Thursday, May 22, 2008

Pro Kit 2008

As new lenses and cameras come out, our typical kits change from time to time. My professional kit has changed a great deal since I last wrote about this in 2006. For one, the Pentax K20D is out and is superb! Two K20D bodies form the basis for the kit. I use the D-BG2 battery grip with one of the K20D bodies. I have decided not to use a D-BG2 battery grip on the K20D I carry with me most of the time.

For lenses, I am using primarily the DA* series lenses. These include the DA* 16-50/2.8, DA* 50-135/2.8, DA* 200/2.8, and DA* 300/4 lenses. I also usually bring along the DA 35/2.8 Macro Limited lens for close-up opportunities and as a great fixed focal length walk around lens. To round out the selection, I frequently bring the DA 14/2.8 lens and sometimes also the DA 10-17/3.5-4.5 Fisheye lens. I always bring the AF-540FGZ flash with off-camera cord and also a Kenko 25mm Uniplus extension tube. All of this equipment fits nicely in a Domke F-2 Ballastic bag.

If I might have the opportunity to shoot pictures of birds or other animals, I might bring the A* 400/2.8 with the A 1.4x TC-L and A 2.0x TC-L teleconverters. I usually throw in a few extension tubes as well. I carry this extra equipment in a Think Tank Photo Airport Ultralight backpack.

To summarize:

Always
Pentax K20D body
Pentax K20D body with D-BG2 battery grip
DA* 16-50/2.8
DA* 50-135/2.8
DA* 200/2.8
DA* 300/4
DA 10-17/3.5-4.5 Fisheye
DA 14/2.8
DA 35/2.8 Macro Limited
AF-540FGZ with off-camera cord
Kenko 25mm Uniplus extension tube
Domke F-2 Ballistic bag

Sometimes
A* 400/2.8
A 1.4x TC-L
A 2.0x TC-L
Pentax extension tubes
Think Tank Photo Airport Ultralight backpack

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