If you can start from scratch again ....

[Jerry Chan]

Go for the following:

D2H
50mm 1.4
17-55mm 2.8
70-200mm 2.8

Well enough to cover 1)low light conditions; 2)a walk about sharp len; and 3) a tele for longer focal length needs
Camera good for sports action as well as just about all conditions.

 

[ExplorerZ]

budget?
Nikon D40 + 18-200VR...

luxury?
D2Xs or D3(if there is one)
12-24 or 10-20
17-55 or 28-70
70-200.

 

[raptor84]

My current setup is my b answer.

350D with grip + 17-40 + 70-200 f/4 all second hand + a 430ex.

Budget wise it would be almost the same but with a 28-75 as the one and only lens..maybe kit as backup.

 

[fndjufri]

D80
17-55
105mm VR Micro
70-200

 

[Yatlapball]

I would have gone Canon and bought a 5D (*takes cover*) :bsmilie: along with a 24-70/2.8 and 85/1.2

But as it is... I probably wouldn't have changed much the way I bought my Nikon system. I guess starting from entry-level helps one in the learning process. I might have been totally stumped if I had gone all out with a D200 or D2 body. I also probably would not be able to fully appreciate excellent lenses like the 85/1.4 and various Nikkor 2.8s if I hadn't tried and experienced the limitations of the lower-grade consumer glass.

 

[SabaDen]

I'm starting off with D80 with 18-200 VR or the kit 18-135. Sound investment for casual shooter?

 

[SnapJaX]

400D
EFS 18-55 kit lens
EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

Crumpler 7million dollar home =)

 

[GilbertGoh]

30D
16-35L
50 F1.4
100 macro
70-200 F4 IS

 

[user111]

2x 1d
17-35/2.8L
70-200/2.8L
300f4L
400/5.6L
430EX

 

[fWord]

Okay...I'll spill the beans on this. Naturally all recommendations are subject to change as technology improves and my interests become more streamlined. Nobody should consider this to be worth any more than two cents. These recommendations would follow my interest in nature, landscapes and wildlife. Sports and wedding/ portrait photographers may want to add additional fast f/2.8 lenses or other lenses that allow superb control of DOF. Do note that I am not including accessories such as polarizers and other filters in the lists.

That said, landscape photographers will probably benefit from having a circular polarizer and a two-stop ND graduate in their setup.

Poor man's setup (assuming very tight budget):

-Fuji F30

Poor man's setup (assuming a DSLR system is still within reach):

-Canon 350D
-Canon 18-55mm kit lens
-Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro

Middle-of-the-road setup:

-Canon 30D
-Canon 17-55mm f/2.8 IS
-Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS
-Canon 550ex

The whole works (but within reasonable limits):

-Canon 1Ds Mk I/ Canon 5D
-Canon 17-40mm f/4L
-Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS
-Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS
-Good macro lens of focal length 100mm or more (eg. Sigma 105mm f/2.8)
-Canon 580ex MkII

The whole works (dream setup):

-Canon 1Ds Mk II or 1D Mk III
-Canon 17-40mm f/4L
-Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS
-Canon 70-200mm f/4L IS
-Canon 500mm f/4L IS
-Canon 180mm f/3.5L Macro
-Canon 580ex Mk II
-1.4X Teleconverter

 

[user111]

my version:

poorman's setup:

20d + efs 18-55 + 70-200/2.8L + 2x + 430ex


middle of the road set up:

1d + 17-35/2.8L + 70-200/2.8L +300f4L or 400/5.6L

dream team:

1dmark3 x 4
16-35/2.8L
70-200/2.8L
200/1.8L
400/2.8L
2x tc
580EX x 4
2 monopods 2 tripods

 

[patch17]

canon F1n with a 24mm, 50mm and 135 FD lenses

but i picked up a nikon, so i'd say an F2 with a 24, 50 and 105 macro would do nicely.