My Entire 2023 Pro Kit (8 Cameras and 19 Lenses)

8 Cameras and 19 Lenses - What I own and HOW I use it. What's in your Bag?

Believe it or not, all of this gear is in use. No - I don't need it all for the portraiture and travel work I do, but when I factor in what we are doing for YouTube - then it all pretty much deserves a place in my bag.

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[sjurgabriel]

I´m just a humble amateur with a limited budget, so I´ve not used a lot of money on gear. For my style of photography I still like my D700 matched with a 50mm AF-S 1.4 and a 85mm 1.8D. Sometimes I also bring out two even older lenses, an all manual Tokina 24mm f/2.8, and a Nikkor 70-210 seriesE f/4 from the -80´s. Gives a lot of pleasure and some good photos when used within the limitations :-)

[bcBiz]

Hello and thank you for sharing. I have been taking photos since 1960. My first serious camer was a Pentax SV film camera with 24, 50, 105, 18mm and 500
Moved to Nikon and Hasselbald film cameras.
Currently shoot with boddies: D850 and Z6.
Lenses:
Z14-30s, 24-70s., 105 macro, 70-200, and 24-200
NF af 105 f1.4, 50f1.8
NF MANUAL 24MM, 50MM F1.4, 105 F2.5

[leighmosley]

I was just thinking about selling my D700 because I recently purchased two D850s - one that is permanently set up in my studio to digitize negatives. I’ve been shooting for 55+ years with mostly Nikons beginning with the F. Before the Z9 came out I had been shooting HD video for a local TV station on my D810. I decided I wanted 4K and bought a Sony a73 and a7siii. Happy with them because they are lighter and I am older, but those Z9s are alluring. I went to a party recently and met a Nikon rep who let me shoot a few frames with her camera. Loved it.

It’s best, I found, to stick to one system if you can. I also have a couple of 500 blads and a Leica M that I can’t seem to part with, but who knows? Thanks for your equipment review. You’re one of my few faves.

[charliipresley]

MG still churning out the great content! (Just watched your D5 unboxing)

[bsmukler]

The 105 f/ 1.4 is so fantastic and widely loved that I wonder whether Nikon will eventually make a Z version. Besides my Nikon gear, I parked my Leica SL lenses while waiting for an SL3, which I suspect will have multiple resolution as in the M11 In addition to PDAF, supplanting the two-body (SL2/SL2S) solution, and I added an M11. The latter is a dream. I traveled to a Leica store before purchasing one, partly to see whether I could achieve sharp results, handheld, with the high MP sensor. It turned out to be a non-issue, as was the black vs. silver weight difference (noticeable but irrelevant, especially once you compare the two with lenses mounted). I also pre-ordered the M6 the morning it was launched, purely for nostalgia (which I loosely and unoriginally define as fondly remembering a time that never existed), and also because I think it is such a bold move by Leica.

[filterfreephotography]

I'm a hobbyist that started in the DSLR world in early 2006 with the Nikon D50. Moved to the D300 and then the D750. I have also collected about 11 F-Mount lenses. I have. Nikon Z fc w/ 28mm f/2.8 SE and the FTZ II adapter on order as my first Z plunge. I have owned a few Fujis in the past, but sold everything except the X100F and my Instax mini EVO (which can be super fun at holiday events). I shoot for fun and enjoy street photography. I have had two F-mount lenses on a wish list (24mm f/1.8G and 200-500 f/5.6) in order to complete my prime collection and zoom range from 10-500mm, but reconsidering after getting this Z fc camera. 2023 could be interesting and full of fun decisions.

[HR-wdcw]

I'm still going with my 2 camera bodies and 6 lenses. Z6 II/Z7 II, 14-30, 24-70 2.8, 70-200. 50, 85, and now the 24-120. Not sure that I need anymore, considering what I'm doing (OK maybe the 100-400 but that's not a huge priority right now). But, finally after building this kit over the past 2 years, I feel as if I pretty much have a complete kit for my needs, for travel, landscape, and portrait photography. (But at the same time, I don't shoot professionally either, so a pro shooting for a living might have a different opinion.). I've just changed my objective to traveling more, spending less on gear, and enjoying the gear I already own, which pretty much gives me what I need from a camera system. Sure, the Z6/Z7 aren't the fastest cameras on the planet, but for what I do, they are more than plenty, and I think that's all that matters (for me). And really, I've sort of lost the deisre to have the latest gear. I mean maybe after dealing with gear over the years, you just get tired of the buying and selling trying to find the "perfect" camera and you realize that what you have is probably good enough, and you should focus on capturing images and experiences, and less on gear. (Plus if I have to bring more than one rolling camera bag for camera bodies, lenses, and accessories -- not including lighting equipment -- then I probably have too many cameras/lenses). But at the same time, I could never really understand the people who just hav eto have every lens under the sun, for a particular system. Like having both a 50mm macro and a 105 macro, and maybe a 24-70 f/4 and a 24-200, or the Z 14-30 and a 14-24 Z, and maybe even a Tamron 15-30... so much duplication IMO. Now I know that on the wider end of things, every mm counts and every focal length gives a slightly different perspective, but there comes a point (I think) where the differences are not that big of a deal and so it can become excessive.

