Ok, let’s talk about gear

What equipment we use to capture photos or videos isn’t everything. In fact, I would say that skill, experience and an eye for composition is much more important than the tools we use for taking photos.

But good gear will help also.

I, because I am always trying to learn, have a philosophy that I should have equipment good enough to not be able to blame it.

If something goes wrong I should only be able to blame myself, not the gear.

Then I can learn from mistakes and become a better photographer.

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Cameras

A black Sony Alpha 7 mirrorless camera with a flip-out screen

Sony A7IV

My main work horse. It has some flaws but is still the best camera I have ever owned.

Video here

Black Sony compact digital camera with a Zeiss lens and a flash on top.

Sony rx100ii

Old but still very good.

The flexibility to have a small compact camera that you can bring everywhere is priceless.

Video here

Black Sony mirrorless camera with a detachable LCD screen and a fluffy microphone on top.

Sony ZV-E10

A small but surprisingly good APS-C camera. Especially for video. It can take very good photos as well but the absent of a view finder makes it a “video first” camera for me.

A white quadcopter drone with four propellers and a camera mounted on the front.

DJI Mini 4 Pro

A fantastic small drone that flies like a champ and take very good photos and videos too.

GoPro action camera with black casing, equipped with a lens, display screen, and mounted on a black mount against a black background.

GoPro Hero 11

My video companion when travelling. The durability, weight and stabilisation makes it easy to capture video anytime, anywhere.

Don’t tell anyone but I use it in auto..

A black hover drone with a camera underneath, in a protective cage-like frame, labeled "HOVER" on the body, with control buttons and indicators on top.

HoverAir X1

The video quality of this I would compare with an average smartphone. But this can fly.

A flying selfie camera you might say.

Lenses

A black professional camera lens with various adjustment switches and markings, centered against a black background.

Tamron 35-150mm f2-2.8

Probably my best lens.

Sharp, fast autofocus and a very versatile focal range.The only downside is that it’s a bit heavy.

This is a beast.

Canon camera lens with a black body and various markings, mounted on a tripod or mount

Tamron 150-500mm f5-6.7

Decent long telephoto lens with good autofocus and image stabilisation.

Affordable and not as heavy as most of the competition, and you can use it for macro too.

Close-up image of a black camera lens with the label "AF 12/2 E" at the bottom.

Samyang 12mm f2.8 APS-C

A wide angle lens for APS-C

It has some vinjetting but the picture quality is surprisingly good for the price.

Affordable and good for vlogging

A black camera lens with a lens hood attached, marked with brand 'Meike' and specifications "50/1.8".

MEIKE 50mm F1.8 AF

This lens rocks. At least if you consider the price.

A fast 50mm prime should probably be in everybody’s kit and if you can’t motivate the price for the high end 1.4 or 1.2 lenses, this is the one to get.

And it’s under $200

Tamron 28-200mm camera lens against a black background.

Tamron 28-200mm f2.8-5.6

My most used lens and primary travel companion.

Lightweight, sharp and a fantastic focal range makes this lens excellent for travelling.

Video here

A black camera lens with white inscriptions, centered on a black background.

Viltrox 85mm 1.8

The autofocus is not as reliable as it is on Sony or Tamron. I would say that it nails focus about 75% of the time compared to 95%.

But when you nail it the photos come out great.

A black camera lens with white text indicating specifications, set against a black background.

Sony 16-50mm f3.5-5.6 APS-C

A lens I don’t recommend.

It’s not very sharp and haven’t got a wide aperture.

Sometimes I still use it with my small gimbal for video because of it’s size.

Samyang camera lens with lens hood

Samyang 14mm f/2.8 ED AS IF UMC

This is an old manual focus lens I bought used from MPB.

In the way I use super wide lenses it works fine for me to focus manually. And it has a quite wide aperture as well.

Did I hear astro?

A black Tamron 17-28mm F/2.8 lens for cameras.

Tamron 17-28mm f2.8

My second best friend when travelling.

What makes it stand out from others is the light weight together with a fast aperture.

Tamron 17-70mm camera lens against a black background.

Tamron 17-70mm f2.8 APS-C

Fantastic lens for APS-C.

It’s drawback is it’s size but the picture quality, wide aperture and focal range is fabulous.

Black camera zoom lens with focus distance markings and aperture specifications.

Sony 55-210mm f4.5-6.3 APS-C

Surprisingly good telephoto and cheap lens for APS-C. Not the best in low light but the price, light weight and small size makes it worth the purchase.

Bags

Green hiking backpack with multiple compartments and straps
Black backpack with multiple zippered compartments and a logo badge on the front.

Nomatic Peter McKinnon Travel 35L

I have a “love/hate” relationship with this bag.

I think it’s clumsy and bulky, but I can’t deny that it’s well built and holds a lot of gear.

Shimoda Action X50 v2

I finally found it!

I have been searching for a camera backpack that is good for nature and hiking and this is very close to perfect. The size fits me well also. Highly recommended.

Video here

Gray and black travel backpack with multiple compartments and zippers.

Tarion TR-S

Fantastic sling bag.

It doesn’t hold a computer or tablet but besides that it can carry everything you need for a day of taking pictures.

Very affordable and recommended.

Video here

Black Ulanzi camera or gear bag with adjustable straps and Velcro patches.

Ulanzi BC08 Camera Sling

A really good and flexible sling bag.

It expands from 6l to 9l if you want, plenty of small pockets and attachment points for accessories.

If it would have been built in a more “sturdy” material it would be perfect.

Black Ulanzi backpack with multiple compartments and zippers, standing upright.

Ulanzi BP-10

Wow, I jus received this backpack and I am in love. Lots of pockets and a very good size. And it’s comfortable and lightweight as well

Highly recommended.

Video here

Black shoulder bag with a front zipper pocket, orange zipper pulls, and a tan leather accent, hanging against a black background.

Tarion TZB-S

Small and affordable sling bag and a perfect size for my DJI mini4 pro drone

Black tactical backpack with multiple compartments and a top handle, branded 'Tarion'

Tarion SP-01

Maybe not the best build quality but a perfect size for city walks and urban travel.

Video here

Black camera bag with a tan logo tag on the front

PGYTECH OneGo Solo

Small and well built sling bag.

Good if you carry small things. I use it for an extra lens, batteries etc when I carry the camera in strap.

Stands

Black professional tripod with adjustable legs and a camera mount at the top, standing upright against a black background.

Ulanzi TT35

I bought this recently because of its flexibility. I wanted a tripod that is easy to transform from small to high mainly for my vlogging camera (ZV-E10 or GoPro), but also could be used for photos with the A7IV.

So far I like it, it’s very light and to set it up is a breeze.

A black professional camera tripod with three adjustable legs and foam grips, set against a white background.

Sirui r2004

A very sturdy tripod for it’s price.

I mostly use this for video and I have a video head for it too.

Tripod camera stabilizer with camera mounted on top

Three Legged Thing Punks

Another good and affordable tripod

I use this when hiking and I want a light weight but sturdy stand.

Ulanzi MT-47

A small foldable tripod made of metal. Good as a “selfie stick” when vlogging and for small cameras as a table stand.

A black monopod with a camera mount on top, standing upright against a black background.
Camera gimbal stabilizer with a mounted camera, ready for filming.

Zhiyun Weebill 2

A very good gimbal that I don’t use enough

A black camera tripod with adjustable legs standing upright against a black background.

Sirui Traveller 5C

I love this for travelling.

Carbon fibre, folds up small and light weight (0.85Kg/1.87LBS)

Climbing equipment including a red and black gear rack with small cables, a red strap with white text, a black carabiner, and a black mechanical device with multiple holes.

PlatyPod Ultra

The second camera holder I always bring.

This you can set up where you aren’t allowed to use tripods.

Fantastic

Top view of a black robotic vacuum cleaner with a central circular button and side sensors, isolated on a white background.

Ulanzi Falcam F38 Clip

These things are addictive.

I have five of them attached to different bags and I rather use a camera clip than a strap.

A handheld gimbal stabilizer with a mounted smartphone holder.

Zhiyun Crane m2s

This I use more often.

It’s easy to carry and powerful enough for the GoPro and the ZV-E10.

Camera tripod with three extended legs and a separate tripod center column.

Cullmann Carvaio 816TC

One of two stabilisers I bring everywhere.

I use it as a “selfie stick” with the GoPro and of course as a tripod for both my action camera and my full frame camera.

Carbon fibre and lightweight.

In North America it goes under the name Oben CTT-1000L

Video here

A black tripod with three textured legs and a mounting plate at the top, set against a transparent background.

Ulanzi MT-33

Do you need a flexible small tripod.

This is the one!

Buy this instead of a Gorillapod.

Gimbal stabilizer with a black mounting base labeled 'FALCAM,' a metal arm, and black adjustable clamps.

Ulanzi Action Camera Ball Head

Genious

An action camera ball head that fits both Falcam F38 (like the camera clips), Falcam F22 and is Arca Swiss compatible.