My current roster of photo (and video) gear which I’ve accumulated over the years as a lifelong photographer and photo hobbyist / enthusiast is listed below.
The content of “What’s In My Bag” is assembled from this gear based on the plans for the day.
Nikon has been my brand of choice since buying my first SLR, a Nikon Nikkormat, when I was sixteen. Even though there are other excellent professional camera brands on the market (e.g., Canon, Sony, Leica), remaining loyal to Nikon over the years with its now over 100 years of market leadership, innovation, and optical excellence has been both practical and rewarding. While no camera brand and its system is perfect, Nikon still continues to consistently delight !!
Unless you have very little gear and/or are just starting out on your photography journey, would suggest you too stick with one good brand with an existing, well developed system. 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 the used gear of one brand and buying new of another),
- time required to learn the new brand features, functionality, and menu system and develop the necessary muscle memory to make using the gear automatic, and
- likelihood of missing out on exciting new products (like the Nikon Z9, Nikon Z8, and Nikon Z6iii) from the brand you left.
Having access to all of this gear, however, does not make one a better photographer. This gear is merely an array of tools one can use to tell a story. And in many cases one could achieve the same results using the smartphone camera in one’s pocket.
🎈📸🎉 Coming Soon 🎉📸🎈
Expect to acquire the new Nikon Z8 camera in 2024 and the updated Nikon Z6iii in 2025 ! Look forward to the Z8 camera’s advanced sensor, better autofocus, faster frame rate, electronic shutter, no EVF black out, sensor shield, etc. Additionally, plan on adding three more lenses – (1) Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VS S, (2) Nikkor Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR, and (3) Nikkor Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S. The first lens would be for use with macro close-up work and the last two lenses for wildlife and sports photography. Actually purchasing the 400mm f/2.8 lens anytime soon, however, is basically just wishful thinking. It would be nice to own, but it is extremely expensive.
What’s In My Bag
Gear / Scenario | Street | Travel EDC* | Portrait Product | Landscape Cityscape Nightscape | Sports Nature | African Safari |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nikon Z6 II | ||||||
Nikon Z6 III | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
Nikon Z8 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
DJI Mini 3 Pro | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
Nikkor 20mm f/1.8 S | ✓ | |||||
Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 S | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 S | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
Nikkor 85mm f/1.8 S | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
Nikkor MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
Nikkor 400mm f/4.5 VR S | ✓ | ? | ||||
Nikkor 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S | ✓ | A | ||||
Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 S | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 S | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
Nikkor 24-120mm f/4 S | ✓ | ? | ||||
Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | A B | ||
Nikkor 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
Nikkor 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR | B | |||||
Nikkor TC 1.4x | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
Wndrd Prvke Lite | ✓ | Travel | ||||
Wndrd Prvke V2 31L | EDC Travel | |||||
Shimoda Explore 35 V2 | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
Gura Gear Kiboko 2.0 22L+ | ||||||
Gura Gear Kiboko 2.0 30L+ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
Gura Gear Chobe 2.0 13" | ✓ | |||||
Peak Design Sling V2 6L | ✓ | Travel | ||||
Peak Design Sling V2 10L | ✓ |
— Camera Lens & Accessories —
Camera & Lens
Category | Item |
---|---|
Cameras | Nikon Z6 |
Nikon Z6 II | |
Nikon Z6 III | |
Nikon Z8 | |
Primes | Nikkor Z 20mm f/1.8 S |
Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.8 S | |
Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.8 S | |
Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.8 S | |
Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S | |
Nikkor Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S | |
Nikkor Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S | |
Zooms | Nikkor Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S |
Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S | |
Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S | |
Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S | |
Nikkor Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S | |
Nikkor Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S | |
Nikkor Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR | |
Teleconverter | Nikkor Z TC 1.4x |
Filters & Light Modifiers
Category | Item |
---|---|
Filters | Nikon Circular Polarizer II Slim, 67mm |
Kase Wolverine Magnetic Circular Polarizer, 82mm | |
Kase Wolverine Magnetic ND8, 82mm | |
Kase Wolverine Magnetic ND64, 82mm | |
