My Gear
Canon EOS 40D with Canon EF 85mm F/1.8.
Camera Bodies:
With the new EOS 60D DSLR, Canon gives the photo enthusiast a powerful tool fostering creativity, with better image quality, more advanced features and automatic and in-camera technologies for ease-of-use. It features an improved APS-C sized 18.0 Megapixel CMOS sensor for tremendous images, a new DIGIC 4 Image Processor for finer detail and excellent color reproduction, and improved ISO capabilities from 100 – 6400 (expandable to 12800) for uncompromised shooting even in the dimmest situations. The new Multi-control Dial enables users to conveniently operate menus and enter settings with a simple touch. The EOS 60D also features an EOS first: A Vari-angle 3.0-inch Clear View LCD (1,040,000 dots) monitor for easy low- or high-angle viewing. An improved viewfinder, a number of new in-camera creative options and filters, plus HDMI output for viewing images on an HDTV all make the EOS 60D invaluable for the evolving photographer.
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Old but still kicking. The Canon 40d is still a workhorse, first choice for advanced amateur photographers and entry-level professionals, and an ideal second body for more established photo pros. It sports a 10.1-megapixel CMOS imaging sensor (designed and manufactured by Canon) and its proprietary and super-efficient DIGIC III image processor, to its completely redesigned autofocus sensor and fast, 6.5 frame-per-second (fps) continuous shooting capability (for bursts of up to 75 Large/Fine JPEGs or 17 RAW images), the EOS 40D SLR puts the fun in functionality and makes serious photo business a positive pleasure.
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This is my oldest camera. It sports a 8.2 MP CMOS Sensor, a second generation DIGIC II Image Processor, 5 fps performance for up to 23 consecutive frames and a 0.2 second start-up time, the EOS 20D is designed to capture richly detailed, perfectly exposed images with speed formerly found only in cameras several times the price. Other features include a top shutter speed of 1/8000 sec., flash sync at 1/250, a new high-precision 9-point AF System, a built-in multi-controller for fast focusing point selection. I still use it regularly as a backup, and still love. It still take great pictures. One thing I like about it is the build quality, it’s made of all-black magnesium alloy external body with a solid stainless steel internal chassis. It feels really good on my hand and the handling is way better than the 60d, the only thing I don’t like about it, is the fact that I have to regularly clean the sensor, because it has no Automatic Sensor cleaning feature found on newer cameras, overall, I still love it.
For years, I have been using this Rebel XS side by with the Eos 20d, it has proven itself to be a reliable and dependable camera. It sports a 10.1-megapixel CMOS Sensor, Canon’s DIGIC III processor, fast shooting and more, it’s a digital powerhouse. With simple, easy-to-use controls, a compact design, a 2.5-inch LCD monitor, and Live View Function, it’s a beginner’s dream come true. I still use it regularly as a backup if I want to pack lite.
Amazon | Adorama | B & H Photo Video
MY LENSES
Canon EF-S 10-22mm F/3.5-4.5. My ultra wide angle lens. This exciting zoom lens provides ultra wide-angle coverage to the EOS 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D and Digital Rebel SLRs. Equivalent to a 16-35mm zoom, it offers excellent performance and optics designed from the ground-up for digital SLR use. Three Aspherical lens elements, plus a Super-UD element, assure image quality. Its ring-type USM means fast and silent AF along with full-time manual focus. It focuses as close as 9.5 inches.
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Tamron SP 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di. This is my favorite portraiture and event lens. It features a F/2.8 wide aperture that is really useful in low light. One thing I like about it, is it’s versatility, being a zoom lens, it gives me the flexibility I need. I can zoom in anytime if I want to get close and I can zoom out for a wider perspective. I also use this frequently on video work on the 60d. This ground-breaking high-speed mid-range zoom is prized by pros and serious shooters for its fast F/2.8 constant aperture, evenness of illumination, and its outstanding imaging performance, and by all photographers for its compact size and reasonable weight that make it feel like an ordinary standard zoom.
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Canon EF 85mm F/1.8 USM. This lens one of the fastest lens I have, being an F/1.8 lens, it gives a really sweet background bokeh. The 85mm F/1.8 is also sharp and clear at all apertures. I also use it for Macro/Closeup in tandem with my pro optic auto extension. The 85mm F/1.8 is just a fantastic lens lens to use from portraiture, events,macro and low light photography.
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EF 70-200mm F/4L IS USM. This is one of my favorite lens, the other being ef-s 10-22mm and the 85 F/1.8, this also one of the sharpest i have worked with. This lens is just a joy to use. It sports a fix F/4 aperture, a 3 stop image stabilization which is great in low light and being an L lens, it is sealed from dust and moisture. I regularly use this in events and wildlife photography, lately I’ve been using it more and more in macro together with the pro-optic auto extension tube. I chose the F/4L IS over the F/2.8L primarily because of the weight and knowing that I will mostly use it outdoor and during daytime. If ever I need the 70-200mm F/2.8L i can just rent it any time at BorrowLenses.Com.
