What’s in My Kit?
I should note that this list is not exactly what I carry with me every time I go for a hike, rather the gear in this list is the stuff I use the most. Most everything I use has budget in mind. The gear that made this list has also proved to work very well for me. Everything in this list will have a link to the item on Amazon. I DO NOT collect a commission for any links to sales on my website so this is just for your information.
Cameras
Canon 80D (APS-C sensor)
I have been amazed by this DSLRs performance both with image and video quality. It does not capture video in 4K, but it can still shoot 1080p at 60 fps. The autofocusing ability is stunning. With focusing set to the back button, I can track fast flying birds with ease.
Fujifilm FinePix XP90
For a “point & shoot,” this camera takes consistently clear, in focus images. Its features include 16MP; 5x optical zoom; it is waterproof (50ft.), dustproof, freezeproof (14°F), and shockproof (5.8ft.)
*Link updated for newer model
Lenses
Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
This lens generally comes with most kits that you can buy. It is certainly not the best glass, but it has its uses. I tend to use this lens for close-ups or macro photography. Its lightweight and easy to use.
Canon 50mm f/1.8
The “Nifty Fifty” – This lens is cheap, it takes clear images, has little noise, and a f-stop of 1.8. For the money, it is the most versatile lens you can buy and is great from landscapes to portraits.
Canon 55-250mm f/4-5.6
I thought this lens was going to come off my list since I replaced it with a Tamron, however, it still has its uses. I don’t often use this for photographing anymore but when I was, it took great pictures. Now this lens is solely used for recording video. It focuses fast and can track small, fast moving birds while recording. Since it doesn’t weigh very much, it is easy to hold in hand while recording
Rokinon 14mm f/2.8
If you don’t mind manually setting the aperture on lens as well as focusing, then this is a must for landscape and night photography. The glass is top quality and takes very sharp images. Because it’s a manual lens, it is much cheaper!
Tamron 150-600mm f/5-6.3
I got this lens to replace the canon 55-250mm kit lens. I am happy that I did. The 55-250mm is a great lens its just that this lens allows me to get so much closer to my subjects! The images are clear and sharp. It is a little heavy, making it more difficult to use for long periods while not on a tripod. Even still, this lens is well worth the investment.
Tripods & Mounts
Vanguard Alta+ 263AP
I love this tripod. Yes, there are better ones that have better heads but this one is great! The cost is at the lower end of good tripods. If you have not invested in a good tripod, you should. The tripod pays for itself with image quality. The only thing I find frustrating with this tripod is using it with my 600mm lens. The head does not always stay exactly where you put it so sometimes I have to adjust the position slightly above where I want it, then it works great! I should add that this only tends to be an issue above 500mm.
Manfrotto Mini Tripod
I use this primarily for video recording. It has a wide base that keeps it very sturdy. The ball heads hold is very strong. I can have my camera with attachments on this while tilted and it will hold probably indefinitely. I think this thing used to be a tank that was melted down and turned into one mini tripod?
Amazon Basics 50in. Lightweight Tripod
I would not trust this to hold my DSLR, maybe my “point & shoot”? I got this for my flash and it works well for that.
Zeadio Stabilizing Handle
A simple and inexpensive item. It helps when you need to get those low video angles. It also has 3 extra shoe mounts attached so you can easily add equipment. This does not stabilize video, but it does make it easier to hold which makes the video less shaky.
Lens Accessories
Fotodiox Macro Extension Tube
Using this extension tube takes a normal macro lens and makes it amazingly better! That’s about it. I generally use this with my 18-55mm kit lens and ring flash and the pictures come out very well!
Opteka 10x MACRO
This is one of those cheap products that you look up because you want to do something particular, like macro photography but can’t afford the cost of macro photography. For its incredibly cheap cost, it’s a pretty good lens attachment. I made a video here that shows 24 images taken with this lens attachment.
Sioti 100mm Adapter Ring (58mm)
This is yet another cheap buy in comparison to similar product like LEE. It does work very well though. A con to this would be that I cannot use the ND filter while using the polarizer because there is a gap that allows too much light to come in. However, if just using the ND filter, work as it is supposed to.
ICE ND 1000 Filter
This is a great filter. Yes, it’s cheap (a recurring theme with my gear) but for the money it’s worth it. The picture quality is amazing. I have tried some less expensive ones, but they suffered greatly in clarity. I notice no blemishes in the resulting photo.
Lighting
Altura Photo – C1001
If your shooting a subject in a controlled environment, you need a flash! More specifically, you need an off-camera flash. It fills in light exactly where you need it. This flash is certainly not the most expensive, but it works great. After running tests with the onboard flash against this one, the results were no contest. As an accessory, you also need the wireless trigger set-up to make it work off camera. However, even attaches to the shoe the results were no contest.
Venidice SL-102C Macro LED Ring Flash
When doing macro photography, it is important to fill the area with light. Zooming in close causes a loss in light especially if you are using an extension tube. This flash works great! I can set to always on or flash mode. It also allows you to set one side of the light if you want to achieve a different effect.
Neewer Continuous Lighting Kit
My first lighting kit. It comes with 2 45w CFL bulbs which work but the light was too harsh. I swapped them out with 2 LED daylight bulbs and now the kit is amazing. I use this set when photographing artwork
Sound
Comica Shotgun Microphone
I was leery but desperate for an inexpensive external shotgun microphone. I purchased this mid-way through 2017 and have had no issues with quality. It does pick up more sound then I wanted but for the cost, you can’t always get what you want. Did you sing that last part? I did while typing it!
Sony ICD-BX140 Digital Voice Recorder
This is not exactly photography gear, but I do spend a fair amount of time hiking and not all the time do I want to pull out my pad and pen to jot something down, especially when it is raining. I use this to take verbal notes to recall events, usually species accounts.
Accessories
Altura Rain Cover
A cheap and simple rain cover but it works well. It will not work with a good size telephoto, but it does fit with the canon 55-250mm lens.
ESDDI Lens Sleeves
These are great, I use the all the time because I do not use a traditional camera backpack. They are neoprene sleeves that protect the lens. I just wish they made one for the size of my Tamron lens. When I don’t bring my pack, they have clips, so I can clip an extra lens on my belt.