I’ve created this extensive photography gear list to give an insight as too what I use and why. This can be helpful if you’re stuck between 1 lens vs another or maybe you want to know how I pulled off that long exposure shot at the beach.

I’ve broken things up as best as I could and tried to provide quick useful snippets of information. Keep an eye out for blog posts going further into details.

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Cameras

Nikon D750 (x2): This is my primary do all of the above camera. Pretty lightweight for a full framed DSLR, has incredible dynamic range and is amazing in low light. Combined with my f/1.8 prime lens, this camera is a beast.

FujiFilm X100F: This is my travel, family and for-fun camera. It fits in my pocket, is super fun to shoot and produces some amazing quality images.

The images have that speculator FujiFilm color that I am obsessed with. Combine that with it’s film simulations and overall low-key retro vibe, this camera stays glued to my hand.

Check out another one of my posts on the X100F: 5 Reasons I Love My FujiFilm X100F

Google Pixel: Phone and backup camera that I often use for short videos supporting my photo ventures, such as Instagram Stories. It’s got a 12.3mb primary lens that does pretty well in most situations.

It’s ‘Blur’ feature similar to Apple’s Portrait mode mimics what a low aperture lens creates, so it comes in handy for capturing family and friends.

 

Lens 

Nikon 24mm f/1.8: This is my go-to landscape lens that has also come in handy for certain action-sports shots in which I can get pretty close to the subject but still includes the backgrounds. I generally pair this with my Nikon 50mm f/1.8 when I only use 2 lens so I can get a normal shot if need be.

Nikon 35mm f/1.8: This is my primary lens for event coverage, paired with my 85mm f/1.8 for reach. This lens is pretty capable of getting all the shots I need.

Giving me enough coverage for wide group shots as well as the ability to crop & zoom if I wasn’t able to switch to my 85mm. If I could only bring 1 lens to a gig, this would be my g0-to.

Nikon 50mm f/1.8: This lens is wonderful, but generally doesn’t have a specific role within my lens besides supporting my 24mm when on hiking trips or capturing a Richmond sunrise/sunset. It’s super small, can fit in a pocket and just a little over $200. So I picked it up to use as needed.

Nikon 85mm f/1.8: Before I picked up my 80-200mm, this was my go-to lens anytime I needed reach. It’s great for when I do portraits or flag football games where I’m close to the action. It’s also fun to occasionally use for street photography, forces you to look at things differently to pull off the shot.

Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8: This is my zoom. It’s a beast of a lens, weighing a ton and pretty capable in low-light situations. I bought this used and pretty cheap because the manual/auto focus ring doesn’t work and won’t stay locked in.

Knowing I don’t manually focus a lot during my sports coverage at these focal points, I decided to go for it. I use gaffer tape to keep the focus ring locked in auto and haven’t looked back. When using this lens for sports coverage I generally hook it up to my Peak Design Slide strap for support and so I can easily shoulder it when I change to my 2nd camera body for a close-up.

Straps

Peak Design Slide: Easily one of my favorite straps when shooting with one camera for extended amounts of time. I am not a fan of carrying my camera in front of me around my neck. I like it slung off to the side or tucked away on my backside. 

This strap can be adjusted quickly, is well built and looks great. 

Peak Design Clutch: Very useful when shooting with one camera for shorter periods of time and when you need a super quick response time. 

The strap keeps the camera constantly in your hand so you can easily bring the camera up to your eye without grabbing around for the camera or digging through a bag.

Primarily designed for DSLRs or larger mirrorless cameras.

Peak Design Cuff: Simple cuff strap generally used for smaller cameras. I use this with my FujiFilm X100F which does not have much of a grip, so the strap gives me peace of mind.

When detached from the camera, the cuff can actually become a wristband for easy access so you don’t have to take the strap off constantly.

BlackRapid Breathe Double Camera Harness–  Used when carrying and needing quick access to two cameras.

This is super helpful if you’re a prime shooter, one camera body can have a 35mm for all-purpose shooting and the other with an 85mm when you need a little bit of reach.

Also helpful with zooms of course, like a 24-70mm on one body then 70-200mm on another.

This strap system has a high quality build but may take some getting used to. Since the cameras dangle down from your side, make sure you’re holding them while on the move or around breakable items.

Tripods

Manfrotto- Entry level tripod that’s done me well over the last couple years but it conflicts with my Peak Design setup, is heavy and is not very compact so I’m do for an upgrade.

