NOTE: I receive ZERO in either free goods or financial compensation for anything I recommend. I am not beholdent to any of these manufactures. This gear is what I use and recommend.
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I am frequently asked about my equipment. Good equipment gives you the chance to make a good photograph. You must do the rest.
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-4, X-T5 & X-T30
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
I am using the SONY RX100Vii as well. What a great little camera. It fits in my hand, goes every where with my and is incredibly sharp.
OTHER PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT: iPhone12 / GoPro Hero 9 / Drone– DJI Air 2S
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CAMERA BAGS:—– My primary bags are the FIRST LIGHT 36L and 20L from MINDSHIFT (Think Tank)
I also carry my gear locally( in the truck) using Pelican 1510 rolling cases
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 KASE REVOLUTION FILTERS
I use (only when necessary) polarizers and ND filters from KASE FILTERS I was amazed that these products exceeded the quality coming from other manufactures. (no color shift and great construction). They are magnetic and are extremely east to put on and take off I cannot say enough about these products. With the technology advancing so rapidly, the use of graduated ND Filters is for the most part un-necessary. Blending different exposures as well as the great dynamic range found in most current cameras allow for the same if not better results.
HERE is the selection of filters I use and recommend
STEP UP and STEP DOWN RINGS__ from KASE are available.
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 either a GITZO MOUNTAINEER 3542
or 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 two kinds of tripods, ones that are easy to carry, and good ones” … Bill Fortney
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
I use either there SPIKES or CLAW from LEOFOTO on the feet of my tripods.
I am also ( for macro, podcasting and some field work) using the PLATYPOD EXTREME and the PLAYTPOD HANDLE
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ACCESSORIES:
I USE THE JJC NTERVALOMETER.. DEDICATED TO MY FUJIFILM CAMERAS.
Photoflex® LiteDisc diffusers & reflectors (various sizes)
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:
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.
I do little printing and have my prints outsourced(see my webpage on prints)