Which Camera?

So I put collectively a short list of some of my favorite gear - I don't own all of it (some day, possibly!) http://www.tripoddepot.com/ however I've used em and I highly recommend all these items - so when you're ever trying to buy any of the stuff listed right here, don't hesitate...I personally guarantee their awesomeness

DSLRs

Full body: there's a new bunch of those out. As with most tech, the newer cameras are often the best...most of the time at least. The brand new full body cameras from Canon and Nikon are superb. Stunning excessive ISO noise management, fast efficiency, great image high quality (of course), and...they're full body - you need to use your lenses on the focal length they have been made for use at. Nikon's D4 and Canon's 5D Mk III are the recommendations for full body DSLRs

Crop Sensor: again, Nikon and Canon - yeah I am a fan of those two. Although I can rarely choose one of many two easily. These mid-range crop sensor DSLR's are great - great excessive ISO efficiency (for 1.6 crop sensors), very fast capturing speeds (especially the 7D), excellent construct, and a really reasonable price - when you're not ready to go full body just manfrotto monopod yet, the Canon 7D and the Nikon D7000 are only for you

Lenses

I often like to make use of prime lenses for most of my stuff - much less (or no) distortions, sharper, faster...why bother with zooms? Primes additionally aid you take higher pictures, in my opinion...actually working to get the best composition and crop manually, on your feet...this helps

For either Nikon or Canon, a pleasant range of primes can be excellent - the ideal range for me can be having a 20mm, a 28 or 35mm, a 50mm and an 85mm fixed focal length lens. If you happen to need extra (or much less), you're in search of a specialty-objective lens, and may know extra about what you need than I do - though I might recommend a large angle or tele zoom lens as an alternative of a main, if you want to go super broad, or tele.

If you happen to're utilizing a crop sensor, manfrotto 190xPROB be aware that you want to multiply the lens' focal length by 1.6 or thereabouts, to get the efficient focal length, to know what you'll be seeing by means of the viewfinder. For Canon, I might recommend:

EF 24mm f1.4 L II USM (dear, however if you want high quality, go for it)
EF 50mm f1.4 USM (excellent lens - greatest 50mm lens I've used)
EF 85mm f1.eight USM (excellent worth for money)

For Nikon:

AF-S 24mm f1.4 G (dear, as all these broad angle primes are, however a implausible lens)
AF-S 50mm f1.4 G (the Nikon version of the 50mm f1.4 - excellent)
AF-S 85mm f1.4 G (pretty expensive, however you may thank your self when you get this one)

However if you want an ordinary range zoom, the Tamron 17-50mm f2.eight is a implausible lens for the price, and is available in Canon/Nikon mounts (as well as others, I feel)

Micro Four Thirds

The compact DSLR, of sorts...I like this format, despite the fact that I do not usually use it. These cameras are compact, shoot in excellent image high quality, good ISO performance...undoubtedly get one in every of these if measurement is a concern. I might get the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 if I have been shopping for one today. Although you would possibly wish to hold off for the Olympus OM-D E-M5...I have not used one yet at time of writing, however from what I see, it appears fantastic.

Rangefinders

One word: Leica. Ok, that's a brand. However yeah...when you're in search of an excellent rangefinder, I simply must recommend a Leica. Any of them. If you would like a digital rangefinder, you're only option can be the Leica M9. Going film? Any Leica, from the traditional M3.. to the M4...MP..M6..M7...like I said, go for any one in every of them. The superb construct high quality, the mechanisms, the optical high quality of the lenses...to not mention the incredibly beauty! It's unbeatable. Go for it

Point n Shoot

There have been some quite new (properly, not so new any extra) point n shoot cameras available in the market that have the dimensions of a regular compact, however have the image high quality and manual controls of a superior camera. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 is the best, in my opinion. The Canon Powershot S95 is also excellent...each at similar price points. Over just a few features lacking and a quite poor improve general, I don't recommend the Powershot S100 - save your money and get the S95 as an alternative

Flashes

In-built flashes actually don't work that great...when you're enthusiastic about flash images, get your self an external flash unit. Canon's 430 EX IIis an incredible place to start out, or go for the flagship 580 EX II when you can afford it. For Nikon customers, take a look at the SB700, SB900 or the newestSB910

Tripods

The free tripod you bought together with your new DSLR is best than no tripod, however when you're critically enthusiastic about night/low light work, get your self an excellent tripod. I highly recommend Manfrotto, having used their tripods and heads a lot. The 190XProB is a good tripod, together with the496RC2 head. Gitzo additionally makes great tripods, though I find their stuff a bit too pricey. Seriously, go for Manfrotto.

Filters

Unlike tripods, a free filter isn't higher than no filter. No way. A free filter is an inexpensive piece of glass that you simply're sticking in entrance of the high quality glass lens that you simply paid a whole bunch of dollars for. No, when you should use a filter (protective, UV, CPL, ND, whatever), get an excellent one. I exploit B+W. They're in all probability the costliest model, however for a reason. The glass is of excellent high quality, inflicting little additional lens flares and different optical issues that some filters have, they're very simple to clean...and hardly have an effect on your image high quality at all. At the very least, I do not see a distinction