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Canon EF 50mm F/1.8 II.
This is the lightest EF lens of all at a mere 4.6 oz. (130g). Compact and high-performance, standard lens. Its Gaussian optics provide sharp delineation from near to far focusing distances. The color balance is excellent for a standard lens.
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Canon EF 50mm F/1.4 USM . The EF 50mm F/1.4 USM is such a great lens, I just love it. The F/1.4 really makes a difference in low light situation. This is lens has an excellent build compare to the nifty fifty or the EF 50mm F/1.8 II, it has better image quality and faster, the larger focus ring is a joy to use especially when doing video with this lens.
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Canon EF 400mm F/5.6L USM Super Telephoto Lens.This high-performance lens was designed with portability and handling ease in mind. One super UD-glass element, whose characteristics are similar to fluorite, and one UD-glass element result in sharp pictures. The lens also has a built-in hood and a detachable tripod mount.
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| Adorama | B&H | Rent
Lens Accessories
Light Craft Workshop Fader ND Variable Neutral Density Filter.The Authentic Variable Fader ND Mark II, the one to use if you’re using only one. Optimum Quality. Optimum Performance. Optimum Pricing. UNIQUE: The 72mm ND Fader Filter Mark II is a unique product designed and manufactured by Light Craft Workshop. Highly recommended by professional photographers and film directors, this is the latest version of the Mark II fader filter you have read and heard so much about. This adjustable neutral density filter offers 2-8 stops of additional density, changing when filter is rotated. CONVENIENT: Eliminates the need for multiple filters. All you need is a single filter to give you a range of ND2 to ND400 by simple manual rotation. BEST QUALITY: Designed for high definition photography and videography.. Made with finest quality highly polished glass for better image resolution. Avoids any colour cast or vignetting. BEST PERFORMANCE: The ideal tool to produce slow shutter effects under heavy sunlight or large aperture under bright settings. Suggested for use with wide and standard lens with focal length under 200 mm for best image performance. Creates beautiful bokeh. Read related post here.
Fotodiox 7 Metal Step Up Ring Set, Anodized Black Metal.This step up rings allows me to use one filter for all my lenses. Whenever I buy a lens filter I get the 77mm filter size, and just use the step up rings on my other lenses.
Pro Optic Budget Auto Extention Tube Set for Canon EOS SLR Cameras. I find the Pro Optic Budget Extension tube very easy to use especially with my existing lenses, the EF 85mm F/1.8, the tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 and EF 70-200mm F/4l IS USM. Now I can do macro photography using my existing lenses. It’s lightweight because it is made entirely of plastic. There is another version of this also sold by adorama which is made of metal but a little bit more expensive. Related post here.
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Flash Systems
The Canon Speedlite 430EX II features a powerful flash (guide number of 141 ft./43m at ISO 100) with a fast recycling time in a compact, durable body. A one-touch quick-lock mechanism makes it easy to attach or detach the 430EX II from the camera and a metal foot has been added for strength and durability.
Flash controls can now be set through the camera’s LCD screen on compatible EOS Digital SLR cameras. The Speedlite 430EX II is also quieter, recycle time is 20% faster (as compared to the 430EX) and since it is compatible with Canon’s wireless E-TTL, it can be used as an affordable “slave unit”.
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Yongnuo YN-560. A cheap reliable manual flash that can surely deliver. This flash has a power comparable to 580 ex II, it’s got a great build quality that will last a longtime. I’m really happy with this flash. I will post a review when I get a chance. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a powerful, tough, manual flash. Great for strobist setup without breaking the bank.
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Cowboy Studio Light Kit. Light stands : Versatile, Hardworking & Lightweight; Black anodized aluminum; Max height is 6.1 Ft; Stable & Quick Setup.
White Soft Umbrella: This translucent umbrella is a great addition to your studio setup. This umbrella works well to diffuse the light from any flash creating a soft even light for your subject. The lack of a black backing give this umbrella the ability to flash through the umbrella if needed and simulate the effects of a soft-box. Portability is a plus for location shots. This size is good for head shots and small to medium sized products.
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Fotodiox 8″x12″ Softbox. This is NOT Plastic, or Paper. It is real fabric softbox for Professional use. It has a Professional appearance, NOT a toy like light modifier. The quality of construction and the diffusion it gives me really top notch. It comes with a zippered bag to keep the diffuser screen clean and the velcro strap is sewn to prevent misplacement. Better than opteka. I also use this when I’m photographing insects, bugs, bees and the likes, I set the flash on a stand and put this on the flash and fire it remotely, it gives me awesome clarity and a great quality of light.
