Cameras
Gear | Notes | B&H Photo | Amazon |
---|---|---|---|
Sony A9 II | Primary camera. | Check Price | Check Price |
Canon EOS RP | Used mainly to shoot blog and BTS content. | Check Price | Check Price |
GoPro Hero 5 | BTS/blog content during underwater photography trips. | Check Price | Check Price |
Over the years, the size and content of my camera collection has changed on a regular basis, but at the moment I find myself with a relatively simple setup – although I’m occasionally borrowing additional cameras for testing from my partner, B&H Photo.
The Canon 5D Mark IV has been a real workhorse for me since the moment it was first launched. Image quality, particularly dynamic range, was a huge step up from the 5D Mark III, and the modest boost in frame rate to 7fps was enough to cement this further as Canon’s ultimate “all rounder”. I trust this camera in harsh environments, and I appreciate the small size compared to the larger 1D bodies.
For a while my second body was the 7D Mark II and it served its purpose well by giving me some additional reach for wildlife photography when I needed it. But then Canon launched the new RF mount and I knew that I needed a camera body that I could use to test new RF lenses with. I skipped over the first EOS R as the specs and the price point didn’t seem to match up in my eyes, but I jumped on the EOS RP when it was announced. $1300 for a 26MP full frame camera is a killer deal, and I’ve been incredibly impressed by my time with this camera. I’m sure that I will upgrade it to a more professional R-series camera when one is launched, but for now this serves my purposes by allowing me to test new RF lenses. With the EF to RF lens adapter I can use my existing EF lenses and that means this also meets my needs as a backup body to my 5D Mark IV. The fact that it is smaller and lihter than my 7D Mark II is an added bonus.
The only other camera I have right now is a GoPro Hero 5. I mainly use this for capturing behind-the-scenes content for my social media channels and the “5” does just fine for that right now. I haven’t been tempted to upgrade to a newer model yet.
Lenses
Gear | B&H Photo | Amazon |
---|---|---|
Sony 20mm f/1.8 G | Check Price | Check Price |
Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM | Check Price | Check Price |
Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III for E-Mount | Check Price | Check Price |
Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G | Check Price | Check Price |
Sony 1.4x Extender | Check Price | Check Price |
Sony 2.0x Extender | Check Price | Check Price |
Sigma 14mm f/1.8 ART | Check Price | Check Price |
Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS | Check Price | Check Price |
2x Canon 17-40 f/4 L | Check Price | Check Price |
Sigma MC-11 Adapter | Check Price | Check Price |
Much like my camera kit, my lens kit is often changing as I try new gear. At the moment I have a relatively small kit, having sold my Canon 200-400 f/4. After several years of owning that alongside the Canon 400mm f/4 DO IS II, I found I grabbed the DO lens far more often due to its much smaller size and weight. That smaller size allowed me to carry a broader range of other lenses in my pack and at the moment that suits my eclectic photographic interests which range from landscapes to wildlife and adventure sports.
In the near future I’ll be purchasing and testing some Sony gear to see how it compares to the Canon system I have loved for so many years…
Camera Bags
Gear | B&H Photo | Amazon | Direct From Manufacturer | Additional Info |
---|---|---|---|---|
MindShift BackLight Elite 45L | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price +free gift*1 | Read the review and development story |
MindShift FirstLight 40L | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price +free gift*1 | Read the review |
MindShift Multi-Mount Holster | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price +free gift*1 | |
MindShift Stash Master | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price +free gift*1 | Read the review. Turns any bag into a camera bag. |
Think Tank Retrospective 30 V2 | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price +free gift*1 | Read the review |
Think Tank Logistics Manager 30 | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price +free gift*1 | HUGE rolling case!! |
Think Tank ShapeShifter 15 V2 | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price +free gift*1 | |
Shimoda Action X70 | Check Price | N/A | Check Price & Save 10% with coupon code SHUTTERMUSE10 | The biggest photo pack there is! |
Gura Gear Kiboko V2 22L | Check Price | N/A | N/A | B&H Photo has exclusive distribution rights to all Gura Gear bags. |
Osprey Rolling Transporter (various sizes) | N/A | Check Price | N/A | For travel with heavier non photographic gear. |
Osprey Transporter Duffle (various sizes) | N/A | Check Price | N/A | For travel clothing and other lighter, soft gear. |
Arc'Teryx Brize 32 | N/A | Check Price | N/A | Daypack used for climbing or when I'm hiking but not "working". |
Arc'Teryx Bora AR 50 | N/A | Check Price | N/A | Technical multi-day hiking pack. |
*1 If you use my links to reach either the MindShift Gear website, or the Think Tank website, and then spend over $50, you’ll get a free gift at the checkout! For more details on these two special offers, please see the deals page of my site.
