Gear

 

Updated August 10, 2019

Invariably every photographer that has some level of success gets the question from others… What kind of camera do you use?  The implication is that the camera must be the key to great photography.  The truth is it’s a tool.  Yes, better tools give you more creative options.  However, if you don’t understand the concepts and how to apply them then a $7000 top of the line camera body isn’t going to make you a better photographer.  Jimmy Page could make great music on a $300 guitar.  Giving me a custom Les Paul to bang out power chords seems kind of dumb.  Got it?

Before we get to the hardware, two more bits of advice.  Your style of photography should determine your equipment.  If you like to shoot sports, then your gear will be dramatically different than if you are shooting portraits or weddings or landscapes.  In general, money spent on good lenses will pay off ten fold over money spent on camera bodies.

For many years I shot with Nikon gear. It’s what my dad used, and what I grew up with. However when Sony introduced their mirrorless Alpha series, I was intrigued.  Smaller and lighter were very appealing.  When the Sony A7Rii was released with image quality better than my Nikon D810, I made the switch.

Whatever you own is fine and most DSLRs and mirrorless systems today allow you great flexibility and creativity.  Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fuji and others all make great gear.

More to come on the blog about why I use what I do (not that you should). For now, here’s the inventory.

Cameras:

• Sony A7Rii – it’s my primary camera for travel, landscape, and outdoor work.  When it was released in August 2015, it was the most advanced camera in the world.  42 Megapixels, 4K video, 5-axis in camera stabilization, 339 auto-focus points, and much more.  Obviously a lot changes with technology in 4 years.  Sony released the A7Riii two years ago, but honestly I didn’t think enough changed to warrant upgrading.  However, the Sony A7RIV was just announced and I can’t wait to get one in September.  Huge upgrades over both previous models.
• Currently I’m shooting with a single camera body and there are a couple reasons:
  • Focused on lenses – when I switched from Nikon, I wanted to prioritize getting the lenses I wanted over an additional body.
  • Weight – extra bodies are extra weight. Reducing weight was a reason for moving to Sony mirrorless.
  • Obsessive/Compulsive – I always want to be shooting my best camera.  Short of having two A7Rii’s ($$$), shooting the second body would always seem like a compromise.  If I’m shooting a paid job and need backup against failure, it’s easy to rent.

 

Lenses:

• Sony GM 16-35mm f/2.8 – An exceptional wide angle zoom.  If this went from 16-50mm, I could probably shoot 90% of my landscapes with one lens.
• Sony GM 24-70mm f/2.8 –  This is often my “go to” lens even though honestly I don’t think it is quite as sharp as the 16-35 and it is heavier.  However, it is way more versatile.  If I need to travel and can only take one lens, this is the one.
• Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8.  I’ve started doing some portrait photography and wanted a fast prime lens.  It’s also great for street photography.  I really do like the Sony GM 85mm f/1.4 but this Zeiss model came out first and I had already purchased it.  Will likely swap at some point, but the Zeiss is a very good lens.
• Sigma Art 135mm f/1.8.  After I started doing portraits and glamour photography I wanted a longer prime.  I remember having a Minolta 135mm in college and loved it.  But no one made such a thing for Sony e-mount.  I had heard excellent things about the Sigma art series and when they came out with 135mm for Sony, I jumped on it.  Or course much like the 85mm, Sony came out with their own version a few months later.
• Sony GM 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6.  This is a recent add to my kit.  I really wanted a longer lens for wildlife, landscape compression shots, full moons, and similar situations.  This is not going to be a regular part of my travel gear due to size and weight, but will be nice to have on road trips around Florida where I can justify an extra lens or where the situation specifically calls for it.

 

Tripod: Gitzo GT-2542T. Super light carbon fiber, sturdy and collapses down to under 17-inches so it fits in my carry-on.

Monopod: Gitzo GM5561T. Carbon fiber and also collapses very small.  I prefer the monopod over the tripod when shooting the 100-400mm or a larger rented lens.

Ballhead: Really Right Stuff BH-55 Pro II. Without question, it’s the best ball head ever – if it weren’t the size of a small farm animal.  I also own a RRS BH-30 Pro.  It’s a perfect match for the Sony A7Rii but has one very annoying limitation related to uneven surfaces.  If I must travel super light, it makes the trip, but otherwise the BH-55 is far superior.

Filters:  Started using Singh Ray filters a couple years ago.  The warming circular polarizer is amazing and almost never leaves my camera during the day. The graduated neutral density filters help reduce overexposed skies and even out photos in camera.  The MorSlow 10 and 15-stop Neutral Density filters are also excellent filters to have in your bag of tricks. They are great for smoothing out water and giving the appearance of motion to clouds.

Straps: I’ve tried several models, but Black Rapids work best for me.  I also absolutely love my OP/Tech tripod strap.  It allows me to hike with the tripod and ball head over my shoulder or back and greatly reduces fatigue.

Memory Cards: I prefer San Disk.  Don’t skimp on memory cards.  Get good quality, fast write cards.

Bags: I think every photographer is on a quest for the perfect bag and I’m no exception. I own about four.

• Primary travel bag – Think Tank StreetWalker Rolling Hard Drive.  I like that it is long, yet narrow and has small wheels at the base.  This makes is suitable for the overhead on regional jets.  It still fits my Sony, 4-5 lenses, accessories, and MacBook Pro.
• Lightweight – For quick trips or where I need to go light, I use the Think Think Urban Approach 15.  Sometimes I will also take my Briggs & Riley backpack.  Easy to stick in the camera and one lens.  Good in urban areas because it doesn’t scream camera bag.
• Extra Protection Hard Case – I never ever check my camera bag when flying, but if I think there is a risk of that happening (international flights, airlines where I don’t have status), then I take a Pelican rolling hard case.  It does fit in the overhead on most jets – except regionals.

Lighting – If I think there might be a street photography opportunity, I’ll pack my Rotolight Neo2 LED.  It is relatively small, but provides great adjustable light and color temperature.  I own many other speedlights, LED’s, strobes and modifiers but they are used for portraits and headshots rather than travel/landscape.