I have an additional telephoto zoom lens EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens from Canon that I use when shooting distant objects and also when shooting portraits. This lens zooms in really tight on the subject and gives a nice bokeh (background blur).
I also have a Tamron AF 90mm f/2.8 Di SP A/M 1:1 Macro Lens to shoot closeups (macro) of still life and insects. It’s wide aperture serves as a very good substitute for portrait lens as well. Very sharp results with nice color reproduction. I use this lens for food photography as well.
Support System
Since the above telephoto lens does not have IS (Image Stabilizer), most of the time I mount the camera on my tripod when using the telephoto. Also I use the tripod a LOT when taking long exposure shots, macros and panoramas. I have a Manfrotto 055XPROB Pro Tripod from Bogen combined with a Manfrotto 486RC2 Compact Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect System. The combination is really stable and reliable when it comes to a support systems. The ball head allows for smooth adjustments and the release plate helps to quickly remove or attach the camera body to the tripod. I must say the second most important gear for me is the tripod.
To carry (and store) this tripod I use the Manfrotto MBAG70N Tripod Bagwhich perfectly fits my tripod fixed with the ball head.
But I cannot carry my manfrotto everywhere I go (like museums or high security areas) as they do not allow such a heavy toolset due security (and space) threats. So I had to also get the Joby GP3 Gorillapod SLR-Zoom Flexible Tripod with the Joby BH1 Ball Head with Bubble Levelto provide me the flexibility yet advantage of slower shutter speeds and amazing sharp pictures even at low light.
Lighting System
The internal flash of my Canon Rebel XS is close to pathetic with a Guide No of mere 15m at ISO 100. Hence I had to get a Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flash for Canon Digital SLR Cameras(Guide No 43m at ISO100) with a Sto-Fen OMEW Omni-Bounce Diffuser. Sometimes I need to direct the direction of lighting at an angle to my lens. So I had to get a Canon OC-E3 – Flash synchro cable(Off-camera sync chord) so that I can put the flash off the camera at the desired angle when shooting straight. Very useful in portraiture, food and macro photography.
To keep my lens surfaces clean from dust particles and also as the first cleanup trial for any dusts on the sensor, I use the large Giottos Rocket Blaster Air Blower. This simple tool works magic in blowing off dusts and dirts of my lens and sensor.
To keep my photography gadgets clean in general, I have got a Zeiss Portable Lens Care System. The quality of this product really impresses me. I feel assured that my expensive lenses are safe with the cleaner and the microfiber cloth.
Although my laptop has an in-built memory card reader, I keep an inexpensive 4 in 1 Mini USB 2.0 Memory Card Reader Writer multi-card reader with me (on-the-go) anyways, just in case.
To cut-off unwanted reflections of shiny surfaces, I use the Hoya Moose 58mm Warm Circular Polarizer Glass Filter. This filter also “warms” up the colors increasing the saturation giving that “pop” to the photos. I use this filter a lot in shooting waterbodies and landscapes and I highly recommend this to all nature photographers.
Camera Bags
To keep all the above items (camera, lenses and accessories) at one place I have got a durable Canon 200DG Digital Camera Gadget Bag. This one has the perfect form factor with enough space for additional 3-5 lenses with flash other smaller accessories like filters, memory cards and extra batteries. Actually I also stuff in my Panasonic handycam in this bag as well. The above bag is big enough for EVERY photography gadget I own till date.
But again this is rather too big for a hike or long trips on foot when I carry a subset of my gadgets. Hence I bought a Tamrac Explorer 10 DSLR Camera Bag that can hold one camera body with lens and one additional lens very easily along with other smaller accessories. The key point is both the above bags are durable for carrying expensive gadgets around with peace of mind.
Retro Toolsets
Here’s my “older” collections (I still use some of them now).
My (still) favourite point and shoot Canon PowerShot A630 8MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom which I use for any party shots and where I would look like a fool with a DSLR around my neck and zoom lens hanging out. A GREAT camera with all manual controls, perfect form factor and “wow” picture quality.
A Vanguard MK-1 Lightweight Tripod for long trips on foot (hiking) is an indispensable option. But this is not very good for long exposure shots or zoom lens mount.
Here’s all my gears listed below again with latest prices from Amazon. Full disclosure: If you visit Amazon using the links below, you get the same price, I get my coffee treat.
Thank you.
Other store links from where you can buy your photography gadgets and you still get the same price and I still get the cup of coffee:
If you want any suggestions or help in selecting the right gadget for your photography needs, feel free to contact me below:
