keith_leonin

BTW, I have to say -- Michael Ging (who responded above) has probably forgotten more in the past couple of minutes than you and I can ever hope to learn about photography in our combined lifetimes, so make sure you take his comments to heart.

The link he posted above illustrates in one line what I tried to convey in long-winded fashion.

Keith

Kimberley - the photos do not seem to have any unifying theme or do not convey your skills or preferences.

Examples: 1) the flower is out of focus; 2) the squirrel seems like a chance snap that you happened by while talking a walk; 3) the sea crashing against the rocks and the sun coming out from behind the clouds, while somehwat nice, don't really say anything; and, 4) what's the story with the duck?

The rest of them do have the unifying theme of: "Structures from unique perspectives," so all of those do seem to belong with each other. I'm not saying a "theme" is necessary, but the presentation somehow seems disjointed. It just seems like you're still unsure of your vision, and still searching. Of course, there's nothing wrong with that, and there's nothing wrong with having many different interests, but again, it just doesn't seem to "flow."

Rather than go on further, since we are photographers, let me just show you what I mean... go to my site at: http://klix.smugmug.com

I'm not asking for critique, nor do I claim that the images are any good, but if you look at the galleries, you will see some unifying theme. You may or may not like that theme, but you cannot deny that it is there.

Just my own humble opinion...

Keith

Matt - Ouch! That is a load!

But then again, you never know when something like a rare endangered raptor might cross your sights, so you should also probably pack that 500mm/4 along with the Gitzo 3540 and Wimberley Gimbal head for support. :-)

Coming from a TTL-everything background with SLR's, my problem with a lens cap (when shooting an RF camera) is forgetting to remove it.

So, now, I just leave the lens caps in the closet. I have XX-52mm step up rings and bought a few 52mm generic metal lens hoods from ebay a while back.

On the post just below this, I made this comment:

<p><p>

<i>Photography doesn't have to be a goal in mind, such as, "I'm going to this

place today to take pictures." Bringing a camera with you should be as natural

and automatic as taking your car & house keys every time you leave the

house.</i>

<p><p>

Now, I'm curious. How many of you actually carry a camera with you everywhere

(or most everywhere) you go? And if you do, what do you use?

<p><p>

I do, and carry with me a CV R4A with a CV 21mm/4 (usually with HP5+ or Tri-x).

Here's an idea. Take your camera (whatever type of camera you have) with you everywhere you go (work, school, church, etc...) every single day. Then see what happens.

Photography doesn't have to be a goal in mind, such as, "I'm going to this place today to take pictures." Bringing a camera with you should be as natural and automatic as taking your car & house keys every time you leave the house.

LA Farmer's Market<p><p><center>

<img src="http://klix.smugmug.com/photos/253006483_HnCoy-XL.jpg">

</center>

<i>Now I'm at the brewpub - Josh</i>

<p><p>

Sounds like a "right coast" term -- that (617 area code) used to be home... now, home is on the left coast.

<p><p>

Keith

</center>

At a local soup kitchen<div></div>

<i>I'm thinking of carrying two bodies (around my neck) with a 17-35 Tamron on one and a 28-75 Tamron on the other with a 17-85 IS in one pocket, a 580EX2 in another pocket and a 580EX2 on one body. Plus batteries, cards, wipes etc. -- Rhys

<p><p>

I've loaded it with a number of 4x5 film holders, two extra lenses, light meter, filters and all the other rubbish I can't stand to be without. The darkcloth, when folded, fits nicely in the rear pocket. -- Alan</i>

<p><p>

It's not about value, Alan. It's about utility. The stuff you listed may be fine with a vest, but NO vest, $5 or $500, will feel comfortable with the load that Rhys is talking about. For THAT kind of load, only a bag or a harness/belt system or an assistant will work.

Okay, if you're set on a backpack, then yes, I would recommend the Computrekker AW. I have one and use it quite a bit around town or to local events.

