What Photography Equipment is in my bag and Why!Here is the photography equipment I carry in my camera bags and why these items are important. Due to the number of categories, I have created this sub directory for your convenience: Much of this nature photography equipment could also be used in other areas of photography, such as portraits, family photos, location and architectural shooting etc. My 35mm Nikon CamerasNikon Digital Cameras As backup to this Nikon D3 I also carry a Nikon D2x. The big advantage of having both these digital cameras is I can have different lens mounted on each camera. This helps reduce the number of lens changes I need to make when out in the field. Reducing the number of lens changes also helps to reduce the potential for dust coming in contact with the digital sensor. For those of you who have experienced this problem, you can appreciate what this means. 35mm Lenses For My Nikon CamerasNikon 12-24mm f4 wide angle lens for general landscape photography, indoor photography, it has surprisingly good optics and is reasonably priced. This Nikon lens replaces my Sigma 17-35mm when I am using the D2x camera. Nikon 24-70mm f2.8: This new Nikon lens is considered a very good "standard lens" with excellent image quality, versatile, fast, and is reasonably priced. This lens replaces my older Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 lens. I really like the new lens hood provided as it does a much better job of shading and protecting the lens from the weather. Nikon 105mm f2.8 Macro with Vibration Reduction: Without question, one of the premier 35mm 105 Macro lenses available today. This is one of the most recent lenses made by Nikon and it replaces my older Sigma 105mm f2.8. It also comes with the new lens hood which does a great job of protecting the front of the lens from the weather. This lens is used for the majority of the closeup images you see displayed in My Gallery. Nikon lens 300mm f4: Another excellent quality Nikon lens for nature photography and I know some days I have kicked myself for not pulling it out of the camera bag quickly enough. When taking closeups, this lens allows you to "step back" yet still frame in close to the subject. Especially when it is also paired up with some extension tubes. Some people may ask why I did not buy the f2.8 version of this 300mm lens and my response is "for the type of images I am usually shooting, I really do not need the extra light the 2.8 provides". And it is also outrageously expensive for the few times that extra f stop is required. When I am shooting closeups (usually with extension tubes), the f4 provides just the right amount of minimum depth of field.
1.4x TeleconvertersThis is the latest piece of photography equipment in my camera bag as it replaces the two 2x teleconverters I used to carry. Now I only carry this one teleconverter in my camera bag and it works for both my long telephoto lenses. Although it is not as "long" as my previous Sigma and Vivitar 2x teleconverters, it does provide a much sharper image.Be careful with teleconverters, and make sure the one you want is "matched" with the lens you have. A good camera shop and sales rep will make sure of this. Sometimes with zoom lenses the elements inside the lens can come too close or even in contact with the elements inside the teleconverter, and you definitely do not want that to happen. TripodsManfrotto 055B Pro: with the Manfrotto 488RC4 Ball HeadThis combination is excellent, very strong and well built. There are only 2 knobs to deal with, making it easy and quick to adjust. It also has the Level to make sure you are properly horizontal. By making use of this Level, it is one less thing to have to "fix" later in Photoshop. Tripods are mandatory to reduce/eliminate camera shake. In fact, my cameras are always mounted on the tripod. This way I am sure to bring the tripod with me, where ever I go. It is a mental thing more than any other. It is too easy for your mind to say "ah I can't be bothered carrying the tripod today". Camera Manufacturer's Cable ReleaseMost of the time this cable is connected to my camera when it is on the tripod. So there is no excuse for not using it as it also helps to reduce camera shake. Even though your camera is on a tripod there is still a chance of "camera shake" when you manually press the shutter directly on the camera.The cable release and tripod become very important pieces of photography equipment when you follow the rule of "always shooting with the lowest ASA or ISO possible" and you are in low light conditions such as very early mornings or late evenings. Kenko Automatic Extension Tube Set (36mm, 20mm & 12mm)Excellent photography equipment to have for macro photography, enabling you to get in much closer your subjects. As there is no internal glass elements, they help to provide excellent image detail and quality. They can be used individually and in various combination's depending on how "up close and personal" you need to get with your image. These tubes can be used with all the lenses I carry. They are especially useful when using a 300mm lens and you want to get in close to a subject and yet stay far enough away from the neighboring branches or vines that may move and cause your subject to vibrate.Be forewarned, it takes some experimenting to get comfortable with using these pieces of photography equipment. If you are using a long telephoto lens such as a 300mm, remember to attach the lens to the tripod and not the camera body to the tripod. This makes for better balance and weight distribution. FiltersB&W Polarizing Filter with 62, 77 & 82mm Threads: Attaches to the front of the different lenses I carry. Its main function is to reduce the glare on surfaces, enhance the blue sky and the white of the clouds. If there is one filter to have as part of your photography equipment, this is the one.B&W Red Filter: mainly used for Black & White photography to enhance the sky and clouds for landscape images. When you are planning your lens needs, do your best to buy the lenses with the same filter size. This enables you to reduce your overall costs and the number of different sized filters you need to purchase. Want to learn more about filters?There is a great company named Cokin that has a huge line of filters