My current roster of gear which I’ve accumulated over many years as a lifelong photo hobbyist and enthusiast is listed below. The contents of “What’s In My Bag” are assembled from this gear based on the plans for the day.
Nikon has been my camera brand of choice since buying a Nikon Nikkormat, my first SLR, when I was sixteen. Even though there are other excellent camera brands available on the market (e.g., Leica, Canon, Sony), remaining loyal to Nikon over the years with its now over 100 years of excellence has been both practical and rewarding. And while no camera brand is perfect, Nikon still continues to delight.
Unless you have very little gear and/or are just starting out on your photographic journey, would suggest you too stick with one camera brand. Because once you’ve acquired a fair amount of gear (i.e., cameras, lenses, & accessories) to change brands you must accept the …
- financial cost of switching (i.e., selling all your used gear of one brand and buying all new of another),
- time required to learn a new brand’s features, functionality, and menu system and develop the necessary muscle memory to make using the gear automatic, and
- likelihood sexy new products will come along from the original brand (like the Nikon Z9 & Z8) which causes you to regret having switched.
📸 Coming Soon 📸 Expect to acquire the new Nikon Z8 camera later this year for use on an African safari trip (perhaps the Masai Mara or Serengeti) sometime next year in 2024! Look forward to this new camera’s advanced sensor, better autofocus, faster frame rate, electronic shutter, no EVF black out, sensor shield, etc.
This page is updated regularly as gear is added, removed, and/or replaced.
Camera & Lens
| Category | Item | Other |
|---|---|---|
| Camera | Nikon Z8 | FX Mirrorless 45 MP / 5.7 x 4.7 x 3.3 in 32 oz |
| Camera | Nikon Z6 II | FX Mirrorless 24.5 MP / 5.3 x 4 x 2.7 in 24 oz |
| Camera | Nikon Z6 | FX Mirrorless 24.5 MP / 5.3 x 4 x 2.7 in 24 oz |
| Prime Lens | Nikkor Z 20 mm f/1.8 S | 77 mm Filter ✓ / 3.4 x 4.3 in 18 oz |
| Prime Lens | Nikkor Z 35 mm f/1.8 S | 62 mm Filter / 2.9 x 3.4 in 13 oz / 10 in focus |
| Prime Lens | Nikkor Z 50 mm f/1.8 S | 62 mm Filter / 3.0 x 3.4 in 15 oz / 16 in focus |
| Prime Lens | Nikkor Z 85 mm f/1.8 S | 67 mm Filter / 3.0 x 3.9 in 17 oz / 31 in focus |
| Zoom Lens | Nikkor Z 24-120 mm f/4 S | 77 mm Filter ✓ / 3.4 x 4.7 in 22 oz |
| Zoom Lens | Nikkor Z 14-24 mm f/2.8 S | 112 mm Filter / 3.5 x 5.0 in 23 oz |
| Zoom Lens | Nikkor Z 24-70 mm f/2.8 S | 82 mm Filter / 3.5 x 5.0 in 25 oz |
| Zoom Lens | Nikkor Z 70-200 mm f/2.8 VR S | 77 mm Filter ✓ / 3.6 x 8.7 in 48 oz |
| Prime Lens | Nikkor Z 400 mm f/4.5 VR S | 95 mm Filter / 4.1 x 9.3 in 41 oz |
| Teleconverter | Nikkor Z TC 1.4x | 2.9 x 0.8 in 8 oz |
Drone & Remote Controller
| Category | Item | Other |
|---|---|---|
| Drone | DJI Mini 3 Pro | 1/1.3 in CMOS 48 MP 4K / 5.7 x 3.5 x 2.4 in 9 oz |
| Controller | DJI RC | 5.5 in screen 700 nits / 6.6 x 4.9 x 1.8 in 14 oz |
Action Camera
| Category | Item | Other |
|---|---|---|
| Action Camera | GoPro HERO9 Black | 20.0 MP / 5K 30 fps & 4K 60 fps |
What’s In My Bag
| Gear / Scenario | Street | Travel EDC | Studio Portrait | Astro | Landscape Cityscape | Sports Wildlife |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikon Z8 | ||||||
| Nikon Z6 II | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Nikon Z6 | ✓ | |||||
| DJI Mini 3 Pro | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| GoPro HERO9 Black | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Nikkor 20 mm f/1.8 S | ✓ | |||||
| Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8 S | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ? | ||
| Nikkor 50 mm f/1.8 S | ✓ | ? | ||||
| Nikkor 85 mm f/1.8 S | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Nikkor 24-120 mm f/4 S | ✓ | |||||
