Love seeing a working photographers' kit. But I'm not a pro so I have both a different relationship with photography and a different relationship with gear. I shoot a great deal but it is almost always for the pure pleasure of doing so. Granted I'll occasionally get paid for small projects but even when I'm doing work for others it is more often as a gift to them. I do it because I love taking photos.
But I also love gear, especially Nikon's manual focus lenses. With these I'm smitten by how beautifully crafted they are, what a joy to hold as well as use. I post photos regularly in this forum, primarily in the Manual Focus Nikon Glass thread, but I do so as part of a conversation about these lenses. I doubt many of the folks participating in that conversation are making money with their gear, though quite a few are extraordinarily gifted photographers. But one of the pleasures of a site like this is sharing enthusiasm for all things photographic, including kit building.
I figure the working pros are talking with each other about the vagaries of business while the rest of us are swapping stories about kit building and trying to impress one another with our skills behind the camera. It all works. I figure the OP was excited about his kit and wanted to share his enthusiasm. I'm willing to play at that.
I don't have a photo of the 'collection' but here is one of my favourite lenses. It is at least 25 years old (my estimate, since I forget when I bought it) and still in heavy use. http://lilredspider.com/msc/AF_Nikkor_180_2.8.jpg
I use all of my "collection" on a regular basis. For hiking I take my 24, 50 1.8 and 75-150 they are so light to carry and they fit in my vest. For concerts I use the 80-200, 85, and 24. For birding and nature I use the 100-300 and extender and tubes. Portraits i use the 50 1.4 and 105. For general walk around I use the 35-135. For Disney i take my 24 and my 35-135. The only one I rarely use is the 135 2.8 Promaster. I could sell that one
Think this is about up to date, use almost all of them regularly, the 35 and 50 are the only ones I dont use as much but they make nice grab lenses for football.. there is a D3 that was out for service when i did this and im working on getting an afs 2 400 and selling that old afi
The Tammy 28-75 f/2.8 and the Nikon 80-200 ED f/2.8 have put a big smile on my face.
Complete kit:
I need to get a 77mm c-pol, a grad. density filter and a couple step-down rings so they work with everything...
(...and replace the lens hood I broke on the 18-200 as well as the hood for the 28-75 that a buddy lost and get the hood that never came with the 80-200...)
When I was with Nikon I loved the AIS build and colour scheme. Those multicoloured f-stops and the smooooooth focus were brilliant.
Even though I since moved to another brand I can still mount manual Nikon lenses with an adaptor, and I bought one of the last new Nikkor 28mm f3.5 PC shift lenses I could find, had to import it from Hong Kong - a sweet old school lens. Now I can relive my happily remembered Nikkor days of the 1980s and 1990s. Simply beautiful kit that the AF age just doesn't have the style to emulate.
From Left to Right - AIS 200mm F2.0, AF 300mm F2.8, AIS 400mm F2.8, AIS 500mm F4.0P, AIS 600mm F4.0, AIS 800mm F5.6. And the King - AIS 300mm F2.0 is on top.
hdavid wrote:
OK - For those tough hard to reach areas.........
The Tele Collection
From Right to Left - AIS 200mm F2.0, AF 300mm F2.8, AIS 400mm F2.8, AIS 500mm F4.0P, AIS 600mm F4.0, AIS 800mm F5.6. And the King - AIS 300mm F2.0 is on top.
Don't worry Mihai... he collects boxes, not lenses...
I note you're near Calgary where our friend Gregory hails. Quite a number of the lenses you list are or have been part of his kit, though I never know what he actually owns and what he is borrowing or that he once owned. I don't see his 300 f/2 AI-s any longer so perhaps you were the happy recipient of that lens in a trade. Not many were made... My guess is you guys must know each other. And yes, this is a breathtaking collection... Blessedly, my bank account is saved from an obsession with long glass like this.
Nice try - check out the bend of the table on the left. These boxes are certainly not empty. Besides - it's a good way to keep the MF Lens thread(s) going for a very long time.........
It sucks though - when it comes to the choice of lenses you take with you - when it boils down to how much fiber and protein you had for breakfast.
I was playing with Mihai, not doubting that you own these lenses. And yes, seeing boxes like that in a row does/will add to the conversation about kits. Do you know Gregory?
CGrindahl wrote:
Don't worry Mihai... he collects boxes, not lenses...
This time I don't believe you Curtis!
I wonder what kind of bag one needs to carry this glass... maybe a standard 20' shipping container... If I sell my kidney does not help... I need to rob a bank...
Take a closer look Curtis - there 2 lenses that were purchased directly from him - and 1 that was gained second hand - as in he used to own it. (I also have a 15mm that was his). Greg and I are about 20 minutes apart - and enjoy each others company when we get a chance to go out shooting together. If nothing else than bouncing ideas off each other - and pushing each other's limits/skills. Great person to work with - and someone I like to call a friend. I think you will agree.
It took a long time to acquire these - and I try to use them as often as I can. (Have a full-time non-photographic job that is always getting in the way) The recent "hole" that was filled was the 400mm. At least my preparation thoughts are no longer based on what I have to do to make something work - I just chose the right tool. And pray that my choice was the right one.
