The Gear Post

Photographers care way, way too much about gear. The number of blogs, reviews and articles out there that are passionately dedicated to analysing the tiniest differences between lens A and lens B is pretty is insane, as are the arguments that result from it.


With that said, equipment definitely is important for the working photographer. What matters though is not necessarily having all the latest, flashiest gear, but having stuff you know how to use, you know is reliable and can take a beating. Since a few people have asked me about it, here's my loadout for a major job I'm setting up for next week.

Cameras

Nikon D600 - Though the D600 isn't classed as a 'pro' body by Nikon, it's plenty professional enough for my needs. The combination of 24 megapixels and an FX (full-frame) sensor means it's got superb image quality and really sings in the dark. Everything up to ISO6400 is perfectly usable with a little post processing and a smart Auto ISO system means I spend less time fiddling and more shooting. It's well put together too, even if it's not the all magnesium body I'd prefer. The tradeoff is lighter weight and smaller form-factor than the D800 family, both of which are greatly appreciated. The big resolution makes cropping easy when necessary and smart ergonomics make it easy to handle.

For full-day work I usually pair the body with a MB-D14 battery grip. This not only gives me my much liked portrait controls but also enough juice that it's nearly impossible to run out in a day. I've also done some minor customisation to the eyepiece, fitting a larger, circular rubber piece that works better with my glasses.

The D600 gets something of a bad rap these days because of a manufacturing fault that caused them to spit dust and oil over the sensors. Nikon has issued a permanent offer to fix or replace the issue, so I bought mine at a knock down price and sent it for servicing and it's been rock solid ever since. Highly recommended for someone who needs the quality of full-frame on the cheap.

Nikon D300 - The D300 is ancient in camera terms, dating from 2007. There's a reason why a lot of people still swear by them though, and that's because they're incredible workhorses and tough as nails. The D300 is my choice for two major activities - sports, where its 51 point autofocus system is far superior to the D600s, and long distance work, where the cropped sensor gives it additional reach. It's also built like a tank and can withstand nearly anything I can throw at it. Granted, 12 megapixels is a little on the low side these days and it can't see in the dark like the 600, but it's versatile and reliable and still takes a hell of a picture. Perfect #2 camera, and I'd recommend it to anyone wanting to step up from more basic SLRs too, since good used ones are a snip at around £300.

Lenses

Nikon AF-S 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5G - The newest addition to my bag and rapidly becoming a favourite. It's a compact, lightweight ultra-wide angle that costs and weighs way less than top-end lenses but goes blow to blow with them in image quality. Paired with the (relatively) compact D600 it's a highly portable winner, and the 600's superb low light capability makes up for the slight slowness of the 18-35. Definitely recommended if you want a great wide angle that won't break the bank or your back.

Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.4G - I'm a huge fan of shooting prime lenses and every photographer should have a 50mm in their bag in my opinion. This is my go to lens for dark work or people shots, which means it's welded to the camera at conventions. The smallest, cheapest and lightest lens I use, yet the one which delivers the highest quality, day in and day out. Essential

Nikon AF-D 80-200mm f/2.8 (Two-Ring) - Good, fast telephotos are one of the toughest and most expensive things to find as a photographer, so I delved deep into the past to come up with this gem, first introduced in 1997(!). That 2.8 aperture is a lifesaver for dark halls and concerts and it's sharp and contrasty at every length and aperture. The old school feel is enhanced by the magnificent build quality, with everything being finely milled metal. The net result is a very very heavy but otherwise magnificent tool.

Other Stuff

Nikon SB-700 - I'm not a big fan of flash and avoid using it wherever possible, which is most of the time. But when you absolutely need it, the SB-700 is my go to. It's small and light enough that carrying it isn't a huge issue, yet it's got plenty of punch, infra-red remote control and a built in bounce card and diffuser. Don't underestimate built in flashes either, which can act as decent fill sources.

Spare Batteries - ALWAYS CARRY SPARE BATTERIES. Seriously, I've found this out a few times to my cost. I carry three batteries for the D600 and two for the D300, plus spare AAs for flashguns. Charge everything the night before.

OPTech Utility strap x2 - If you're carrying a camera for any serious length of time the neck strap is going to hurt. Instead, I use these cheap and tough sliding shoulder straps. A lot of photographers prefer straps that screw into the tripod mount, but these attach to the strap lugs, which I prefer since I'm a bit paranoid about damaging the screw threads.

Manfrotto 294 Monopod/Manfrotto 394 Tripod - Depending on the situation. I rarely bring the tripod out into the field these days since I don't do much landscape work. The monopod is practically compulsory if I want to use the 80-200 for any extended period of time though, so you'll almost always see me with one or the other.

When it comes to gear, less is more. I tend to over-pack and as you can see this still isn't a huge amount of stuff. Choosing the right equipment is important and necessary, but never forget it's skill and imagination which turn a decent photographer into a great one.