- This a question that pops up a quite regular basis and it always makes interesting conversation, to hear what people use, how they use it and how they perceive the equipment and the results.
- I am a strong believer in using top quality equipment. I operate in harsh,unforgiving terrain and climates,only the very best will do.I try my utmost to look very well after my equipment, however life can be challenging in the field. I have dropped cameras, baked them in blazing heat, frozen them, drowned them and taken cameras out into pouring rain-as a broad rule they are tougher than you might think, they just keep on going. ( Important principle in wildlife photography – tumultous weather very often leads to great photographs)
Also Nikon has been very kind to me and in Pretoria, South Africa I have received excellent back-up service from Nikon.However that being said I also need to state that the equipment available today on the market is predominantly of very good quality, the camera and the lens in its most basic form still remains just a tool, remember most tools are operator dependent.Of greatest import in this endeavour is the six inches behind the viewfinder. In those six inches of grey matter resides the knowledge, insight, competence,wisdom and vision that determines the outcome of the action.
- The content of my camera bag is highly variable, it is determined solely by 3 factors:
– Destination
– Photographic target
– Mode of travel
Camera bodies in my bag:
Nikon D850 ( 2 bodies ) – the D850 camera is just a monster of a machine. The Nikon D850 with 400mm f2.8 lens is my go-to solution.
Nikon D810 – this camera functions as my underwater camera in a Aquatech underwater housing.
Nikon D800 – this camera function as a camera trap within a Camtraption housing.
Nikon D3s – An ancient camera in technological terms, however it’s built like a tank. I use this camera primarily as a back-up camera and then also it functions as a low level camera. Furthermore I might use it as a remotely triggered camera and as a camera trap.
GoPro camera
iPhone XS – used for happy snaps and as a video camera for short segments behind the scenes footage.
Lenses in my bag:
Nikkor 28mm f2.8
Nikkor 50mm f1.8
Nikkor 14-24mm f2.8
Nikkor 24-70mm f2.8
Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8
Nikkor 400mm f2.8 ( my go-to shooting solution )
Nikkor 800mm f2.8 ( piece of hand built optical art )
Flashes in the bag:
Nikon SB910 ( mounted on a Wimberley bracket to gain offset from the camera body )
Nikon SB27 ( for the camera traps )
Profoto B1
Profoto B2
Underwater housing:
Aquatech Elite underwater housing with a seperate flash housing – accommodating a Nikon SB910 flash.
Camera trap:
Camtraption camera trap housing with a small low level tripod and Camtraption triggers to fire the Nikon SB27 flashes wirelessly.
Aerial photography:
DJI Mavic Pro drone
Radio triggers:
PocketWizard triggers
Photix triggers
Tripods & Gimbals: