Already purchased:

Phottix Cleon C8 ($37)


OpTech/POTN Pro Loop Strap ($19)


580EX II Speedlite Flash ($420)


Purchasing by end of week:

Dakine Sequence ($130)


Intend on purchasing within next 6 weeks:

BG-E2N Grip ($190)


Total cost w/out tax/shipping where applicable: $796

For a guy who makes $40/photo shoot a couple times a month if I'm lucky, this is going to hurt.

But I guess that's quite a bit of gear. Hell, I paid more than that for one lens! It's either all the above gear, or the 17-55 2.8 IS. Needless to say, I'm choosing all of the above pictured!

*All of a sudden parting out my car doesn't seem like such a bad idea after all. Stupid car. Then again, I have my car and all the mods I've done to it to thank. If it were not for wanting to take nice pictures of my car, then I never would have picked up my first DSLR (350D) and entered the realm of photography. :biggthumpup:

*Edit - I decided against the 1.4x TC as I don't see myself using it very often. It would be nice to have that extra reach, but having been glued to STROBIST.com I decided to invest in more strobes and accessories.

 

 

^^^I wish I was that baaaallllllllllllliiiiiiiiiiiin'

 

Calvin, I like this alot. Kata DR-465 rucksack. Size is midsize... about the size of a Jansport bag, and does not scream "hiker," or camera bag, though it does look cool. There is the DR-467 which includes a 17" laptop slot and foldout small tripod holder. The 465 does have a foldout water bottle holder that I forgot to feature.

Don't forget to pick up the Gary Fong Lightsphere. Lighted the shots below with the Lightsphere universal and 580exII. The bag was almost against the makeshift bedspread backdrop, otherwise the pics would have been better. The Lightsphere is magic... can't wait to test out on people.

 

^^^Boooo! Let's see that baby loaded! I know you've got more gear than that!

The Kata DR-465 looks to be very well built, as with all their packs. They, and this one in particular, look very comfortable. Where does the body rest?

Although I was opposed to it initially, I am now all for rear access packs. It is actually one of the primary reasons I am going with the Sequence. It was between that and the Crumpler Whickey & ***, but I like the extra storage pockets on the Sequence that the Whickey & *** lacks.

Erwin - link to the specific Lightsphere you have? I iz lazy!

 

I was actually thinking about picking up a real cheap point and shoot cause I couldn't take pics of the 40D in the middle of the bottom pocket... yeah the empty space. The Tokina 11-16 WITH HOOD! is mounted to the 40D and can fit in that space... along with 28-135 WITH HOOD!, 60mm Macro, 50mm 1.8, 430EX flash. My only lens that can't fit down there is the 55-250, which can go up top along with the 580exII. But I figured, I won't be taking all that on hikes or shoots, I'll just pick and choose so I can at least have space up top. But even then, look how much I can fit in the bottom portion.

Here's the link to the lightsphere... I have the clear universal version... but there is a cloud version (opaque).
http://store.garyfonginc.com/lsu-clear.html

I'd get the universal as it can go on pretty much any flash. Tried it on my 430ex also, and works just as great, if not a better fit than on the 580exII.

There is a knock off going around on eBay called "lambency," but I like to support the real deal stuff, so...

anyway, I have the Sto-Fen omni bounce and another flash diffuser (I forget the name), but they do not work as good as the Lightsphere. Honestly, the goddamn plastic piece (cup and lid) looks like it could be made for $2... but it works so good

 

Erwin: what do you have for lenses now?

cool.. I went on a photo spending spree this winter/spring myself.. I got so much crap now that I also bought a Pelican 1600 hard case to haul everything around in.. but I'm still keeping my LowePro Microtrekker 200 in case I want to travel light

 

Canon 60mm Macro, 55-250 IS, 50mm 1.8, 28-135 IS.

Sigma 10-20 (going to sell), 10mm fisheye (sent back to B&H as they sent me a one that was obviously returned by a customer- my first bad experience with B&H, who I almost use exclusively for my gear),

Tokina 11-16 (built like a tank) and useful f/2.8.

What sucks is that everytime you're in a situation with your gear, however heavy or light, and you think to yourself, "wouldn't it be great if I had that piece of gear I read about or saw in the web." This stuff never ends.

 

Thats an expensive flash.

 

It's rather depressing, especially when I check my bank statements.

 

 

i guess you'd never consider buying used? i just sold a bg-e1 grip on potn (contemplating selling the 28-135 also). i also bought a burton zoom backpack off of there. i've been looking for deals decent deals on a bg-e2 and a 430/580 flash. i've already got the 420, but i cant do any of the fancy new stuff that the dlsrs support.