My trusty old Nikon F601 began to give out on me recently, and I decided that if I was going to take photography seriously I would go for a serious replacement.  The F100 has the build and features I was looking for (even though some pros rate it as an amateur camera - well, I'm an amateur photographer so..).  I've not looked back since taking the plunge, and every time it comes out of the bag I still feel a glow of pleasure and excitement!  (In fact, I recently 'risked' buying a second-hand one on eBay so that I can have a choice of films and/or reduce lens changing in the field.  It also acts as a backup should one body need servicing or repair - [see next para!]).  With an MC-33 lead connecting the cameras to my PC I can download all the shooting data into my "Camera Companion" software, which forms the basis of my record/keeping/filing system (a really good and inexpensive program - find out all about it here).

Update - After much debate and concern about the wide angle issue with Digital SLRs, I have succumbed, sold the second F100 and bought a D70!  (After all, I am scanning my images into the digital domain anyway)  It is a marvelous camera and, in spite of its "consumer" presentation, arguable better than the more expensive D100.  There were other issues, like the fact that my SB80DX, though "digital", was not compatible and has had to be exchanged for an SB-600.  The wide angle problem has been solved by a lucky eBay find of a 14mm F2.8 which gives me reasonable width on the D70 and "staggering" width on the F100 with sharp, contrasty images and little distortion - unbelievable!  A big drawback is the size of the image in the viewfinder, which is smaller than the F100 by the same proportion as the sensor is smaller than a 35mm negative!  It is hard to be sure that what you want to be in focus actually is, and you tend to rely on autofocus accuracy.  I have had to send mine back because with the shallow depth of field of the 85 F1.4 it is noticeable that there is a calibration problem with my particular camera, which I hope Nikon are fixing right now!  (It was locking onto a point a few crucial cms short of the subject - watch this spot to find out whether they fix it!  With slower lenses the greater depth of field masks any innaccuracy here but a sharp lens like the 85mm is unforgiving in this respect!)  You get used to it after a while but when you put a film camera back to your eye you remember what you've been missing!  On the plus side you can shoot away to your heart's content (storage media obliging) and delete what you want to reject immediately.  This freedom to shoot has its own drawback in that you can accumulate much more material and need to be methodical in how you store/organise it!

But, it is through the lens that the light passes, and choosing from the huge selection on offer can be difficult! I have tried several over the years and made some mistakes.  Nikon make some lenses for the consumer end of the market and others for the more serious amateurs and pros.  The difference in quality is reflected in the price and even though it hurts to fork out a lot of money for a good lens the only regrets I have had have been where I was tempted by the lower cost of the consumer models!  My personal feeling is that zoom lenses, while very convenient, have too many drawbacks - usually in terms of speed, distortion and definition when enlargements are made.  The ones that are best tend also to be bulky and expensive.  Having said that one of my three favourite lenses is  my wide-angle zoom, which is a Nikkor 20-35mm F2.8D.  It is heavy, but is also solidly built and as fast as the 24mm F2.8 prime lens that it replaced.  When I'm in a "wide-angle mood" it covers the range of four traditional primes and gives beautifully sharp results.

There are hundreds of reviews on the internet for all the Nikkor lenses, both past and present, and most get a mixture of good and bad write-ups.  There are some exceptions which always seem to receive nothing but praise and my next two lenses both fall into this category.  For portraits and general shots I have always liked the 85mm focal length.  The Nikkor 85mm F1.4D is one of the great classic lenses of all time - perfectly sharp, beautiful soft out-of-focus backgrounds (or "bokeh", as it is known in the trade!) which make the subject leap out of the picture.  It is built like a tank and balances perfectly on the F100.  Being a fast lens, the brightness of the image in the viewfinder makes it a joy to work with and its speed can make all the difference when available light is scarce and I don't want to use a flash. 

For nature and candid shots I use another of Nikon's all-time classics, the Nikkor 180mm F2.8D (though one that doesn't get a lot of press as it seems to be a focal length that gets overlooked or covered by bulkier and more expensive zooms like the 80-200, F2.8).  The autofocus is quick, though not super fast, and very accurate.  Images are sharp as a pin from corner to corner, excellent contrast and superb colour rendition.  It is compact and unobtrusive, not too heavy, easy to hand hold, beautiful "bokeh" and is another lens I will never regret buying.

At the other end of the spectrum, a new acquisition is a Nikkor 60mm F2.8D micro, which has opened up a whole new world of images for me.  Razor sharp close-ups with legendary colour and contrast.  On those days where there doesn't seem to be an eye-catching subject in sight, this lens creates new opportunities and makes you observe your surroundings in a different way.

On my wish list would be a longer lens for nature work, but the reality is that since you can buy a new car for less than a serious Nikkor telephoto it will probably never happen!  I console myself with the thought that I don't have to lug one around along with the inevitable heavy-weight tripod!  [The added effective focal length of my 180 on the D70 makes up for this a bit!] Speaking of tripods, I use a Gitzo carbon fibre "weekend" model which weighs less than a kilo with its Gitzo ball head and I hardly notice I am carrying it when I'm in the field.  It can never be as stable as some of the heavier models, but for its size, and the lenses I use, it is more than adequate and, more importantly, I don't baulk at the idea of taking it with me, as I did with my other heavier Velbron.  A Q-Top quick release mechanism is a really neat device which makes mounting and dismounting the camera both quick and safe!

My bag is as heavy now as I would ever like it to be, but there is nothing I would jettison if I was going out anywhere on spec.  It's a Lowepro shoulder bag which does get my shoulders aching after an hour or two, but it is handy to be able to swing it round to quickly change camera or lens.  A ruck-sack type of bag would be better for lengthier trips, but you have to take it right of to access the contents and I prefer to stay as I am for now.

So, kit aside, the other vital element is the film that goes through the camera.  Having used Kodak colour print film for years I've moved back to slides again.  Fuji Velvia is in a class of its own for colour and fine grain where speed isn't an issue.  Otherwise I use Sensia (which I believe is basically the same as Provia except that its keeping qualities after exposure slightly less consistent than the professional version - economy wins here!).  I have a Nikon Coolscan LS 40 which scans at a high enough resolution to give me great A3+ size prints on my Epson printer.