However, my favorite photo/non-photo backpack that I use for any out of town trip is the Kinesis backpack.

It's basically a systemic approach -- just a plain backpack with vertical "rails" to which you can clip various Kinesis accessories -- photo holsters, cases, etc... It also has the same type of attachment system on the outside of the pack as well as the belt.

It's completely modular, so you can pick and choose what you want; even a laptop case.

Like most people who post here, I have a closet full of bags, but if I have to get rid of all but one, this is the one I keep.

Keith

IMO, what you want is the smallest and easiest to access bag. For one body and one lens, any small shoulder bag will do. Lowepro, Tamrac, Domke, etc... -- many to choose from.

As you carry more and more equipment, then the SHOULDER bag you need gets bigger and bigger, until you get to a point where a shoulder bag is no longer comfortable. Then you need to start looking at backpacks -- excellent for transport, but not easily accessible -- you'd have to set down the pack to access your gear -- terribly inconvenient.

One thing you might to look at is one of those hybrid sling packs, such as a Lowepro Slingshot 200 (don't even bother with the 100) -- wear it like a backpack (albeit one shoulder only), then swing it around for access. It's good for one body and maybe up to 2-3 lenses -- more than that, IMO, belongs in a "true" backpack.

Good luck!

Keith

None of them - I hate vests... I have one but never use it.

IMO, since you don't mind **looking like a photographer** anyway, your best bet would be to get a Lowepro shoulder harness and S&F belt, and just hang holsters and other cases to the belt and harness. That way, weight is distributed to your shoulders and hips, and you have easy access to all your gear.

You could clip one body/lens to the shoulder harness for ready action -- weight on your shoulders not your neck, and you could have the other body/lens in a holster attached to the belt -- within easy reach.

Others, such as Kinesis and I believe Tamrac as well, have similar harness, belt and holsters/cases products as well.

Just a caveat to what Shun stated -- all NIKON lenses that work on the D50 work on the D300.

If you have third party lenses, you may want to check for sure. Don't know if it's still an issue these days, but Sigma used to have compatibility issues with new DSLR's.

Example: some Sigma 10-20mm lenses had problems with the D200 (could not use AF-ON button to autofocus), and had to be sent to Sigma to be upgraded for compatibility.

Keith

Manual focusing on the D200, while certainly feasible, stops being fun after a while. The Katz Eye focusing screen does help.

<p><p>

As to a manual focus lens, if you don't need to go wide, I'd recommend the Nikon 50-135mm/3.5 AIS. Excellent lens, and very inexpensive these days.

<p><p>

Here's one taken with the 50-135mm, albeit with an F3HP.

<p><p>

<img src="http://klix.smugmug.com/photos/80616231_3U42c-L.jpg">

Ordinarily, what the previous poster said would be true... except for the fact that AdventureCORPS is holding a 400-mile cycling tour at Furnace Creek this weekend. That means up to 100 riders, their families and friends, event organizers, etc... will be staying at Furnace Creek... I'm not saying that they are ALL camping, but there will be A LOT more people than usual.

Good luck!

I'd take a different approach -- since you are considering yourself a professional, your best bet would probably be to lease a D3 and deduct the lease payments and financing from your tax return.

I don't think anyone would contest the claim that the D3 is better than any of the bodies already mentioned.

CAVEAT: contact your tax professinal before taking any action.

Good luck!

Here's another one...

<center><img src="http://klix.smugmug.com/photos/252905676_nQGXQ-L.jpg"</a></center>

<center><img src="http://klix.smugmug.com/photos/252907944_Lemne-

L.jpg"</a></center>

<i>As you know these bodies' meters only work with AF, AF-S, or AF-I type lens -- Jamie.</i>

<p><p>

You forgot "AI-P" lenses such as the 45mm and 500mm. In essence, the CV lenses are "AIP lenses" since they are chipped, so which allows metering with the D40. So, the answer is yes.