Photoshop/camera gear/lighting?

I currently use my roommates camera, an older Canon Rebel (not sure which version). I'll be getting my T3i sometime this week though.
Usually a 50mm or 18-55mm lens (I prefer the 50mm)
Natural light, or just some really bright lamps in my room
Photoshop CS4 on an iMac

I guess my setup is kind of ghetto, haha, but i've never had any problems getting the results I want

 

I have an ancient Nikon D100 as my normal dolly-photo camera. I have a selection of random lenses, but my Nikon 50mm f/1.8 AF is my favourite until I can afford a macro lens! Light is normally natural, or if I must use the pop-up flash, it's with a piece of paper to diffuse it - I'd like a flash gun at some point! I use the D100's manual mode to have the most control over my shots. A tripod is normally part of my kit if the lighting's not so good (I just don't have a steady enough hand for the longer shutter speeds), and I use Photoshop CS5 Extended on WinXP for any postwork.

*drools over people's Macs*

 

Wow.. you guys have it down! ^^ I have just have this Mac(desktop & pro), photoshop CS5 (idk if it's extend or not) and an old camera(not professional one). But I do plan on getting a Canon or Nikon something this year. I'm not sure which is better... I currently have my eye set on the Canon Eos Rebel t3i.

 

I'm using a Nikon D40x and the 18mm - 55mm zoom lens. I have a bunch of older non digital Nikon lenses that also work on the new body (but only on manual, not auto, and the focal lengths are all changed on the new body) I've got a great macro lens when I need one I have a studio flash system, Speedotron Blackline 2403 power pack and three heads, but honestly it's overkill for dolls. Too powerful and too big! I have this from my previous life as a studio photographer. I have learned to adapt it for doll photography, but I'd love to find a mini set up and really play with the lighting. The other thing I use is available natural light. Nothing beats that! I also use Photoshop CS5 for post production, but I don't do a lot of digital monkeying with the images. That's about it I guess.

 

Canon Rebel XTi
50mm 1.8 lens
Close-up Filters
Canon 430EX II with a sto-fen
30in pop-up light tent
Radio Slaves
Mac Mini
Adobe CS5 Master Suite

 

I have to agree on the Canon EOS/Rebels being very good starter DSLRs. I got the 350D as my first DSLR about three years ago and I have used it a lot, and I mean A LOT. But I have only just started to think about possibly upgrading to an EOS with a larger screen and better-placed auto focus points. But there is no hurry. It still does the job perfectly well. I use mine on aperature priority almost exclusively, and manual focus if there isn't much light.

Lenses

- Canon 50mm f/1.8. A wonderful, wonderful multi-purpose dolly lens for a starter price. Because of the huge maximum aperture, you can get some really nice bokeh going. And you can get in reasonably close as well (minimum focal distance of only 45cm). Highly recommended if you don't mind shuffling backwards and forwards to frame your shot (it is fixed focus). I use this lens so much that I find myself doing the shuffle thing even when I have a zoom lens on the camera. Silly me.
- Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC. I needed a wide angled lens so that I could take full body pictures in my miniscule sitting room. All the reviews indicated that this would be the best for the sort of price I could pay. I got it second hand off eBay and it is worth every penny.
- Sigma 55-200mm f/4-5.6 DC. If I were to lose a lens for dolly photography, it would be a telephoto zoom such as this one. It doesn't seem to add anything. It also has an irritatingly narrow maximum aperture. Going wider, however, increased the price exponentially.
- Kenko extension tubes. These are plastic tubes that you fit between your normal lens and the camera body to reduce its minimum focal length. This enables you to get right up close to things and still focus. They are a much cheaper alternative to a half-decent macro lens, with the added advantage that you aren't messing up the quality of your photos with cheap glass (these don't have any). I would recommend Kenko as they have very good connectivity with the camera, meaning that you can use your meter and autofocus with them. There are cheaper alternatives but they either have no electronic connections with the camera, or can be temperamental, meaning you keep getting an irritating error message come up.

Lights

I use artificial light as I take all my pictures at night. I use continuous light rather than flash as I find it easier to control. I use two 425W equivalent daylight bulbs in tripod stands and use various stuff with them, such as softboxes, brolly diffusers and strange, DIY snoots made from cardboard and gaffer tape. I also a grip reflector or bits of white or silver card. I sometimes use a daylight-toned household flashlight as a hair/accent light.

Other bits

- Tripod. Slik U 8000. One of my most essential bits of kit. It's not perfect. A bit wobbly. But then it wasn't expensive.
- Flash. Canon Speedlight. I seldom use this for dolly photography as I have my continuous lights. I might get around to experimenting with it one day.
- Remote shutter release cable. Another absolutely essential piece of kit for me. It means that you can release the shutter without touching the camera. Perfect if your tripod isn't too steady on its little legs. And it only cost £1.99 from eBay.
- Photoshop CS2. Well it was cheap...

Wish list

An affordable way to fit barn doors and snoots to my mahoosive lamps. I can't find any that aren't horrendously expensive. Or they are for flash. Any ideas, anyone?
A soft case for my camera. It doesn't appreciate being wrapped in t-shirts for meets.

Things I bought and never used

A little spirit level for the top of the camera, because of my wayward tripod. It seemed like a good idea at the time.
Dome diffuser for the Speedlight. Awful. Makes little or no difference.

 

8D *lazy bumb photographer*

Editing:
Photoshop CS5 (+camera raw editor)
occasionally Piknik

Camera:
Nikon D40

Lenses (all nikkor AF-S):
18-55mm
55-200mm
50mm f/1.8 prime

Accessories
SB-400 Speedlight (honestly rarely use this for anything but sales photos)

Lighting:
natural sunlight. No bedsheets, no reflectors. I just go outside or sit in my living room that has a giant window.
I occasionally use this random desk lamp with a dayglow bulb, but I hate artificial light ^^;