Ok, let’s talk about gear
What equipment we use to capture photos or videos isn’t everything. In fact, I would say that skill, experience and an eye for composition is much more important than the tools we use for taking photos.
But good gear will help also.
I, because I am always trying to learn, have a philosophy that I should have equipment good enough to not be able to blame it.
If something goes wrong I should only be able to blame myself, not the gear.
Then I can learn from mistakes and become a better photographer.
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Cameras
Sony A7IV
My main work horse. It has some flaws but is still the best camera I have ever owned.
Sony rx100ii
Old but still very good.
The flexibility to have a small compact camera that you can bring everywhere is priceless.
Sony ZV-E10
A small but surprisingly good APS-C camera. Especially for video. It can take very good photos as well but the absent of a view finder makes it a “video first” camera for me.
DJI Mini 4 Pro
A fantastic small drone that flies like a champ and take very good photos and videos too.
GoPro Hero 11
My video companion when travelling. The durability, weight and stabilisation makes it easy to capture video anytime, anywhere.
Don’t tell anyone but I use it in auto..
HoverAir X1
The video quality of this I would compare with an average smartphone. But this can fly.
A flying selfie camera you might say.
Lenses
Tamron 35-150mm f2-2.8
Probably my best lens.
Sharp, fast autofocus and a very versatile focal range.The only downside is that it’s a bit heavy.
This is a beast.
Tamron 150-500mm f5-6.7
Decent long telephoto lens with good autofocus and image stabilisation.
Affordable and not as heavy as most of the competition, and you can use it for macro too.
Samyang 12mm f2.8 APS-C
A wide angle lens for APS-C
It has some vinjetting but the picture quality is surprisingly good for the price.
Affordable and good for vlogging
Tamron 28-200mm f2.8-5.6
My most used lens and primary travel companion.
Lightweight, sharp and a fantastic focal range makes this lens excellent for travelling.
Viltrox 85mm 1.8
The autofocus is not as reliable as it is on Sony or Tamron. I would say that it nails focus about 75% of the time compared to 95%.
But when you nail it the photos come out great.
Sony 16-50mm f3.5-5.6 APS-C
A lens I don’t recommend.
It’s not very sharp and haven’t got a wide aperture.
Sometimes I still use it with my small gimbal for video because of it’s size.
Tamron 17-28mm f2.8
My second best friend when travelling.
What makes it stand out from others is the light weight together with a fast aperture.
Tamron 17-70mm f2.8 APS-C
Fantastic lens for APS-C.
It’s drawback is it’s size but the picture quality, wide aperture and focal range is fabulous.
Sony 55-210mm f4.5-6.3 APS-C
Surprisingly good telephoto and cheap lens for APS-C. Not the best in low light but the price, light weight and small size makes it worth the purchase.
Bags
Nomatic Peter McKinnon Travel 35L
I have a “love/hate” relationship with this bag.
I think it’s clumsy and bulky, but I can’t deny that it’s well built and holds a lot of gear.
Tarion TR-S
Fantastic sling bag.
It doesn’t hold a computer or tablet but besides that it holds everything you need for a day of taking pictures.
Very affordable and recommended.
Ulanzi BP-10
Wow, I jus received this backpack and I am in love. Lots of pockets and a very good size. And it’s comfortable and lightweight as well
Highly recommended.
Tarion TZB-S
Small and affordable sling bag and a perfect size for my DJI mini4 pro drone
Tarion SP-01
Maybe not the best build quality but a perfect size for city walks and urban travel.
PGYTECH OneGo Solo
Small and well built sling bag.
Good if you carry small things. I use it for an extra lens, batteries etc when I carry the camera in strap.
Stands
Sirui r2004
A very sturdy tripod for it’s price.
I mostly use this for video and I have a video head for it too.
Three Legged Thing Punks
Another good and affordable tripod
I use this when hiking and I want a light weight but sturdy stand.
Ulanzi MT-47
A small foldable tripod made of metal. Good as a “selfie stick” when vlogging and for small cameras as a table stand.
Zhiyun Weebill 2
A very good gimbal that I don’t use enough
Sirui Traveller 5C
I love this for travelling.
Carbon fibre, folds up small and light weight (0.85Kg/1.87LBS)
PlatyPod Ultra
The second camera holder I always bring.
This you can set up where you aren’t allowed to use tripods.
Fantastic
Ulanzi Falcam F38 Clip
These things are addictive.
I have five of them attached to different bags and I rather use a camera clip than a strap.
Zhiyun Crane m2s
This I use more often.
It’s easy to carry and powerful enough for the GoPro and the ZV-E10.
Cullmann Carvaio 816TC
One of two stabilisers I bring everywhere.
I use it as a “selfie stick” with the GoPro and of course as a tripod for both my action camera and my full frame camera.
Carbon fibre and lightweight.
In North America it goes under the name Oben CTT-1000L
Ulanzi MT-33
Do you need a flexible small tripod.
This is the one!
Buy this instead of a Gorillapod.
Ulanzi Action Camera Ball Head
Genious
An action camera ball head that fits both Falcam F38 (like the camera clips), Falcam F22 and is Arca Swiss compatible.