| Nikkor 14-24 mm f/2.8 S | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Nikkor 24-70 mm f/2.8 S | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Nikkor 70-200 mm f/2.8 VR S | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Nikkor 400 mm f/4.5 VR S | ? | ✓ | ||||
| Nikkor TC 1.4x | ? | ✓ | ||||
| Wndrd Prvke Lite | ✓ | Travel | ||||
| Wndrd Prvke V2 31L | EDC | |||||
| Gura Gear Kiboko 30L+ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Peak Design Sling V2 6L | ? | Travel | ||||
| Peak Design Sling V2 10L | ✓ |
Tripod
| Category | Item | Other |
|---|---|---|
| Tripod | Gitzo G1258 Mountaineer Reporter 6X Rapid | Carbon Fiber / Series 2 |
| Ball Head | Really Right Stuff BH-40 Lever-Release Clamp | QR |
| Leveling Base | Really Right Stuff TA-2U-LB Universal Leveling Base | Series 2 |
| Tripod Bag | Gitzo GE11P Tripod Bag | 30¼ in |
Monopod
| Category | Item | Other |
|---|---|---|
| Monopod | Gitzo G1568 Mountaineer MK2 Reporter | Carbon Fiber |
| QR Clamp | Kirk QRC-2.5 Quick Release Clamp | QR 2½ in |
| Tripod Bag | Gitzo GC1101 Tripod Bag | 25½ in |
Mini Tripod
| Category | Item | Other |
|---|---|---|
| Mini Tripod | SwitchPod DSLR Tripod | |
| Mini Tripod | Manfrotto PIXI Mini Tripod | #MTPIXI-B |
| Ball Head | Joby Ball Head 5K | QR |
| iPhone Clamp | Manfrotto Universal Smartphone Clamp, Pro | #MCPIXI |
| iPhone Clamp | Manfrotto Universal Smartphone Clamp, Basic | #MCCLAMP |
Filters Flash & Light Modifiers
| Category | Item | Other |
|---|---|---|
| Filter | Nikon Circular Polarizer II Slim 67mm | |
| Filter | Nikon Circular Polarizer II Slim 72mm | |
| Filter | Nikon Circular Polarizer II Slim 77mm | |
| Light Panel | Lume Cube Panel Mini Bi Color Continuous LED | 60 LED |
| Light Paint | LEDLenser P7 Flashlight | 450-40 Lumens |
| Light Paint | LEDLenser Filter Set | P7 Flashlight |
| Light Paint | AZLO CTO (Color Temp Orange) Warming Gels, 3 | 8 x 8 in |
Backpacks Slings & Cases
| Category | Item | Other |
|---|---|---|
| Small Backpack | Wndrd Prvke Lite | 11 Liter / 16 x 11 x 5.5 in / 2.4 lbs / Yuma Tan |
| Small backpack for street & travel photography, urban adventures, & sightseeing. | ||
| EDC Backpack | Wndrd Prvke V2 31L | 31 Liter / 19 x 12.5 x 7.5 in / 3.4 lbs / Black Essential Plus Cube |
| Medium EDC (every day carry) backpack for travel, work, school, & play. | ||
| Large Backpack | Gura Gear Kiboko 30L + | 30 Liter / ~ 20 x 12 x 9 in / 4.1 lbs / Black |
| Large backpack for carry of full kit including two bodies with mounted long lens. | ||
| Travel Sling | Peak Design Everyday Sling V2 6L | 6 Liter / 13.4 x 10.6 x 9.4 in / 1.7 lbs / Black |
| Small sling for street & travel photography, urban adventures, & sightseeing. | ||
| Studio Sling | Peak Design Everyday Sling V2 10L | 10 Liter / 16.5 x 13.8 x 10.2 in / 2 lbs / Black |
| Large sling for carry of lenses & other gear for portrait & general studio work. | ||
| Medium Backpack | Incase DSLR Pro Pack | 26 Liter / 20 x 12 x 9 in / Black |
| Medium camera backpack for landscape, sports, nature, and astro photography. | ||
| Hardcase | Pelican 1535 Air Carry-On | 27 Liter / 22 x 14 x 9 in / 12 lbs / Black Yellow Padded Dividers |
| Two-wheeled rolling carry-on hardcase for gear storage & transport. | ||
Camera Straps
| Category | Item | Other |
|---|---|---|
| Wrist Strap | Peak Design Cuff V3 | .75 in width |
| Shoulder Strap | Peak Design Leash | .75 in width |
| Shoulder Strap | Peak Design Slide Lite | 1.3 in width |
| Shoulder Strap | Peak Design Slide | 1.8 in width |
| Camera Clip | Peak Design Capture Camera Clip V3 | |
| Camera Clip | Peak Design Pro Pad V2 | Capture Clip Accessory |
Camera & Lens Accessories
| Category | Item | Other |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | Nikon EN-EL15c Lithium-Ion Battery | 1 Of |
| Battery | Nikon EN-EL15b Lithium-Ion Battery | 3 Of |
