It’s not the camera that makes a great picture, it’s the person behind the camera.
As a photographic educator, I’m often asked what gear I use or recommend. Cameras have a job to do – capture what I see and reproduce it accurately. I rely on my gear to accurately reproduce what I am trying to capture and not need to be babied. Many of my students often become frustrated they don’t have the same equipment that I do. When this occurs, I simply remind them that I’ve been shooting pictures for over 30 years and have amassed a lot of equipment in that time.
My Camera bodies and lenses – from start to today
I have one bag I carry everyday (EDC) – to work, shopping, traveling, etc. The other sets are the equipment I use to shoot assignments.For over 40 years I used Canon gear as my primary equipment. I learned photography with a WWII vintage Canon rangefinder and from there I was hooked on Canon. That’s not to say that other camera manufacturers are not just as good, it’s simply that I’ve grown up using Canon cameras.
About 20 years ago, I began using Leica M4-P rangefinders and a couple of Leica lens for street shooting and some projects. Leica is known for their small size and extremely sharp lenses.
I stayed with Canon cameras for most of my career, shot for two years with FujiFilm cameras, but switched to Sony for their eye focus system and used A9’s and a A7iii for the last six years of my career before retirement.
After retiring, I decided to reduce my equipment bag and began using FujiFilm cameras and lenses again. I am currently using a X-T5 and X-Pro3 bodies and have their incredibly sharp lenses - XF14/2.8, XF16/1.4, XF23/2, XF50/2 and the XF70-300 zoom
Everyday Carry Bag
Here’s what I carry in my EDC fanny pack/sling:
FujiFilm X-T5
XF 14/2.8
XF 23/2
XF 50/2
Extra Fuji battery
Utility tool
Flashlight
Assignment/travel Bag
I like to work quick when I’m traveling or on assignment, so I utilize my fanny pack and a backpack. I love the versatility and ability to get to equipment easily. I will place my fanny pack in the bag and am able to retrieve it quickly with the fold down zipper system. In addition to the equipment in my fanny pack, I also carry the following in the backpack:
FujiFilm X-Pro3
XF 16/1.4
XF70-300
Battery for the X-Pro3
Chargers for the X-T5 and X-Pro3
iPad Pro 13″ with Magic Trackpad
Charger for the iPad
Dongle for the iPad
4gb SSD hard drive
Small jewelers screwdriver set