Posts Tagged “gear”

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. 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.

Well my pair of Canon 1DS Mark II camera bodies have now become backups to my 5D Mark IIs. 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.  It’s full frame, 21 mg, and at less then half the price of my originals.

After a few ups and downs (mainly the mirror box assembly) and waiting on batteries, I have been using them for everything. The image quality is fantastic in my opinion. 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.

My trusty tripod of 15 years died.  It was run over on a shoot.  Yes, run over.  I 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). After about 6 months, the second one had a leg that sticked the same way.  Ebayed it.

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

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 switched from using a MicroSync radio slave to Pocket Wizards.  They both have pros and cons.  I kept snapping the MicroSyc receivers in half.  The Pocket Wizards seem to always need new batteries and now there’s an extra connection to worry about.