I get many questions about my camera equipment, so I put together this page to get you the essential information.
Another expectation is that I achieve a special look in my photos because of my equipment. That is true if you count the special software as part of my equipment, which I certainly do. The software, equipment, and process all work together to create the finished product. For more info on the “Process”, feel free to visit my HDR Tutorial. It is free, just like all the resources here on the site.
Also please note that I link most everything here to B&H Photo, the greatest camera store in the world so you can buy your own. I’ve been to their Valhalla-like store a few times in New York and I always come away happy. They ARE a sponsor of the site, but I would say the same thing about them even if they were not a sponsor! Regular readers to this blog know I am Honest Abe about this… Also, just pull aside any photographer that knows their stuff, and their eyes will glaze over when you mention sweet lady B&H.
Also, in addition to this page I have a My Reviews part of the site, where I talk about many of these things in more detail.
Hardware I recommend:
- Recommended Entry-Level Camera: Nikon D40 with 18-55mm Lens
- Note: I can’t fully recommend this entry level camera because it does not do autobracketing. It DOES take shots in RAW format, and you can use that for making HDRs (a method mentioned in my HDR Tutorial), but I believe it is better to have a camera that does have autobracketing built in.
- Recommended Mid Range Camera: Nikon D90 DIGITAL SLR CAMERA w/55-200 LENS
- This is a great camera. It will treat you well and it will last you a lifetime of great shots.
- Recommended High End Camera: Nikon D700
- It is an amazing camera with a professional-grade photo sensor.
- Recommended Extreme-Stuck-in-Customs-Throw-Reason-To-The-Wind Camera: Nikon D3X – See my Nikon D3X review for more
- This is my camera and it is the ultimate. I can say no more. However, being realistic, I can tell you that it is only 10-20% (depending on the features you dig) better than the D700. That extra 10-20% will cost you a pretty penny, so my advice is to only do it if you have the extra cash, or this is a love where you have little willpower.
- Tripod Legs – Bogen/Manfrotto
- Head for the Tripod (connects the legs to the camera) – Any Giotto that feels right for your camera
- Now, my best advice for the tripod head is to go to your local camera store and try out 3 or 4! You will find one that makes the most “sense” to you. Some people like 3 knobs to adjust. Some like just one big handle… some like it to release one way versus another. Buying a tripod head online to me, is a bit like buying pants online. If you know just what you want, you’re in luck.
- Lenses:
- Nikon 14-24 Review (Lens) – A great wide-angle lens that I use for 80% of my landscapes
- Nikon 24-70 Review (Lens) – Perfect for mid-range stuff like birthdays, families, close-up sports, events, holiday cheer, swinger parties
- Nikon 50mm Review (Lens) – Ideal for cute children, close-up objects where you like a blurry background, friends, interventions
- Nikon 70-200 Review (Lens) – A great lens for things that are kinda far away, like animals or sports or that girl you are stalking
Software I recommend:
- Photomatix Review – the software I use most for the “look” of my photos
- Photoshop CS4 – Just get the basic without all that extra junk… for PC or Mac.
- Lightroom 2 (for PC and Mac) – used for organizing all my unprocessed and processed photos.
- Topaz Adjust Review – an amazing plugin to give very nice effects
- Noiseware Review – great for reducing the “noise” in photos
- Nik Review – a wide variety of post-processing filter options that are fun!
- Lucis Review – wonderful for adding sharp detail and pop
- Portraiture Review – used for making people and portraits look amazing
- Last, if you are looking to save some money when ordering all this new cool stuff, see my Coupon Codes page.
Backup Hardware:
And last, here is a collection of photos I’ve shot with my Nikon equipment over the years. There are many more examples if you’d like to surf around the site!
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May 18th, 2009 01:10 | I’m on the Waiting List for the Nikon D3X! (and a small diatribe on megapixels)
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August 1st, 2009 12:46 | Peter Dinella
I am a new subscriber and enjoy your site very much.
You mentioned your top 3 Nikon lens. My current Nikon top 3 lenses are: 17-35 f/2.8, 35-70 f/2.8, and the 70-200 f/2.8. While your first top 3 drops down to 14mm, do you see any significant (that’s the key word) differences between my 3 and your 3 that would suggest I dump my first 2 and get your first 2?
I shoot with a Nikon D700.
August 12th, 2009 10:39 | Jon
So I know you said to go to the store and try out the heads and all that, but I’m hoping you might be willing to go into a little bit more detail about your stabilization equipment.
Obviously I’m not thinking, “If I had the same tripod & head as Trey I could take pictures like that!” Actually I’m just assuming that, because you have basically been EVERYWHERE, you would have some things to say about traveling with different gear. I’ve used a couple different sets of legs and several heads, in combination with several different bags, but I haven’t found anything yet that I like in travel. What seems in the store like it will work well ends up being frustrating when I’m hiking a couple hours from the car or whatever.
Also, the advice you can share can only be helpful if we know how you travel.
Anyway, I love the site and all of the great info and inspiring pictures. I hope this doesn’t sound ungrateful or greedy. Thanks!
- Jon
October 18th, 2009 22:48 | Billy T
Why the switch from D90 to D5000 and back to D90 again for the “Recommended Mid Range Camera” ?
October 19th, 2009 01:08 | Stuck In Customs
This is a good question!!!
Actually – they are both really good — I change my mind from one day to the next. That’s why!
hehe
February 23rd, 2010 19:46 | Victor Cajiao
Trey you use some back up drives on the road with a screen right? What are those (brand and model please)?
February 24th, 2010 03:40 | Stuck In Customs
Victor – it is the Colorspace UDMA — I got a hollow one and put in my own drive ! Easy cheesy.