Equipment
My equipment is listed on the bottom of this page
I frequently am asked about my equipment. Good equipment gives you the chance to make a good photograph. You must do the rest. I use exclusively Nikon® equipment. That is not to say that other manufacturers don’t make excellent equipment. This is the list of my current equipment. You need only to buy the equipment that you need to take the images you like to make.
Remember, the camera is only the vehicle that captures the image. Our eyes see what the camera captures. Having the best gear without the vision is useless. It is important to develop your personal vision and only then worry about acquiring top rated gear. I always remember how I felt when I was asked if my camera takes good pictures, or when someone said that I must own an expensive lens.
CAMERA BODIES----------NIKON D 700's & D200 Backup, Canon G 10
LENSES: ALL NIKON (I use the appropriate lens hoods for all lenses)
Nikon 20mm f2.8
Nikon 17-35 f2.8
Nikon 28-70 f 2.8
Nikon 80-200mm f 2.8
Nikon 200.f4 Macro
Nikon 300 f4 ED-IF
My travel & street photography lens: Nikon 28-300 f3.5-5.0G ED VR
Nikon Teleconverter and extension tubes..........When shooting Mammals & Birds I will add:
500 f4 ais (IN SEPARATE DOMKE CASE)
My camera bag of choice is the Bataflae 18L by Gura Gear. It's unique in its ability to easily tote multiple full-size professional and medium format camera bodies, a 300mm lens, or up to a 70-200mm attached to a body while maintaining the small compact style is what makes this bag the ultimate camera backpack for any level of photographer. It’s full 6.5” interior depth allows for larger lenses, bodies, and other equipment that does not fit in traditional small backpacks. The Bataflae 18L also touts the ability to carry up to a 13-inch laptop in a dedicated padded compartment. This compact and full-featured bag fits worldwide carry-on requirements.
Available in black, grey, and limited production of tan, the Bataflae is PVC-free, features durable materials, flawless craftsmanship and the world’s best zippers, YKK RC Fuse with a weather resistant coating that repels dust and water while remaining flexible and easy to operate.
Additional innovative features of the Bataflae include a M.O.L.L.E. compatible side attachment system that allows for unique multi-point tripod/monopod configurations as well as the attachment of other accessories with the innovative quick-hook side straps. Each bag comes with a removable seam-sealed adjustable rain cover/ground cloth, fully riveted handles, and color-coded zipper pulls that can easily be operated with gloved hands. Two full-length external accessory compartments on the front allow for the storage of travel documents, light jacket and snacks, while the multiple internal mesh pockets and a fully adjustable divider system help keep gear organized.
I use exclusively SINGH-RAY Filters. Simply put--they ARE the best and the choice of most working pro's. www.singh-ray.com. Tell the that Jack sent you!
Singh-Ray Warming-Polarizer
Singh-Ray 2 & stop graduated & 3 stop hard Graduated ND Filters
Singh Ray 3 stop Reverse Graduated ND Filter
Singh-Ray 8 stop Vari Pol. Filter
Nikon Circular Polarizers and Lens Hoods for all Lenses
Nikon Remote Releases
MACRO:
NIKON 200mm f4 Macro.
I will at times use a Nikon 5T or 6T or Canon 500D Dioptors to gain closer magnification.
PANORAMA
Do you love PANORAMA images as much as I do? I am currently using the new M1.. panoroma system from NODAL NINJA. This, as well as all their systems solves the parallax problem! http://www.nodalninja.com/ .
Once a camera is properly mounted on a pano head the photographer is able to take multiple images, horizontally and/or vertically, without any subsequent parallax error. Parallax, simply put, is the apparent shifting of objects in the foreground to the background. There is a point inside every lens called the No Parallax Point (NPP). The proper technical term is "entrance pupil" but many refer the NPP as the nodal point, hence Nodal Ninja.
Eliminating parallax is key when needing to "seamlessly" stitch adjoining images together to form a single composite. From as little as 2 shots across the horizon, to dozens or hundreds of multi image shots, photographers are able to produce stunning mosaics and full 360 x 180 degree interactive panoramas. Nodal Ninja is a valuable tool for any photographer's camera bag. Learn more about panoramic photography
This is GREAT Panorama software http://www.ptgui.com/
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Are you looking for that special photo accessory that your local camera store (or even the big name catalog guys) don't carry?????......--LOOK NO MORE...Without question.....Outdoor Photo Gear offers these type of products as well as a wide selection of quality photo gear at great prices, while giving you the very best customer service you will find anywhere--online or in person.
