In the interests of even further simplifying the question of ‘what should I buy’ – and answering many emails and requests simultaneously – I’ve created this guide to gear, complete with purchasing links and links to reviews (where applicable). Treat it as a growing, evolving offshoot of the Camerapedia. This is what I’d buy personally (and mostly similar to what I already own, denoted by two stars**; one star* denotes something I’ve owned in the past).
Last updated 4 May 2013
Serious amateur/ pro compact
Sony RX100* – review B&H Amazon
Panasonic LX7 – review B&H Amazon
Nikon Coolpix A** – review B&H Amazon
Ricoh GR** (Digital V) – preview B&H Amazon
Mirrorless system
Olympus OM-D** – review B&H Amazon
Olympus E-PM2 – B&H Amazon
Olympus ZD 12/2** – review B&H Amazon
Olympus BCL 15/8 body cap lens** – review B&H Amazon
Olympus ZD 45/1.8** – review B&H Amazon
Olympus ZD 60/2.8 macro** – review B&H Amazon
Olympus ZD 75/1.8** – review B&H Amazon
Panasonic 14-42 X PZ pancake zoom** – B&H Amazon
Panasonic 20/1.7* – B&H Amazon
Panasonic Leica 25/1.4 – B&H Amazon
Panasonic 100-300/4-5.6** – review B&H Amazon
Rangefinder system (there’s really only one choice, isn’t there?)
Leica M Typ 240 – review B&H
Leica 21/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH* – B&H Amazon
Leica 28/2 Summicron-M ASPH** – B&H Amazon
Leica 35/2 Summicron-M ASPH* – B&H Amazon
Leica 35/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH FLE* – review B&H Amazon
Leica 50/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH – review B&H Amazon
Leica 50/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH** – B&H Amazon
Zeiss ZM 2.8/21 Biogon* – B&H Amazon
Zeiss ZM 2/50 Planar** – B&H Amazon
Voigtlander 15/4.5 Super Wide Heliar* – B&H Amazon
Voigtlaner 50/1.1 Nokton* – B&H Amazon
DSLR system
Nikon D800E** – review B&H Amazon
Nikon D600** – review B&H Amazon
Nikon AFS 16-35/4 VR – B&H Amazon
Nikon AFS 24-120/4 VR** – B&H Amazon
Nikon AFS 24-70/2.8* – B&H Amazon
Nikon AFS 28-300/3.5-5.6 VR (for 12MP and APS-C cameras) – review B&H Amazon
Nikon AFS 70-200/2.8 VR II – B&H Amazon
Nikon AFS 70-200/4 VR – B&H Amazon
Nikon AFS 70-300/4.5-5.6 VR* – B&H Amazon
Nikon AF-S 80-400/4.5-5.6 G ED VR II N – review B&H Amazon
Nikon AFS 28/1.8 G** – review B&H Amazon
Nikon AFS 50/1.8 G – B&H Amazon
Nikon AFS 60/2.8 G Micro** – review B&H Amazon
Nikon AFS 85/1.8 G** – review B&H Amazon
Nikon PCE 85/2.8 Micro** – B&H Amazon
Zeiss ZF.2 2.8/15 Distagon – B&H Amazon
Zeiss ZF.2 2.8/21 Distagon** – review B&H Amazon
Zeiss ZF.2 2/28 Distagon** – review B&H Amazon
Zeiss ZF.2 2/35 Distagon** – B&H Amazon
Zeiss ZF.2 2/50 Makro Planar** – B&H Amazon
Zeiss ZF.2 2/100 Makro Planar** – review B&H Amazon
Film
Any Hasselblad V series, and CF/CFE/CFi lenses** – no longer available new, but isn’t the hunt part of the fun? review
Fuji Neopan Acros 100 film** – review B&H Amazon
Ilford Delta 100 and Delta 400 films** – B&H Amazon
Ilford DDX developer** – B&H
Ilford Rapid Fixer** – B&H Amazon
Ricoh GR1v** – review
Contax T3 – review
Nikon F2 Titan**
Accessories
Billingham Hadley Pro** – B&H Amazon
Billingham 555** – B&H Amazon
Gitzo GT1542T Traveller 6x Carbon** – review B&H Amazon
Gitzo GT5562LTS Systematic 6x Carbon** – review B&H Amazon
Manfrotto 410 Geared head** – B&H Amazon
Nikon SB700** – B&H Amazon
Nikon SB900/ SB910** – B&H Amazon
Wacom Intuos5** – B&H Amazon
Wacom Cintiq 13HD – B&H Amazon
Arca-Swiss P0 Ballhead** – B&H Amazon
Full disclosure: anything purchased from the links gives me a small referral fee; it doesn’t cost you any more, but it does help me keep the site running. Thanks for the support! MT
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Images and content copyright Ming Thein | mingthein.com 2012 onwards. All rights reserved
Nice List Ming! Thank you!
No problem. Now watch your wallet heh
No 14-24?
Nope, I prefer the 16-35 and Zeiss 21.
Nikon D600, 28/1.8G and 85/1.8G got,got,got. My only mistake according to your list is my 50/1.4G instead of the 1.8 G. Still 3 out f 4 ain’t bad eh.
