View Full Version : My Canon 5D Mark II kit
Zurbaran1
06-06-2009, 09:50 PM
I've always been a picture taker and have owned numerous camera systems going back to the days before digital. Man did I waste a lot of film. I've always prided myself in the ability to take decent pictures but I've never really paid a whole lot of attention to what I as doing. Eventually I abandoned my film SLR gear and parked myself in the point and shoot camp, mainly for the convenience. Slept with Sony for a while and used the DSC707, DSC717 and the DSC-V1. Nice cameras for what they were and I've taken some great pictures with them but, they left me wanting for more and, I got tired of the memory sticks. Jumped ship to Canon and picked up one of their G7s. Great little camera, a real joy to use and some really nice images came out of it. But again it just doesn't cut it. Last year I started to get serious and I picked up a 40D and a couple of nice zooms. Didn't get to spend a lot of time with the camera but the bug has now hit me hard now. I've decided to take my photography seriously and hope to move up to the next level. I've spent the last couple of months putting together my dream kit. Started by picking up a new Canon 5D Mark II. In the limited time I have spent using the camera all I can say is WOW!!! This is an amazing piece of equipment, an absolutely fantastic camera. It's low light capability is unmatched. I've also decided to build a glass collection centered around mainly prime lenses and well there's just nothing out there like L glass. I'm now the very proud owner of the following lenses: 24F/1.4L II, 35F/1.4L, 85F/1.2L II, 100 F/2.8 Macro, 135F/2.0L, 200F/2.8L II and the 70-200F/4L IS. Though I haven't spend nearly enough time with them, the 85L is my favorite. It is an incredible piece of glass but it will beat the crap out of you with it's razor thin DOF and slower AF. I absolutely love the images that you get from this lens and am determined to master it. Next month I will be taking my yearly trip to Spain. Through a family connection over there, I have been given the opportunity to present pictures from my trip for inclusion in a future publication. Don't know if I will be good enough but I sure as hell am going to give it my best. During our trip my wife will be turning 50 (just make sure you tell her I said 30!) and while there I am going to take her and our daughters on a 3 day trip to Paris. I am loaded up on CompactFlash cards now let's see what I can do. It's been rather busy at work but I hope to be somewhat familiar, if not comfortable with my gear by the time we head off. In the next two posts I'm going to bore you with some quick pics I snapped of my new Digital Photo Studio.
Zurbaran1
06-06-2009, 10:02 PM
OK, here's a pick of the bulk of my kit:
From front left to right you've got my 40D body, ST-E2 transmitter, 580EX II flash, my L glass collection, my new Macbook Pro 17, loaded with 8GB ram and Aperture 2 and the awesome 5D Mark II with the 85L. In the back I've got my Think Tank Airport International roller. This bag is gonna haul everything for me on my trip. Finally there's the Gitzo 1541T with 1178M Ballhead. This is a carbon fiber tripod. Very light and I'm bringing it along
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/Zurbaran1/Canon/IMG_2252.jpg
And here's the 5dM2 with 85L attached. It's a thing of beauty:
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/Zurbaran1/Canon/IMG_2253.jpg
And now the beautiful L glass. The white one in the back is the only zoom I've got right now, the 70-200f/4. In front of that from left to right are the 100 Macro, 135L and the 200L. In the very front the 24L and the 35L:
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/Zurbaran1/Canon/IMG_2260.jpg
Zurbaran1
06-06-2009, 10:14 PM
Just a few more and then I'll stop, I promise.
Here's the Think Tank Airport International with the Gitzo 1541T alongside. The bag is incredibly strong and can carry a lot of gear and it's all done to comply with international carry one regulations so I should have no problems getting my gear on board with me. The bag's going to be heavy but it has a nice roller and handle system and it should work great. The Gitzo 6X fiber tripod legs are light, compact but well equipped to handle the 5D.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/Zurbaran1/Canon/IMG_2261.jpg
And finally, a profile shot of the 5D Mark II. Man do I love this camera and I haven't even thought about playing with the amazing video capability!!
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/Zurbaran1/Canon/IMG_2263.jpg
IronLungs31
06-06-2009, 10:17 PM
This is a hobby that I am quickly coming to love. I want to and a macro lens to my camera setup up next. Just need to stop buying statues for one month...hehehe!!!
Averone
06-06-2009, 10:52 PM
Too nice!!
Love to see your pics!
CharlesSong
06-07-2009, 05:00 AM
I think the 85L alone costs more than my entire camera/related accessories kit costs, well done.
geto10
06-07-2009, 06:57 AM
Awesome gear! :D
Upitnik
06-07-2009, 08:14 AM
Now that's a setup. I'm so freakin' jealous :D
riteguytu
06-07-2009, 08:47 AM
Do the Fruity Pebbles come with the camera? :p
kaza5555
06-07-2009, 08:59 AM
Awesome, Zurb! Congrats on putting together an excellent gear. I love taking pictures myself and have been stuck with using low level, amateur cameras and decided to take a plunge to take it more seriously as a hobby. Being an artist, I have always had a good eye for composition. Been doing some reading and research the past couple of weeks to get a jump on what is out there and the amount of money it will cost me to put my arsenal together. I enjoyed reading your post and going to take a closer look at the equipment you suggested and hopefully for a test drive too. Can't wait to see some pics. Bombard us with tons of them!
