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TipsEquipmentWhat equipment should I use? People always ask what type of camera I use. When I tell them its an old Pentax ME Super they ask me "why?". "Are you poor?" "Do you like antiques?" Yes to both questions. When I started taking photography seriously, I was on a budget. I looked for the best deal I could find while still getting quality equipment. There is also something very satisfying about taking pictures with the same equipment that two thirds of the Pulitzer Prize winning photos were taken with. I have become very opinionated about my Pentax gear. I find the old SLR bodies more reliable and durable and the lenses are considerably cheaper while maintaining very high quality optics. I have recently purchased a Pentax ZX 5n with a Sigma Hyperzoom Lens. Autofocus spoils you so quickly that it's hard to go back to the manual cameras. But the manuals still have their place and I use them frequently. The best place to find older but good quality SLR bodies is on Ebay. That's where I've picked up most of my equipment. A good ME Super or Pentax MX will cost only $125 to $150. And should come with a 50mm SMC lens (as a rule but not always. sometimes you just get the body). I never use the 50mm lens. It's like using the hangers your dry cleaning comes back on. It will do but there are better ones out there. Nikon FMs, FM2 and FE and FE2 are also in the same class as the Pentax ME supers and MX. Pentax and Nikon were both excellent cameras when these models were released. The metal bodies are more durable and don't have that "Fisher Price" feel to them like the new ones do when you handle them. Lenses determine the quality of your photos more than the camera bodies. If you are using Pentax, stick with SMC lenses. Vivitar and Sigma also make good lenses for Pentax but you will have to get very expensive ones to match the quality of the SMC. Don't waste money on "auto features" since these cameras are manual cameras and can't use the auto functions of the lenses anyway. If you are using Nikon, stick with Nikkor lenses. Get a good bag. Padded with many pockets and padded panels for accessories. A good list of gear to start with: Pentax ME Super 28mm - 50mm zoom 35mm - 105mm zoom 80mm - 200mm zoom 1A filter for each Circular polarizer Try to get lenses with the same diameter filter ring. Not always possible if you want the best deal but worth it later when you get to buy one set of filters and lens caps instead of one set for each lens. (Note, this isn't usually a problem with Nikkor lenses. They are typically the same size (52mm wide I think). If you want more info about Nikkor lenses, you should ask my dad (he has better toys than I do) Ok.. Ok.. Enough of you have asked. I'll list what I have. Update: I've broken down and purchased a New Pentax Auto camera. It's a Pentax ZX 5n. I got a Sigma Hyper Zoom aspherical 28mm - 300mm to go with it. I have to admit that aside from the plastic feel, I'm liking it. I'm still using the MX and ME Supers. But the fast focus is something that I really have learned to love.
Ok. That's all I can remember. If I get more I'll be sure and let you know. | |
