Photography equipment recommendations

My main cameras are the Nikon D5 and Nikon D800 DSLRs (D5 for speed and the D800 for its larger 36 megapixel image size). Various excellent modern Nikkor lenses can be found in my bag, including the wonderfully usuable AF-S 24-120mm f/4 G ED VR NIKKOR which Nikon describes as: 'A standard zoom lens of exceptional utility'; It is probably the most useful and dependable lens I'd ever owned. Along with two other VR (Vibration Reduction) Nikkor lenses (AF-S 70-200mm and AF-S 16-35mm) these allow a slower shutter speed of up to five stops for unnaturally sharp images in very low light. Amazing.

Lenses with 'photographer's stars' for various different reasons and in no particular order:

• Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S
• Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D AF
• Nikkor 24mm f/2.8
• Nikkor 35-70mm f/2.8D AF Zoom
• Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8D AF
• Nikkor 20mm f/2.8D AF
• Nikkor AF-S 16-35mm f/4G ED VR
• Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/2.8G IF-ED VR
• Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm f/4 G ED VR
• Nikkor AF-S 24-120mm f/4 G ED VR
• Sigma 100-300mm f/4 EX DG IF HSM
• Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC

Digital media by Lexar. Lighting by Bowens, Nikon & Metz. Tripods and stands by Manfrotto. Reflectors & backgrounds by Lastolite. Calumet Photographic is the Professional dealer I recommend. Photo printing by Clifton Colour.

Back-up equipment includes the trusty Nikon D700 camera. Currently in semi-retirement you'll find all my non-digital equipment including several classic Nikon and Olympus 35mm cameras. The Horseman Large Format view camera system was recently sold (on eBay) and an extensive Hasselblad system traded-in at London Camera Exchange as the Digital Backs never dropped to a price I could economically justify.

I use Apple Mac computers with Adobe Photoshop. Also various other applications are used during the post photography workflow including the excellent Graphic Converter and onOne Software PhotoTools.

I used to recommend Nikon Capture NX2, a unique software originally created by Nik Software, it contained several features missing from Photoshop including 'Color Control Points'. Now look for DxO as it purchased Nik Collection in 2017: recognized the world over for its U Point™ local adjustment technology.

Links for these recommendations can be found on the Links page.

 

Peter Ashby-Hayter, Bristol, U.K. Bristol Photographer
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