In my camera bag

One of the most common questions people ask me is what camera equipment I use on a day-to-day basis. This question is a little complicated to answer, as it will depend on my assignment. Nevertheless, here is a summary of the equipment you will likely find in my camera bag on any given day.

My Camera Bag

If you are new to photography, you may be under the misguided impression that photography is the pursuit of perfect light. Over the years, I have realised that photography actually seems to be the constant pursuit of the perfect camera bag! Personally, I have yet to find that perfect bag, but for everyday walking-around purposes, the Hadley Pro from Billingham is the closest I have found so far. It isn't cheap, but it gets the job done and is my most used bag.

The bag's internal dividers are great for safely stacking lenses on top of each other, but I prefer using it as a standard messenger bag without camera inserts, as it provides more flexibility.

OK, so camera bags aside, let's look at the equipment I will carry for most of my assignments.

My Cameras

As you might expect of a FUJIFILM Brand Ambassador, I am a huge fan of the Fujifilm X-Series of cameras. I can't explain why, but using a Fujifilm camera has brought a sense of emotion to my photography, which I have never experienced with other cameras. I have been using them since the very first model was released way back in 2011. I think I have used every model which Fujifilm has released, but currently, my main cameras are the X100V the Fujifilm X-Pro3 models.

Fujifilm X100V

Many people might be surprised that I describe the Fujifilm X100V as my primary assignment camera, yet it absolutely is! I have captured some of my all-time favourite photographs with the X100V or their predecessors. If I had to choose just one camera, forgoing all others, the X100V would be that camera right now; it is the camera I take everywhere, and I mean EVERYWHERE.

The X100V features the same 26mp X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor as the other flagship X-Series cameras, with an incredibly sharp fixed 23mm F2.0 (35mm full-frame equivalent) lens. Many might be put off by the fixed lens, preferring the flexibility of an interchangeable lens system. Still, I can honestly say this camera, fixed lens and all, has made me a better photographer. It forces you to go back to basics, thinking through the shot before triggering the shutter. For me, that is pure photography, which is one reason I love this camera! Sure, the X100V can be a bit quirky and requires time to become familiar enough that shooting with it becomes second nature, but it is worth the effort.

Fujifilm X-Pro3 & Lenses

While the X100V is my primary assignment camera, I also enjoy using the Fujifilm X-Pro3. Its versatility is perfect for my style of documentary photography. It is light enough not to weigh heavy on my shoulder as I head out for a long day of shooting. Plus, it is weather-sealed, which is essential, given I never know what weather conditions I will face.

The X-Pro3 features the same fabulous 26MP X-Trans CMOS 4 APS-C sensor as the X100V, and I appreciate how this sensor captures the full richness of the Fujifilm colour. The camera's analogue dials allow me to adjust my exposure on the fly, even when my camera is off. These dials enable me to be ready to shoot at a moment's notice. I also really appreciate the hidden LCD of the X-Pro3, which is fabulous for those times when I want as little distraction as possible, allowing me to stay in the moment, but also allows me to capture angles which would typically require me to be crawling around in the dirt.

For most of my assignments, I subscribe to a less-is-more philosophy. Two lenses account for perhaps 90% of my recent work with the X-Pro3: the Fujifilm 16 - 55mm F2.8 R LM WR (24 - 85mm full frame equivalent) and the Fujifilm 50mm F1.0 (76mm full frame). The 16 - 55mm zoom is flexible enough to capture the full range of photographs as I explore a new destination. And for portraits, the 50mm F1.0 is just gorgeous. It produces incredible bokeh (that blurred-out background effect) and pin-sharp images. Although I have other Fujifilm lenses, which I will also use depending on the assignment, these are my two must-have lenses, without which I will never travel.

My Notebook and Pen.

Although I am mostly known for my photography, I have always considered myself more of a storyteller, using photographs and words to tell the stories I discover. While I have tried so many electronic gizmos and gadgets to record what people say or the experiences I encounter, I always return to a simple notebook and pen. Over the years, I have collected literally hundreds of notebooks filled with memories from all over the world.

The other stuff

I like to keep things pretty simple when I shoot, so apart from my camera and a few lenses, I generally don't use a lot of other equipment. There are some essentials I would never be without though.

I will almost always have some sort of tripod with me. I don't have any particular favourite; for me, a tripod is a tripod is a tripod. I have a number which I will use, depending on the circumstances. Still, surprisingly, the one I will use more than any other is the tiny Pixi EVO 2 tripod from Manfrotto, simply because it lives in my camera bag all of the time.

Another small item which I will always have with me is a Neutral Density (ND) filter. These filters are used to reduce the amount of light hitting the camera sensor, essential for long exposure shots or when shooting in really bright, direct sunlight. Often I won't use anything fancy, just cheap screw-in filters that I will leave in my bag for when the need arises.

Last, but definitely not least, SPARE BATTERIES. As I have learned through bitter experience, do not ever go out without at least one or two (or six!) spare batteries. There is nothing worse in photography terms than running out of juice just when you need it.

And that is pretty much it. Over the years I have found this minimalist approach works best for me.