[exploringsoutheastarizona]

Hi Matt, enjoy watching your channel. That's quite the camera collection. I'm planning to get the Nikon D700 the end of this month. I collect cameras also. I have 2 Nikon D300's, a Nikon F film camera, a Lumix GH2, Sony A200(my first digital camera, bought in 2008 still works), Canon T1i, Olympus E-510 and a GoPro Hero 7 Black plus a few other film cameras. Lenses- on one of my Nikon D300's is a Zhongyi 85mm 1:2 Creator, the other has a Nikon 35mm 1:1.8, G DX, with Canon T1i 50mm 1:1.8, Olympus-Zuiko Digital 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6, Lumix GH2-25mm 1:1.7 G ASPH. (other lenses : Canon EF--S 24mm, Canon EF 75-300mm, Rokinon14mm 2.8(currently on Sony A200), Nikon 55-200mm.

[davidroberts]

I am a keem amateur and I just love cameras and lenses. So much, in fact, that I rarely part with them once acquired. My 40 year collection, started in my teens, and includes a regularly in the rotation of a dozen Nikon and Minolta film SLRs and about 2 dozen lenses, mostly primes. I also have a Nikon D850, with a dozen professional f 2.8 zooms, macro, and f1.8, f1.4 prime lenses. Finally, I have a Zfc, Z6 and Z7ii with all the Z f1.8, f2, f2.8 primes and f4 zooms. I shoot film, to this day, and get as much joy from my Nikon F2 and a sharp prime, as I do from a modern Z camera and the F mount 70-200 f2.8 E FL lens (still a beauty).

Lenses I cannot justify, but would love to own are three in your kit…..the 500mm PF, the 105mm f1.4 E. and the Z 50mm f1.2…Maybe someday!

[vdan]

You've come a long way Matt. To top it off a Rollie Sky Dweller. Nice!

[TheNitebinder]

An amazing camera arsenal you have there.

[PerryK]

Been shooting for 45 years so you can imagine I have a small collection. Film cameras consists of a large format Calumet 4X5 sheet film camera with Voitlander Braunschweig Heliar Compound f4.5 21cm lens and a Rodenstock Geronar f6.3 150mm lens. My medium format film camera is a Pentax 6X7 120/220 roll film camera with a Asahi/Takumar f4 55mm lens, a Asahi/Pentax f2.8 90mm leaf shutter lens and a Asahi/Pentax f2.8 165mm lens. Two 35mm film cameras, one is a beautiful Nikon FM2 (totally manual - totally fantastic) and the more modern Nikon F75 which has auto modes and autofocus. Many older Nikkor lenses, from Nikkor f2.8 24mm to Nikkor f2 50mm to Nikon f1.8 50mm Series E to Nikkor f2.5 105mm as well as the lens used mostly in the F75 which is a nice AF-NIKKOR f3.5-4.5 D 28-105mm. I also have a Nikon Bellows PB-6 with a El-Nikkor f5.6 80mm enlarger lens for extreme macro work. Of course I also have the classic beige and brown foldable Polaroid SX-70 in brown leather case! Then on to the digital side where I have a nice set of Nikon gear, a Infrared-converted Nikon D7000, a wonderful Nikon D500 with battery grip, my high resolution landscape monster the Nikon Z7II with SmallRig cage and the heaviest and best for colour and picture quality of all the Nikon digital cameras, the Nikon D700 with MB-D10 battery grip. Of course a wild assortment of lenses as well, the Z f4 S 14-30mm, the Z f4-6.3 24-200mm VR, the FTZ adapter so I can use my F lenses on the Z cameras. A Nikon f3.5-4.5 G 10-24mm DX, a Nikon f2.8-4 VR 16-80mm DX, a Nikon f1.8 G 35mm DX, a Nikon f3.5-5.6 G 18-200mm DX VR, an IRIX f2.4 15mm manual focus lens, a Nikon f1.4 G 50mm, a Nikon Micro-Nikkor f2.8 G 60mm macro, a Nikon f1.8 D 85mm, a Nikon Micro-Nikkor f2.8 G 105mm VR macro, a Tamron SP f2.8 G2 70-200mm VC, a Nikon f5.6 200-500mm VR. I also have the Nikon TC-20E II Teleconverter for the F lenses. As far as flashes go I have a Nikon SB19, a Nikon SB80, two Nikon SB600 flashes, a Nikon SB700 and a Nikon SB800. I use the Godox X1 system for wireless flash, seems to work well. Also I use the Nikon ES-2 Film Digitizer Adapter and my Z7II with the Nikon 60mm macro lens for turning 35mm negatives or slides into digital files.

