My Camera Gear

I have been asked several times what kind of camera do I use, so I figured I could just let everyone know with a post. Please take the poll in the left sidebar of my blog, I am trying to determine what everyone else is using! If enough of you out there are using DSLR’s I may come up with some more posts, so go cast your vote.

(Go to my actual blog if you are viewing this in reader it isn’t showing the links to my camera gear.)

 

I use a Nikon D80 DSLR. I bought it 2 Christmases ago for my husband, since he is a graphic designer, I figured it would come in handy. But now I use it far more then he does! So it was a great Christmas gift (for me).

I did hours of research before buying the D80. The best brand of cameras for DSLR’s are Nikon and Cannon. But I read more positive things about Nikons so I chose that brand. The D80 is an amazing camera and takes beautiful pictures. If I were buying a DSLR today I would buy the D90, because it has the ability to record video, which would be a great feature to have. If you are not looking to spend that much money for the D80 or D90, the D60 also got great reviews.

Keep in mind when you are buying these cameras they do not come with a lens, unless you buy a package deal.

Photography is no doubt an expensive hobby, I really don’t have that much “gear” yet, since it is so expensive. I am working on it though! The little I have acquired has taken me 2 years to get.

These are the lenses I own, I will explain them from left to right. My newest lens is the 50mm, and I love it! This lens has a 1.8 aperture, which means I can take pictures in low light with out having to use a flash, it also creates great bokeh, because of the high aperture.

This is my BFF Jenny, I took this picture with the 50mm, see how the background is all blurry, but she is in focus? That is bokeh. If I would have used any of my other lenses this picture would not have turned out, since this store is very dimly lit. The thing I don’t like about the 50mm is that is at a fixed focal length, meaning there is no zooming in or out. What you see is what you get.

The second lens up there is a 55-200mm, this was the first lens we got. This lens is best for shooting things from far away that you want to see closer. Like this barn shot.

I was much farther away than what this picture portrays, in fact I was on the other side of the road. This lens is great for landscapes, wildlife, sports photography, and paparazzi shots….and much more that I can’t think to list right now.

The last lens I own is the 18-55mm, I bought this lens for two reasons. One, so I could get close up shots of the kids faces with out having to be clear across the room, and secondly for taking close ups of food and flowers and such.

This picture was taken with that lens. I am really dying to get a Macro lens (Nikon 105mm f/2.8D AF Micro-Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras) , but they are not so cheap. A girl can dream, they can get super close like this.

 photo from Google Images

I also have this flash, which I rarely use. But there are certain circumstances where even my 50mm lens won’t cut it, and a flash is needed. Are you asking yourself…why would I buy a flash, doesn’t the camera come with one? The answer is yes, but its crap. Every book I have read about photography says do not use it at all. With an external flash you can point the light different ways so you won’t get those harsh shadows the internal flash causes.

 That is all I have for now, (I am hoping Santa puts something Nikon in my stocking, but we shall see.) If you are thinking about giving up the point and shoot for a DSLR, know that you will have to teach yourself (or take a class) on how to use the camera. While Auto mode can take a great picture, they won’t be much greater than what a point and shoot can give you. You will take much better pictures once you educate yourself about, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and so much more. I am by no means an expert, and I am still learning, but it is so much fun to learn, and so rewarding when you get priceless shots like this.