What do you shoot with?

[someoldguy]

5D2 , 'cause I own it and its bulletproof

50D , got it free

M9 , because I've used Leicas for 40 years , had the lenses , and it's a great walk around camera , got it as factory reconditioned

G1X , travel backup

 

[Micky Do]

I'd been without a camera since film more or less bit the dust a dozen years ago. then…..

My first digital camera was an Olympus Tough TG310, which I picked up for about $US110.00 a couple of years ago. At half price, it was the last of remaining stock before a new model hit the shelves a week later.

I got it because it was affordable, and seemed like a good start into digital photography. It is compact, so is easily carried on a motorcycle. Being able to take a knock and a dunking, it still often gets tossed in a bag (or pocket) to go where other cameras can't go.

[URL=http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/AjarnMick/media/PB170016.jpg.html][/URL]

I tried taking photos of sports events, and people started asking me for copies to use on websites and in the local press. To take better pictures I needed a camera with a bigger sensor and a better lens, and a proper viewfinder. Most importantly, because I like to take candid and action shots, I needed something with minimal shutter lag so that I could capture "the moment". A DSLR would have been ideal, but beyond my budget, and bulky to carry on a motorcycle.

Then I saw the Fujifilm X10, which fitted my budget, and size requirements nicely. I got one and have been well pleased with it….. It has been the source of many pictures used in reports on websites and in the local press….. even when newspaper photographers have been there. There is something to be said for knowing the game.

[URL=http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/AjarnMick/media/Around%20Phuket/LeagueChamionship-25May14_zpse894f8d8.jpg.html][/URL]



Photography is not so much about having all sorts of flash gear. It is more about making the most of the gear you have (with you)…… iPhoto helps too!

 

[lcseds]

I schlepped the big stuff around for years. Now I use a Sony Nex-6. Although snubbed by many DSLR users, these Nex cameras are fantastic. Then, for quick runabouts, I use a Sony RX-100. To me, this is a fantastic combo. One I can use additional lenses to get artsy, and the other is like a P&S with incredible output. Never again a DSLR setup.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I loved the old elegant SLR film cameras; my first camera was a Pentax ME Super - a beautiful, small, but solid piece of craftsmanship.

Then, as SLRs became larger, I found carrying them around less enjoyable; some years ago - I posted about it here - my Nikon F 100 was stolen, and I debated (and asked advice) about switching to digital. In fact, I never made the move to digital, as I decided to go retro.

In 2010, shortly after the theft of my Nikon F100, I bought a used Leica R 7, along with a Leica 35-70 lens which came with it. This is a beautiful camera which I use a lot less often than I should, as it takes beautiful pictures, but makes you think about what you are doing.

More recently, over the past year, I have bought a Lecia M6 TTL and a few Leica lenses (Summicron 50 mm, Summicron 35mm and a used Noctilux 50mm) to accompany it. I am looking forward to using it when I return home.

 

[960design]

1) Pentax K5 II/S
2) M4 Carbine 5.56
3) Ruger 1911

Depends on what I'm aiming at.

 

[nburwell]

So many Nikon users here

Ironically enough, I recently sold all my Canon gear to move to Nikon. I have quite a few photographer friends who have done the same thing. Not that Canon is going under or anything, but a lot of landscape shooters are moving from Canon to either Nikon or Sony for the a7r for the better dynamic range the Sony sensors provide.

 

[ocabj]

Ironically enough, I recently sold all my Canon gear to move to Nikon. I have quite a few photographer friends who have done the same thing. Not that Canon is going under or anything, but a lot of landscape shooters are moving from Canon to either Nikon or Sony for the a7r for the better dynamic range the Sony sensors provide.

The only people I know personally that switched dSLR brands switched because they were getting paid (sponsored) to do so.

One guy I know shoots Phase One medium format because he's got money.