The Demb Flash Diffuser Pro consists of 2 separate parts: a Big Flip-it!, which attaches to your flash, plus a front diffusion panel that goes on the strap of the Flip-it! with Velcro. This is like the best flash diffuser I’ve ever use, way way better, than Gary Fongs Soup Bowl, the Lightsphere I and II, better than Lumiquest Pro Max. The best light modifier for all around on the go jobs, great for events, indoor & outdoor, fill, bounce you name it. Read related post here.
The Opteka SR-90 can be used as a snoot or reflector. Softens, broadens, and diminishes the light output of any tungsten or flash light source. Includes the Opteka CL-2 clinch band for a mess-free easy attachment. This is a great alternative to the more expensive Honl Speed Snoot, which cost twice as much.
The Opteka Honeycomb Grids will fit most external camera flashes with the included Opteka CL-2 clinch band. The grids are available in 1/4″, which will narrow the flash beam and create a small circle of light & 1/8″, which will narrow the beam a few degrees more than the 1/4″.
Audio
Zoom H2 Handy Portable Stereo Recorder. The H2 is the only portable recorder with 4 mic capsules on-board for 360° recording. With 4 mic capsules in a W-X/Y configuration, the audio is decoded instantly, bringing these four signals together for unparalleled stereo imaging.
But the H2 doesn’t stop there. For maximum flexibility, you can record from the front of the H2 in a 90° pickup pattern or the rear of the H2 in a 120° pickup pattern at up to 96 kHz/24-bit resolution as a WAV file, or as an MP3 file at bitrates up to 320 kbps. Additionally, you can record in a 360° pickup pattern at up to 48kHz/24-bit resolution which will allow you to convert your recordings to 5.1 Surround. Simple to use and reliable and is cheaper than the Zoom H4 which has more features that I don’t need.
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Audio-Technica ATR-6550 Video Camera Condenser Shotgun Microphone. Crisp & intelligible pickup—far away or up close. In its “Tele” range setting, this cardioid condenser is engineered to pick up dialogue and sound effects at a distance, while bypassing ambient noise such as traffic, air-handling systems, room reverberation and mechanically coupled vibrations. Designed especially for use with video cameras. Read related post here.
| Tripod
Dolica AX620B100 62-Inch Proline TripodDolica’s 62″ Aluminum Proline Tripod is ideal for both indoor and outdoor photography. It is perfect for events, sports activity, capturing that one amazing shot. Designed for use with Point-N-Shoot cameras and / or Digital SLR cameras Tripod Features: Professional Aluminum alloy construction and able to support up to 13.2 lbs. Base thread: 3/8″. Includes ballhead, quick release plate and bubble level. 90 degree vertical platform. Standard-wide angle, semi-wide angle, full-wide angle. Quick release leg locks and non-slip rubber feet. I replace the ballhead with a much better one. I bought a Vanguard SBH-300 Ball Head which is perfect for what I need.
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Manfrotto 680B Monopod. Four section Monopod featuring sure rubber grip, wrist carrying strap, quick action lever leg lock system with 45° run, large 60 mm camera/head platform with plastic cover and dual 1/4” – 3/8” camera fixing screw. This replaces the Bogen Manfrotto 680. Build quality is excellent.
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Vanguard SBH-300 Large-Format Magnesium Alloy Ballhead. Manufactured by Vanguard, this ballhead is made of solid magnesium alloy, and I can tell that the build quality is excellent without the heavy price tag. The SBH-300 can support up to 70lbs./32 kg, which is an overkill for me. It can handle my eos 20d with EF 70-200mm F/4 IS USM like a toy. I had this ballhead since February of 2010 and up to now it’s still in A+ condition. One feature that I like is the plate locking mechanism, to release the plate I have to un-tighten a knob, but this won’t release the plate, there is a second lock that I have to press to fully release the plate, that second lock is the red button on the opposite side. This is an excellent feature which is a must on all plates to protect the camera from accidental drop.
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Fotopro 51-G Arca Compatible Tripod Ball Head. Precision made Fotopro® brand ball head. New Arca-Swiss compatible Ball head. All metal construction. Graduated panoramic scale on base. Independent ball lock. Includes 40mm clamp & one 40mm (1.56″) QR plate with 1/4″ screw & D ring. 3/8″ tripod socket w 1/4″ adapter. Ball diameter: 30mm (1.2″). Height: 9cm (3.5″). Diameter of base: 43mm (1.7″). Max load: 7kg (15.4 lbs). Weight: 315g (12oz). Height 90mm (3.5″).