Stop it down a bit and there isn’t that much difference after f2.8 or so.
Why the Nikon AFS 14-24/2.8 VR is not included for super-wide?
Firstly, it doesn’t exist. There’s no 14-24 VR. Secondly, the lateral CA is pretty bad on the D800E, and it won’t take filters.
Regarding the mirrorless system, how about the Panasonic 7-14 for UWA?
Why the Panasonic 20/1.7 rather than the Olympus 17/1.8? Your review suggested choosing one over the other was a matter of personal preference.
thanks
Haven’t used the 7-14, so can’t really comment. If it was a stop faster I’d probably have one instead of the 12/2, and use it as a very flexible 28mm equivalent. As for the 20 and 17 – if you’re after the very best optics, the 25 is better.
I m keen to know your thoughts on Leica D-Lux 6. As such its is Leica’s version of the Panasonic Lumix LX7 – Nevertheless would you recommend to consider to buy for Leica badge ?
No, unless the extended warranty matters, or you need Lightroom – then it’s a reasonably good deal.
Thanks !!
Thanks for the list, it’s really helpful. Do you really find 50mm f/1.8G’s resolution sufficient for D800E? I’ve read some mixed opinions and I see that you don’t own it.
I don’t own it because I also have the 45/2.8P, 50/2 Makro-Planar, 58/1.2 Noct and 60/2.8 Micro all in the same range. But I have used and tested one, and yes, resolution is most certainly sufficient. There is some sample variation, though.
I notice that your Leica M9-P has gone missing from the list – an M-240 on order perhaps??? I was blessed to have discovered your site early on and I have thoroughly enjoyed each and every post in the interim – you are the definitive technically inclined artistically impassioned craftsman.
Yes, I have a 240 on order. Thanks for the compliments!
Surprised the Panasonic 12-35mm and 35-100mm are missing from the list, although I can definitely see that if you prefer primes that these would be omitted.
I’m currently in the market for the PanaLeica 25mm and either the Oly 12mm or the Panasonic 12-35mm, initially for travels…
The 12-35 has some corner CA and field curvature issues, plus harsh double images in the bokeh. I too was hoping to be able to replace my 12mm with something a bit more flexible, but landed up disappointed. Tried several samples and wasn’t impressed. 35-100 isn’t available where I live, so I’ve not been able to take it for a spin.
Too much gear! Less is more! Isn’t it?
You don’t have to buy everything. I didn’t, and I only have what I need for the diverse amount of commercial work I do…’less is more’ isn’t really an excuse. But when I shoot for myself, one body and two lenses is it.
Just kiddin’ I know
Your Christmas list recommended the D700 over the D600. Change of heart? Really enjoy your site, by the way.
Nope, simple economics: you can’t buy it new anymore. It seems the last of the stock has been sold.
Yes, you’re right, no more new ones – so I just bought a used one! A longtime Nikon SLR film shooter (FE, F6), the D700 is my entry into the brave new (for me anyway) RAW DSLR world. It’s going to be weird not having analog masters, ie slides or negatives. Really appreciate your comments on the mindset of shooting film vs digital as well as your thoughts on digital post processing. Not sure I’m looking forward to the “workflow”
I still enjoy shooting film but It’s time to explore digital. Thanks for the time you put into your web site. It’s excellent. Cheers.
No problem. If you’re looking for a flexible guide to workflow, you might want to check out my introduction to photoshop video…
I really like the way you process your digital black and white files, the one with the 28mm f/1.8 afs Nikon. will you tell us the steps you take, what program you use to process these? Thanks much John
Thanks. I have workflow videos available that cover this in the teaching store tab…
I did read your reply about the workflow videos covering how you create your black and white photographs. So, which video would apply to the black and white process?
Assuming you’re starting with a color image, there are a lot of ways to perform the conversion – A: Intro to PS would cover the options and subsequent treatment of the file. If you’re starting with a Leica M Monochrom image, then you need video B, which is about getting the most punch out of the file.
Some good recommendations here, I am currently in Afghanistan and am giving the Billingham Hadley Pro bag a good work out. It has quickly adopted the weather-beaten “nothing to see here” look (I have the black on black model, the other ones are far too yuppy) and doesn’t seem to have any problem with the dust and wind here. I am getting a 445 for an upcoming tour of Vietnam/Cambodia/HK/Japan since I want to bring more kit with me. They’re not cheap, but then nothing good is.
Thanks. I’ve got two – and the 555 for a jumbo holdall/ weekend bag/ big gear bag. Wanted the black stealthy one but they didn’t have stock – will probably pick up a Hadley digital in black/black when you don’t need to carry that much gear.
What is your thought on X100s? I just got the X100s a week ago. I think it is quite good. Thanks.
Had a play with one today, actually – seems MUCH faster than the X100, and the sensor looks very, very clean indeed…could be interesting, except for the price.
Have you looked or had any experience of the new Sigma Arts range starting with the new 35 mm f1.4. It looks good on paper but that is not the whole story .The coatings etc could make or brake it.
Nope, not something that interests me to be honest – I have lenses I’m already happy with in the FLs covered, and 35 isn’t something I use at all.