The majority of my camera carry gear comes from MindShift Gear and their sister company Think Tank Photo. My primary backpack is the MindShift BackLight Elite 45L pack which is designed to be the ultimate rugged outdoor photo pack for adventures anywhere in the world, in any kind of condition. I should know, I helped to test and refine the pack for over two years during the development phase before it was released to the public.
When I travel by plane, my current favourite laptop bags to use as that “personal item” for carry-on are the Retrospective 30 shoulder bag and the uniquley designed expandable Shape Shifter backpack. For big car trips where I need to take everything but the kitchen sink, I load up the gigantic Logistics Manager 30 roller bag, and if I need maximum camera gear volume in a backpack then I use the First Light 40L.
Yes the BackLight Elite 45L and FirstLight 40 are similarly sized, but the FirstLight is entirely for camera gear, where the BackLight saves a lot of space for other outdoor equipment. For bulky items like my underwater housing, the FirstLight is the right choice.
I also really like the Gura Gear Kiboko bags for safari style photography. There’s no other bag on the market that can give you such easy access to a pair of ready-to-go cameras with big lenses already in place. The butterfly opening is unique and specific, but it’s a worthy addition to the gear closet for wildlife photographers. These bags went off the market for some time, but I’m happy to see them back now and available exclusively through B&H.
Sometimes a very specific situation calls for a pack with a laser-targeted purpose and when that happens, I usually turn to Arc’teryx’s lineup of adventure packs and convert them for camera usage by adding the previously mentioned MindShift Multi-Mount Holsters or the MindShift Stash Master 13.
Lighting
Gear | B&H Photo | Amazon |
---|---|---|
Elinchrom ELB 400 | Check Price | Check Price |
Elinchrom Quadra HS Head | Check Price | Check Price |
Einchrom Skyport Pro wireless trigger | Check Price | Check Price |
Elinchrom Quadra 7" Reflector | Check Price | Check Price |
Elinchrom Quadra Reflector Adapter MkII | Check Price | Check Price |
Elinchrom High Performance Reflector | Check Price | Check Price |
Elinchrom 10m Quadra Extension Cable | Check Price | Check Price |
Canon 600EX RT | Check Price | Check Price |
Canon ST-E3 RT | Check Price | Check Price |
2 x Pocketwizard PLUS III | Check Price | Check Price |
Westcott Collapsible Beauty Dish | Check Price | Check Price |
These days I don’t do a huge amount of flash work, but throughout my career I have been a fan of Elinchrom gear. They consistently make robust gear that is designed to be used in the field and not in the studio. Yes there are cheaper Chinese brands, but if you need gear that can work in potentially adverse conditions, or survive life being shipped around the world in a Pelican case then Elinchrom is the real deal.
I have downsized from the 1200w/s Ranger RX to the 400w/s ELB400, but the light weight and portability suits my work perfectly these days.
I also keep one Canon flash with the wireless transmitter for use at sporting events when you need on-camera fill flash in poor lighting.
Tripods and Tripod Heads
Gear B&H Photo Additional Information
Really Right Stuff TFC-24L MkII Check Price
Really Right Stuff TFC-14 MkII Check Price Pair this with a BC-18 for the ultimate ultralight tripod setup.
Really Right Stuff BH-55 ballhead Check Price Check out my HUGE RRS ballhead guide here.
Really Right Stuff PG-02 gimbal Check Price For use with big super telephoto lenses.
Really Right Stuff BC-18 Microball Check Price
Really Right Stuff TFA-01 Ultra mini tripod Check Price
Most of my support equipment comes from Really Right Stuff. They continually produce the finest carbon tripods and machined aluminum heads on the planet as far as I’m concerned. Over the years I have owned all of their heads for one purpose or another, so I wrote an extensive RRS ballhead and gimbal guide to compare them all. I also wrote a specific gimbal guide that talks in detail about the unique side mount design of the RRS PG-02 gimbal because people continually have questions about that.
