I am frequently asked about my equipment. Good equipment gives you the chance to make a good photograph. You must do the rest. I use exclusively FUJIFILM Mirror less cameras and lenses.
I am not about the brand or what camera we use. I tell my students that if your images are below standards, it is probably not your gear!.
Below is the list of my current equipment. Remember, you only need to buy the equipment needed to take the images you like to make.
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!
FUJIFILM MIRRORLESS CAMERAS and LENSES (X series)
CAMERA BODIES: XT-3 & 4/ S-X10 , X-T30/ X-H1 lots of others on the shelf
LENSES: XF-14mm F2.8R / XF-16mm F1.4WR / XF-23mm F2WR / XF-35mm F2.0 WR / XF-50mmF2WR /XF56mmF1.2R /XF-90mm F2 R LM WR
XF-80mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR Macro / (I will at times use a Nikon 5T or 6T or Canon 500D Diopters to gain closer magnification)
XF-10-24 f4 R OIS, / XF-16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR / XF-18-55 f 2.8-4 R LM WR / xf-16-80MM f4 R OIS WR / XF-50-140mm F2.8 R LM OIS WR /XF100-400MM F4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR
XF-18-135MM f2.4-4 R LM OIS / XF- 55-200 F.3.5 R LM OIS
XF1.4X & 2X teleconverters
OTHER PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT: iPhone12 / GoPro 9 / Mavic Drone Mini2
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CAMERA BAGS:—– My primary bags are the FIRSTLIGHT 36L and 20L from MINDSHIFT (Think Tank)
Additionally I use older bags from Gura Gear–(The older ones are the best!), and shoulder bags by Domke.
Yes, don’t we all have too many camera bags! I can guarantee you will fill up any bag you buy!. My recommendation is to (each year) buy a smaller bag!
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FILTERS — BREAKTHROUGH FILTERS
I use (when necessary—and not as much as some other photographers I know!) polarizers and ND filters from Breakthrough Photography. I was amazed that these products exceeded the quality coming from other manufactures. (no color shift and great construction). I cannot say enough about these products. Many more products from Breakthrough Photography are on the way. Graduated ND’s made of temperate glass are now available. Their cost of their products is minimal for what you are receiving in return. These folks really have it together.
You can access Breakthrough by clicking HERE . I cannot recommend these products strongly enough.
I USE THE 4x CPL -CIRCUILAR POLARIZER
ND FILTERS–i CARRY A 3, 6 AND 10 STOP ND’S
GRADUATED ND’S —- I USE THE 2,3 AND 4x GRADUATED ND’S
THE NIGHT SKY FILTER IS AMAZING! –The Autumn & Night Sky filter delivers incredible starlight definition during nighttime shoots and vibrant, rich color when photographing fall leaves. Weather-sealed in our rugged X4 traction frame and featuring MRC16 and nanotec® Nano Coating layers, the Autumn & Night Sky filter is built for durability and optical performance.
STEP UP RINGS__ Made of CNC Machined Brass with Black Matte Electroplate Finish–top of the line!
Mind Shift also makes something called a Filter Hive and Filter nest as well that hold my Graduated ND’s
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TRIPODS–I recommend a good quality, tripod and ball head. I currently am using the BH55 from The Really Right Stuff® I also use their focusing rails when shooting macro.
“There are two kinds of tripods, ones that are easy to carry, and good ones” … Bill Fortney
I use a tripod virtually all of the time when photographing the landscape. Handheld shots happen, but infrequently. My main tripod is a Really Right Stuff TVS Versa 33 carbon fiber tripod along with a TA-3-LB leveling base which greatly aids in making photographing panoramas. There are now newer models of RRS tripods.
NOTE: If your tripod does not accept the TA-3-LB 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
When folks ask me to recommend a tripod, again I refer to Bill Fortney. He always says buy the heaviest tripod you want to carry. There are many I would for sure NOT RECPMMEND. However I’ll reserve that discussion for in person chats!.
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ACCESSORIES:
I USE THE JJC NTERVALOMETER.. DEDICATED TO MY FUJIFILM CAMERAS.
Photoflex® LiteDisc diffusers & reflectors (various sizes)
Walt Anderson Better Beamer Flash Extender
MISC ACCESSORIES:
MICRO FIBER cloths by AMAZON BASICS
GIOTTOS 1900 Large bubble dust blower,
Sensor cleaning material
Leatherman™,
Small screwdrivers,
Toothbrush,
Insect repellent,
Small first aid kit—fits right in my camera bag!
IMAGE PROCESSING
sing the following software:
Adobe Photoshop CC up to date
Adobe Lightroom CC up to date
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)
TOPAZ LABS–DeNoise with AI-–simple amazing software!
I use 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. I do little printing and have my prints outsourced( see my webpage on prints)