My current Peak Design anchor mount screws in where the tripod would and since I don’t have a higher end tripod I can’t slide the anchor mount into the tripod plate/head.

Joby Gorillapod 5k Kit– I picked this up for video because of its load flexibility. It can hold my Google Pixel, FujiFilm X100F as well as my Nikon D750. This gives me options and the ability to switch cameras quickly.

It also comes in handy as a smaller/travel friendly tripod when compared to my entry level tripod, but I’m limited on height.

This tripod does have an Arca-Swiss quick release plate so I can keep my Peak Design anchor points attached.

Manfrotto MTPIXI-B PIXI Mini Tripod: I use this in tandem with my OCTO MOUNTS F-MOUNT (see below) when recording video on my phone.

It’s essentially a table-top or mini tripod. But can also act as a handle or extender for the OCTO MOUNTS F-MOUNT.

Octo Mounts F-Mount– This is phone holder with a cold shoe mount perfect for holding an audio mic such as my Rode VideoMicro. It can also screw onto most tripods so you can easily record video with your phone.

Biggest difference with this model compared to other phone holders, as previously mentioned is that cold shoe. Without it, you would have to get create creative when trying attach an audio mic.

Filters

Lee Seven5 Filter System: 

Smaller filter system for mirrorless cameras/lens. They’re primarily used for long exposures and darkening skies for a more balanced landscape image.

These can be purchased individually or in bundles

Lee Seven5 Filter Holder– Used to hold each of the filters. Has 2 slots if you wanted to stack filters

Lee Seven5 Adaptor Ring for Fuji X100– Necessary when using the Lee Seven5 system with any of the FujiFilm X100 series including my X100F.

Lee Seven5 0.9 Soft-Edge GND Filter– Used to gradually reduce light entering the camera in a frame. The sky can be darkened so you get those details while still keeping your foreground exposed properly.

The ‘soft-edge’ helps when shooting a cityscape or mountains and an edge isn’t clearly defined. As opposed to shooting on a beach when there is a ‘hard-edge’ or hard line separating the bright sky and the water/shore.

Lee Seven5 3.0 ND Filter, aka “Big Stopper”– Used to greatly reduce all light coming entering the camera. 

Necessary for creating long exposure shots during the day. Can be combined with a GND filter so the sky still remains balanced.

Audio

Rode VideoMicro– Used for recording audio on all of my devices. Very high quality sound, great price and really small.

Some additional cables are needed to ensure it works with all of my devices. I’ve included those below.

Rode SC4 Microphone Cable– Necessary for the Rode VideoMicro when recording with a smartphone or tablet.

JJC 2.5mm to 3.5mm Microphone Jack Convertor– Needed for certain cameras with smaller audio jacks, like my FujiFilm X100F.

Bags

I don’t use anything fancy yet, but currently a Lowepro shoulder bag which carries 1 of my D750 with prime lens attached, an extra prime and a flash

When I need to bring my 2nd camera as well as the rest of my lens I have an old school shoulder bag with about 10 dividers so I can carry all I need. One of my grandparents gave it too me.

This will be updated once that changes. I currently have a few bags from Peak Design on my wishlist. (Go figure right)

Hiking/Camping

Epic Down Jacket– I love my Mountain Hardware Ghost Whisperer Down Jacket. This thing is super warm and fits into it’s own pocket when it needs to be stowed away. It’s a perfect camping jacket and can even be stuffed in camera bags if thats all you have on you since it doesn’t take up much space.

Down Sleeping Bag– I use Montbell’s Down Hugger 900 #5 during spring/summer and some fall as its rated down to 45degrees. Picked this up on sale a few years after a month long hike on the Appalachian Trail. 

It packs down super small and is really warm. Make sure to never get it wet though. Big downfall of most down products.

Sleeping Pad– I go super light weight with my sleeping pad, sacrificing comfort the first night or two until I get accustomed to it. I am able to keep the Z-lite pad folded up on the outside of my pack so I have more room for my camera gear.

Pack– I use the Osprey Talon 33 for most of my hikes. I have condensed my kit enough to be able to fit everything I need into it, including my camera. ((I explain more in this article if interested))

Favorite Base Layer– I love everything Smartwool. I use this mid weight long sleeve as my go-to baselayer when spending a lot of time in the cold. 

Conclusion

Feel free to use this as a reference. And remember these are what work best for me, you may have a different preference.

 

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