Stan is getting a new camera!!

[StanChung]

Getting my DSLR in two days. Glee!

[valice]

Congrats! And buy a flash plus a wireless transmitter or any off-camera equipment for your flash first if you doing fish photography before investing in any lenses.

[StanChung]

Congrats! And buy a flash plus a wireless transmitter or any off-camera equipment for your flash first if you doing fish photography before investing in any lenses.

Muahaha
All that is sorted out already as it was set up for 135 camera. Just needed the DSLR. Undecided over D200 or D80. Will do so at the shop. I know bad idea...

[hwchoy]

don't need to think, the D200 !!! Buy! Buy! Buy!

[StanChung]

Wah kena hantu...[prodded by devil!]

[Ibn]

Not using too many lenses nowadays and definitely nothing compared to Benny. Here's the list of my gear.

Nikon D2X
Nikon D200 w/battery grip
17-55mm f/2.8 AFS (main lens that I use)
70-200mm f/2.8 AFS VR
300mm f/4 AFS
1.4x TCIIE, 1.7x TCIIE, 2x TCIE
50 f/1.4D
60mm f/2.8D micro
105mm f/2.8 AFS VR micro
Tamron 90mm f/2.8 macro
Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di (my beater lens :P )
SB-800 (x3); 2 Quantum Turbo for power
RRS BH-55 perched on top of a Feisol 3401

There are some holes in the kit that I want to patch but haven't had the justification for them (85 f/1.4, 12-24 f/4, 400 f/2..

[StanChung]

Yikes, Eric, if I live longer than you, can you will it to me?

My gear is like 90's gear compared! lol

[StanChung]

Eric, what's the
RRS BH-55 perched on top of a Feisol 3401
and Quantum turbo?
Your thoughts on Zeiss for Nikon?

Mine's-
Nikon FM2 [my retired workhorse]
F80D [my travelcam]
[will leave out the aquarium glass makers-paiseh]
Nikkor
-50mm f1.8 AIS [my first lens!]
-35-70mm f3.3-4.5 AF [fell off a cliff, recovered it and in museum now, was piece of junk in the first place]
-35-70mm f2.8 AF-ED [family snap lens that's now pretty useless for digital]
-80-200mm f2.8 AF-ED version 4 [my favrit]
-20mm f2.8 AF-D [30mm on Digital grrr-demoted to become the family snap lens]
Tamron 90mm f2.8AF[nice although plasticky!]

Flash
-SB24
-SB800
lost a SB28!
Some old cords sc17, sc24 and remote flash trips.

Eyeing the...
D200-
12-24mm f/4 AF-S DX G ED

Benny, you're Canon guy

[StanChung]

Eric, googled the stuff about BH55 and Feisol 3401 [ballhead and tripod combo]
The ballhead is Rolls Royce Stuff. Really Right Stuff!!!

[benny]

I've split this out from the camera poll thread for further discussion......

Benny, you're Canon guy

Who? Me? You've got to be kidding! I'm still saving up from my Nikon D2Xs, 105mm Macro VR and macro twin flash.

Actually, I've always said so and I'll say it again, most of the gear can give you what you are looking to achieve. But!!! Here's the qualifier...

1. Know the basics of photography

2. Know the equipment and it's limitation

3. Spend time to study/understand the subject

4. Plan how the shot is to be setup for that "kodak" moment

And that does not apply to only aquatic photography.

However, I'll have to admit that before the Nikon D70, Canon's ST-E2 was the only practical solution for aquatic photography. And if you are working with groups for flashes for tank photography (e.g. ADA contest) and would like to command groups of flashes and fine tune the output ratio from the camera, then Canon still seems to be the better option. But it's just a convenience, you can always walk to each individual flash and set it from there as you go along. The tank is not going anywhere in a hurry.

One small advantage of using Canon gear (here in AQ), is that local members do meet up on a fairly frequent basis and it's easier to share tips and equipment to illustrate the certain techniques when we are all on a common platform. We can also arrange for equipment trial so that you don't spend and regret.

In any case, I'm sure you'll have loads of fun with your new camera. As usual, I will advice that you spend as little as you can on the camera and as much as you can on lenes, flashes, etc. Depreciation on the camera is a killer and the lower/older cameras today were the stars of yesterday. Quite often, it can deliver what you are looking for. The question is usually - "Do you know how the get the best out of it?"

Keep us posted and share some photos soon!

Cheers,

[hwchoy]

when are you getting your 1DMkIII?

[benny]

I am trying to resist the temptation. Probably April. Pending my schedule.

Cheers,

[cwtan12]

Benny,

From the last 2 posts, seems like you are getting both D2Xs and also 1DMkIII? Wow wow wow....

[benny]

Chee Wei,

The flesh is very very willing, but the pocket is very very weak. Let's see how it goes. Besides, I have stopped shooting for more than a year already.

Cheers,

[cwtan12]

Benny,

Sometimes spending on something that makes you happy is worthwhile. When you are happy, you are less prone to illnesses. So why not be happy rather than paying for medical? I always have these thoughts that make me ended up with empty pockets from all the hobbies like hi fi (got to give up or else I cant afford the others), fishes, watches and now started to like a little about photography!...

[XnSdVd]

I suddenly have the urge to buy a Nikon FMII... Miss that thing. It was my first camera

[StanChung]

Actually, I've always said so and I'll say it again, most of the gear can give you what you are looking to achieve. But!!!

Haha! Benny thanks for the heads up. I'll admit I'm no spring chicken to photography but most of them are 135 negatives and slides.

Anyway the camera i want is more than a year old and it has: Up to date tech on it's image sensor-most important-ability to make large images up to 12R, Build quality, compatibility with my lenses that I've collected over a decade[ ], fast response-negligible lag on shutter depress, USB 2.0, flash control + enough modes to keep me dumb and looks nice.
I will say that digicams are not keepers, unless we can keep upgrading the image sensor without paying a fortune as technology improves. Let's see if they can make the sensor equal to 135 in terms of picture angle in future.

I love your pictures Benny, Eric's and Choy's. Very, very inspiring so let's see if can er...make some nice pics in due time. Play play lah. The equipment is good so no excuse to take crappy pix right?

I'll be going out soon to shop. Anticipation is killing me. I noticed that it's cheaper here in Jakarta. www.jpckemang.com

[StanChung]

Okay Got it!-it was great. The last hour is a rush!

[cwtan12]

Hi Stan,

What did you get eventually? D200?

[StanChung]

Hi Chee Wei,
D200. resistance was overcome. lol.
12-24 AFS f4 Nikkor
Lowepro Bag,
Gary Fong- 'LS Cloud',
Sandisk EIV +
some protector stickers
UV filter 77mm

I love that shop!