for a number of different cameras and lenses. Their website is very informative and they have excellent brochures that you can download to your PC to use as a reference guide. In particular, their 100 page catalogue (B026) which shows examples of before and after images for virtually every filter that is available. The Cokin Creative Filter System (Opens New Window)Other Useful Photography EquipmentLens HoodsThese hoods often come in the box when you purchase the lens but most people it seems, simply discard them. I attach them in reverse on the front of my lens, so they are simply "always there" when I need them.To use them correctly, simply turn them around and attach correctly to the front of the lens. They do a wonderful job of reducing glare and lens flare. And on bad weather days they protect the front lens elements from the wind, dust, rain and snow. Very Large Plastic BagYes, I consider this to be photography equipment! With a medium sized opening at the bottom of the bag. This is very useful in protecting both a telephoto lens and the camera body in bad weather and still enables you to operate your camera. It is also one of the least expensive ways to protect your photography equipment.This bag is a "must" when you need to change a lens on your digital camera because it blocks out the wind and dust from getting on the digital sensor. Large Piece of Crumpled TinfoilAnother interesting piece of photography equipment. Something most people never think of using but makes for a great reflector. Cut a piece of tinfoil 20" by 24", crumple it. Then fold it up, to store in your camera bag and use when you need additional side lighting for the somewhat dark side of an object you are attempting to photograph.Spare BatteriesFor the Nikon D2x camera body, keep a fully charged spare battery supplied by the camera manufacturer. Why? They usually work better than some of the 3rd party batteries, more reliable, in the long term. Lithium BatteriesAlthough they are more expensive they are my 1st choice even over rechargeable batteries because they not only last longer, they function better in weather extremes, and have more "energy".Rechargeable BatteriesThese I would classify as simply "ok", their only advantage is that you can recharge them. They do not hold their charge very long particular in weather extremes. So you need to either carry multiple sets or have the charger handy.Which probably means you need a 12Volt battery converter that connects to your cigarette lighter so that you can recharge the batteries in an emergency situation. This converter also serves other purposes such as allowing you to connect your laptop so that its own battery can keep its charge longer. Flash Photography EquipmentMetz 45 CL-4 Professional External Flash: I would say this is one of the best external flash units on the market, with great flash power, good options, functions very well and is durable. There are a number of interesting attachments you can use with this flash. More on these in my Tips and Techniques section of this website.Sensor Cleaning KitThis is a "must" if you have a digital SLR camera where you are changing lenses outdoors in all types of weather conditions. You would be surprised at how often dust particles attach themselves to your camera's sensor. Do not leave home without this kit. For more details on the best unit to buy visit DSLR Sensor (Opens New Window)External Hard drive - Viewer - Image BackupI use the Epson P-2000 it is a 20gig hard drive that comes with a carrying case, to clip onto my belt and when my memory card is filled, I can transfer the images to this unit while I insert another memory card and keep shooting.On the road, this unit is worth its weight in gold because it allows you to backup your images and allows you to clear your memory cards so you can keep shooting. It also has a much larger LCD screen than the one on the back of your camera so you can better view and delete images you do not really want to keep. Sundry AccessoriesBy this heading I mean paper towels to dry off and wipe the photography equipment should it become wet. And a trusty roll of painter's tape, the kind you use to protect the edge of window panes when you are painting the wood frame. The tape is used to hold the plastic bag to the front of the lens and it does not leave any glue residue on the lens barrel.Medium Format Photography EquipmentI also carry Medium Format photography equipment in a rather large separate camera bag. Even though it is "film", I use this equipment because the quality and size of the negative and slides are simply brilliant. The only problem with this equipment is its size and weight. It is not something you simply sling over your shoulder. I will not go into nearly as much detail in this section because my reasons and uses of the equipment is very similar to those already described in the 35mm section. The CameraThe body is a Mamiya RZ67 Pro II with 3 different film holders for the 120 film type. There is an individual back for each of these formats 6x4.5, 6x6, 6x7.With this camera, I use these lenses: For more closeup work I also have the 1.4x teleconverter and a pair of extension tubes (45mm and 82mm). For a flash unit with this camera I use my Metz 45 CL-1, which also serves as backup for my Metz 45 Cl-4 described earlier in this page. Which Is The Best Photography Equipment For You?Ok, so you have looked at all the photography equipment I am carrying and you are wondering what equipment is really the best for yourself. Perhaps you are looking at a couple of possible cameras but can't decide.Having been in that situation in the past and is often a question that comes up during one of my photography classes each year. I have prepared a list of criteria and questions you should ask yourself that should help you make that decision. Read more... Looking for Photography Equipment on eBay?Over the years a good portion of the equipment I have purchsed has come from finding the right equipment on ebay. To look for Nikon digital cameras, Nikon lenses, Sigma lenses etc., click on this link...Your Next StepTo return to the top of this page Click Here.Leave our Photography Equipment page and return to Nature Photography Home page
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