Kase Wolverine Magnetic ND1000, 82mm | |
Step Up Ring | Kase Wolverine Magnetic Step Up Ring, 77-82mm |
Filter Case | MindShift Filter Nest Mini Filter Pouch |
Light Panel | Lume Cube Panel Mini Bi Color Continuous LED |
Light Paint | LEDLenser P7 Flashlight |
LEDLenser Filter Set + CTO Warming Gels |
Audio
Category | Item |
---|---|
Microphones | Rode Wireless GO Compact Digital Microphone System |
Rode Lavalier GO Omnidirectional Lavalier Microphone | |
Rode VideoMic Pro+ On-Camera Shotgun Condenser Microphone | |
DeadCat | Rode DeadCat VMP+ |
Video
Category | Item | Qty |
---|---|---|
Monitor | Atomos Shinobi | |
Batteries | Atomos L-Series NP-F750 5200 mAh Battery | 2 |
Battery Charger | Atomos L-Series Battery Charger | |
Mount | Atomos AtomX Monitor Mount | |
Cable | Atomos HDMI To Mini HDMI Twisted Cable |
Camera Straps
Category | Item |
---|---|
Wrist Strap | Peak Design Cuff V3 |
Shoulder Straps | Peak Design Leash |
Peak Design Slide Lite | |
Peak Design Slide |
Other Camera & Lens Accessories
Category | Item | Qty |
---|---|---|
Batteries | Nikon EN-EL15c Lithium-Ion Battery | |
Nikon EN-EL15b Lithium-Ion Battery | 3 | |
Battery Charger | RAVPower Battery Charger | |
Memory Cards | SanDisk 128 GB Extreme Pro CFExpress Card | 2 |
SanDisk 128 GB Extreme Pro SD Card | ||
L Brackets | Kirk BL-7ZII Camera “L” Bracket | |
Kirk BL-Z Camera “L” Bracket | ||
Lens Foot | Kirk LP-70 Lens Foot | 2 |
Lens Protector | LensCoat Nikkor Z 400mm f/4.5 | |
Wireless Release | Aodelan Pebble Wireless Remote Shutter Release | |
Wired Release | Nikon MC-DC2 Wired Shutter Release (#25395) |
— Drone & Accessories —
Drone & Controller
Category | Item |
---|---|
Drone | DJI Mini 3 Pro |
Controller | DJI RC |
Drone Accessories
Category | Item | Qty |
---|---|---|
Batteries | DJI Mini 3 Pro Intelligent Flight Battery Plus | 2 |
DJI Mini 3 Pro Intelligent Flight Battery | ||
Charging Hub | DJI Mini 3 Pro Two Way Charging Hub | |
Memory Cards | SanDisk 256 GB Extreme Pro microSD Card | 2 |
Lens Filters | DJI Mini 3 Pro ND 16/64/256 Filter Set | |
Propeller Guard | DJI Mini 3 Series Propeller Holder | |
Strobe Light | HeiyRC Drone Strobe Light |
— Action Camera & Accessories —
Action Camera
Category | Item |
---|---|
Action Camera | GoPro HERO9 Black |
Action Camera Accessories
Category | Item | Qty |
---|---|---|
Batteries | GoPro HERO9 Black Battery | 2 |
Battery Charger | GoPro HERO9 Black Dual Battery Charger | |
Memory Card | Samsung 512GB Evo Select MicroSD Card | |
Microphone & Adaptor | GoPro Media Mod | |
Camera Clip | GoPro Magnetic Swivel Camera Clip | |
Hand Grips | GoPro 3 Way Grip-Arm-Tripod | |
GoPro Handler Floating Hand Grip | ||
Suction Mount | GoPro Suction Cup Mount |
— Tripod & Monopod—
Tripod & Accessories
Category | Item |
---|---|
Tripod | Gitzo G1258 Mountaineer Reporter 6X Rapid Series 2 |
Ball Head | Really Right Stuff BH-40 Lever-Release Clamp |
Leveling Base | Really Right Stuff TA-2U-LB Series 2 Universal Leveling Base |
Tripod Bag | Gitzo GE11P Tripod Bag |
Tripod, Head & Case | Peak Design Travel Tripod |
Monopod & Accessories
Category | Item |
---|---|
Monopod | Gitzo G1568 Mountaineer MK2 Reporter |
QR Clamp | Kirk QRC-2.5 Quick Release Clamp |
Tripod Bag | Gitzo GC1101 Tripod Bag |
Mini Tripod & Accessories
Category | Item |
---|---|
Mini Tripod | SwitchPod DSLR Tripod |
Manfrotto PIXI Mini Tripod | |
Ball Head | Joby Ball QR Head 5K |
iPhone Clamp | Manfrotto Universal Smartphone Clamp, Pro |
Manfrotto Universal Smartphone Clamp, Basic |
— Backpacks Slings & Cases —
Backpacks Slings & Cases
Category | Item |
---|---|
Backpacks | Wndrd Prvke Lite, Yuma Tan |
Wndrd Prvke V2 31L (+ Essential Plus Cube) |
|
Incase DSLR Pro Pack |
|
Shimoda Explore V2 35 (+ DSLR Med v2 & Sm Core Units) |
|
Gura Gear Kiboko 2.0 22L+ |
|
Gura Gear Kiboko 2.0 30L+ |
|
Slings | Gura Gear Chobe 2.0 13" (+ Slim Insert) |
Peak Design Everyday Sling V2 6L |
|
Peak Design Everyday Sling V2 10L |
|
Hardcase | Pelican 1535 Air Carry-On (+ Yellow Padded Dividers) |
— Other Photo Accessories —
Camera & Lens Cleaning
Category | Item | Qty |
---|---|---|
Dust Removal | Giottos Rocket Air Blower | 5 |
Delta Camel Hair 1" Brush | 5 | |
Lens Cleaners | MagicFiber Microfiber Cleaning Cloths | |
Nikon Lens Pen Cleaning System | 4 | |
Zeiss Lens Cleaning Wipes | ||
Formula MC Lens Cleaner | ||
ROR Residual Oil Remover | ||
Sensor Cleaner | VSGO VS-S03E Sensor Cleaning Kit |
Misc Photo Accessories
Category | Item | Qty |
---|---|---|
Gray/Color Targets | X-Rite ColorChecker Passport | 2 |
Portable Drives | Sandisk 1TB Extreme Pro Portable SSD Drive | 2 |
Card Readers | Sony CFExpress/XQD Type B Card Reader | |
Apple SD To USB-C Card Reader | ||
USB-C Hub | Satechi USB-C 4 Port Hub | |
Card Case | Tenba Tools Reload SD6+CF6 Card Wallet | |
Gaffer Tape | Gaffer Tape // 1" Black, White, & Yellow | |
Head Lamps | Petzl Actik Core Headlamp 600 Lumens | |
Petzl Actik Headlamp 350 Lumens | ||
Petzl TacTikka Plus 4 LED #E49P | ||
Backup Battery | Petzl Accu Core Battery | |
Winter Gloves | LowePro Photographer’s Gloves | |
Trekking Poles | Black Diamond Trail Cork Trekking Poles | |
Chairs | Travel Chair Slacker Chair | |
Big Agnes Big Six Camp Chair | ||
Stools | Mini Max Portable & Collapsible Stool | |
Soyoo Folding Step Stool |
Last updated 6-Aug-2024.