Digital Cameras

• Canon 1Ds

• Canon D60

Lenses

• Canon 20mm f2.8

• Canon 28mm f1.8

• Canon 85mm f1.8

• Canon 24-70mm f2.8 L

• Canon 70-200mm f2.8 IS L zoom

• Canon 600mm f4 IS L

• Canon 1.4 Teleconverter

Tripod

• Hakuba HG-504MX Carbon Fiber Tripod

• Really Right Stuff Ballhead

• Wimberly Head

• Really Right Stuff L-Plates, lens plates

Flash

• Canon 580EX, 550EX

• Canon Flash Transmitter

Binoculars

• Swarovski 7 x 42

6 x 7 Format

• Pentax 6 x 7 camera body

• TTL viewfinder

Lenses

• 55mm f4

• 90mm leaf shutter f2.8

• 150mm f2.8

• 500mm f5.6

• 2 x Adapter

• Extension Tubes

645 Format

• Pentax 645N body & film backs

Lenses

• 75 mm f2.8

• 45-85 mm f2.8 zoom

• 80-160 mm f2.8 zoom

• AF 500FTZ Flash

35mm Equipment

1. Pentax LX with Motor Drive

2. Pentax ME with Winder

Lenses

• 28 f/2.8

• 50mm f/1.2

• 90mm f2.5

• 28-105mm f2.8 Zoom

• 70-210mm f3.5

• 300 M* f/4

Bags/Packs

• Lowepro AW Commercial

• Tamrac Extreme Super Photo Backpack

Comments:

     The natural tendency for most photographers is to continually want more equipment, more “toys.” Contrary to how the preceding list may appear, it represents more than three decades of serious photography. It also represents different types of photography. Besides nature and wildlife, which have always been my first love, I have spent many years photographing weddings, pets, senior pictures, sports, and architecture. To a large extent, the profits from people pictures and commercial photography have financed my nature and wildlife pursuits. Serious photography is expensive, and the digital revolution has made it even more so.

     The real trick is to buy only what you really need, and at least in theory, only what will directly affect the bottom line. If it won’t help you make money to either pay the rent or at least support your hobby, then don’t buy it.

     Two other considerations are important: Unnecessary equipment is more to deal with, more things between you and the subject. Great shots are often missed because the photographer wasted time or was distracted by changing lenses, turning dials or adding attachments when, ideally, the photographer’s eyes should never leave the subject.

     The other consideration concerning unnecessary equipment is simply that it’s a lot of work to carry and transport. At a certain point, extra gear truly becomes a burden, preventing or jeopardizing contact with the subject. I often carry my camera with my 600 lens on a tripod on my shoulder. Compact flash cards, batteries, and up to two lenses go in my vest pockets. There’s no way that I can effectively photograph wildlife carrying my camera, 600 and tripod in addition to another camera bag over a shoulder. Or, worst yet, carrying my 600 as described and also carrying another large lens in my backpack. It might seem logical to have another lens in between my 70-200 zoom and the 600, but it would simply be too much to deal with. Doing the kind of photography that I do requires a 600, not typically a 400, which might seem to fill the gap described. However, I can get along just fine 90% of the time with the lenses I already have and avoid over complicating the process. Besides, it’s already hard work carrying the camera and 600 on a tripod in the woods or along a stream while watching for animals or scenery.

    One final point about equipment: If you know that photography is really something that you will continue doing for years, then it’s far advantageous to buy quality equipment early on. Many a photographer, including myself, has bought a basic tripod starting out, then a better one after a year or two, then one that you think will be the ultimate solution, only to spend a significant sum of money down the road for a professional quality tripod and head. In retrospect, most photographers would probably agree that if they had bought a good tripod starting out, they would have had better equipment to start with and might even have spent less in the end. It seems like a fortune to spend $500 to $1000 for something other than a camera body or lens, but it’s better than having a closet with 3-5 tripods a decade later that are no longer used at all.

     That said, my recommendation is always to start with the basic equipment that you know you’ll use and be satisfied with. Quality lenses, tripods, and similar equipment can be used for a long time, whereas digital camera bodies continually change. Often, it’s only months after you purchase a digital body before an upgraded version comes out. In my opinion, buying the right lenses, a good tripod and other important equipment is a more difficult decision than which camera to buy.

     The real focus should always be on your subject rather then getting absorbed on equipment needs. Do the research about the subject and then explore the world for the images you want. That’s when the real excitement begins.