What’s in the baG

Photography Gear

Intro

By far the most common thing people ask when they hear you’re a photographer is “what camera do you use?”  People outside the industry often put too much credit on the camera while people within the industry self-righteously put too little credit on the gear.  I like to find a happy medium.  While vision, creativity, composition and post processing are arguably the most important aspects of photography, the images technical aspects, such as noise performance, resolution, and dynamic range that can come from the latest and greatest cameras are also extremely important in modern photography.

So, here’s a rundown of the gear I use to get the shots I do and why I chose them/stick with them.

Camera Body

Nikon Z8

I shot with DSLR’s for the first half decade of my photography journey. It wasn’t until the mirrorless revolution when that’s just what photographers did. While my Nikon 810 treated me well and still made great images, the improved performance of both the camera body and (more importantly) the lenses, convinced me to switch. So I sold my D810 and lenses and dove into Nikon’s mirrorless offerings. I experimented with a Z9 and then landed on a Z8 and it’s one of the premier high resolution, durable workhorse cameras on the market. So why did I choose the Z8? Here’s why.

  • Nikon name and reputation – yes I’m a Nikon shooter. I respect all the other camera brands and think they make great shots too, but my first cameras were a Nikon D3200 and Nikon D810 and have since grown to love the brand.

  • Huge Full Frame Sensor at 45.7 MP

  • Dynamic Range – Almost 15 stops of DR at the low base iso of 64 for incredible shadow and highlight detail.

  • Acceptable ISO performance all the way up to 6400 (can go much higher but that is generally my personal limit)

  • Weather sealing – I’ve quite literally dragged my camera through rainstorms, and knocked it around more than once, and I have had full confidence and trust in this beast every step of the way.

Of course, there are other things I love about this camera, ergonomics, built in time-lapse, decent video functionality, etc etc etc, but as a landscape photographer first and foremost, these are the factors I find most important and the reasons I bought it.  I would also like to note that I do a decent amount of portrait photography and this camera, when paired with a fast lens is also a dream to work with. 

Lenses

When shooting with the D810, I always tried to use high performing, third party lenses from Tamron and Sigma. They make great lenses! At about half the price of Nikon’s own offerings. But alas, there’s a reason. Nikon’s lenses are legendary for their no-compromise optical performance, autofocus is great, and color/rendering makes my post-processing a breeze. So without further ado, here are the lenses I turn to day-to-day in the field.

Standard Zoom - Nikkor Z 24-70 f2.8 S

The Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S is an outstanding all-purpose lens, perfect for photographers who demand versatility and exceptional image quality. Its sharp optics, constant f/2.8 aperture, and robust weather-sealed construction make it ideal for everything from landscapes and portraits to events and travel. The fast, silent autofocus and stunning color rendering further enhance its appeal, ensuring it delivers in any shooting scenario.

Telephoto Zoom - Nikkor Z 70-200 f2.8 S

The Nikkor Z 70-200mm f/2.8 S is a powerhouse telephoto lens, offering exceptional reach and image quality for a wide range of photography genres. Whether capturing wildlife, sports, or portraits, its constant f/2.8 aperture ensures stunning bokeh and excellent low-light performance. The lens boasts impressive sharpness throughout the zoom range, fast and precise autofocus, and advanced stabilization, making it a reliable tool for demanding situations. Its weather-sealed design adds durability, making it a top choice for professionals and enthusiasts alike.

Wide angle zoom - Nikkor Z 14-24 F2.8 S

The Nikkor Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S is a dream lens for wide-angle enthusiasts, particularly those passionate about astrophotography. Its ultra-wide field of view, sharp optics, and fast f/2.8 aperture make it perfect for capturing expansive night skies filled with stars and the Milky Way. The lens handles distortion and chromatic aberration exceptionally well, ensuring crisp, edge-to-edge detail even in challenging lighting conditions. Its lightweight, weather-sealed build also makes it ideal for adventurous photographers who explore remote landscapes. Whether shooting the stars or vast architectural scenes, this lens delivers stunning results.

