What is your 'dream kit' on a $4,000 budget?

What is in the kit? Just lenses or lenses + camera and other stuff?

OK, I will give it a try. For me that would be a used 5D with an Ee-S screen and a shaved mirror -- I have seen them on the B & S board for $900. I would also want a 40D too because I really like shooting wildlife and could use the reach, I have seen those used for $600 on the B & S board. That is $1,500 on cameras. More than I would like to spend of the $4,000, but I think I would anyway. For lenses I would get:

Tamron adaptall mount 17mm f/3.5 - $250
Olympus 21mm f/3.5 - $350
Olympus OM Zuiko 24mm f/2.8 - $105
Olympus OM Zuiko 28mm f/3.5 - $45
Voigtlander 40mm f/2 - $400
Minolta Rokkor 58mm f/1.2 - $300
Leica 90mm f/2 (non-Asph) with Elpro 3 close up lens - $440
Carl Zeiss Jena 135mm f/3.5 MC - $75
Canon 300 f/4L (non- IS) - $535

I have all these lenses except the Tamron and the Oly 21 and the Voigtlander and the prices are what I actually paid for each. I assumed by kit you meant camera(s) and lenses but not other equipment.

Mamiya 7II, 43, 65, 150mm lenses.

mawz wrote:
Mamiya 7II, 43, 65, 150mm lenses.


Yes, indeed.

Sony A900, Leica Summilux-R 80mm f/1.4

I'll pretend that we are just talking glass and that the body is already in hand. For body, I would want a Canon 5D2...on my shopping list for some time next year barring layoffs.

I shoot mostly landscape and close-up with some unposed portraits, so the set below will somewhat reflect that. My dream kit is nearly all in hand.

Leica 19/2.8 3cam or ROM $900-1500 or
Zeiss 21/2.8 ZE $1500

Leica 35/2.8 $600 or
Nikon 35/1.4 $700

Minolta Rokkor 58/1.2 $500

Leica 100/2.8 APO macro/1:1 ext $1900

CZ Jena 180/2.8 $900

Canon 500D close up lens $250

Okay, true confessions...taking the most expensive of each option, the total comes to $5750 This is without even putting the Leica 280/2.8 APO beast on there that costs more than I could sell my car for. But you did say 'dream' kit. I would rather acquire the right pieces one at a time over as long a period of time as needed than buy a set of less than ideal ones and sell them and then buy others again and again.

Jim

P.S. All of you guys on this forum are a terrible influence.

You should be able to get the 100 APO for less than $1900 with a bit of patience. One just went for €900 here in Germany, with the Elpro.

A 5D, for approx 900$. Zeiss ZE 21, ZE 35, ZE 50, Contax 100 f:2.8, Contax 135mm f:2.8
100% primes, 100% Zeiss. How much simpler can it get?

carstenw wrote:
Sony A900, Leica Summilux-R 80mm f/1.4

http://forum.getdpi.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8293

I should have clarified regarding body vs. no body.

I was thinking The Dream Kit should include a body, which probably means around 1-2K on body and 2-3k on lenses ... or ??

Philber, I do like the simplicity of your thinking.

5D + OM-4Ti
Zuikos 18/3.5, 24/2, 50/1.2, and 100/2
didn't make any count, but looks great!

Sony A850 + 28mm lens + 80mm lens (I don't know the lens options well enough to make recommendation)

foto-z wrote:
Sony A850 + 28mm lens + 80mm lens (I don't know the lens options well enough to make recommendation)

ZA85 and a C/Y or Elmarit-R 28/2.8 that's been Leitax'd.

cogitech wrote:
carstenw wrote:
Sony A900, Leica Summilux-R 80mm f/1.4

http://forum.getdpi.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8293

The Rokinon does look very good. Maybe a little contrasty More photos would be required.

Anyway, I used to own the Leica, and have some absolutely fabulous shots with it, so if I were ever to return to a DSLR, it would be a no-brainer. I am not looking for a better lens, because the 80 Lux-R is one of my favorite lenses of all time. I also find the Rokinon a little tacky, with that typical Asian gold trim that I don't like. Not so important for the results, I realize, but then I am not trying to be fair.

Yeah, it is a little tacky. Electrical tape takes it down to my speed.

Hmmm,

C/Y or Leica on an 850 ??

RustyBug wrote:
Hmmm,

C/Y or Leica on an 850 ??

3D or sharp corners at f5.6, take your pick.

Nikon FE2: $49
Nikon 50mm f1.8 E: $40

1998 Honda Civic EX, 5spd, 120k miles: $3000

Drive across the country and shoot tons of film.

lol ... but you forgot about gas $$