This page is for those who may be interested in the stuff I use and why. There is no intention to advertise for the stuff I use.
Camera Bodies
1. Nikon D300
This is what I use for my serious works. I like it for its high frame rate, and powerful auto-focus, which is reliable most of the time. Output is very good, especially when shot in RAW, and the resolution is enough for what I do.
While built like a tank, I do wish it is smaller and lighter. Unless I use it with my thinktank bag, the weight is very noticeable especially when in transit.
(Sold)
2. Nikon D70
This is what started it all – my first DSLR. Traded for it with a Panasonic FZ30 prosumer, this camera taught me how to learn and love photography. It has very well balanced ergonomics which makes it a joy to handle. I still use it for fun shoots as it can be remotely triggered by IR. It is also much lighter than the D300. Output is good, especially when shot in RAW, but the buffer is small. Focus and frame rates are too slow for high action scenes. High ISO performance is only fair compared to the latest technology. However, it can shoot infrared pictures, which is not something the new cameras are capable of without modification.
Due to wear and tear, the camera now suffers from reliability problems.
(Repaired and sold)
3. Nikon FM
This belongs to my dad, but this is how I learnt the physics of photography. The viewfinder remains amazingly huge, something even the latest full frame DSLRs cannot match. Lenses
1. Tamron 17-50mm F2.8
This is the non-motorized version. The mild-wide angle to short telephoto range is very useful for my assignments. At 50mm on a DX crop, the FOV is just nice for mug shots. Max aperture of 2.8 is barely useable for indoor sans-flash, if shooting at ISO800 and above. Built quality is acceptable for the weight and price, though my copy tends to have problems with focus accuracy lately.
(Sold)
2. Tokina 11-16mm F2.8
This is a bloody sharp wide-angle lens, and the lens to buy if you shoot landscapes on DX crop. Range is too limited though.. and I tend to use my fisheye and de-fish the images in photoshop for the less serious works, as the lens itself is rather heavy for it’s uses. (Sold)
3. Tokina 10-17mm fisheye
A very fun lens to have, but may not be suitable for serious work. This lens allows for very unique perspectives, and never fails to wow when taking group shots. Well built and relatively lightweight, I find this lens slowly taking over as my travel wide-angle.(Sold)
4. Nikon 80-200mm F4 AIS
This is a lens made in the 1980s, and still produces excellent images. However, as it is manual focus, this is only suitable for static objects. 5. Nikon AF-D 80-200mm F2.8
My largest lens. Very heavy, and built like a tank. Produces excellent imagery. Focusing is acceptably fast on a D300, and amazingly fast on a D3. (Sold)
6. Nikon 50mm F1.4 AIS
This is more suited for the FM, as the FOV is quite tight when used on DX crop. Beautiful piece of glass though. Other stuff
1. Nikon SB800 flash
A heavily used workhorse, it’s ability to do wireless strobing should never be underestimated. Powerful and compact, it’s every penny well spent. I only wished the head could turn 180 degrees in both directions. 2. Benro A500 tripod and KB-1 ballhead
Ballhead sags a little when the 80-200 teles are mounted. No problems with other lenses. The tripod is solid and tall enough for most uses.
(Destroyed by sea water)
(Destroyed by sea water)
3. Gorillapod Focus clone
Bought mainly for group shots, it is just beginning to show it’s uses.
4. Think-tank changeup (with 2 chimp cages)
A very expensive bag, but supremely well built and adaptable. It is also very comfortable even when fully loaded. Works well as a normal bag too. Every penny well spent.
5. Safrotto clone (of lowepro Stealth Reporter 400)
Big bag. Breaks your shoulder when fully loaded. Seldom used nowadays.
