What’s in my camera bag?

What’s in my camera bag, you ask?

   I feel as though I am very unique when it comes to what I like to use to create the photography art that I envision most. I don’t use the latest Sony A7R 4 or even the A7 3. I don’t use a DJI Mavic Pro 2 or an Autel Evo 2 Pro for a drone. For Astro photography I don’t even have the latest Sony A7S 3. And at the same time, I don’t feel as if I cut corners and I have the right tool for the right task at the right opportunity. So what exactly IS in my camera bag if I’m not using the absolute best gear? Well, for my everyday camera I use a Sony RX10 M3. If you have never checked out this camera, it is surprising just how capable it really is. And not only that, but I feel like it’s my secret weapon to achieving great shots. It’s not horrible at low light (although I don’t use it for Astro and more on that in a bit), it has a 24 to 600mm Zeiss lens, it has a 20mp 1 inch sensor, and so very much more. And even though this gem of a camera has been out for several years now, it is still extremely capable of capturing shots that in my opinion will be stunning in detail for creating beautiful framed prints. For long distance shots I use a Nikon P1000. Some professionals I’m sure will scoff at this camera and call it a toy, but I am here to tell you that this camera can take award winning shots, provided that there is enough ambient light available. I used the P1000 on an Atlantic Puffin Tour in the summer of 2019 that captured images in my opinion every bit as good as those crazy people carrying the cameras with the bazooka lenses attached. You know the ones, they have a difficult time even carrying their camera and gigantic lens to the shooting location because they are so big and heavy. For Astro, and this is why I don’t use the RX 10 M3 as it’s decent but not the best at low light, I use a first generation Sony A7S. Although this camera is pretty old now, it’s abilities to see like a cat at night are incredible, I assure you. With this amazing camera you can simply turn what is completely pitch black to the naked eye into day. For real, if you have ever seen one of my night images, you know what I am referring to. Simply put, the Sony A7S first gen is a low light BEAST. What do I use for my aerial shots? Currently, and this might be kind of hard to believe, but right now I am using the diminutive DJI Mavic Mini and its 12mp sensor. ( the photo accompanying this blog is a shot of yours truly piloting the Mavic Mini. Shot credit goes to good friend and fellow photographer Sherri using a Sony A7S ) Although it might seem crazy that I am using this little guy to produce good size prints, the 16X20 prints that I have done so far are actually gorgeous in detail in my opinion. And just as an aside, I do have a DJI Mavic Air 2 on the way as we speak. So, this wraps up what I carry in my camera bag, and I usually carry all of them, no matter what kind of shoot I’m going on. That way, I feel like if something pops up that is unexpected, I am ready with the right tool for the right unique job, whatever that happens to be. I am naturally a helper at heart, so if anyone has any questions please don’t hesitate to send me a message either via Facebook or Instagram. Happy shooting, everyone.