My Gear #5 - Chris Trevino

 My name is Chris Trevino and I live just south of Detroit, Michigan in a little city called Ecorse. I’d like to tell you about myself, my photography, and the equipment I use to express myself. Though this will be mostly about the gear. Unfortunately my chosen brand has always sucked at Advertising and Promotion. So while they make wonderful cameras they are not as well know as Canon or Nikon. I shoot Pentax! I am more than happy to share my love for Pentax Cameras with others as well.

I picked up photography a few years ago as a way to pass the time. I was playing a Photo Hunt game on deviantART while studying for my GED. I started with an old crappy Ricoh RDC-5000 Point & Shoot. It didn’t take me very long to realize how much I enjoyed photography. About 6 months after I started taking pictures I bought a Bridge Camera, the Canon PowerShot S3 IS. I used this camera to learn and explore, it had Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority and Manual modes so it was a great tool. After about a year learning I decided it was time to buy my first DSLR, so I did just that. I bought a Pentax K-x Bundle that included an 18-55mm and 55-300mm Lens. I started out immediately heading to Aperture Priority and Manual mode as I had already learned a little bit with that old Canon Bridge Camera. From there I eventually went full manual. I already had an old Film Pentax laying around around with a Manual 50mm f/1.7 Lens attached. So, I threw it on the Digital and began shooting manual and taking more control over Depth of Field as well. I was having so much fun learning. I did a few photo shoots for people, took long walks with my camera to take pictures. It was amazing. A year and a half after that I finally upgraded to the Pentax K-5 that I use now. I bought a used Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 at the same time and I love the combination of the two. I also found an old Pentax M 50mm f/1.4 at a yard sale for $10. What a steal that was! By this time I had also started learning Flash Photography as well. In the picture you can see my 2 Yongnuo YN560s. I love them and the full manual control. I never used TTL anyway so it doesn’t bother me that it’s not included with the YN560. There’s also some Macro and other accessories shown in the image including my Canon 200eg Backpack. Everything shown here fits in that bag with the exception of the small tripod, extension tubes, and focusing rail. I only bring those along when I specifically plan to shoot Macro.

I love photography, I love my Pentax and I love the world that picking them up has opened up for me. I shoot Pentax because the quality is there. Because I cause use All of their lenses without an adapter. High ISO/Noise is under control really well so I’m not afraid to shoot at ISO6400. The image quality is great as well as the build quality. Sure, they don’t have a Full-Frame YET but I know they will eventually. All of my lenses will still be usable on that Full-Frame when I get it as well. I am a Pentaxian!

Here’s the List of what’s in My Bag:

Pentax K-5 DSLR w/ Tamron 28-75 f/2.8

Pentax Super Program 35mm w/ 50mm f/1.7

Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 (The old one)

Pentax M 50mm f/1.4

2 Yongnuo YN560 Speedlights

4 CowboyStudio NPT-04 Wireless Receivers w/ Trigger

2 Sets of Rechargeable AA Batteries for the Flashes

Battery Charger

Spare Battery for the K-5

Tiffen 3 Stop ND Filter for the 28-75mm

Hoya 52mm Circular Polarizer

Creative Bokeh Filters w/ Cokin Holder

Pentax F Wireless Remote Control

Small Tripod

Extension Tubes

LED Ringlight

Focusing Rail

1/8” Speedlight Grid

49mm Reversing Ring

49-52mm Step Up Ring

52-49mm Step Down Ring

Extra Film

Lens Pen

Microfiber Cloth

First Aid Kit

There’s other things in the bag but, they wouldn’t fit in the shot. Rain Poncho’s Garbage Bags, Reflective Vest for Night Shooting, Paper Towels, Rain Sleeves for the Camera, Insect Repellant Wipes, Paper, Pens and other typical things. The thing ways about 30 pounds fully loaded. It’s quite the work out taking it with me everywhere.  I think that covers my normal kit. Most of the time I can get away with just the Pentax K-5, the YN560s and the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 but I still carry the rest just in case I want to use them.

You can check out some of my work on my Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/christrevinophotography

Thanks for sharing the way you do Matt. I have learned so much from you and the other photographers who are kind enough to share their knowledge on YouTube and other Social Media/Networking Sites.

Thank YOU for getting involved Chris - that is a great contribution to Viewer Gear - nice and clear explaination of why and how you use your Gear.

To get involved, follow the instructions here.