My Gear – The gear I own and use on a daily basis

I have had many requests to add a page that lists all of the gear I own and use, and why I chose a particular camera or lens. So, here it is! A complete listing of what camera gear I own and use on a daily basis. When and if it changes, I will change it here. I will also list my bag, computers, hard drives, and anything photo related that I use in my daily shooting adventures!

Whats in my bag?

Cameras:

Leica M9 Rangefinder Digital Camera – (Buy at B&H Photo BLACK – GREY - Buy at Amazon – BLACK – GREY) – See my 13 page review of this camera at my old site

If you are a reader of this site then you will know that I am a huge fan of the Leica M9. This is a camera I take with me every day and I never leave home without it. The size, the weight, the design, the manual nature of the camera. It is liberating and it brings back the fun in photography. The image quality is haunting at times. Very real. This is my dream camera and I feel very lucky to own one. At $7000, it’s not cheap but as long as it works, I will be shooting it! It’s a camera you will never give up.

Olympus E-P2 Micro 4/3 Camera with 14-42 Zoom Lens - (Buy at B&H Photo – Buy at Amazon) – See my full review of this camera

This one belongs to my wife but I find myself using it quite often. Its small, sleek, has a nice build and has the retro looks that are so cute and sweet. I was shooting with it a while ago and I was asked how old my camera was. A guy thought it was an old film camera due to its charming nostalgic looks. While the quality is no where near my M9, this is a super fun camera to take out with you when you want to get fun, or serious shots. I highly recommend this to someone as a first camera, or even as a replacement for those big and bulky DSLR’s. I find the E-P2 to be just as capable in the image quality department as some of those BIG DSLR’s! The micro 4/3 mount is gaining steam and soon we will have some amazing lenses for this system. Plus, you can even use your Leica lenses on it!

The Nikon D3000 DSLR - (Buy at B&H Photo – Buy at Amazon)

This camera belongs to my son but I take it out from time to time because he has the nice Nikon 55-200 lens with it. This is a very small starter DSLR for those who may have never shot with a digital SLR. It’s simple and easy to operate and even has a “guide’ mode to teach you and help you along the way. The D3000 may not be the last word in image quality when compared to the big expensive cameras but for the price the image quality is superb and will kill 99% of all compact cameras in this regard. Its strengths are its size, ease of use and the kit lenses are surprisingly good.

Lenses:

The Leica 35 Summarit 2.5 M lens – (Buy at B&H Photo) – See my full review of this lens

After trying out and owning all current production Leica 35mm lenses, as well as trying out a few models from Zeiss, this is the one that stuck. I find its price, size and rendering just about perfect. As I described it in my review, it is sharp but sweet. HIghly recommended if you want a one lens kit for your M8 or M9 that will not bankrupt you. One of the least expensive “Leica” lenses available new.

The Leica 50 Summicron F2 M Lens – (Buy at B&H Photo)

I must be insane because I have went through more Leica 50’s than anyone I know. I have owned or shot with the 50 Summilux ASPH, 50 Summilux Pre-ASPH, 50 Noctilux F1, 50 Noctilux F0.95, 50 Summarit, Zeiss 50 Sonnar, and the Zeiss 50 Planar. In my search for a somewhat fast and compact 50 I somehow neglected to try the 50 Summicron until late in the game. I did own one when I had an M7, but sold it when I sold the M7! When I tried this lens on the M9 I knew this was the one FOR ME. Most prefer the 50 Summilux ASPH at $3795 but I actually prefer the 50 Summicron, and its $1995. This is my 50 of choice for my M9.

The Leica 90 Elmarit 90 F2.8 - (Discontinued, but can find new old stock or used at Amazon)

This is just an all out gorgeous lens on the M9. Wow. I always dismissed it due to its somewhat “slow” F2.8 aperture. I realized when shooting a 90 Summicron that I had issues shooting a 90 at F2 with the M and usuallly shot it at F2.8 anyway. When I sold my 90 Summicron I waited..and waited…and finally! I found a new old stock 90 Elmarit with full warranty for a great price. This lens is compact, small, and provides stellar image quality even wide open.

Panasonic 20 1.7 for Micro 4/3 – (Buy at B&H Photo - Buy at Amazon) – See my full review of this lens

This is a MUST own lens if you have a micro 4/3 camera. It becomes a 40mm equivalent and a 40 1.7 lens is a VERY good lens to have. This lens is sharp with great color, even wide open at 1.7 but by the time you hit 2.5 LOOK OUT! its razor sharp.

Computers, Hard drives, and Accessories:

The Billingham Bag

I have been using this small bag for four years now and it fits my M9 and three lenses perfectly!

Rocket Blower

The only sensor cleaner I have ever needed!

27″ Imac Quad Core

A beautiful screen and screams with Photoshop.

Sandisk Extreme III 8GB SD Cards

My fave cards with the M9!

LACIE 2TB 4BIG QUADRA External desktop hard drive

Gotta have someplace to store all of these pics!

Apple Time Machine 1TB