The best gear issues. I get a dozen emails a month that begin with “I do know you don’t like to speak about gear, however…” So let me cease you proper there. I really like speaking about gear.
So long as we’re speaking about gear by way of the way it permits us to make the pictures we wish to make, and doesn’t contain an excessive amount of pixel-peeping, I can discuss all of it day lengthy, or till I get distracted by one thing attention-grabbing to {photograph}. So as soon as in a really blue moon (it’s been a very long time!) I open my digicam bag and have an extended dialogue about these items. This checklist is present as of March 2025, and it’ll most likely serve to fulfill your curiosity greater than it is going to assist you to resolve what’s greatest for you.
In 2021 I spotted that the main focus of most of my work had shifted to wildlife, and the gear (Fujifilm) that I had been utilizing for a few years wasn’t up for the challenges of wildlife pictures, so I switched to Sony. Hold that in thoughts as you have a look at what I take advantage of. That is what I at the moment personal and use as a photographer who focuses on wildlife. Clicking any of the photographs or hyperlinks beneath will take you to Amazon for extra particulars. All hyperlinks are affiliate hyperlinks which suggests in the event you purchase one thing then Jeff Bezos has to personally ship me a pair bucks and I’ll put that in the direction of future shenanigans.
I urge you to concentrate to the sections beneath titled The Sincere Discuss as a result of it’s not which gear I selected that shall be most useful to you however why I selected it.
Cameras
I shoot on two Sony Alpha 1 our bodies for many of my work. They’re quick, carry out nicely in low-light, and are constructed like tanks.
For my distant work I selected a used Sony Alpha 7Riv, as a result of I acquired an excellent deal on it (used) and that’s vital while you fear it’d get knocked into the river by a bear or stepped on by a rhino. It’s slower than my Alpha 1 our bodies however nice picture high quality.
And I even have an Alpha 6600 which I additionally purchased as distant digicam. It’s not superb in low-light but it surely’s a fantastic compact physique and the value was proper.
The Sincere Discuss about Cameras
Let’s not lose sight of what issues right here. Cameras are all superb now. The pixel-peepers will at all times inform you one is best than one other and make it appear to be the distinction is HUGE. It’s normally not. Once I purchase a digicam I wish to understand how quick it’s (meaning focus in addition to frame-rate), how sturdy it’s, and sure—how massive the sensor is. Too small isn’t interesting to me (lower than 24mp) however too giant simply slows issues down. I simply don’t want greater than 50 or 60 megapixels. For me 24mp was at all times the candy spot. The Alpha1 is 51mp which permits me to crop and nonetheless have greater than sufficient decision for what I would like. The A7RiV is 61mp, which supplies me much more room to crop in if I must, but it surely’s slower than the A1.
I need first rate low-light efficiency, so meaning a full-size sensor. Once I centered on road and journey pictures this was much less vital. I don’t do video so I don’t even take into account that.
Crucial factor for me, after I’ve ticked the massive stuff off my checklist is that this: does it really feel proper in my hand? Can I get to all of the buttons? Does it make sense to me? When you’re shopping for a digicam, get it into your fingers. Look via the viewfinder, take it for a spin. How does it really feel? For some the Sony our bodies are too small for giant fingers, and that may have an effect on the way you deal with it. Most of all: know what you want and what you don’t.
A superb place to start out, as a result of that is most likely not your first digicam, is that this: why are you searching for a brand new one? What doesn’t your previous system do for you? Begin there.
Simply because I selected the three cameras above doesn’t imply they’re the perfect for you. And it doesn’t imply I wouldn’t select one thing completely different sooner or later, although the Alpha 1 is about as good as a digicam will get for my wants and I’d fortunately shoot with it perpetually. That’s how a lot I adore it.
Lenses
I’ve extra lenses than I would like at anyone time. However I’ve discovered that it’s not a lot “which lenses do I personal,” it’s why.
I purchased the 14mm lens for underwater work. I take advantage of it not often now, but it surely’s a wonderful lens and if I did astro-photography I’d most likely use it extra, however I don’t. Beautiful lens however I don’t keep in mind the final time I used it.
My 16-35/2.8 is my all-time favorite focal size. However the 24-105 is in my bag extra actually because I’ve to make selections once I journey and it’s simply extra versatile. When you may solely pack so many lenses, versatility issues and for wider stuff I’m completely happy to commerce the pace of a 16-35/2.8 for a slower however extra versatile 24-105/4.0.