Super Telephoto - Nikkor Z 400mm f4.5 VR S

The Nikkor Z 400mm f/4.5 S is a compact and lightweight telephoto lens that excels in wildlife photography. Its 400mm reach allows you to capture detailed shots of distant subjects, while the f/4.5 aperture strikes a balance between portability and low-light performance. The lens features Nikon's advanced optical technology for razor-sharp images and impressive subject isolation, even at great distances. Paired with fast autofocus and effective image stabilization, it’s perfect for tracking fast-moving animals or birds in challenging environments. Its rugged, weather-sealed design ensures reliability for outdoor adventures.

Others and future additions

I’ve occasionally, rented some other lenses, and hope to add a few more to my collection as time goes on. These are:

  • Nikkor Z 20mm F1.8 (great for astrophotography)

  • Nikkor Z MC 105mm F2.8 VR S Macro Lens (perfect for close up details)

  • Nikkor Z 50mm F1.2 S (perfect for family pictures, portraits, and my baby daughter!)

  • Nikkor Z 600mm F4 F4 TC VR S (a next level wildlife photography lens, that costs more than my car…)

Tripods

Primary Tripod – ProMediaGear TR344 RED

The new go-to workhorse. Tall, durable, relatively light weight. Everything you want from a tripod as a serious landscape photographer. While the lighter travel tripods are nice for, well, travelling, having the size, heft, and durability of a carbon fiber beast is invaluable. I use this with a Really Right Stuff BH40 Ballhead.

Secondary Tripod – Manfrotto 055 XPro 3

This thing is a beast.  Certainly, a big and heavy tripod, but that usually means stable which is exactly what I look for in a tripod.  It’s tough for long hikes (because it is large and not carbon fiber) but my camera has sat on this tripod for most of my shots.

Travel Tripod – Manfrotto Befree Advanced

This tripod is literally half the size.  I brought this tripod out west with me on a recent trip and it makes plane trips, travelling, and hiking way more enjoyable.  I highly recommend a travel tripod, and highly recommend this tripod.

Small Tripod for Phone Time-lapse – Manfrotto PIXI Mini

Don’t use it much but it’s nice to have when you want to make a quick time lapse on your phone while waiting for the light with your main camera.

Other Accessories

Memory Cards

I won’t go into too much detail here simply because, for landscape photography, speed isn’t imperative.  The one thing I will stress is shooting redundant to two cards if that is something that your camera supports. I use a Prograde Digital Cobalt cards for fast (and more importantly) reliable cards. One 325GB CF Express Type B, and one 512 GB SD.

Remote Shutter Release

These are definitely getting less crucial as cameras can be operated more and more through Bluetooth, phone apps and other ways.  But, a remote shutter for me is important to limit camera shake and being able to extend a shutter past 30 seconds for extra-long exposures.

Lens Cloths (and other cleaning accessories)

Enough said.  You’ll need them.  Make sure you have a lot.

Extra Batteries (and battery grip)

The extra batteries are imperative.  The battery grip is not.  It is however, a nice luxury that makes shooting portraits easier and can increase your range while shooting time lapses.

Notebook, pens, and pencils

I love taking notes while shooting! I like to remind myself of things to do in the future, problems I ran into, or places to come back to. 

Shower cap (seriously)

One of the cheapest and easiest ways to keep your camera dry in the rain (or under a waterfall).

Bag

A dedicated photography bag is a great way to keep your gear organized.  I use Shimoda photography bags. The most, durable, versatile, comfortable, and good-looking bags on the market. I have a Shimoda Action X50 for longer hikes and adventures, and an Explore V2 30 for everyday and smaller trips.

Filters

I have recently invested in a Formatt Hitech filter system and have not been dissapointed. While I do not use the system all the time, having a 4 stop, 10 stop, and 3 stop soft edge grad filters have been invaluable in shooting situations. From ultra long exposures, to water softening, or handling bright skies, these filters have saved me on multiple occasions.

Computing and Software

Before concluding, I want to note the importance of one other piece of kit.  Computers, software, and peripherals.  For the sake of keeping this page shorter, I will be coming out with another article/page soon outlining my current computing/editing setup.

Conclusion

Photography gear can seem confusing and stressful, but it doesn’t have to be! And just because this is the way I shoot as a landscape photographer who dabbles in portraits, doesn’t mean this setup in its entirety is best for you.  If you need help choosing which gear is right for you, I’d be glad to offer you my opinion (for any brand or ay style of shooting).  Feel free to reach out!