I am often asked about the equipment I use, specifically cameras. I like to travel as light as possible. In recent years I’ve shot with the highest resolution pro digital camera offered by Canon: a 1DS, 1DS Mk 2, and now 1DS Mk 3, a 21-megapixel brick of technology. The pro body is almost impervious to rain, snow, and dust, which is why I prefer it to the cheaper 5D Mk2, despite its HD video and low noise capabilities.
I limit myself to a few lenses most of the time, all Canon. More than half of my images are shot with either the 16-35f 2.8 Mk2 or the 70-200 f4, which is just as sharp as the much heavier and more expensive 2.8 version. If I need a more powerful telephoto, I reach for the 400 DO; if I know I’ll be shooting a lot of wildlife, the 500 f4 comes along. That’s it for 90% of my work.
I still need the usual complement of small, rugged La Cie drives and a Lenovo laptop optimized for photographers (review to follow). A few flashes and reflectors make their way into the kit as well.
Cameras are just tools, though. Cartier Bresson shot The Decisive Moment with a Leica rangefinder and a 50mm lens. It is the eye that matters, and the will to get off the couch and shoot.
January 18, 2009 at 1:11 am |
Thanks for posting about the equipment your using.
Have you ever encounter any problems with the Airlines regarding your gear, size and weight as ‘carry-on’? I’m sure that your gear is carry-on.
Your right about and I quote “Cameras are just tools” ” It is the eye that matters, and the will to get off the couch and shoot”. Totally true!
January 20, 2009 at 9:50 pm |
When I travel with the show, I have to check my gear. We are often on small planes or subject to weird rules. Airlines are a major pain. I carry on a much as I can, but a 500 lens takes up most of my space.
January 18, 2009 at 3:19 am |
Nice… that’s not a lot. I always see other photographers with 3 bags of stuff. I don’t get that as I shoot with one bag.. I don’t own a 400 or 500 mm lens. I notice on travel to the edge your screen is glossy. The notebook I own is glossy and I don’t care for it for editing, I will use it for scrolling through images and tagging them… I prefer my large screen at home and its matte finish.
January 18, 2009 at 8:12 pm |
It is soooo easy to say – oh I could take pictures like that if only I had better equipment – more lenses – that next better camera… You (Art) have 2 basic lenses and 2 long ones for wild life. That says a lot. It is so easy to get caught up in the technology and use it as a crutch for how to improve your images while it’s clearly not the issue at all.
January 18, 2009 at 11:16 pm |
I’ve always been told to remove the camera body from the tripod but I’ve noticed that you often leave the two connected as you are clamoring over mountain streams, etc. Do you use a special sort of tripod or perhaps a heavy duty clamp? Thank you.
January 20, 2009 at 10:53 am |
Nice information! I always try to travel only with my back can hold! Sometimes is too hard to decide what will stay, but it always helps me in the action time (and I agree, cameras are just tools!).
January 20, 2009 at 10:41 pm |
I just wanted to express a big “thank you” for all your shooting tips online. For someone like me, who is self-taught, and likes to expand her horizon in the art of nature photography, these tips are of immense value. I do look at older photographs of mine and think “I wish I would have known”, but we all learn from our mistakes. Again, THANK YOU! I am looking forward to the tips of season 3.
January 22, 2009 at 5:40 pm |
I am watching your travels to the edge show right now and you are in Patagonia: Torres del Paine Park. In this show you talk about using the ND and Polarizing filters. You also talk about dropping down to the mud to get a shot of a mountain reflecting in the lake and taking a closer shot of a waterfall. I really appreciate these tips and was wondering if you could talk a little bit about the business side of your work. For example your fine art print sales and magazine covers etc.
January 23, 2009 at 5:27 am |
I cover these issues a little in the latest Outdoor Photographer and I’ll add more in the blog over time.
January 22, 2009 at 10:14 pm |
I’ve been watching your Travel’s to the Edge show and I have a quick gear / style related question:
Why do you shoot off of a tripod so often? Given daylight lighting conditions and IS lenses it would seem that shooting off a tripod would be more trouble than it’s worth.
For low-light and/or longer exposures (waterfalls, etc), the tripod makes sense.
What am I missing?
January 23, 2009 at 5:25 am |
I usually use the lowest ISO possible to get the lowest noise file. At ISO 100, I often need a tripod because my shutter speed is too slow to capture a sharp shot, at least if you want maximal sharpness. Longer lenses amplify shake and stopping down to get depth of field slows shutter speed. In short, it’s almost always an advantage to shoot from a tripod.
January 23, 2009 at 9:14 pm |
Thanks for sharing such interesting information.
A question about the 70-200 though. You say you use the “70-200 f4, which is just as sharp as the much heavier and more expensive 2.8 version” but almost all your images at Microsoft Icons – Travels to the Edge shot with a 70-200 were shot with the 2.8L IS. Did you recently switch from the f4 to the f2.8 or vice versa. If so I would be interested in your reasoning.
January 23, 2009 at 10:05 pm |
The f4 is a newer lens. When weight is at a premium, I use the f4.
January 24, 2009 at 12:41 am |
I’ve always wondered what you use while out on ‘the Edge’. Thank you! I was able to get a EOS 10D on ebay for an good deal. But the button is not working very well anymore. May I ask what you recommend so as to get that working or try and see if Canon would let me trade that in for a newer model? What do you do with your used camera equipment? I look forward to season 3 and the beautiful shots you take of all aspects of life and that of the abstract. Do you ever do much macro shooting?
January 24, 2009 at 5:42 am |
Hi, Justin,
I send stuff to Canon to get it fixed as part of their program for professionals. When I am done with a camera, it is worth nothing, just a beaten husk suited for a future as a paperweight or landfill.
I love macro. It’s a challenge to isolate your subject with just the right depth of field. There is no rule of thumb. You get a feel over time, and with digital, you can experiment without burning money.
January 24, 2009 at 5:31 am |
hi art.i am glad to see you blog.you did great work on Travels.to.the.Edge. i like to see that program. May i ask what kind of trippod you have been use on EDGE? it look like GITZO 2540 or other? i would like to know that tripod and tripod head’s model number.
January 24, 2009 at 5:38 am |
Hi, William,
You may not believe this, but I have no idea about model numbers. I use several Gitzos and I just walk in and buy a big carbon fiber. Same with the Arca ballheads. I just ask myself: is it tall enough and stable enough for a big lens? Is so, that’s all I pay attention to.
January 24, 2009 at 8:27 am |
you are one of my favorest photographer, i am so glad to speak to you.thanks for you replay my massage…i will choose one tripod as you say.
have a good weekend…..
January 22, 2009 at 5:16 am |
We use hard cases when we check equipment. No losses so far. I’ve even left an 800mm lens at the airport and got it back so luck has been with me.