 

[tcphoto]

I have been very happy with a Canon 1Ds3 and a couple L's. My Clients rarely need additional resolution so I'll rent when needed.

 

[compuwar]

What do you shoot with and why?

A camera. That's how photography is done.

Seriously? Another "I love my equipment vendor" thread? *sigh.*

Paul

 

[Kill Zone Red]

Panasonic Lumix GH2 for me.

I got the M4/3 camera to shoot video mainly, but find myself shooting lots of photos. I love the size, weight and balance of the system. I feel the M4/3 system can create extremely sharp images. And lots of Olympus and Panasonic lenses to choose from.

 

[monokakata]

A camera. That's how photography is done.

Seriously? Another "I love my equipment vendor" thread? *sigh.*

Fair enough. I'll answer in a different way, then.

I have a full-frame DSLR and a half-dozen lenses for it.

I also have a excellent mirrorless small camera, and I find myself using it more and more because -- and this is why I got it -- it's easy to toss in the car, and it's easy to toss in a fanny pack. It's easy to be ready for something exceptional that presents itself (I live in a place where exceptional things present themselves regularly). I had an inexpensive P&S which was just as easy to grab and take along, but the quality wasn't there.

I have a waterproof P&S, inexpensive, and I use it not so much on the ocean or (slightly) under it, as for times when I know I'm going to be in the rain. When I was doing fieldwork out in Papua New Guinea many years ago, I carried a Nikonos II for the same reason -- I didn't have to protect it at all.

I'm about to send my old DSLR off to have it made into an IR camera.

I have two film cameras that I'll never give up, for sentimental reasons. I've had them both for going on 45 years. One is the Nikonos and the other is a 1968 Nikon F.

 

[Meister]

A camera. That's how photography is done.

Seriously? Another "I love my equipment vendor" thread? *sigh.*

Paul

For many using the gear is half of the fun
I see nothing wrong with that.

 

[The Bad Guy]

A camera. That's how photography is done.

Seriously? Another "I love my equipment vendor" thread? *sigh.*

Paul

You weren't very helpful. I will not buy one of your photos of ducks.

 

[Goftrey]

You weren't very helpful. I will not buy one of your photos of ducks.

Shots fired.

 

[compuwar]

You weren't very helpful. I will not buy one of your photos of ducks.

That's good, because I don't have even a single photo of a duck for sale[1]. Seriously though, the whole thread is counter-productive. One can take good photos with bad gear and bad photos with good gear- while there are some "suitable for your environment and subject" issues, there are counter-arguments about time, patience, skills and practice that counter them handily[2].

Oddly enough I remember that I used to often encounter someone who often showed me horrendous images of ducks. He'd proudly show me 8x10 prints that, had I taken of them that I'd either have deleted, or never printed. He was happy with them, and proud of them- to him they were a successful outcome and rationale to shoot regularly[3].

As another thread this week shows, it doesn't matter what equipment you use, you can get good or bad results with all sorts of equipment, so other than brand championing (of which there's already enough in this fora to build several marketing department's worth,) I ask, what difference does it make?

Paul
[1] I've got Geese photos on my site, but nary a single duck.
[2] I've shot birds with 4x5 and 5x7 view cameras.
[3] I've seen lots of great bird images shot with much of the exact same equipment.

 

[nitromac]

 

[compuwar]

For many using the gear is half of the fun
I see nothing wrong with that.

There is a wide, wide gulf between using your gear and crowing about what vendor made it. See, c.f. the incessant "I traded in a boatload of $vendor1 stuff for $vendor2 which is the new elixir of life, source of unicorns, rainbows and fluffy bunnies" postings from one forum member.

Paul

 

[The Bad Guy]

That's good, because I don't have even a single photo of a duck for sale[1]. Seriously though, the whole thread is counter-productive. One can take good photos with bad gear and bad photos with good gear- while there are some "suitable for your environment and subject" issues, there are counter-arguments about time, patience, skills and practice that counter them handily[2].

