My Equipment

I started out SLR photography in 1992 with the hottest camera then - the EOS 1000 (or EOS Rebel as known elsewhere). Before that I have always been interested but I wasn't working so there's no money to buy one.

Why did I choose Canon? Actually, I did not choose. It's just that when my sister and I decided to buy one SLR. She decided on the Canon. Lucky, I think. For I learnt later to enjoy it's light-weight, creative user interface and the fast focusing USM (ultrasonic motor) lenses. Some cameras even have a belt-drive film winding system that makes it deadly silent.

Over the years, I have added much equipment to my collection. My dream lenses are the "L" series ("L" for "Luxury") like EF17-35/2.8 L USM, EF28-70/2.8 L USM & EF70-200/2.8 L USM. My dream camera used to be the EOS 5 or EOS 3. But now I have got the EOS 1N. Read below.

Well, until I can afford them after dreaming up some magic 4D or TOTO numbers, I will have to settle with these current ones I own:

Cameras

• EOS 1000 (Rebel)
  It was the best selling camera when it was released. And it really introduced me to the EOS system. It is out of production now.
  
  
• EOS 100 (Elan)
  I love this camera. A great value-for-money. It's still one of the quietest cameras in the EOS range. It is out of production now.
  
  
• EOS 1N
  I am glad to report that in Jan 2000, I am a new proud owner of a [used] EOS 1N - the flagship camera of the EOS series used by professionals all over the world. It came with a Power Drive Booster E1 that boasts 6 frames per second shooting. Not that I want to finish a roll of film in 6 seconds, the camera has some nice customisable functions too. It is quite true that the lens is more important than the camera. But I just can't resist the good price offered by a friend!
  A review of it at Photo.Net.

Lenses

• EF 28-70/3.5-4.5 II
  An old and discontinued lens I bought recently. It's supposed to be a legend of a consumer lens. Here's a review of it at PhotoZone.
  
  
• EF 17-35/2.8 L USM
  I finally bought my first "L" lens! Cost me a bomb. But I am sure it will perform. Here's a review of it by Photo.Net.
  Another review at PhotoZone.
  
  
• EF 28-105/3.5-4.5 USM
  This is my most-used lens. It's fast focusing Ultrasonic Motor (USM) is so quiet and fast. It is arguably the best consumer grade zoom lens made by Canon. Guess what? I now have two of this lens!
  Read a review at PhotoZone.
  Read a review at Photo.Net.
  
  
• EF 100-300/4-5.6 USM
  I seldom used this lens. But if I do, it will be for portraiture. I bought it to replace my yukky Sigma 75-300/4-5.6 DL.
  
  
• EF 50/1.8 II
  I used this lens a lot recently to take my baby's photos. For a price of only $130, it really produces sharp images. The body construction is so-so. It is also non-USM and so focusing is much slower.
  Read a review of it at PhotoZone.
  Read a review of it at Photo.Net.
  
  
• EF 85/1.8 USM
  This is my most treasured lens. I searched high and low for a used one and happened to saw one at the Camera Workshop. In great condition too. I bought it immediately.
  Naturally this lens is used for portraiture. It suits me just fine because at 85mm, I can move in closer to the subject. Whereas if I used the EF100-300, the shots would be very tight.
  Read a review of it at PhotoZone.
  Read a review of it at Photo.Net.
  
  
• Tokina 20-35/3.5-4.5
  I shoot group portraits with this. Also very useful in tight conditions. But have to be extra careful with distortion. Don't ever put people near the edges when shooting at 20mm or else you will end up with alien-like coneheads.
  I noticed that the centre is sharper than the edges too. Otherwise it's a great lens costing less than the original brother EF20-35/3.5-4.5 USM.
  
  Warning: I found incompatibilities of this lens with the EOS 50/50e. When the shutter button is pressed, the mirror flips up but never comes down. I have to click another time or change lens to solve the problem.
  
  
• EF 35-80/4-5.6, Sigma 75-300/4-5.6 DL
  I have no comments on these two. They are only occupying space ever since I got the EF28-105 and EF100-300.
  The construction of the Sigma is bad because I once was shooting and zoomed the lens and found it very tight. Guess what happen? To my horror, I saw a rubber-band like thread slipped through the space between the zoom components. I had to repair it twice at the local Sigma workshop.
  
  Warning: A friend of mine found that whenever he puts on my Sigma lens in his EOS 5, the lens blades fluttered for a while. But after that can take pictures as per normal.

Flash

• Speedlite 200E
  I bought it together with the EOS1000. It's rarely used now. The range is fixed at 35mm. But because of the lower GN of 14, it can be used for fill-in or close-up work.
  It is out of production now.
  
  
• Speedlite 430EZ
  I bought this lens just before the much better 540EZ model came out. Too bad!
  My complaints about this flash is only the slightly bluish colour. Makes faces rather pale looking.
  It is also out of production now being replaced by the 540EZ.
  
  
• Speedlite 540EZ
  Finally bought my [used] 540EZ! I like the way the flash can be adjusted to 1/128 power. Good for fill-in flash to get come catch-light in the eyes.
  
  
• Metz 45-CL4
  Metz makes the best flashes, IMO. That's why I went out to look for one. The thing I like about this flash is that it can do fill-in secondary flash in addition to the main flash which we may used for bouncing. I also like the rechargeable battery that doesn't need cables or strapping a battery pack on your shoulders. Really gives me room to maneuver.

Camera bag

I bought yet another Lowepro bag. It's the Orion Trekker. It's a daypack which I can use for small outings. The top compartment for personal belongings and the bottom for a small set of camera gear.

Tripod

Others

This is all I have for the moment. Hopefully the next time I write, there will be another "L" glass in my collection.
Note that I have tried to provide as much links to the equipment on this page. If I didn't, imformative articles or reviews can be found in the Links page.

Having said all these, I must stress that most important, it is still the person behind the camera that must know how to make full use of his equipment and be creative to conjur up a magical image.