My Gear

I wanted to share a list of the gear that I use in the field. Much of what I use, I have had for many years because it works and shows little wear. That being said, I am open to new products, especially backpacks, as I travel more and more on airplanes and am always looking for new, ingenious design that weighs less and stands up to the rigors of baggage handlers.

Current Backpack – Mindshift Photocross 15
(introduced April 2019)

Dare I say, I think I found the one. All the other backpacks in my camera closet are meant to fit humans with longer torsos than I have. Their waist belt usually falls below my hips. NOT THIS BAG – the Photocross 15 waist belt actually rests above my hips. Added bonus: the shoulders straps are adjustable at the top and bottom (huge!). Long, side zipper opening (load like a messenger bag). Two handles; one in usual place (at the top) and another on the long side flap. Holds as much as my Mindshift Backlight 26L yet a smaller package. How did they do that?

What Goes Inside the Backpack?

Nikon D850 camera body, converted to 720nm infrared by Kolari Vision
3-Legged Thing QR11-LC Universal L-Bracket (orange for the infrared body)
(1) Peak Design SlideLITE camera strap
Nikon 16-35mm f4 lens
Nikon 35-70mm f2.8 lens
Nikon 70-200mm f4 lens
Mindshift Filter Nest Mini with Neutral Density circular lens filters:

  • Kolari Vision IR ND 5-stop
  • Kolari Vision IR ND 9-stop
  • Singh-Ray 10-stop Mor-Slo
  • Singh-Ray 15-stop Mor-Slo

Mindshift Filter Nest Mini with Infrared circular lens filters:

  • Kolari Vision 590nm
  • Kolari Vision 665nm
  • Kolari Vision 720nm
  • Kolari Vision 850nm

Mindshift Filter Nest Mini with Full Spectrum circular lens filters:

  • Kolari Vision Hot Mirror
  • Kolari Vision H-Astro

Manfrotto Xume Magnetic Lens Holders and Filter Adapters

  • One holder for every lens
  • One adapter for every filter

Manfrotto Xume Magnetic Lens Covers; one for every lens
Think Table Cable Management 10 v2 bag:

  • Extra body cap
  • Tripod straps for Photocross 15 backpack
  • Think Tank Pixel Pocket Rocket (memory card wallet) for QXD cards
  • Allen wrenches; assorted sizes
  • GoBe 850 Wide rechargeable flashlight
  • Petzl headlamp and extra battery

(2) Pelican 0915 Memory Card Cases (holds 12 SD cards)
(24) Hoodman Steel 32gb SDHC cards
Wool hat, Polartec lightweight gloves, Buff multifunctional headwear
Microfiber small towel, raincover for camera/lens, raincover for backpack

Fanny Pack – Think Tank Hubba Hubba Hiney v1
& Think Tank Pro Speed Belt

What Goes Inside the Fanny Pack?

Hoodman HoodLoupe
Nikon 16mm Fisheye lens
(2) Think Tank Pro DSLR Battery Holder (each holding two Nikon EN-EL15a batteries)
(2) Nikon GP-1A GPS units (one for each D850)

Nikon MC-36 multifunction remote cord
Photoflex LiteDisc 12-inch diffuser
Lens cleaning cloths
Sirui tripod metal spikes
AAA batteries (for Nikon MC-36)

Sirui Tripod, SR3203
(3-section)

Why This Tripod?

Material: Carbon Fiber
Sections: 3
Tube Max Dia: 33mm/1.3inch
Tube Min Dia: 25.8mm/1.0inch
Min Hgt: 140mm/5.5inch

Max Hgt: 1500mm/59.1inch
Retracted Height: 650mm/25.6inch
Weight: 2.0kg/4.4lb
Load:: 25kg/55.1lb

Arca-Swiss Monoball p0

Why This Ballhead?

Base Mount: 3/8″-16 Thread
Quick Release Plate Type: Arca-Type
Load Capacity: 44.1 lb / 20 kg

Number of Bubble Levels: 1
Dims: ø: 2.4 x H: 2.9″ / ø: 60.0 x H: 74.0 mm
Weight: 0.9 lb / 0.4 kg

Think Tank International v2.0
(for driving to a location)

What Goes Inside The Roller Bag?
(depends of location & subject material)

Nikon D850 camera body, converted to full spectrum by Kolari Vision
3-Legged Thing QR11-LC L-Bracket (grey for the full spectrum body)
(1) Peak Design SlideLITE camera strap
Nikon TC 1.7 (use only on full spectrum camera)
Nikon 200-500mm f5.6
Nikon 24mm PC-E f3.5 tilt/shift

Nikon 105mm macro
Rokinon 14mm f2.8
Camera battery rechargers and assorted other device chargers (iPhone, iPad, etc).
External 1TB hard drive (back ups)
Macbook Pro 15″, power cord, multi-function device hub

Think Tank Airport Airstream
(current model shown)
(for flying to a location)

What Goes Inside The Roller Bag?
(depends on location & subject material)

Nikon D850 camera body, converted to full spectrum by Kolari Vision
3-Legged Thing QR11-LC L-Bracket (grey for the full spectrum body)
(1) Peak Design SlideLITE camera strap
Nikon TC 1.7 (use only on full spectrum camera)
Nikon 200-500mm f5.6
Nikon 24mm PC-E f3.5 tilt/shift

Nikon 105mm macro
Rokinon 14mm f2.8
Camera battery rechargers and assorted other device chargers (iPhone, iPad, etc).
External 1TB hard drive (back ups)
Macbook Pro 15″, power cord, multi-function device hub