[timloucks]

I recently purchased my 1st Nikon mirrorless (z9) & felt compelled to sell off several old dx lenses & bodies I hadn’t used in years to KEH. I’ll be adapting my remaining F mount glass for awhile. Thankfully 500 pf & 300 pf work well on the z9. I’ve also kept my trusty d500 as a backup for now.

[capntimber]

2 bodies six lenses . D810 with 85mm 1.8 is my go to.

[alebar]

My current set-up : Nikon D700, Nikon 50mm 1.8D lens and Nikon 28-105mm D lens with Godox V860ii flash

[DJJDBass]

Some other lenses that are of note IMO: 300mm f4 pf, 8-15mm E (at 8mm) 35mm z, 20mm z. Vintage lenses with adapters… Tamron Adaptall-2: 180mm f2.5 SP, 300mm f2.8 SP

[catmonkey]

Nikon F2A & F2Photomic, Nikon F4, FM, D700 and just added a Z5 which I'm really warming to. Pre ai to G series lenses (14 in total), 24mm to 135mm and now the kit lens 24-50 Z lens, debating what next Z lens to add.

[angeloplayforone]

Nice that you have a Blackmagic vídeo camera and also a film camera. I wanted to see some video about this Blackmagic 12K.

[Funktrainer]

My current kit in use:
Bodies:
Leica SL (Typ 601), Leica M9-P, Leica M8
Lenses:
M-Mount: Summaron 35mm 1:2.8, Rigid Summicron 50mm 1:2, Summilux 50mm 1:1.4 Version I, Super-Angulon 21mm 1:4, Summarit 75mm 1:2.4, Elmarit 90mm 1:2.8, Elmar 135mm 1:4, Elmar 90mm 1:4
F-Mount:
Nikkor 35-70mm 1:3.5 Ai, 15mm 1:5.6 Ai, 135mm 1:2 Ai-S, 50-135mm 1:3.5 Ai-S, 300mm 1:2.8 Ai-S, 50-300mm 1:4.5 Ai converted, 50mm 1:1.4 S-C-Auto Ai converted, 25-50mm 1:4, 28-50mm 1:3.5 Ai-S, 35-70mm 1:3.5 Ai-S, 35mm 1:1.4 Ai-S, Zeiss 85mm 1:1.4 Planar ZF T*, 70-300mm 1:4-5.6 D ED, 24-85mm 1:2.8-4 D IF.
R-Mount:
21mm 1:3.4 Super-Angulon, 45-90mm 1:2.8 Angénieux-Zoom plus some more primes that haven't been really tried yet.
MD-Mount:
24mm 1:2.8
Currently not so much in use:
Hasselblad H2 and H3DII-31 including five HC lenses (28, 50, 80, 120Macro, 210).
Kodak DCS620C, 620X, 660C, 760C.
The Film stuff:
Leica M4, M5, Leicaflex
Nikon F2 Photomic, F2AS, F2A, F5, F
Rolleicord Model I Art Deco, Model I
Rolleiflex 614
Speedlights:
2 x Nikon SB-11 with Pocketwizard III, a Pocketwizard IV
For the collection:
Nikon SB-1, SB-2, SB-3, 2 x SB-5
Videokit:
Editcams: Ikegami HK-399PW PAL with DNR-20, HL-65W NTSC with DNR-20, DNS-201W NTSC
Lenses: Canon J8x6B4 KRS, J18x8.5B4 IRS, Nikon S15x8.5

[ChrisTheKid]

I’ve had a D850 I got new at release, it’s my main camera. My dream camera was always a D3 I got a bit after it came out and I will never get rid of it, I absolutely love it. My first DSLR was a D50, which I have since given to my Nephew. I do have quite a few lenses: 11mm F4 IRIX Blackstone; all the rest are Nikon: 16-35mm F4 VR, 24mm F2.8D, 24-70mm F2.8G, 35mm F2.8 AIS (for video), 50mm F1.4D, 85mm F1.4D, 105mm F2DC, 135mm F2DC, 70-200mm F2.8 VRII, 200mm F4D Micro, 200mm F2 VRI, 300mm F2.8 VRI (used with 1.4x, 1.7x, and 2.0x tc)

I have 5 other lenses I don’t use anymore, that I’m planning to sell, and just haven’t cause I’m lazy. And I used to have a D7000 that I gave to a friend.

I have 2 Fuji cameras
I got a X-T1 with a 27mm F2.8 at release,
But my favorite camera to walk around with is an original X100, it’s slow but it’s absolutely fantastic and the pictures that come out are just beautiful.