lenses in this range, although I'm particularly intrigued by the new 35-350 "L" zoom. If the image quality is there it'd be a real productivity boon!

Nikon 1.4x & 2.0 AF-I II Teleconverters

For quality glass I think it is worth the money to buy the Nikon AF Teleconverters. I own both the 1.4x and 2x. The 1.4 is on my 600mm much of the time, and the 2x is available for when I need the extra reach and can afford the loss of light. Canon's options are very similar, although they do also allow stacking.

Gitzo 1548 tripod leg set and Wimberly head, B1 head for scenics

I really like the Gitzo carbon fiber tripods. I've owned just about all of them but for the 600f/4 the 1500 series is the right combination of strength and weight. The 1548 is the 4-section version so it packs a little smaller. If you have the 500mm you can probably get away with the 1300 series. For a long lens head nothing works as well as the Wimberly. It makes a world of difference in getting the right shot compared to either my B1 or B2. When I'll be shooting a lot of scenics I carry my Arca Swiss B1. It is definitely not a great value for that, but I own it and it is an excellent product for its weight.

Alternative heads include the Wimberly Sidekick if you only have a 500f/4 to carry and the new RRS ballhead if you aren't sure you'll like the Gitzo 1377 or the Arca-Swiss B1.

Accessories:

Nikon SB800 Speedlight & SC-29 flash cord

The SB-800  is the first flash I've found that really works with digital. The first to use Nikon's new iTTL, it is a major improvement over the SB-80. If you're using it with the D2H you can make use of the new SC-29 flash cord featuring an AF illuminator built right in to the cable for better alignment.

Wimberly flash bracket

If you use a Wimberly head then the Wimberly flash attachment is smaller and lighter than any alternative. Otherwise RRS flash brackets offer the same functionality if you have a more traditional tripod head.

Better Beamer Flash Extender

For flash fill at extended distances Walt Anderson's Better Beamer is a portable and inexpensive way to nearly double the distance you can project your flash. Basically a simple Fresnel lens on a plastic mount it is a must have for anyone doing flash fill photography on distant subjects such as birds.

Aquatech SportShields for 400-600 and 70-200

I fold these up and put them in with my long lens. They double as padding so they don't take any extra space. Aquatech makes the absolute best all-weather covers, so if you shoot in inclement weather these are the ones to buy.

81a filters on all my lenses

I tend to like my images on the warm side, so I keep an 81a on all my lenses.

77mm Moose filter (81a + Circular Polarizer) + 77mm adapters for lenses as needed

Rather than carry multiple filters, I now just carry adapters to 77mm and then carry 77mm filters. This didn't work well with film but with the smaller size of the digital sensor on my cameras I can get away with it.

Singh-Ray graduated neutral density filters & screw on holder

For high contrast scenes having a 2-stop and 3-stop ND filter allows me to fit the dynamic range of the scene into a single image. They scratch more easily than I'd like, but I don't know of any better ND filters than these.

Flash Cards

I tend to buy the largest and fastest Lexar card I can afford at any point in time. Other companies like Sandisk are now directly competitive with Lexar, but I use them out of habit and because I like having a single brand. I do wait until the last possible moment right before a project to buy new cards, as there prices almost always go down with time.

Cleaning & toolkit including blower bulb, Wiha screwdrivers & hex wrenches, spare LCD covers and eye-cups, electrical tape, AA Batteries & chargers, etc.

Specialty Gear (often carried when I don't have the room or the need for my normal gear). Usually packed in my WRP MP-3c:

Nikon 300f/4 AF-S

An awesome flight lens. If I know I'll need the best flight lens I have, this is the one I bring.

Nikon 80-400VR

Large range in a small form factor. I bring it in my Lowepro Stealth bag when I'm going on a trip where I don't have room to carry the 70-200 plus a teleconverter.

For trips where I want or need to carry less, I make the following changes:

Substitute a WRP MP-3c bag for my MP-1 + Lowepro briefcase

Tabletop Gitzo tripod or Gitzon 1228 smaller tripod

What about my Bags?

I use an MP-1 from WRP as my main camera bag. I used to carry my Lowepro ProTrekker, but the MP-1 is much lighter and allows me to pack more in the same space. I've also replaced my Lowepro NatureTrekker with a WRP MP-3 for the same reasons. If you really need a heavily padded unit suitable for major backpacking the Lowepro packs are still unequalled, but if you'll be working in more moderate conditions the WRP packs are easier on your back and let you bring what you need. I also have a Lowepro Stealth that I use for short "city" trips where I just want to bring a minimal amount of camera gear.

For special projects I also often use the following:

Lightning Trigger--For photographing bolt lightning

LPA remote radio trigger & receiver

Nikon SD-8a battery packs for 2 flashes when using dual flash. Alternatively I have a Digital Camera Battery, but the SD-8a is a cheaper and lighter solution if all you need is flash support.

SB-80 & macro flash adapters for dual flash use, flash cabling (soon to be replaced by a SB-600 as my second flash)

Kenko Extension Tubes, although mine have never really auto-focused with my lenses, despite buying two full sets

Non-photo gear:

North Face Kanapi Day Pack

Garmin GPS unit & D1H connection Cable

Is that all?

Is this all I own? Unfortunately not. I have a closet full of various other equipment such as dry bags, specialty lenses, flash units and powerpacks, etc, that I either use once in awhile or think I might use again someday. But the above list is the gear I normally work with. I'd love to hear your thoughts on what equipment you choose and why. Be sure to let us know what you think on our Photo Tools forum.

Computers & Software

In a future issue I'll cover some of the computer hardware and software that I find essential to complete the picture--if you'll pardon the pun.

2004 Cardinal Photo Safari and Event Calendar

May 24-28, Birds of the Bay Area, Palo Alto, CA (3 slots still available)

July 21-28, Alaskan Grizzly Bears and Puffins (2 slots still open)

October 8-11, Fall Color, Michigan (4 slots still available)

DigitalPro Tip: We're constantly updating DigitalPro. Make sure and check the Pro Shooters website, www.proshooters.com for updates which may include support for your new camera or for the new feature you're hoping for.

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To keep up with the latest articles and reviews, join Moose and me at http://www.nikondigital.org. For the latest versions of DigitalPro, visit http://www.proshooters.com/dp.

Good shooting!

--David Cardinal, editor DigitalPro Shooter
Pro Shooters LLC

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