My primary tripod is the TFC-24L which is one of their tallest tripods. I’m only 5ft9″, but a tall tripod allows you to have a long downhill leg whe you’re shooting on a slope, and still keep the camera at eye level. Honestly, buying a tall tripod was one of the best gear decisions I ever made!
Accessories
Gear B&H Photo Amazon Direct From Manufacturer Additional Information
Peak Design Tech Pouch Check Price Check Price Check Price The best way to organize all the accessories.
Peak Design Slide Lite camera strap Check Price Check Price Check Price Read the review.
Peak Design Clutch hand strap Check Price Check Price Check Price Read the review.
Peak Design Leash camera strap Check Price Check Price Check Price For when you need to go ultralight. Read the review.
Black Rapid Double Breathe camera strap Check Price Check Price N/A For when you need to carry two cameras at once. Read my camera strap guide.
Think Tank Photo DSLR Battery Holder Check Price Check Price Check Price + free gift*1
Think Tank Photo AA Battery Holder Check Price Check Price Check Price + free gift*1
ProGrade Digital 128GB SD Cards Check Price Check Price N/A
Various Canon Remotes Check Price Check Price N/A Older cameras use cabled remotes, newer ones use wireless.
Think Tank Photo Secure Pixel Pocket Rocket card holder Check Price Check Price Check Price + free gift*1 Read the full memory card wallet guide.
Really Right Stuff MTX Photography Tool Check Price N/A N/A The ultimate photography multitool.
Leatherman SIgnal multitool Check Price Check Price N/A
InReach Mini satellite messenger. Check Price Check Price N/A Read the review.
Petzl Reactik+ headlamp N/A Check Price N/A Always in my bag for those sunrise and sunset missions.
Anker Powercore 10000 PD battery pack N/A Check Price N/A For portable charging of mirrorless cameras.
Field Notes Expedition notebooks N/A Check Price N/A I'm always making notes about what worked and what didn't. You should too.
Fisher Space Pen N/A Check Price N/A
*1 Click through to Think Tank’s store and spend more tan $50 to get a free gift. More details about this offer can be found here.
Most of the items in this list are things that I pack into my bags whenever I leave for a photo mission and with the exception of the big camera straps, it all fits in the the handy Peak Design Tech Pouch to keep all the small things organized. All I need to do is remember to grab it on my way out!
Photography Gloves
Product Name | B&H Photo |
---|---|
The Heat Company Softshell 2 | Check Price |
The Heat Company Heat 3 Shell | Check Price |
The Heat Company Polartec Wind Pro Liner | Check Price |
The Heat Company Polar Hood | Check Price |
I spend a lot of time shooting photos in cold weather and mountainous locations so functional photography gloves are important for me. For the Shutter Muse Gear Guide series I undertook a seriously in-depth group test of all the photography gloves on the market and these gloves from The Heat Company came out on top.
The Shoftshell 2 is a brilliant glove for milder temperatures and cold wind, and the Heat 3 Shell will keep you comfortable well below -30 degree with the liner. Read the photography glove guide for more details.
Filter Kit
Gear B&H Photo Amazon Direct From Manufacturer Additional Information
Breakthrough Phtoography X4 2-stop soft edge GND N/A N/A Check Price
Breakthrough Phtoography X4 3-stop hard edge GND N/A N/A Check Price
Breakthrough Phtoography X4 3-stop reverse GND N/A N/A Check Price
BreakThrough Photography X4 CPL (various sizes) Check Price Check Price Check Price Read the CPL guide.
BreakThrough Photography Dark CPL (various sizes) Check Price N/A Check Price
Breakthrough Photography X100 Filter Holder Check Price N/A Check Price
MindShift Gear Filter Hive filter case Check Price Check Price Check Price +free gift*1 Read the review.
MindShift Gear Filter Nest Mini filter case Check Price Check Price Check Price +free gift*1 Read the review.
*1 If you use my links to reach either the MindShift Gear website, or the Think Tank website, and then spend over $50, you’ll get a free gift at the checkout! For more details on these two special offers, please see the deals page of my site.