PowerPee
06-07-2009, 10:47 AM
Wow congratulations on your acquisition... and you just use these as a hobby? wow =D
Nice!
Zurbaran1
06-14-2009, 10:18 PM
I think the 85L alone costs more than my entire camera/related accessories kit costs, well done.
Now if I can only take pics half as good as yours I'll be happy!
Zurbaran1
06-14-2009, 10:19 PM
Now that's a setup. I'm so freakin' jealous :D
The only one around here who should be jealous is me. Your pictures are fabulous. I'm going to have to work hard to get to that level.
Zurbaran1
06-14-2009, 10:26 PM
Here are some quick and dirty shots I got off. Nothing special, just feeling my way around the camera. I will say, this camera is amazing in low light and high ISO. I am really going to enjoy getting beat up by this baby and the L glass.
These pics were all taken with the 135L. JPEGS straight out of the camera.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/Zurbaran1/Canon/IMG_0013.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/Zurbaran1/Canon/IMG_0011.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/Zurbaran1/Canon/IMG_0006.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/Zurbaran1/Canon/IMG_0003.jpg
Zurbaran1
06-14-2009, 10:28 PM
These two pics are my first attempts using RAW. Again with the 135L and very minimal processing:
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/Zurbaran1/Canon/nicoleSax.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/Zurbaran1/Canon/nicoleSax2.jpg
Almart
06-14-2009, 11:14 PM
cool
P1X4R
06-14-2009, 11:29 PM
very impressive gear Ralph! looks like you'll have a lot of memorable shots for many years to come. :thumbs2:
Zurbaran1
06-15-2009, 09:42 PM
very impressive gear Ralph! looks like you'll have a lot of memorable shots for many years to come. :thumbs2:
Thanks Ed! Your advice throughout has really helped me.
speedracer
08-16-2009, 05:41 AM
Woow Zurb i love your prime lenses..I also have the 85 its a beautiful lens..=). The 135 is just as good and just as sharp. Hope to you share some of your paris pics.
You sure are travelling heavy for couple of days in Paris ehhehe..=)..its gonna be a lotta fun though im sure..=)
Zurbaran1
08-16-2009, 11:51 AM
Woow Zurb i love your prime lenses..I also have the 85 its a beautiful lens..=). The 135 is just as good and just as sharp. Hope to you share some of your paris pics.
You sure are travelling heavy for couple of days in Paris ehhehe..=)..its gonna be a lotta fun though im sure..=)
Got back a few weeks ago but haven't had a chance to upload and work with any of the pictures. I did manage to shoot 4000 pics in all, 2000 of which were in Paris. I loaded all of them on this really cool little device called a Hyperdrive Colorspace and methinks there are some real keepers in the lot. This will be my first real effort in RAW processing. I did cover myself by shooting in RAW + JPEG. I'll try and get some pics up soon. Paris is a breathtakingly beautiful city.
I hope you don't think I brought all my gear along, that would have broken my back. My wife thought I was crazy bringing along the gear that I did. I had 5 lenses with me: the 24LII, 35L, 85LII, 135L and the 200L. The most heavily used was the 35L, followed by the 85 and then the 135. Never took the 24 out of the bag and I might have shot a handful at most with the 200. I relied heavily on the 35, especially indoors, in tight places. Outdoors it also saw quite a bit of work. I felt confident that the quality of the glass aling with the full frame sensor and 21 megapixel images would allow me to crop tight should I feel the need.
The 85 is just an amazing, amazing piece of glass. I love that baby to death and will probably love it even more once I really get a handle on it. The 135 is also a fantastic lens. I've even added the new 17mm TS-E to my kit though I haven't had a chance to use it at all. I really broke the bank putting my kit together but I don't regret it one bit.
Shooting with all primes can have some challenges but the benefits clearly outweigh them. In the end it will make me a better photographer. I don't see myself using zooms much anymore. I also never even looked at my flash unit. The 5D Mark II and prime lens combo make for amazing low light photography. Now you really got me going so I will try to load up my pics later today and at the least put up a few straight out of the camera jpegs.
speedracer
08-16-2009, 11:59 AM
Love the 85 to death..focusing can be slow though specially when you have to catch moments..here is a sample of my shots with my 85 dreamy..=)..hope you dont mind..from one L junkie to another..=)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3607/3453940263_41a6fa6bf3_b.jpg
Upitnik
08-16-2009, 02:18 PM
Well I have joined the 85 club. It was an expensive decision but worth it. One complaint though, I had to microadjust by +6 and while that isn't a problem for people with that option cheaper cameras don't have that ability and for a 2000 dollar lens thats a bit dissapointing. I just came back yesterday from my trip and will begin checking photos but just a quick one, demonstrating the best bokeh I have seen from a lens. What this lens can do at 1.2 is remarkable. When I upload more I'll make a new thread and remove it from here Zurb, hope thats O.K.
Cheers
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g141/upitnik/FREE/_MG_7080.jpg
Still love your gear Z. A little bit less jealous now :)
speedracer
08-17-2009, 04:10 AM
Yup thats why its called the cream machine..=)..beautiful bokeh..=)
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