My Gear
Photography is about vision, skill, and seeing the world in unique ways - far more than it is about gear. Some of my favorite images were taken with my first camera, a Nikon D7200 and an 18-300mm f/5.6 lens. It’s a far cry from what I use today, but it underscores a timeless truth: creativity and experience matter more than specs.
As the saying - most often attributed to street photographer Arthur Fellig - goes:
“f/8 and be there.”
To me, it’s a reminder that showing up matters most. Getting out, being present, and putting yourself in the right place at the right time, or at least trying to. This is not discredit the incredible important of planning, but often getting out is more beneficial than waiting for perfect conditions or the perfect kit.
That said, the right tools do make a difference. While gear alone won’t create a great image, it helps refine the process and can make it easier not just to capture a moment, but to reproduce it authentically. Below is the equipment I rely on to bring my creative vision to life.
Disclosure: I am not affiliated with or sponsored by any of the brands listed here. Every item in this gear list is something I have purchased and personally use because it fits my needs and enhances my workflow.
Cameras
Nikon Z9 - My primary camera for wildlife and astrophotography. With its fast autofocus, high-resolution sensor, and excellent dynamic range, it delivers stunning image quality and performs exceptionally well in challenging lighting conditions.
Nikon Z6II - A versatile backup camera that also serves as my primary camera for landscapes and other environmental shots when looking for wildlife to photograph.
DJI Mini 5 Pro - Small drone with large 1-inch sensor to capture aerial landscapes and action shots.
Lenses & Optics
Nikon Z FX 400mm f/4.5 S Lens - An exceptionally sharp and lightweight lens and my primary telephoto for wildlife photography that I can hike all day with.
Nikon Z FX 24-120mm f/4 S Lens - A highly versatile zoom lens I use for landscapes, travel and everyday shooting. Great image quality and a wide focal range.
Nikon Z FX 35mm f/1.8 S Lens - A do-it-all lens for street photography, nightscapes, and environmental portraits.
Nikon Z FX 26mm f/2.8 Lens - A lightweight pancake lens for snapshot type ability is desired.
Nikon Z FX 20mm f/1.8 S Lens - My go-to wide-angle lens for nightscape photography.
Nikon Z 1.4x Teleconverter - Extends the reach of my 400mm by 40%, turning it into an effective 560mm f/6.3 while maintaining excellent image quality.
Vortex Viper HD 10x50 Binoculars - While not lightweight, these binoculars are reliable and offer excellent quality for scouting wildlife at distance.
Tripods & Support
3 Legged Thing Jay Carbon Fiber Tripod with AirHed Cine-A Fluid Head System - A sturdy yet lightweight tripod offering precise control for both photography and videography.
Leofoto VH-30R Two-Way Head - My new primary tripod head. The fluid head enables smooth tracking of wildlife with my long lens, while seamlessly transitioning to landscape photography using L-brackets. Its precise markings ensure accuracy for panoramic shots.
Kirk LRP-3 Multipurpose Rail (7.5") - Adds flexibility for balancing long lenses as well as taking panoramic photographs using the nodal point of my camera and lens combinations.
SIRUI AM223 Travel Carbon Fibre Mini Tripod - Ideal for compact setups and low-angle shots, perfect for quick hikes.
Vanguard Alta BH-100 Ball Head - A simple, yet sturdy ball head that is used to cut down weight on my primary tripod or used on my travel tripod.
LensCoat Beanbag - Filled with buckwheat hulls, this beanbag provides excellent stability when photographing from my vehicle.
3 Legged Thing Zaara One L-bracket for Nikon Z9 and Zelda L-Bracket for Nikon Z6ii - Allows quick switching between horizontal and vertical shooting while maintaining stability on a tripod.
Camera Bags and Protection
F-Stop TILOPA 50L DuraDiamond Backpack and F-Stop Navin Pouch- My go-to bag for carrying camera gear safely on rugged adventures, with plenty of room for extra equipment and clothing when hiking in the mountains. The Navin attaches to the MOLLE waist strap and perfectly fits my Z6II and 24-120mm lens.
F-Stop Internal Camera Unit (ICU) - Small, Medium Slope, Large - Keeps my gear neatly organized inside my backpack, offering extra protection and customizable depending on the specific needs of the day.
LensCoat Rain Covers and ThinkTank Emergency Rain Cover - Essential for shooting in unpredictable weather, keeping my gear safe from rain and dust.
Husky 46 inch 9-Drawer Mobile Workbench. - My storage solution for camera gear and accessories at home. It is incredibly versatile and with pick and pluck foam, provides a safe and secure location for cameras and lenses.
Camera Straps & Harnesses
BlackRapid Double Breathe Camera Harness and Backpack Strap - Keeps two cameras secure and accessible, making transitions between setups seamless.
Cotton Carrier G3 Dual Camera Harness - Distributes weight of my Z9 and 400mm evenly for long days hiking. I often carry my binoculars on the additional attachment point.
Peak Design Capture Clip - Securely holds my Z6II camera on my backpack strap when hiking when wildlife photography is not the priority.
Memory & Storage
Delkin Black and Power CFexpress Type B Cards and Reader - High-speed memory for capturing fast action with minimal buffer lag.
Crucial X10 Pro 4TB Portable SSD - My primary photo hard drive.
SanDisk 2TB Portable SSDs - Backup SSDs for everyday and for ensuring multiple copies during photography trips.
Other Accessories
Neutral Density (ND) and polarizing filters - ND filters reduces the amount of light entering the camera (i.e., like sunglasses) and enables decreased shutter speeds to slow motion and maintaining large apertures during bright conditions. Polarizing aid in reducing reflections.
Godox TR-N1 and TR-N3 Remote Shutter Release for Nikon - A versatile wireless remote control for long exposures during astrophotography but also for time-lapses and self-portraits.
USB Lens Warmer - Prevents condensation on lenses when shooting in cold or humid environments, ensuring clear shots without fogging. Used during astrophotography sessions.
Garmin InReach Explorer+ - Satellite communication device I carry for all remote photography and hiking trips to allow for text communication and emergency search and rescue response.
Computer & Accessories
Mac Studio 2025, M4 Max, 14-Core CPU, 32-Core GPU, 36GB Unified Memory - My recent upgrade purchase, transitioning from a 2015 Macbook Pro to this desktop was wonderful and significantly increases my efficiency when editing photos. I also plan to try my hand at editing short form wildlife videos in the future.
Microsoft Surface Pro 4 - An old but still useful tablet-style computer I use on trips primarily to transfer photos from memory cards to SSDs for backup.
Logitech ERGO K860 Keyboard and Mx Vertical Mouse - Ergonomic keyboard and mouse for increased comfort.
HUION Inspiroy Keydial KD200 Bluetooth 5.0-Wireless Graphics Drawing Tablet - Wireless drawing tablet with keyboard shortcuts and dials for photo editing.
Datacolor Spyder - Monitor calibration tool for accurate colour reproduction.