I was a Nikon user for many years. When digital hit, some of us pros felt abandoned. Our visual memory was programmed to see full frame 35mm proportions. We knew what lens would give us what angle of view. I tried the Fuji but could not get used to the lens multiplier. The 6 mg camera meant you had to res the file up. Canon came out with a full frame camera. At 16.7 mg, it meant double page spread at 300 ppi. It looked like Nikon had no intentions of following suit, and when they did finally come out with a full-frame camera it took them years to catch up. I switched to Canon and have not looked back.

I currently use a pair of Canon 1DS Mark II camera bodies. Having two means you have a back up and you don’t change lenses as often to avoid the dust problem as much as possible.  I have had to have one of the firewire connections fixed.  Other than that, nothing.  It’s been great.  Canon has just announced the new 5D Mark II.  It’s full frame, 21 mg, and at less then half the price I can’t hardly wait to upgrade.  I have ordered two, so now the wait.  They have finally arrived.  I will compare the two and keep you posted.

Ok, so far no comparison.  I tested them and they seemed fine.  I installed the new firmware.  I am still waiting on backup batteries so I haven’t taken them on a real shoot yet.  I had some headshots to do yesterday.  I thought it would be a good start.  Ok the first one (camera body) I try,  I get nothing but error messages.  I tried everything, different battery, different lens, different card, off - on, nothing worked.  

Come on Canon!!! This is quality control??? It’s bad enough to wait a couple of months while it’s on backorder and still no extra batteries and now this.  I did the shoot with my 1DS MKII.  The 5D MKII is on it’s way Canon.  We’ll See……     Ok, it’s back and I would like to Thank Canon for such a quick turnaround -1 week including the weekend and shipping. Wow!   Service Details “mirror box assembly was replaced.”  We will try it again.  Still no batteries.  

The batteries have arrived.  Very cool, I thought now I can start using the cameras.  I set up to try to tether and guess what?  Apple had upgraded their OSX to 10.5.6 and so did I.  Major Mistake.  The camera would only shoot ~20 frames and the laptop would freeze up.  Canon acknowledges the problem and says a fix is coming.  They did upgrade their browser recently so now I can shoot tethered but still no live view.  Live view still locks up the Laptop.

 I have used the 5D MKIIs now on two headshot shoots, one architecture shoot and two product shoots.  The images are fantastic.  They are everything you would expect from a 21mg full frame camera.  I am very pleased.

 Since I am coming from a 1DS MKII the new camera feels much different.  I am not sure about the weather proofing and the durability overall.  The 5D MKII does focus slower.  I have noticed a difference.  The batteries seem to last forever and I am really enjoying the larger LCD.  I think the menu items are easier to find, although the mirror lockup is still pretty hidden.  Overall you can’t go wrong with this one.

I also have a Canon G9 point and shoot. It’s small and a little retro looking.  I have been a little disappointed in image quality.  I guess I am spoiled by the 1DS. The small chip is very noisy. Not what I expected. Lately we’ve been using it mostly for video clips. Don’t buy one to shoot above ISO 100.  They now have the Power Shot G10 coming out. It’s 14.7 mg and should have better noise.  Unlike the 5D I’ll wait and see on this one.

My trusty tripod of 15 years died.  It was run over on a shoot.  Yes, run over.  I have replaced it with an INDURO.  You really do get what you paid for.  It was cheaper than a Gitzo.  The first one I got had one leg that wouldn’t extend without standing on the tripod and pulling.   I sent it back to B&H (they are very good about returns) and now the second one, after about 6 months, has a leg that sticks the same way.  I will need to get a Gitzo after all.  It’s just too embarrassing on a shoot to fight with the tripod. 

I bought a Gitzo #1340 and a Classic Rapid column.  I should have done this in the first place.  It’s great.

As far as lenses go here is what I use:  Canon TS-E 24mm f3.5L Tilt Shift,  Canon 17-40 f4L,  Canon 24-70 f2.8L, and a Canon 70-200 f2.8L.  Yes, all L lenses and all fixed aperture.  Why you would want a variable aperture I do not know.  One note here, make sure you only buy lenses with an imaging circle made for full frame sensors, with the exception of wide angles because of the lens multiple factor.  You will probably own a full frame sooner or later as costs have already come down considerably.

For on camera lighting I use a couple of Canon 580 EX II flashes. They take some getting used to but do work. Yes, Nikon does seem to have a better flash system. So if on camera flash is a main part of your work, I would suggest looking into a Nikon system. Since it’s not for me, I’m a Canon guy.

I was all excited when Vivitar brought back their manual 285 flash. This used to be a workhorse. At less than $100 what a deal. It’s only a good deal if it works. I bought two. One quit about the third time I used it.

My studio mate bought one and it quit working the first time he used it. The dealers should be ashamed they even sell such a piece of junk.

My main system of lighting gear is all Speedotron Black line. I have used them for all of my professional career. I have two of the 805 packs, one 1205 pack, one 2400 pack and six 102 heads. What can I say, they work, they’re reliable. We use them in our studio lighting classes at school and they stand up to the student’s abuse. Yes, heavier than some of the other brands but the reliability is worth it.

I use a MicroSync wireless slave unit to trigger the packs and sometimes the 580s. It works but only syncs up to 1/180th shutter speed. You have to learn to work around that but it’s great not to have a big antenna pointing at your face on top of your hotshoe like some of the other brands.