Tell me about your dream setup!

[JustJazzie]

I have so many things on my list right now, and yet a new camera is unfortunately at the top. The way my brain works, all is think of is the $3k+ in other gear that I could be getting instead!

Here's my list at the moment:

New camera body with a really nice camera strap
In a dream world, a 70-400 f2.8 (does that even exist!?) but more realistically a 70-200f4
A macro lens. I'm thinking a 100mm macro with a ring flash
A 50mm prime (or a 35 for my nex7)
A battery back for my strobes
A nice prime for landscapes
A beauty dish
Seamless paper rolls (my Muslins are driving me nuts!)
Another speed light.
A boom stand that can support my gigantic softbox.
A real photoshop class



There's more and more added to that list every day.

What on your list? What's mine missing? And the biggest question- how long will it take to get it all checked off?

 

[Designer]

I'll add a couple of things I'm hoping for:

A large room in which to set up a "studio".

A couple of grandchildren to act as models.

 

[JustJazzie]

I'll add a couple of things I'm hoping for: A large room in which to set up a "studio". A couple of grandchildren to act as models.

Well I'll skip the grandchildren for a LONG time- but after our niece is done spending the summer here- I finally get to setup a studio space! I am stoked about that. I've hardly used my studio strobes since I got them at the beginig of the year, because I can't do it around the toddler- and the setup and tare down take too long to mess with it after bedtime!

 

[480sparky]

My dream set-up is stupidly simple. Yet impossible due to the manufacturer's wanting to stuff everything into their product.

I want a D800-class DSLR with a native ISO of 4-800. No Scene modes, no bells & whistles, no fancy add-ons, no gimmick, to tricks. I just want to be able to set the camera up, choose an ISO, shutter speed and aperture, and create a digital image.

I also want Nikon to update many of their D-series lenses. I'm totally baffled as to why they insist on putting focus motors in all their lenses when they put them in their bodies as well. Why pay for so many motors, let along having to lug 'em around?

Gimme a 20/2.8, 28/2, 50/1.8 and 135/2 D lenses with current optical technology.


That is all.

 

[pixmedic]

My dream set-up is stupidly simple. Yet impossible due to the manufacturer's wanting to stuff everything into their product.

I want a D800-class DSLR with a native ISO of 4-800. No Scene modes, no bells & whistles, no fancy add-ons, no gimmick, to tricks. I just want to be able to set the camera up, choose an ISO, shutter speed and aperture, and create a digital image.

I also want Nikon to update many of their D-series lenses. I'm totally baffled as to why they insist on putting focus motors in all their lenses when they put them in their bodies as well. Why pay for so many motors, let along having to lug 'em around?

Gimme a 20/2.8, 28/2, 50/1.8 and 135/2 D lenses with current optical technology.


That is all.

because Nikon does not put motors in all of their bodies.
I think they really should have picked one or the other, (in lens or in body) and stuck with it.

 

[snerd]

I can set up a studio in our smallest bedroom. But I'll need to invest in a good lighting kit. That would be my main list right now.......... studio lighting, umbrellas, softboxes, backgrounds, etc. Maybe a 135L for portraits, but for now I can get away with the 70-200L f/2.8 II or even the 100L f/2.8 macro, or even the 50 1.4 if need be.

 

[Derrel]

My dream setup is a huuuuuge trust fund with a massive $6 million a year payout, and a beach house in Cali with a few steady actress/model, hot, skinny, girlfriend-types all constantly vying for my attentions and affections...now THAT's my dream setup!!!

 

[480sparky]

because Nikon does not put motors in all of their bodies.
I think they really should have picked one or the other, (in lens or in body) and stuck with it.

Then put the lens motors in the lenses intended for the noob with no body focus motors. Why have a top-end lens with a focus motor when it won't be used on a D40?

 

[jaomul]

Not sure what dream team is but human nature seems to kick in and always want something else. No sooner have I that zoom that would be the last thing I need when I read somewhere that Nikon/ Canon/sigma /tamron or whoever have this new marvellous lens, camera, flash etc. I said here before my favourite piece of kit is the bit I don't have yet.

 

[Light Guru]

Ansel Adams said. "The single most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it!”

I'd rather spend my time improving the 12 inches behind the camera then making a list of a "dream setup"

 

[pixmedic]

because Nikon does not put motors in all of their bodies.
I think they really should have picked one or the other, (in lens or in body) and stuck with it.

Then put the lens motors in the lenses intended for the noob with no body focus motors. Why have a top-end lens with a focus motor when it won't be used on a D40?

thats why i said they should have picked one OR the other and stuck with it.
But aside from that, why wouldn't a top end lens with a focus motor be used on a D40?

 

[jaomul]

Just on a comment above, what would iso 4-800 improve over say 50-12800. Is that for noise issues or long exposures?

 

[gsgary]

I thought you just had a new camera delivered

 

[KmH]

In the mid to late 1980's auto focus was the new BIG THING.

All the SLR camera makers chose to redesign their lens mount, except 2 - Nikon and Pentax.
Canon abandoned their FD-mount in favor of the new EF-mount.

Consequently Canon FD lenses can only be used on EF camera bodies by putting an adapter between the lens and camera.

Nikon and Pentax avoided that and maintained the usability of their older legacy lenses on the newer AF capable camera bodies.

Later, and as a way to attract more women DSLR camera buyers, Nikon wanted to make their entry-level DSLRs smaller and lighter (compact).
Part of the way Nikon accomplished those 2 goals was by not including the AF motor/screw-drive system in their compact entry-level DSLR cameras.
D40, D40x, D60, D3XXX, and D5XXX.

Not often mentioned is that all Nikon DSLRs still have a motor and mechanical actuator in the camera that opens and closes the lens aperture.
Canon cameras have both the lens aperture motor and the AF motor in the lens.

 

[JustJazzie]

I thought you just had a new camera delivered

I did. I was having some issues with it that I couldn't resolve so it got sent back, and I'm now contemplating going FF Instead. (Not that FF would resolve my issues, just want one really)