At the moment I’m really loving the line of filters from Breakthrough Photography. They are extrmely colour neutral and the X100 filter holder is a real bargain at only $50, about half the price of some other very similar options. One thing I do find odd is that they don’t sell their full range of products on Amazon or B&H Photo like most people. Selected products to pop up in those places, but to get the full range of products you need to buy directly from their website. That said, this isn’t a bad thing as they have free shipping and some exceptional customer service.
Of course you’ll need a case of some sort if you are going to have a few different filters, and the Filter Hive from MindShift is the only holder out there that will hold grad ND filters, circular screw-on filters and 4×4 filters. It’ll even hold the filter holder so everything is packaged up an a read-to-go case. Love that!
If you’re looking to get a filter “starter kit” as many people have asked me about in the past, I would suggest getting a 2-stop soft edge GND, a circular polarizer and a 3-stop ND filter. Check this aricle if you aren’t sure about the difference between a GND and an ND filter, and check out this article for help on choosing between square and screw-on ND filters.
Computer and Drives
Gear B&H Photo Amazon Additional Information
15" Macbook Pro Check Price Check Price
13" Macbook Air Check Price Check Price
BenQ SW271 monitor Check Price Check Price
Drobo 5D3 Check Price Check Price Read about my Drobos in the photography back guide.
Drobo 5N2 Check Price Check Price
Drobo 5D Check Price Check Price
LaCie Rugged Raid Pro Check Price Check Price
LaCie Rugged USB-C 5TB Check Price Check Price
Sandisk Extreme SSD Check Price Check Price Read the rugged drive guide
Prograde Digital Dual SD Reader Check Price Check Price Read the review
Prograde Digital CFast + SD Reader
Check Price Check Price Read the review
CalDigit TS3 Thunderbolt Hub Check Price Check Price
At the moment I’m running a 15″ MBP that primarily stays in my office and only comes on the road when I know I need to process photos away from home. When I only need a laptop for downloading cards and writing, I take the much small and lighter 13″ Macbook Air.
I take my photo backup routine very seriously. Literally my entire career relies upon it so the setup is redundant in multiple different areas. This list shows you the drives I’m currently using, but if you want to read about the actual process and backup automations I have in place, I keep a series of articles on the site that go through this in great detail.
Audio and Video
Gear B&H Photo Amazon
Sound Devices Mix Pre3 audio recorder Check Price Check Price
Rode Lavalier Mic Check Price Check Price
Rode VideoMicro Check Price Check Price
Rode NTG-2 Shotgun Mic Check Price Check Price
Sony UWP-D11 wireless mic kit Check Price Check Price
I typically don’t shoot video for clients, but I do post videos on my Youtube channel and my social media channels on a regular basis. I also take part in quite a few photography podcasts and record tutorials for various photo editing applications.
All cameras these days are capable of recording video that is more than high enough quality for web consumption, but where they fall down is the audio quality. It sucks if you use the on-board microphone in the camera! Audio is hugely important, just as important as the video quality, if not more! Rode makes all kinds of excellent microphones at great prices, and the Sound Devices recorder allows me to route sound to a camera or a computer however I please.
Optics
Gear B&H Photo Amazon
Nikon Monarch HG 10x42 Check Price Check Price
Anyone that does a lot of wildlife photography should have a good pair of binoculars. Much like a good tripod, this is something that with careful thought and research can be purchased perhaps just once or twice in your life. Good ones can be expensive, but they last well and they truly enhance the wildlife watching experience.
Yes they are great for spotting wildlife in the first place, but they are also great for watching wildlife that is simply too far away to get a good photo. If I can’t get a good shot, you can bet I’m still going to sit there for a while and study the animal’s behaviour so that I’m more familliar with their motions and patterns for future encounters.
The Monarch HGs are relatively new to the market but have quickly picked up near legendary status for the quality that they deliver at a price point that is less than half of other binoculars with similar optical performance. I’m sure I’ll have these around my neck for my whole career. They’re quite simply one of the best presents I ever bought myself!
Outdoor Clothing
Gear Amazon
Arcteryx Beta SV Jacket Check Price
Arcteryx Beta SV Bib Pants Check Price
Arcteryx Cerium SL Vest Check Price
Arcteryx Thorium AR Hoody Check Price
Arcteryx Firebee AR Parka Check Price
Arcteryx Bora2 Mid Hiking Boot Check Price
Full disclosure: I get discounted Arcteryx gear, but keeping warm and dry is such an important part of my work that I wouldn’t use anything that didn’t suit my needs 100%. Here’s my personal favourite pieces of outerwear. You get what you pay for, this stuff will last years of intensive usage and their customer service is second to none.
