My Camera Gear
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Primary Cameras and Accessories I also carry the normal collection of miscellaneous accessories including lens cleaning gear, filters, sun shades, extra camera batteries, extra external flash batteries, extra camera memory, etc. It still feels odd not having to carry rolls of film around though. I guess I'll never get accustomed to that.
I got the Ansco Cadet II box camera when I was about 14 or so. I worked in a camera shop after school and on weekends, and that was my first camera. My mother gave me the Kodak Signet 40 35mm for Christmas when I was 14, I think, and I shot miles of film through that poor camera. In about 1979 I bought an Olympus OM-10 and started my first "Real" SLR system. I had used a lot of SLR (and TLR) cameras in the preceeding years but I had never owned one of my own. I bought a couple of lenses for it, and in 1980 I bought an Olympus OM-2N since it used the same lenses as all the other OM system cameras. I still have that camera and wouldn't trade it for anything. Because of the way I acquired it it has very special meaning to me. The Sony DSC-P50 was my first digital camera, and I think I purchased it in 2001 or so. I don't use it any longer but I still have it around here somewhere. I bought the Sony DSC-H9 in 2008 and still use it. It takes up a lot less space on my motorcycle so it gets carried around the country quite a bit still.
For the motorcycle guys out there who need a decent tripod the Slik Sprint Mini II (note the "II") is really nice for use on a bike. It retracts to 14" long, extends to 42" with the center column extended, is all-aluminum construction, and comes with Slik's SBH-100DQ quick-disconnect aluminum ball head. Not the best ball head I've used, there is no dampening, tension adjustment, or panorama scale, but it is all aluminum, has a good, solid lock and works pretty well. The whole tripod only weighs about 1¾ pounds with the head. It's not a tripod you'll want to mount something with a 500mm lens on, but it works fine with my 200mm zoom lens and I've used it with my 300mm lens (although it did feel a good bit nose heavy). The center column is a 2-piece column and the legs fold outward. Combined this will give you a tripod that will get you down to about 6" off the ground for those really low shots. It even comes with a tripod bag to keep it in. It won't take the place of my Manfrotto but for motorcycle trips it really is a great tripod. I also really like my Hardigg Storm Case iM2050 for use on a motorcycle. It's well-padded with foam, waterproof, and shockproof. The down side is that it is quite large for the amount of "Stuff" it holds because of all the foam padding. Sometimes, depending on the length of the trip and how much other gear I have to carry, it gets left behind simply because of lack of room on my motorcycle. If I have the room though you can bet it's going to carry my camera. I can get my D60 with the 18mm to 55mm zoom lens mounted, a second 55mm to 200mm zoom lens, and a spare battery in it but that's about all. My Lowepro Lens Case 2 is for my 300mm lens since it won't fit in that case. |
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