My Kit Bag
My Trusted Kit for Professional Photography
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As I reflect on my journey as a photographer, I remember starting out with a compact Sony A6000 and a single kit lens. It was perfect for long coastal walks, easily fitting into a pocket or small backpack. However, as my career evolved, so did my kit. Today, my camera bag often weighs over 13Kg, which is manageable for short commercial shoots but quite a challenge when hiking through Dartmoor's snowy landscapes!
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While photography isn't solely about equipment, professionals like myself who cover various genres tend to accumulate a diverse range of gear. Below, I've outlined the main contents of my camera bag for a typical shoot, for those interested in the tools behind my work.
CAMERA
My photography journey began with an entry-level Canon DSLR, but I quickly realized it was cumbersome for long hikes along the coast path. The weight and bulk made it impractical for extended walks.
This led me to become an early adopter of Sony mirrorless cameras, which offered a lighter and more compact alternative. I started with the Sony A6000, appreciating its portability and performance. As my needs evolved, I upgraded to the full-frame Sony A7RIII, which provided exceptional image quality. More recently, I added a second camera body, the Sony A7RIV, boasting an impressive 62MP sensor that excels in various photography genres.
TRIPOD
Tripods are indispensable for landscape photography, especially during low-light conditions like sunrise, sunset, or nighttime, when they help prevent blurred photos. They're also crucial for artistic long exposure shots.
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The market offers a wide range of tripods, with options in aluminium (sturdy but heavy) and carbon fibre (lighter but more expensive). Popular brands often come with a premium price tag.
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However, I've found a hidden gem in Rollei, a lesser-known brand that offers excellent quality carbon fibre tripods at affordable prices. My go-to choice is the Rollei Rock Solid Gamma Mark II, which strikes a perfect balance between weight, size, and stability. It's lightweight enough for hiking yet robust enough to keep my camera steady even on windy days. The best part? It's available for under £200, making it an exceptional value for a professional-grade carbon fibre tripod.
MAIN LENS
I often advise my students to invest in the best lenses they can afford, but I didn't always follow my own advice. Initially, I opted for mid-market lenses, only to realize their limitations. I soon upgraded to a set of high-quality lenses that now cover a versatile range from ultra-wide at 14mm to moderate zoom at 200mm.
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My go-to lens is the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GMII, which closely matches the field of view of human eyesight. This exceptional lens remains on my camera most of the time, only being swapped out when I need to capture a wider or tighter perspective.
ULTRA WIDE
When I need to capture an ultra-wide field of view, far beyond what the human eye can see, I turn to my Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN Art lens. It's perfect for expansive landscapes and creating dramatic perspectives.
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While I would have liked to complete my Sony G Master series with their ultra-wide lens, the cost was more than double that of the Sigma. Given the exceptional image quality the Sigma lens delivers, I found it to be a more practical choice without compromising on performance.
TELEPHOTO LENS
At the longer end of my focal length range is the exceptional Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM lens, another standout in the Sony G Master series. This lens extends far beyond the human eye's field of view, allowing me to zoom in on intricate details in landscapes, capture people and wildlife with a beautiful soft bokeh, and compress perspectives to make distant elements appear closer together.
LOW LIGHT PRIME
Among my essential lenses, which are mostly zooms covering a range of focal lengths, I have a prime lens that stands out for its distinct advantages. The Sony FE 24mm F1.4 GM is notable for its compact and lightweight design, but what truly sets it apart is its large maximum aperture of f1.4. This makes it perfect for low-light photography, especially for capturing the night sky, where its performance is exceptional.
CPL FILTERS
Circular Polarising (CPL) filters are invaluable for reducing glare on water and wet leaves, making them essential for capturing stunning images of waterfalls and revealing submerged rocks in still water. However, I'm cautious about leaving them on my lenses, as they can cause unwanted color banding in the sky if used with wide-open blue skies by mistake.
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CPL filters can be easily integrated into your photography setup, either by screwing them directly onto the front of your lens or by using them within a square filter holder system. This versatility allows you to adapt them to different shooting situations.
ND FILTERS
Neutral Density (ND) filters act like sunglasses for your camera, allowing you to achieve slower shutter speeds by reducing light. The amount of light blocked is measured in stops: each stop reduces light by half. I use a standard set of 3, 6, and 10 stop filters (ND8, ND64, and ND1000), which enable shutter speeds from a second to several minutes, even in daylight. These filters can be stacked for greater light reduction.
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ND filters come in circular and square forms. Circular filters screw onto lenses but require a separate set for each lens size. Square filters, used with a holder and adapter ring, offer more versatility as they can fit any lens. While cheaper Perspex filters work well, they may introduce a colour cast; glass filters provide better optical quality but at a higher cost.
In my opinion, NiSi filters stand out as the best option for both optical quality and practicality. They are widely used by professional photographers around the world due to their exceptional performance.
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One of the unique features that drew me to NiSi is their innovative filter system. Unlike most other systems, NiSi allows you to use a Circular Polarising (CPL) filter simultaneously with square filters. The CPL sits behind the square filters and can be easily rotated using a small wheel at the back of the filter holder, eliminating the need to remove the square filters for adjustments.
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In terms of purchasing, I've found that the best prices for NiSi filter holders and sets are typically available directly from the NiSi website. They often offer discounts for new customers, making it a great place to start your collection.