I even have a 100-400 I really like, however that’s simply been changed in each day use by the 70-200/2.8 and paired with a teleconverter once I want a bit extra attain. Why? I really like (like, I actually love) the broader fixed aperture of a f/2.8 lens at this focal size, and that mixture could be extra versatile. Particularly when my different lens is extra typically a 300/2.8 (with or with out a 1.4 or 2x).
My massive lens is a 600/4.0 which was eye-wateringly costly (even used, which is how I acquired mine). It’s a actually stunning lens. However it’s additionally actually heavy. Sure, I can add a 1.4x or 2x to it and lengthen the attain, however I don’t discover myself needing 1200mm fairly often.
Once I acquired my 600/4.0 there was no 300/2.8 from Sony, however now there’s and I’d a lot moderately shoot with a 300mm with a 2x, which supplies me the identical attain (600mm) however at half the price and doubtless lower than half the load, which is an enormous deal when travelling and hand-holding the lens. My 600mm is superb, however now that I’ve the 300mm it doesn’t get fairly as a lot use, particularly if I’m travelling. This isn’t meant to be a overview, however that 300/2.8 lens is astonishing. Extremely mild, quick, and sharp. My favorite lengthy lens. Bear in mind, it’s not solely concerning the high quality of the lens however the expertise of utilizing it, and what else you’ve acquired in your bag.
The lenses above are the lenses I personal and use. All of them are distinctive, however that doesn’t essentially they’re your best option for you.
The Sincere Discuss about Lenses
I do know somebody goes to disagree with me about this, however the Sony engineers (and Nikon, and Canon, and so forth) are approach pickier than I’m about lens sharpness. I’ve by no means had a “unhealthy copy” and I’ve by no means examined the “edge-to-edge sharpness.” I’m not remotely a pixel-peeper, and I don’t learn evaluations.
I selected my lenses primarily based on focal size wants, versatility, and how briskly and vivid they’re. My recommendation on lenses is similar as on digicam our bodies. Know your wants, your tastes, and your limits. You’ll be able to’t carry all of it, and also you most likely can’t afford all of it.
If I had been beginning once more, primarily based on what I really use, I’d purchase these three lenses:
- 24-105/4.0 (the 16-35/2.8 or 24-70/2.8 would even be good selections on this vary)
- 70-200/2.8
- 300/2.8
- 1.4x and 2x teleconverters.
That offers me focal lengths between 24mm and 600mm, and my greatest shot at working in low mild and cleansing up messy backgrounds. Mixed with 2 or 3 our bodies that mixture matches in a single bag, and makes it straightforward to go from one focal size to a different with minimal lens adjustments and fewer misplaced moments.
Why not simply use a 200-600mm zoom? That’s a fantastic query and one I can solely reply with a obscure shrug of the shoulders and inform you I simply didn’t like that lens. It was tremendous versatile, sharp, and the value was wonderful. However it was sluggish and, right here’s the intangible half I can’t actually describe: I didn’t love the photographs. Was it the distinction? I don’t know, however I didn’t love working with it, or the ensuing photos. I do know some folks that adore it.
In the end, shopping for a lens is a matter of balancing your wants—worth vs. versatility, high quality, and pace—together with your preferences. Do you just like the look of the picture? Do you want working with the lens? These are usually not insignificant and your selections will differ from mine. On the plus aspect, your lenses will last more than your cameras and are a greater funding. If I had to decide on, I’d spend the cash on higher lenses.
What About Climate-Sealing?
If my lens is weather-sealed, I’m completely happy. However I’ve by no means purchased a lens (or digicam) due to it and I’ve by no means not bought a lens as a result of it didn’t. In reality, I couldn’t inform you which of my gear is or isn’t weather-sealed. Get a rain cowl and preserve taking pictures. Carry a small backpacking towel and wipe issues down. Some photographers spend extra time worrying about their gear than utilizing it for what they purchased it for within the first place. I do know it could possibly occur however by no means as soon as has my gear failed me due to climate. The gear out there lately is so good it’s arduous to go flawed.
Digicam Baggage
I take advantage of digicam baggage made by GuraGear. I’ve used them for 15 years and have 7 of their Kiboko 30L Baggage (all nonetheless in use) and a pair of of their Chobe baggage (one in every of them now retired). That’s been my go-to journey equipment for over 15 years, they usually’ve circled the globe with me. All 7 continents.
GuraGear baggage are (very) mild, comfy, and extremely thoughtfully designed. To my eye they’re as attractive as an digicam bag has the fitting to be. In 2025, after 15 years of abusing their baggage I requested them in the event that they’d let me be an envoy as a result of I really like actually nice gear (they mentioned sure). Click on the photographs beneath to test them out, and if they appear nearly as good to you as they do to me, use my final title – DUCHEMIN – at checkout and it’ll provide you with 10% off. Something by GuraGear will get my highest confidence, and the customer support is second to none.
