Here we go again... which camera/lens combo? :-)

[Tucson T4R]

Here ya be....

Edit: Oops, the poor lens hood for the 70-200 was left out of the picture and was feeling rejected by itself in the corner. Maybe next time. :sombrero:

 

[off-roader]

Glad you figured out what you wanted...

Myself I have a Nikon DSLR (D300).
In the field I carry...
D70 backup body (sometimes)
12-24 f4 Tokina
28-75 f2.8 Tamron
80-200 f2.8 Nikon
150mm f2.8 Sigma (awesome macro lens)
2x TC from Tamron (great when coupled with the Sigma for super macro shots.
Manfrotto Tripod w/ head
Manfrotto Monopod w/ ball head
The gear stays mainly in my camera backpack except for D70 body which goes into a separate heavily padded camera bag (soft bag therefore the heavy padding). The tripod/monopod are attached to the sides of the camera bag.

I also carry a Samsung NV11 P&S for snapshots (35-190mm, f/2.8-4.4, 10MP).

Oh, don't forget a plethora of batteries, external flash, and of course memory cards. I'm using Sandisk Extremes for the D300's 5 FPS shot rate. Oh and it does have superior low light hi ISO performance in comparison to my best friends D200.

 

[Tucson T4R]

Sounds like a nice set up. I went with the Sandisk Extreme IV 8GB card so it can handle the 6.5 FPS of the 50D. I shot a series of a little league practice and was amazed that the ball only moved about 3 feet through the air between frames.

My Benbo tripod straps onto the carry pack for when I want to trek off the road.

I now have to save my pennies for awhile so I can get the Lightroom software and a good wide angle and macro lens sometime down the road.

For now, this equipment is so far beyond my skill level, I can occupy my time learning more about photography in general.

 

[Every Miles A Memory]

You've got a great set-up for even an advanced photographer.

Something tells me you'll be good with this kit for some time now.

One thing to keep in mind when saving for a Macro Lens is to look at the Kenko Tube system. I really wanted the Canon MP-E Lifesize Macro lens, and thought if I bought the tubes ($100) and used them alot, I could justify the majojr expence of the MP-E.

Since I've gotten the tubes over a year ago, I see no need in getting the MP-E. The tubes fit on all my lenses, and as long as they're a f/2.8, I maintain my autofocus, but something I never use when shooting Macro.

Just a thought to keep in the back of your mind, but something that will save you a bunch of money and keep the camera bag a little lighter. Another thing I'm always trying to do.

Congrats on the new equipment

 

[off-roader]

One thing to keep in mind when saving for a Macro Lens is to look at the Kenko Tube system. I really wanted the Canon MP-E Lifesize Macro lens, and thought if I bought the tubes ($100) and used them alot, I could justify the majojr expence of the MP-E.

For macro shots, I shoot a with 150mm f/2.8 Sigma and a Tamron 2x TC and have been able to get some really good bug macros with it. Not as close as a reversed lens though.

 

[Photog]

The Kenko extension tubes are an excellent piece of kit to add to the bag.

You have a well rounded kit there. Excellent quality equipment.

Why the colored filters? Polarizer, and UV I understand. But you are not likely to need the FLD (pink) filters. That is what a greay card and custom White Balance is for.

Pull the pinks out, and add a split-neutral-density filter.

You are going to have some fun with that gear.:wings:

 

[Colorado David]

That filter in the lower left of the filter pouch looks to me like the Tiffen Color Enhancement Filter. I used one of those when shooting Fuji Provia, especially for autumn colors. I haven't had it on the camera since going digital.

 

[Tucson T4R]

So far I agree on the filters. I just bought a basic Tiffen starter kit. I have UV, Polarizer, their 812 warming lens (pink, upper right), and their "Enhancer" which is supposed to help make reds and browns pop like in fall foliage or red rock canyon country.

I might play with them a bit but I agree that I probably won't be using the 812 warming filter at all and the enhancer only once in a while.

I am mostly leaving the lens filters off now unless I am shooting in unusually bright desert or snow conditions, then the UV or polarizer seems useful.

Thanks again to everyone who has contributed their thoughts to my purchase decision. There is no way I would have ended up with such a nice foundation of photo equipment without everyone’s valuable advice.

 

[Tucson T4R]

A few more test shots

Here are few more test shots playing with the 70-200 lens. These were in poor light conditions with a bright background but still kinda fun.

I switched to using a flash on the following attempts.