| Battery Charger | RAVPower Battery Charger | |
| Memory Card | SanDisk 128 GB Extreme Pro CFExpress Card | Type B / 2 Of |
| Memory Card | SanDisk 128 GB Extreme Pro SD Card | |
| L Bracket | Kirk BL-Z Camera “L” Bracket | Arca Swiss QR |
| Lens Foot | Kirk LP-70 Lens Foot | Arca Swiss QR / 2 Of |
| Lens Protector | LensCoat Nikkor Z 400mm f/4.5 | LCN40045Z |
| Wireless Release | Aodelan Pebble Wireless Remote Shutter Release | Wired DC2 Transmitter Wireless Receiver |
| Wireless Intervalometer | Pixel TW-283 Wireless Remote Shutter Release | Wired DC2 Transmitter Wireless Receiver |
| Wired Release | Nikon MC-DC2 Wired Shutter Release (#25395) |
Drone Accessories
| Category | Item | Other |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | DJI Mini 3 Pro Intelligent Flight Battery Plus | 2 Of |
| Battery | DJI Mini 3 Pro Intelligent Flight Battery | |
| Charging Hub | DJI Mini 3 Pro Two Way Charging Hub | |
| Memory Card | SanDisk 256 GB Extreme Pro microSD Card | SDXC UHS-1 V30 A2 / 2 of |
| Lens Filters | DJI Mini 3 Pro ND Filter Set | ND 16/64/256 |
| Propeller Guard | DJI Mini 3 Series Propeller Holder | |
| Strobe Light | HeiyRC Drone Strobe Light | |
| Landing Pad | PGYTECH 20 in Fast Fold Landing Launching Pad Pro | Square |
| Landing Pad | PGYTECH 75mm Landing Launching Pad | Round |
Action Camera Accessories
| Category | Item | Other |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | GoPro HERO9 Black Battery | 2 Of |
| Battery Charger | GoPro HERO9 Black Dual Battery Charger | |
| Memory Card | Samsung 512GB Evo Select MicroSD Card | SDXC U3 |
| Mic & Adaptor | GoPro Media Mod | |
| Hand Grip | GoPro 3 Way Grip-Arm-Tripod | |
| Hand Grip | GoPro Handler Floating Hand Grip | |
| Suction Mount | GoPro Suction Cup Mount |
Lens Cleaning & Dust Removal
| Category | Item | Other |
|---|---|---|
| Dust Removal | Giottos Rocket Air Blower | 1 Large & 2 Small |
| Dust Removal | MagicFiber Microfiber Cleaning Cloths | |
| Dust Removal | Delta Camel Hair Brush | |
| Lens Cleaner | Nikon Lens Cleaning Wipes | |
| Lens Cleaner | Zeiss Lens Cleaning Wipes | |
| Lens Cleaner | Formula MC Lens Cleaner | |
| Lens Cleaner | ROR Residual Oil Remover | |
| Sensor Cleaner | VSGO VS-S03E Sensor Cleaning Kit |
Other Accessories
| Category | Item | Other |
|---|---|---|
| Gray/Color Target | X-Rite ColorChecker Passport | 2 Of |
| Memory Card Case | Tenba Tools Reload SD6+CF6 Card Wallet | For CFExpress & SD Cards |
| Filter Case | MindShift Filter Nest Mini Filter Pouch | For 4 Filters Up To 82mm |
| Gaffer Tape | Gaffer Tape | 1" Black & 1" White |
| Head Lamp | Petzl ACTIK Headlamp 350 Lumens | |
| Head Lamp | Petzl TacTikka Plus 4 LED #E49P | |
| Winter Gloves | LowePro Photographer’s Gloves | |
| "Drone" Stool | Travel Chair Slacker Chair | Black |
| "Sports" Stool | Soyoo Folding Step Stool | 11" Light Gray |
| "Sports" Stool | Mini Max Portable & Collapsible Stool | Black |
Video Monitor
| Category | Item | Other |
|---|---|---|
| Monitor | Atomos Shinobi | 5.2 in Monitor |
| Battery | Atomos Power Kit v2 | 2 x L-Series/NP-F750 5200 mAh Batteries & L-Series Battery Charger |
| Mount | Atomos AtomX | 5 & 7 in Monitor Mount |
| Cable | Atomos HDMI To Mini HDMI Twisted Cable | # ATOMCAB008, 30 cm, Black |
Microphones & Accessories
| Category | Item | Other |
|---|---|---|
| Microphone | Rode Wireless GO Compact Digital Microphone System | 2.4GHz |
| Microphone | Rode Lavalier GO Omnidirectional Lavalier Microphone | Wireless GO |
| Microphone | Rode VideoMic Pro+ On-Camera Shotgun Condenser Microphone | |
| Accessory | Rode DeadCat VMP+ | VideoMic Pro+ |
● – planned future gear addition
● – sometimes use a circular polarizer filter with this lens
● – gear typically used for associated photo scenario
● – gear sometimes used for associated photo scenario
Last updated 31-May-2023.