There is no such thing as a such factor as the right bag. Solely you realize your wants. However for me, for my wildlife and journey work, these hit the spot. Verify them out by clicking the hyperlinks beneath (you’ll save 10% while you do).
Different Stuff
I take advantage of Lexar SD playing cards. Lately I’m utilizing 256mb playing cards at 1667x. They’re massive, quick for what I do (stills, not video) and after 15 years or so Lexar playing cards have by no means failed me, which is why I take advantage of them, not due to any specific model loyalty. I simply use what has at all times labored. I result in 4 TB of playing cards for a one-month task, at all times backed as much as 4TB SSD drives. I carry my playing cards in a GuraGear Tembo pockets.
I take advantage of varied tripods and monopods, most of them by Gitzo and Actually Proper Stuff, however I don’t know which fashions they’re. Some are small and a few are giant. All of them are carbon fibre and topped with varied RRS ball heads as a result of they’re constructed extremely nicely, however I don’t know which fashions. I can inform you that the Wimberley mono-gimbal head proven above is the perfect $170 I’ve spent on digicam gear. It makes taking pictures off a monopod an unbelievable expertise and I’ve referred this one piece of substances to extra photographers than every other. Hate working with a monopod? Me too! This may change that perpetually.
For my distant digicam work I take advantage of the Cam Ranger 2. Gentle, dependable, and first rate vary when used with an iPad (iPad has an extended antenna and extra vary than iPhone). You’ll be able to learn extra about my distant set-up right here.
Something Else?
Right here’s what else you may usually discover in my bag:
- Once I’m working, my digicam bag virtually at all times has a raincoat stuffed inside
- Some gloves to each preserve my fingers heat but in addition protected
- A small first assist equipment as a result of I’m that man
- A protein bar or one thing to munch
- Extra lens cloths than I would like as a result of I’m at all times shedding them (they floor months later in random pockets)
- I normally carry a really small set of instruments – multi-tool, some small screw drivers, hex keys for my tripod and my prosthetic leg
- A rocket blower if I keep in mind
- One rubbish bag/bin liner
- A really small headlamp
- Further digicam batteries
- A tick elimination software as a result of ticks freak me out like virtually nothing else
- Peak Design Leash digicam straps. I favor the so-called leash fashion as a result of it’s easy and lightweight and I virtually by no means use digicam straps. The one time I actually use them is in conditions I fear I’d drop them, like in boats. Or if I’m going to be strolling, however then I favor one thing just like the Cotton Service harness.
A Closing Reminder
Good gear issues. However how we outline “good” is vital and it’ll differ for all of us. The place instruments are involved, it’s vital to know your wants. What is nice for one photographer may not be good in any respect for you. Hell, what’s good for you for years may not be what’s good for you tomorrow in the event you change what you do. Don’t lose sight of what’s vital. The proper digicam or lens is what you might be searching for, not the “greatest” digicam or lens. Nobody will ever agree on that, and you need to be suspicious of those that use that type of language. For you the fitting gear could be the lightest, not the quickest (which is rarely mild!). It could be the only. Or the least costly. It doesn’t matter what you could have, you’ll discover artistic methods to make use of it and make pictures which can be uniquely your personal.
Right here’s one thing I’ve seen. Once I look within the baggage of my associates, most of them so-called professional photographers, it’s all the identical stuff: used and soiled and crushed up gear they’ve used to inside an inch of its life. It’s not intelligent, their baggage aren’t full of gimmicks and nonsense. A few of it’s held along with gaffer tape. It’s undoubtedly scratched up. And no two digicam baggage look the identical on the within.
No matter you do, don’t purchase your gear simply because it’s what others use. I as soon as purchased an extremely costly 85/1.2 lens. It price $2000 and weighed a kilogram. It was sluggish as molasses to focus. And I purchased it as a result of all of the studio portrait photographers mentioned it was a “cash lens” and it was “what the professionals use.” Nonsense. For my journey work I wanted one thing lighter, and quicker to focus. I bought that lens and went again to a budget 85/1.8 which served me much better. I didn’t look as cool, however my pictures had been higher. Can’t resolve? Hire it for some time.
Purchase it as a result of it’s the fitting software so that you can do what you wish to do in the best way you wish to do it. Then—that is the vital half—cease chasing the gear, and begin chasing the shot.
I’m going to go away feedback open on this publish in hopes that you simply’ll really feel welcome to ask questions, possibly even generate some dialog.
