“What’s in your camera bag?” is still one of the top questions photographers receive. As our photography continues to evolve, so does our gear. Camera gear is an important decision and not one we take lightly
Before I dive into my current list of cameras, lenses, support gear and camera bags (with products with links to Amazon) – 3 considerations:
- I am a believer that the best camera and lens for the task is the one in your hand. You are the one that creates and composes the images.
- Time in the field will make you a better photographer – not the equipment. Sure, there is equipment that is more optimal for various situations. You probably won’t get the desired ‘fill the frame” image of a bird when it is 25 feet away with a 50mm.
- Buy the best you can afford. I’ve bought and sold lenses (they hold their value well) when I could afford to upgrade my equipment to faster and sharper lenses.
The camera brand is important, but it’s the lens selection based on your photography goals that should heavily influence your decision.
Camera & Lens Brands
I continue to use Nikon cameras and lenses. Their glass is terrific and I find the cameras to be solid. I would add that Canon, Sony and other brands are high quality and get the job done. I have also added third party lenses as well as sold lenses that I no longer use. These include Sigma, Tamron and Lensbaby.
Camera Bodies
I carry both cropped sensor and full frame cameras**. For birds and wildlife, Nikon’s 500D is my camera body of choice as of today. The cropped sensor format, image quality and speed is ideal for photographing birds and wildlife. For landscapes, macro, portraits and street photography, I use my well-worn, time in the field tested Nikon’s 810 or my Nikon 850. The bigger sensor renders beautiful details, colors and tones.
**For information on cropped versus full framed sensors, check out my Light Stalking article: Cropped vs. Full Frame Sensor
Lenses:
Zoom lenses – general purpose and great for travel, these three are always in my bag:
14-24mm 2.8 extra wide angle
24-70mm 2.8 mid range zoom
70-200mm 2.8 telephoto
Macro Lens – for 1:1 close-ups with flowers, bees, insects, butterflies:
105mm 2.8
Telephoto lenses for birds, nature, wildlife, compressed landscapes. When I need the reach, the 500mm is my go-to telephoto. For hikes and birds that are close, the 300mm is my choice given the weight. :
Nikon 500 f/4E FL ED
Nikon 300 f/4E PF ED
Prime Lenses – primes – lightweight, fast and sharp. They don’t travel much due to the versatility with zooms. When they are used, I’m always delighted with the results.
28mm 1.8
50mm 1.8
85mm 1.8
Art Lens – Prime: a departure from my sharp, all about the details photography. Lensbaby’s tagline is “see in a new way”. For those wanting smooth, creamy blur and that unique edge, this company has a broad series of art lenses to choose from. Lensbaby Velvet 56mm
When do I use zoom lenses? Travel photography, when I’m photographing multiple subject types, when I don’t know what I’m going to shoot and want flexibility along with landscapes and wildlife.
When do I use primes?*** Walk around photography, local shoots, out on the town with friends, photographing my pets, nature walks where I have limited time, when I want to act like I have a point & shoot.
***Note: I don’t pull my primes out as much as I should. The primary reason is that I travel to a lot of my shoots and need to minimize packing and maximize versatility.
Support Gear
Filters:
Schneider Optics B+W: Circular Polarizer, Neutral Density Filters, Graduated Filters
Lee Filter System: 150 Extra Wide Filter System for the Nikon 14-24mm and the filter adapter ring for the 24-70. Circular Polarizer, Medium Grad Filter and a 6 stop neutral density
Tripod: Really Right Stuff Versa 4, 4 Leg Section Tripod
Tripod Head: Really Right Stuff BH-40-LR (available through Really Right Stuff) and and their PG-02-Pano-Gimbal-Head.
Remote Shutter Release: Promaster
Camera Bags
Tamrac Anvil. This is a big beast that holds a lot of gear and laptop. When fully loaded, you’ll get a workout as the weight adds up. I use this bag when traveling on large planes or on a road trip. This is partnered with one of the following for travel as this bag is too large for me to hike with.
Lowepro They do a great job with lean. I typically pack my 810, 14-24mm, 24-70, 70-200 and the needed filters in this streamlined bag.
Tenba Vector Daypack. This weighs two pounds, holds a 15″ laptop and it’s completely customizable inside. Great for day trips and hiking. I have two so that when I travel on small planes one goes under the seat and the Lowepro goes in the overhead.
Think Tank – for hikes, travel, a muti-short lens bag or camera with a 70-200 attached. This holster is a pretty cool hipster.
Camera gear is an investment in you. Take the time to read articles, customer reviews on the retailer’s site (the good and the bad) and look at images produced by other photographers using gear you’re considering.
