2017 Gear List
I like gear every much as the next person, but gear doesn't make the photo. It helps to tell a story. I am very much an amateur photographer, but I try to use the best tools that are realistically available to push my creativity.
Below is my photography gear for 2017:
My Photography Gear:
Canon 5D Mark IV – I purchased this camera as a replacement for my Canon 80D – crop sensor DSLR. I wanted to “grow into” a full-frame camera and stay in the Canon ecosystem. The 5D MK IV is an amazing camera with a 30.4 Megapixel sensor and class-leading dynamic range.
Canon 16-35 f2.8 L MK II – I use this lens as my go-to for wide-angle landscape photography. It has excellent sharpness throughout the focal length. There is a MK III version out that is absolutely superb. My only complaint is some “coma distortion” in the corners when using for astrophotography. Based on where I am as an amateur, this MK II will work fine for me for now.
Canon 24-70 f2.8 MK II – I use this lens for those “mid-range” focal lengths. I use each of my three main lenses about the same amount. The 24-70 is great for waterfalls, forests, and panoramas.
Canon 70-200 f2.8L MK II IS – This lens is the best telephoto lens in my opinion. It is super sharp throughout the focal range. As a frequent hiker and backpacker, it is a beast to carry around. In many ways, I wish I had opted for the f4 version; it is much lighter and about ½ the price. This f2.8 lens also works great for portrait bokeh.
L Bracket – I have a Kirk Enterprises L Bracket for my 5D MK IV. This enables me to easily switch from Landscape to Portrait mode without impacting the ball head or leveling.
Lee Filters – I started with B+W “screw-in” filters for both ND and polarizer, but switched to the Lee 100mm system in January 2017. I wanted to ability to use multiple filters together - like a ND grad and a polarizer. I have the 10 Stop ND “Big Stopper”; the 6 Stop ND “Little Stopper”; 1 - 3 Stop Soft Edge ND Grad filters; 1 - 3 Stop Hard Edge ND Grad filters; and a 105mm Circular Polarizer. The Lee system works great for me, and I am very happy with it.
Really Right Stuff TVC-34L Tripod with BH-55 Ball Head – This is really overkill for 90% of my shots. It is an expensive tripod and ball head combination, but really the best that you can buy. It works excellent for locations near the car, but for any type of long approach to a shooting location – forget it. I am undecided on whether I will keep this tripod based on the type of photography I am doing now.
Manfrotto MT055CXPRO4 055 Tripod and X Pro Ball Head – I purchased this tripod in January of 2017, and I took it with me to Death Valley. It is sturdy with excellent build quality. The height is also perfect for all kinds of shooting options. It has a 90-degree center column that enables the camera to be very close to the subject if necessary. Good for close-in foregrounds.
MavicPro Drone – drone photography and video can add so much depth and creativity to vlogs. They help to tell the story and can provide perspective that would otherwise be unavailable. They are becoming more restricted in areas of use, and for example, are never allowed in a National Park. I always check the local area and local regulations for drone usage and abide by any local restrictions.
Bags:
LowePro Tactic 450 – Versatile and solid bag for running around the local area. Has enough room for me to pack all my photography and vlogging gear – including the Mavic.
f-Stop Ajna – This is also a dedicated “camera bag” that does double duty as a backpack. If I am going on a longer trip / day hike, I will bring this bag to give me some extra room for other items – clothing, food, water, 10 essentials, etc…
Osprey Exos 58 – an excellent lightweight backpacking bag. I used this bag on the complete 93-mile circuit of the Wonderland Trail in September 2017. It is a staple of long-distance backpackers for its solid construction, versatility and light-weight. I have a small f-stop ICU that I include for packing camera gear when backpacking.
Vlogging Equipment:
Canon G7X MK II – this is probably the most versatile and popular vlogging camera available today. It has an f1.8 – f2.8 lens which works excellent in a variety of lighting conditions. It’s 1” CMOS Sensor and 24-100mm focal length give this camera great capability. Additionally, the LCD screen can be flipped upward to enable the vlogger to view the video while filming – a necessary feature to frame and manage composition on the move.
Zoom ZH1 H1 Portable Digital Recorder – I do use the camera mic on the G7X MK II, but it is difficult in windy conditions (like on my recent trip to Death Valley) or when the subject is further away from the camera base unit. For these situations, I use an external audio recorder. I can then marry the audio track with the video during post production editing. This results in a cleaner audio track.
Rode Lav Mic – a good microphone can make all the difference. I use this microphone from Rode and connect it to the Zoom recorder. Since I do not use any in-camera recording functions [directly connecting an external mic to the camera], this acts as my primary means of recording audio. I add a “dead cat” to the mic in really windy conditions. Requires this adapter – [Here].
Other Gear Considerations:
I have been doing a lot of backpacking over the past three years, and I plan to push my photography further into the backcountry. To do this effectively, I will need to lighten the equipment I take with me. I have no plan to replace my standard gear, only to have a lighter weight alternative (that hopefully can serve multiple uses). Sure, tradeoff’s will be necessary, but I am willing to consider them. I am currently reviewing and comparing mirrorless systems to augment my standard equipment. If I decide on a mirrorless system later this spring, I will add it here under “lightweight equipment option”.