Gear List

Below is a list of the equipment I use regularly for my photography, as well as some asides where appropriate.  With regard to my experience with different cameras, I have handled and given tuition on just about every modern SLR, most Compact System Cameras and compacts from every major manufacturer.

Pentax K-5 DSLR

I use Pentax DSLRs because I had Pentax fit cameras when I first 'went' digital back in 2005, and it made sense to stick with the brand and avoid a complete change of system and the expense involved.  However, I have never regretted my choice, as the cameras suit my way of working with excellent ergonomics and features, weather-sealing being one of the main attractions for me.

I use the optional vertical grip as I prefer the feel of the camera with it, and there's also storage for a spare memory card and the remote release.

Pentax DA 16-45mm f/4 Lens

This is my standard zoom lens, which gives me a nice range from wide angle to short telephoto, and excellent image quality.  It's not the widest aperture, but that means that the lens is compact and lightweight, which I usually benefit more from than I would from a f/2.8 lens.

Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4 Lens

This is a beautiful lens for portraits, landscapes and detail shots, especially when utilising the shallow depth of field that it offers, but even at smaller apertures, it's a lovely, sharp optic.

A 50mm lens is a great first step into 'prime' (non-zoom) lenses, as they're generally very good value, with wide apertures that allow a lot of flexibilty with regard to depth of field.

Sigma EX 105mm f/2.8 Macro Lens

I love macro photography, and I got this lens secondhand after my first summer with a DSLR, when I'd been exploring close-ups and macro using extension tubes.  I'm often asked what macro lens people should buy, and my reply generally is that you're unlikely to buy a bad macro lens, and any true macro lens from any of the main brands, including Sigma and Tamron, will serve you well.

All true macro lenses will give you 1:1 or lifesize magnification, but the different focal lengths will dictate how close yo need to be to your subject and what field of view you get.  Something around 90-105mm is often the first macro lens people end up with.

Pentax DA*300mm f/4 Lens

I used to have a Tamron 300mm f/2.8 lens, but I found it too heavy to carry around all the time, so when Pentax brought this lens out, I had to have it.  It's so sharp, and focuses quite closely, so I use it for all sorts of shots, from birds and other wildlife, to fungi and flowers.

This lens is also weather-sealed, so I can happily plod about in a downpour and get pics I'd otherwise miss.

Cokin Circular Polariser Filter

The only filter I regularly use is a polariser, which takes reflections off surfaces.  Classic use it to make blue skies more blue and help white clouds stand out, and to take the shine off water, allowing you to see down into the depths, of increase the contrast bewteen the water and and surface plants.

However, this filter can make a massive difference to the look of foliage in woodland etc, as it takes the silvery shine off the leaves, and allows the true green to show through.  It even helps with macro work, especially with toadstools.

Manfrotto 055ProB Tripod

Many of my photos simply couldn't be taken without a tripod, or at least not without a great deal of compromise.  It allows me to pick whatever aperture, ISO and filtration I want, and not worry about camera shake from a slow shutter speed, but it also gives me control and repeatability - if I've got the perfect composition but my exposure needs a tweak, I can do that without affecting anything else.

This Manfrotto also lets me support the camera literally millimetres above the ground, or up to head height and beyond, so it's hugely flexible.

Lowepro ProRunner 350AW Bag

Picking the right bag to carry your gear in is important, as it needs to suit the way you work, and fit all of your equipment in without being cramped, which might mean some items are difficult to get out when you need them.

Simply visit your local camera shop and try out their bags, it's best if you take you camera and lenses along with you, to make sure everything fits okay.

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4 Software

I've always shot RAW files rather than JPEGS, originally because they were significantly sharper than the JPEGS from my first DSLR, but these days just because I prefer the control and flexibility it gives me.

Previously I used Capture One software, but when I changed to the K-5, I swapped to Lightroom, which not only has excellent image processing capabilities, but is also a great way to organise and keyword your pictures.  I'm still getting used to everything you can do with it though!

Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 Software

Photoshop for me is simply a good way of producing leaflets, posters, and putting text on photos, I do very little in the way of 'post-processing' with it, as Lightroom does so much.

Also, I've never really felt the need for the full version of Photoshop, Elements has always done 99% of what I need it to, and the other 1% I can work around, certainly when it's a tenth of the price of CS5.