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:
The Leica MP Film Camera – (Buy at B&H Photo BLACK PAINT or CHROME) – See my real world review of the MP here. Ken Hansen also sells these!
UPDATE: Had to sell my MP due to an extreme personal situation. Am saving for another one and WILL buy one soon. I still feel this is the ultimate film camera, probably the BEST camera made today. IMO of course. I am leaving it here as I will own it again.
Going back to basics with the Leica MP. Shooting film can be a very good experience. I decided to set down the digitals for a while and shoot film for a few months. The MP is my dream film Leica and I bring it with me everywhere. Loaded with some B&W, it makes a GREAT photographic tool. The best film rangefinder ever made!
Leica M9 Rangefinder Digital Camera - (Buy at B&H Photo BLACK – GREY - Buy at Amazon – BLACK
UPDATE: I had to sell my personal M9 due to an extreme personal situation. I am saving up for another and am currently shooting with a Leica M8. I am leaving this here as I will own one again. It’s an amazing camera.
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
The E-P2, already a classic IMO. 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 Summicron F2 M lens - (Buy at B&H Photo) – See my full review of this lens
I have had them all. Every Leica 35mm lens made, I have tried it. I love the 35 Summarit and the 35 Summicron and of course the 35 Summilux but these days I am back to shooting with a 35 Summicron ASPH. My version is the lovely black paint model and I LOVE it. On film it is gorgeous. On digital it is also very nice. This lens is a legend and a favorite among MANY Leica shooters. One lens kit? Either a 35 Summarit or Summicron…well, or Summilux! They are all THAT good. The Summicron gives the perfect balance of size and performance.
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.
Olympus 17 2.8 Micro 4/3 - (Buy at B&H Photo - Buy at Amazon
This is a great little lens and in many ways I prefer it to the Panasonic 20 1.7 WHEN SHOT ON AN OLYMPUS M4/3 camera. If shooting a Panasonic I think the Panasonic lenses work better. Not sure why exactly but on the E-PL1 the 17 2.8 gave me better color, better sharpness and little bit of a “classic” look, all at the same time. I love this little lens and on the Olympus E-P series IT ROCKS!
This is now my bag of choice as it is perfect for a Leica M and 2-3 lenses. It is a messenger style bag with a waxwear finish and it is great buy. Highly recommended for a rangefinder kit!
The Crumpler 5 Million Dollar Home Bag
This is a GREAT bag that I use when I want ultra protection for my gear. Holds 1 body and up to 4 lenses with room to spare BUT it is actually a small-ish bag. Great bag for $80. My son now uses this bag for his Nikon D3000 and two lens kit.
The only sensor cleaner I have ever needed!
A beautiful screen and screams with Photoshop.
Sandisk Extreme III 8GB SD Cards
My fave cards with the M9!
LACIE 4TB 4BIG QUADRA External desktop hard drive
Gotta have someplace to store all of these pics! I have an older 2TB model but this one is the new 4TB model.
Love this thing!
Novoflex Leica M to m4/3 Lens Adpapter
Expensive but great quality. Made in Germany. Allows me to use my Leica lenses on the Olympus E-P2 or any Micro 4/3 camera.
The ultimate photo editing software. EXPENSIVE but powerful.
Nik Complete Filter Collection
Silver Efex, Color EFex, Viveza, Define 2 and Sharperner Pro 3
The best filters for obtaining creative results and film looks.
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