Gear Talk | What's in my photo bag 2023
It’s been a while since I’ve discussed what I’m rolling with in my bag, and well… a lot has changed and at the same time hasn’t. At the core I keep the same concept as I have for quite some time… 2 bodies with 3 zooms. Especially if I’m doing a photo focused project where image stabilized lenses are less important & a better minimum aperture option.
Cameras
a7iv- I upgraded from the a7iii due to the better video recording options & much nicer grip to hold onto. This is my go-to camera as I find the versatility of it over the a7r line of cameras to be much more capable for situations when I’m not trying to get maximum file size. amazon
a7riii- This has been my go-to camera for nice big files with lots of data for adjusting in post. It’s also my main time-lapse camera which I’m usually in aperture priority mode & on a tripod so it’s less of a worry. It is also nice to still get a worthy file at 600mm in APS-C mode on the 100-400. amazon
DJI Mavic 3 Classic- I’ve been rocking the original Mavic Pro since 2017 & just wasn’t shooting enough drone work myself to justify an upgrade… Needless to say the classic’s price point & capabilities really made it worth making the upgrade. It’s been fun exploring the world of drone more with a quality camera on it. amazon
Lenses
16-35 f2.8gm- There’s no wide angle lens that compares to this which comes in e-mount (ok ok i haven’t tried the 12-24 f2.8 yet). I found myself bouncing between this and the 70-200 often. amazon
24-70 f2.8gm- When it comes to tack sharp photos I absolutely love this lens. It is a bit bigger & heavier than the 24-105, but with a better minimum aperture it has a place in the bag. I don’t usually carry both the 24-70 & 24-105 (unless the fx6 is also coming along). Maybe one day I’ll jump to the v2 of it… for now though this one does just fine! amazon
24-105 f4g- This is probably the most underrated lens in Sony’s line up as its sharpness and focal distance range is unmatched. Plus its close-focusing capabilities allow it to step in as a macro lens in a pinch. While there are definitely situations I would love to have the better minimum aperture of the 24-70, I tend to find this works just dandy… Needless to say I switch between the two often. amazon
100-400 f4-5.6gm- In 2020 I did a side by side test of the 100-400 vs 70-200 w/ 2x extender… Initially I went the latter route until I noticed some of my images were coming up a little bit soft… so needless to say I made the switch for my main bag because this lens is incredible. It was one of my main lenses filming Higher Ground as it covered a lot of range without having to change lenses while out in the snow. amazon
20 f1.8g- This is the newest lens in my bag & it was immediately my go-to for astrophotography. It’s also a very handy lens for wanting a small walk-around lens. I’ll toss this on the a7riii & get a very compact 20mm & essentially 30mm lens in one. I used this approach when I was in San Juan, Puerto Rico last fall on a day off while on location for Seabourn Cruises. amazon
90 f2.8g macro- I break out this lens if I know there’s a chance for some funky up close imagery. Usually I’ll just stick with the 24-105 because it’s semi-capable… but sometimes you gotta truly get macro & this guy steps in perfectly. It creates a nice sharp image & the focus ring gives a solid range to not miss focus. amazon
The other goodies…
Breakthrough Photography Magnetic ND filters- These filters are a solid option for me in the hard ND realm. The magnetic system is great for ease of changing while capturing timelapse sequences. In 2019, there was plans of a v2 for this system which would include a Variable ND & less vignetting at wide angles (there’s a pretty serious vignette at 16mm)… but at this point I’m assuming it has been abandoned amongst a bunch of products they have previously claimed to be bringing to market. I’m also unsure if these are still available.
Leatherman Signal- Leatherman is known for making rock solid products that people truly put to use in the field… The Signal is definitely my favorite tool for keeping in my bag. It’s got a variety of tools which aren’t necessarily great for every day carry, but fantastic for hiking etc. things like the fire starter, knife sharpener, and whistle. amazon
Thinktankphoto Battery & memory card wallets- I’m a huge fan of thinktankphoto as they make well thought out products for working pros… these products are no different as it keeps me organized & even after years of use they look brand new. I took my organization a step further & color coded my card wallets to each camera so I know which wallet has cards pre-formatted that camera ready to go! Battery holder Memory card holder
Mindshift Gear Filternest Mini- Thinktankphoto’s outdoor focused brand nailed it with this lightweight yet very protective case for round filters. This houses my magnetic filters safely while making them easily accessible when I’m in need. It’s not a very glamorous item, but it’s a quality option for the weight conscious filter lover. amazon
Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .5- If you haven’t already watched it… go check out my video about First Aid as a photographer here. This kit is always in my bag whether i’m going down the street with an even more stripped down kit, or a full bag headed out on a big hike or remote project. Preparedness is key when it comes to safety & getting everyone home at the end of the day. REI
Peak Design Strap- I don’t think there’s another camera strap out there which has taken the world by storm like this one… I have the anchors on every camera & have been built a custom backpack strap system around the anchors as well. It makes life super easy to quickly take off a camera strap when i am going to tripod or vice verse. Needless to say this is the best one i’ve found & have been using mine for yearssssssss. amazon
Shimoda Designs Action X50- This has become my absolute favorite bag ever. It’s a fully adjustable bag depending on the kit I’m bringing into the field & it’s carry-on compliant. The adjustable straps also make it so the bag truly fits my tall frame unlike any other camera backpack I’ve used before. I did switch out the shoulder straps for their more heavily padded ones which are primo!