As a photog, this consideration is very familiar. Nikon lenses v. Canon Lenses. I have used both - a lot! I think they are both pretty [censored] good. Canon just has a wider range of lens prices. If you buy a Canon lens in the same level as a Nikon lens, you'll be hard pressed to see any differences.

For you camera lovers, here's what I bring into the field with me;

Nikon D3S - It is not the top pro camera from Nikon, but has the fastest frame rate which is important for a combat correspondent. Things happen fast some times.

Nikon D90 - This is a back up camera and used to shoot video for our website from time to time.

Nikkor 18-105 mm DX 3.5-5.6 lens - This came with the D90 and works well for what it is. Any time your zoom is that variable you will lose image quality. Small blurry areas and such show up from time to time.

Nikkor 300mm 2.8 - this thing is quite heavy and doesn't always make it into my day pack.

Nikkor 70-200mm 2.8 - this always comes with me.

NIKKOR 24mm 1.4 - this also always comes with me.

SB900 flash - This doesn't always come with since it isn't wise to tell the enemy where you are at night, plus it would ruin my night vision as well as the other troops around me.

Roland R-05 digital audio recorder - If you need a great, decently priced recorder, I highly recommend this one.

Rode NTG Shutgun Mic - Another highly recommended audio device.

Skunk Hunter, it is much more efficient that way, but there are people working around the clock laying out the different editions. I went in that office once, and don't ever want to go back. Way to busy for my taste.

Yeah, the 300mm lens was almost twice the price but it feels it as well.

I had been shopping for Sigma lenses for the Canon when it died as they seem to have some nice lenses without the price premium the Canon or Nikon name brings with it.

Gosh JJ, that's a load all by its self!

Add an M-4 Carbine, a M9 Pistol, rations, lots of water, MTV body armor, kevlar helmet, lots of smaller pieces of gear and you get a very tired Jarhead at the end of a long patrol.

JJ when I was in college I worked for a small (as in small!) hometown paper. We usually put out 6-8 pages per edition (once a week) and did all the setup on a Tuesday night for Wednesday printing and mailing. Even that small paper was nutso at times (we did our own halftone and B&W pictures) so I know what you are talking about.

Maybe they should start calling you guys Muleheads for all the gear you carry!

My Hinderer arrived today. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Nice blade.

And Tikka has decided she needs attention.

Anyone else have a 60 pound "lap dog" <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I usually take the humvee express, so I don't feel like a mule too often. One of the grunts was giving me a hard time on the last dismounted patrol I was on. He kept calling me a POG and said I should carry some real gear. So, I tried him my pack and M4 for his pack and SAW. He changed his tune after about a mile or so. That and other occurrences that day earned me the title of Super POG from 3/3 out of Hawaii.

Cold One, I used to have a mastiff I let lay on my stomach as a pup. Big mistake. Waking up to 100+ pounds jumping on you sucks.

Chris I have only been hearing good things about the Hinderer.

JJ, Hehe, what you expect from a GRUNT! Can't talk in full sentences!