Oddly enough I remember that I used to often encounter someone who often showed me horrendous images of ducks. He'd proudly show me 8x10 prints that, had I taken of them that I'd either have deleted, or never printed. He was happy with them, and proud of them- to him they were a successful outcome and rationale to shoot regularly[3].

As another thread this week shows, it doesn't matter what equipment you use, you can get good or bad results with all sorts of equipment, so other than brand championing (of which there's already enough in this fora to build several marketing department's worth,) I ask, what difference does it make?

Paul
[1] I've got Geese photos on my site, but nary a single duck.
[2] I've shot birds with 4x5 and 5x7 view cameras.
[3] I've seen lots of great bird images shot with much of the exact same equipment.

Well thanks for chiming in, Mr Killjoy. I meant no offence to your geese.

Anyway, you're right...it doesn't matter what one shoots with, but that doesn't change the fact I'm genuinely curious as to what people use (DSLR, Micro 3/4, Mirrorless etc) and why they choose to do so.

Don't recall asking people what brand of camera they use.

 

[DirtySocks85]

Canon T3i. For a very long period of my life, the only camera I really had was my phone. I eventually got fed up with the limitations and started doing research. In the process of researching and buying my first DSLR, I fell in love with photography. The T3i has been a great starting point for me. I imagine it will be a while before I buy a new camera body. New lenses however...

 

[Micky Do]

Seriously though, the whole thread is counter-productive.

Not counter productive at all…….. though adding the two words "and why" to the title could have made the OP's curiosity a bit more apparent.

it doesn't matter what one shoots with, but that doesn't change the fact I'm genuinely curious as to what people use (DSLR, Micro 3/4, Mirrorless etc) and why they choose to do so.

It seems there are two broad camps of folk into photography.

There are those who have a large collection of gear, to select from for different situations.

Then there are those have a minimal amount of gear, which they make the most of in a variety of situations.

To me, seeing a list of what photography gear folks have is boring, and can verge on bragging. Why people use what they do is more interesting.

 

[The Bad Guy]

Not counter productive at all…….. though adding the two words "and why" to the title could have made the OP's curiosity a bit more apparent.

Very first post in this thread…

Hey, howzit going?

I'm The Bad Guy and I'm a long time reader of this site (my join date, doesn't match my read date), I don't tend to contribute in the Mac / iOS portions of this site (seriously, have you read that ****? Ridiculous) and I have a question of you…all of you.

What do you shoot with and why?

Reading and comprehension not big around these parts?

 

[Meister]

To me, seeing a list of what photography gear folks have is boring, and can verge on bragging. Why people use what they do is more interesting.

I bought a D610 last christmas because it was the first (affordable) dslr that seemed like it produced better quality than film. I also like to be able to use older lenses.

I am well aware that the various crop sensor formats are catching on and offer the incredible advantage of size and weight, but when I first held the D610 I fell in love with it. I am also not planing on upgrading anytime in the foreseeable future because for me a premium dslr (like my d610) can still last a lifetime, like the old slrs used to do. You just have to change the shutter at some point.

----------

There is a wide, wide gulf between using your gear and crowing about what vendor made it.

for me its not about a specific vendor. All vendors make excellent unique gear. I just like electronics and i like to look at them and use them.

 

[LostSoul80]

I actually thought this was in another section of the forums.

 

[Micky Do]

Very first post in this thread…

True, but how many people read the first post of a thread?

Reading and comprehension not big around these parts?

In my experience on forums, the title is more important than the first post.

Once a few posts have been made a thread often gets a life of its own. The first post is soon forgotten, but the title remains at the top of new pages, thus sets the tone of the thread.

 

[uvafan1]

Another Nikon User

I started off with a D90 which is in semi-retirement. I currently carry a D7100 and a D610 in my bag. I use the D610 mostly, but the D7100 with longer lenses works well when I need to reach out and touch someone.