My Camera Bag.

I am not sure why people want to know what I shoot with.  To me it is like asking a chef what kind of pots he uses. Far be from me to be a wet blanket and squash people’s curiosity, so here goes. Now remember, I am in no way endorsing any of this equipment; it is just that it works for me.

Camera Bag: I have a number of bags but I prefer the Lowe Pro Reporter series. The system is modular and can be augmented with many add-ons. The bags are easy to get in and out of, they hold a ton of equipment, and they have a built-in rain hood for inclement weather. The cool thing is that they’re guaranteed for life. I broke a 50¢ clip on mine and they gave me a new bag! That is service.  Now, keep in mind that the bag is usually taken to the job and I walk around with only the equipment I am going to use.

Film Cameras: I am afraid I don’t do much film anymore. In my mind, digital has now equal quality to film and has surpassed film’s ease of use. I still have a Nikon F5 and a Mamiya C330 Professional.

Digital Cameras: Presently I have two digital cameras that are as different as chalk and cheese. What I look for in a camera is an easy to use sensor lens combination that will allow me to abstract an image.

For about 40% of my shooting I have a Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1. It is a Micro four-thirds camera (µ43) and for a walkabout camera it is peerless. With it I have two lenses: a Lumix G f/1.7 20mm pancake lens and a Lumix G f/3.5 – 5.6 14 – 45mm.  The pancake lens is a stunning combination that can produce images that approach high-end digital cameras.  I don’t use the zoom lens all that often.

My working Camera is a Nikon D300 half frame dSLR. I have both zoom and fixed lenses with this camera and have no preference; they are just tools.

I have three zoom lenses: a Tamron 17 – 50mm f/2.8, a Nikkor 35 – 70mm f/2.8, and a Nikkor 80 – 200mm f/2.8.  The Tamron gives excellent results although it isn’t as sturdy as the Nikkor lenses and it is my only half frame lens.

I have six fixed lenses: 24 mm f/2.8, 35mm f/2.0, 50 mm f/1.8, 50 mm f/1.4, 85 mm f/1.8 and a 105mm f/2.8 Macro.

Lighting:  Three strobes and two reflectors.

Support: A Manfrotto 455 tripod with a 460 Mg head and a 488RC2 head, and a Manfrotto 681B monopod with a 486RC2 head.  Along with this I also have a home-made string pod that I always keep in my pocket.

Filters and gadgets: I have a collection of UV filters, two ND filters and a polarizing filter; all else I can do in post. I shoot frugally so don’t need more than two memory cards for each camera. At times I use a Sekonic L-358 light meter.

Computers: Macs of course!  LaCie for back up drives.

Software:  Aperture, Photoshop and Photomatix take care of all my cataloguing and editing. Fotomagico and Keynotes handle all my AV work.

Printing:  I send out all my work.