Outdoor Equipment
Gear Amazon
MSR Hubba Hubba NX Tent Check Price
Thermarest Parsec Sleeping Bag Check Price
Thermarest Corus Quilt Check Price
Thermarest Prolite Apex Sleeping Mat Check Price
Thermarest Mondoking 3D Sleeping Mat Check Price
MSR Guardian Water Filter Check Price
MSR Pocketrocket Deluxe Stove Check Price
Nemo Fillo Pillow Check Price
Mountain Hardware Phantom Gore-Tex -40 Sleeping Bag Check Price
Mountain Hardware Phantom Gore-Tex -18 Sleeping Bag Check Price
I spend a lot of my time outside, so naturally I have amassed a fairly large amount of outdoor and adventure equipment alongside my photographic gear. There’s far too much to list all of it, but these days, the stuff on this list is what I find myself reaching for on a regular basis.
The Guardian water filter is worth a special mention. This is the new king of MSR’s water treatment lineup and it’s effective against protozoa, bacteria, viruses, and particulates. Whether you’re camping or travelling in an area of the world with suspect water conditions, the Guardian is a great tool to keep you behind your camera and not… you know… in the bushes.
I’m also loving the new Prolite Apex sleeping pad. This is a 2″ thick self-inflating pad and whilst it’s slightly heavier than the previous NeoAir pads I have been using, it’s much more rugged and simpler to deal with. It’s the first self-inflating style of pad that I’ve been comfortable on as a side sleeper.
WordPress Plugins
Plugin Name | Link to Plugin |
---|---|
Envira Gallery | More Info |
Yoast SEO | More Info |
Optinmonster | More Info |
WP Forms | More Info |
Akismet | More Info |
WP Rocket | More Info |
Social Warfare | More Info |
Monarch | More Info |
These are the valuable WordPress plugins that are used on the Shutter Muse website, as well as my personal professional photography portfolio. My websites are a hugely important part of my business so I spend a lot of time optimizing them and testing various plugins.
Where to buy the best gear ?
Once you’ve figured out what it is you’re looking to buy, a common question is “where should I order from?“. Typically I buy my gear from either B&H Photo or Amazon and occasionally Adorama if the other two don’t have it in stock. I’ve experienced exceptional customer service from all three at some point, and can wholeheartedly recommend them all.
Even though I live in Canada I still like to order from B&H in the USA because they allow me to pay all the applicable taxes and duties up front so there are no surprises. This is a service they offer for many countries worldwide, and they now ship to Canada for free on orders over $99. That’s a huge deal for me!
If you happen to be looking for camera bags for general use or sports photography use then I would definitely recommend checking out Think Tank Photo. You’ll see in my gear list below that I have a number of their carrying solutions in my closet for when I’m traveling or shooting at sporting events which is where their gear really excels. For all your adventure, outdoor and widlife photography needs, look no further than Think Tank’s sister comapny, MindShift Gear.
As a friend of the site, Think Tank Photo and MindShift Gear will offer you a FREE gift of a small bag or accessory when you purchase more then $50 worth of stuff from their store after clicking through one of my links!
Reasons Behind My Switch to Sony Mirrorless
Of course there have been questions about this. Hopefully this clears things up for everyone.
Finding a Sleeping Bag for -40C/-40F
If you’re looking for a sleeping bag that can keep you safe and comfortable in extreme temperatures, I have some advice.
Packing List: Underwater Sea Lion Photography On Hornby Island
I’m just packing for a trip to Hornby Island off the coast of Vancouver Island where I will once again be photographing sea lions underwater. Here’s what I’m taking with me…
The First Three Things I Bought For My Sony A9 II
These are the first three things that I always buy for any new camera that I get. In this case it was the Sony A9 II, but you can apply this thinking to any other camera as well.
My Sony Mirrorless Starter Kit
Well, it happened. I sold my Canon DSLR gear that I have used for my whole career, and began to build a new Sony mirrorless system based around the A9 II.
Gear Check: Garmin GPSMAP 66i With InReach!
I have always been a fan of InReach satellite messaging devices, and Garmin has finally integrated this technology into one of their handheld GPS units. Take a look and see how I use it for my photography!