CLICK ON THE BANNER TO START SHOPPING!!!!!!
At Outdoor Photo Gear, the employees ( from the owner on down!) works right next to the products we sell. Their shelves are fully stocked. These folks can, either by email or personally on the phone...provide you information with our products in hand, so you can get answers to your most important questions. When you call or email they can let you know about inventory status which may be crucial when delivery of a time-sensitive order is critical. At OUTDOOR PHOTO GEAR,they personally pick, pack, and ship our products to your door; according to your specifications. As photographers, these folks actually use what we sell.....the bottom lines is that these folks "get it"!
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I recommend a good quality, ball head. I currently am using the BH55 from The Really Right Stuff® I also use their focusing rails when shooting macro
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I recently added the Think-Tank Hydrophobia to my camera bag. Features I love are the built in camera strap and lens mounting system (70-200 and 70-200 Flash models only) • Full view rear and top windows • Built-in front element cover • Storage for eye piece • Mesh storage bag included • Easy access to controls, lens and tripod mount
Simply put–there is NO BETTER WAY to carry your gear. THINK TANK was born by industry professionals dedicated to providing photographers with top of the line innovative camera bags and other gear that makes it easy for to work in the field. We’ve all used the other brands over the years, but I can without any hesitation say that there is nothing in the industry that can come close to the overall quality of Think Tank products. Think Tank has produced products with all photographers, from amateur to professionals, in mind that make it easy to work quickly, safely allowing for well thought out organization. Nothing is compromised ( their zippers are the best available!). Please take a minute and check out their website and read about their products, warranties and dedication to us Pro photographers
Please click on this link ( enter this code———–AP-371………..and read my comments directed to my workshop customers. www.thinktankphoto.com/affiliate ( You too can also receive a free gift with purchases over $50.00).
How did THINK TANK gain the reputation of being the top of the line camera bags in the industry? ….Easy,…. they just make the best products you can buy. You won’t find Think Tank in the big box stores or in print advertising. The did it by making the best products available… it’s that simple.
Please consider Think Tank for your camera bag and gear needs. You will not be disappointed.
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When shooting from my vehicle I always use the Window Mount with my BH55. from KIRK PHOTO
"There are two kinds of tripods, ones that are easy to carry, and good ones" ... Bill Fortney, NIkon USA
Tripods
I use a tripod virtually all of the time when photographing the landscape. Handheld shots, when not using flash are few. My main tripod is a GITZO® 3541LS 6Xcarbon fiber tripod along with a GS5121LVL leveling base which greatly aids in making photographing panoramas.
NOTE: If your tripod does not accept the GS5121LVL, you can accomplish the same thing by buying the PCL-1 from the really Right Stuff www.reallyrightstuff.com . This plate accepts the PCL-DVTL which mounts on the leveling plate. The plate is essentially an Arca Swiss plate that will fit into any ball head accepting Arca Swiss plates. The PCL-1 eliminates lots of steps in leveling your camera in order to make quality panorama images. For lots of info on making panorama images pleases read my article on Panorama Photography
ACCESSORIES:
FLASH: NIKON SB900
Photoflex® LiteDisc diffusers & reflectors (various sizes)
Walt Anderson Better Beamer Flash Extender
I use the complete set of LENSBABY products
MISC ACCESSORIES:
2 chamois, Lens cleaning cloths, Large bubble dust blower, Sensor cleaning material
Leatherman™, Small screwdrivers, Toothbrush, Insect repellent, Small first aid kit
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IMAGE PROCESSING
I currently am using the following software: Details of my workflow are found in my current E-Book, Series 1 for sale here on this site.
Adobe Photoshop CS4
Adobe Lightroom3
The full offerings from NIK SOFTWARE ( VIVEZA 2.0, Define2.0, Sharpener Pro 3.0, Color Efex Pro 4 and Silver Efex Pro 2.0 for B & W conversion)
When ordering ---please use this code JGRAHAM and receive a 15% discount!
I used Breeze Browser Pro to do my initial sort and edit, then move into Bridge or Lightroom for more editing as well as Camera Raw conversion.
Eye One Display2 from X-rite monitor calibration systems are used to calibrate my 2 monitors.
Epson Printers along with either Ilford Gold Fiber Silk or Epson Fine Art Matte Paper are used for printing.
