Every year, my camera bag grows and my personal gear shrinks. My camera gear is now two times my personal gear in volume, five times in weight and 100 times in cost.
Often, when someone finds out I’m a photographer their first question is, “What gear do you use?”
So let’s see what’s in my bag…
Digital SLR Camera
I go through camera bodies way too fast.
I am currently shooting with a Nikon D90.
It is the only DSLR that takes movies at any price, yet is affordable for most travelers.
It has almost every feature I want and I can access 95% of them without searching through the menu.
Fixed Lens
More interesting than cameras are lenses.
The lenses you use have a much bigger effect on the final image than your camera. One thing every SLR shooter needs in their bag is a fast fixed lens.
That is a lens that does not zoom, but is small, light, has great depth of field and shoots well in low light without a flash.
I use the Nikkor 50mm F/1.4. Fixed lenses are also cheaper than zooms. The non-pro version, the 50mm 1.8 sells for around $100!
Wide Angle Lens
When I wanna get really close to my subject and still show a lot of context I use my Sigma 10-20mm ultra wide angle zoom.
At 10mm this lens is close to fisheye and you get a cool curvy distortion around the edges.
At 20mm it is still very wide but gives a more normal perspective.
Great to have them both in one lens.
Flash
I don’t use a flash a lot, but when I need one my Nikon SB-600 works wonders.
Even off the camera it knows wirelessly what lens I’m using, all my camera settings and even how far away my subject is!
You can also change the flash output in camera and it puts out more or less light no matter where it is located.
Takes most of the hard work out of using a flash.
Circular Polarizer
A Circular polarizer filter can do amazing things.
Polarizers can take reflections off glass or water, make skies bluer, make fall colors more colorful and much more.
A good start towards kicking the Photoshop habit.
Mini Laptop
Lastly, Ebony, my little black beauty. This mini-notebook has a six hour battery, the latest Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, three USB ports, an SD card reader and a built in webcam. I got mine for just $500, including the upgrade to 2GB of RAM.
After talking about the gear I use with curious travelers they often wonder where my big telephoto zoom lens is. I don’t have one and it hasn’t hurt my portfolio at all.
I follow Robert Capa’s advice, “Get close, then take another step.”
Next time you meet a photographer please do them and yourself a favor by asking, “What projects are you working on? ”
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13 Comments... join the discussion!
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This is awesome! I just got into using digi's (I was a big medium-format fan before), and with the exception of the fixed lens (switch it to the AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G), and the fact that I still shoot a D80, it's the exact setup I carry everywhere with me!
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I can forgive you for being a Nikon man. The new Canon DSLRs also shoot video. A fast 50mm lens is the best investment you can make. Canon also has a f/1.4 and a f/1.8 for around the same price.
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Wonder if this gear really works? Check out Ryan's gallery from his time with the Kachin Independence Army in northernmost Burma, on the BBC website. ” target=”_blank”>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/7841941.st...
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Thanks for your comments, most serious photographer need to carry some kind of notebook now. Kang likes big and powerful. I go for small and cheap. Hope you get the D90 Kang, you dont need a really fancy camera, but a D40 is a little lacking for serious shooting. Hi Nova, also a good set up, but hope you can find space for a fixed lens also. they are quite small and light. Your zoom will work quite well in day light, but anything else and the fixed lens really makes a difference! Everyone reading this remember to maximize shooting time and minimize gear talk time ^_^
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I got this question from Justin, Hey Ryan, I just read your "in the bag" article on Matador. I was wondering what kind of bag you use to lug you camera & personal gear around in? I've been looking for a good bag to lug my own stuff with me across the world as I set out on a photo/writing trip with my wife. Thanks Justin, how could i forget to talk about my bags. I have mid-sized camera backpack. It keeps my gear well organized and safe from a lot of hard knocks on Chinese buses and such. I got mine at FOTOFILE, a camera shop / gear maker in Bangkok. ( at MBK) it was just 50$ and is very well made. its not a "copy" they design their own gear. or you could get a similar bag in the states for around 100$.
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Hi, I was just wondering if you would mind telling us what you are able to earn from being published on the BBC? Do you find it hard to make enough money to survive without another job?
thanks!
p.s. nice to see I have almost the same gear as you, but with a d300 instead of the d90, plus a nikkor 18-200 – but the 50 1.4 is only on the wishlist, ‘cos I bought the sigma recently when the did the refresh so that last essential piece hasta wait a wee bit!
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Hello,
i can’t comment on the BBC photos per say, but it is never easy to live off of ones art, especially when done independently. Dont expect to make all you living from photography overnight, it takes most everyone years to transition. Keep shooting and keep improving
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Great read, Ryan. Here’s a question: what format do you shoot with on your d90: RAW or JPG? If Raw, do you adjust your photos in photoshop or another photo software? How have found it working with the large file sizes? Have you had any issues working RAW files on the mini laptop?
What I am looking for is some insight into your workflow while traveling. I have been considering a package almost identical to what you mention and am looking for more info before making this transaction. Thanks.
Cheers,
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Really helpful post!! What projects are you working on? And I really liked the comment you made above, “Everyone reading this remember to maximize shooting time and minimize gear talk time.” We have so much technology and choice available to us when it comes to determining what to shoot with and use, but the most important thing for both new and seasoned photographers it constantly be taking photos. Even with the best equipment a human has to take the photo and use their own creativity, and last time I checked there is no lens, filter, device that does that.
I’m just getting into photography seriously and am curious about what programs you use to organize your photos. I have many thousands upon thousands of photos from all my travels and am a bit lost and overwhelmed about how to organized them with the knowledge that photography is becoming a much more serious endeavor. I’m a Mac user at present but am considering the small and cheap option you recommend for while I’m travelling at least.
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hello
fri….ryan….I see many photos on your website….also wana see update photo from Myitkyina
Manaw festival ……I didn’t see any photo from Manaw photos ..so .can u sent me some photo …? if u can ..plz..hkam aung
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Thanks for the information fellow Nikon user.
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Hello Hkam Aung, sorry i just saw this comment!
here is the link to the Manau festival photos
http://ryanlibre.photoshelter.com/gallery/Kachin-Manau-Dance/G0000u9lF833BxWU/P0000PB2D5wce1Vw↵
