What’s in the Camera Bags?

Introduction

Martin’s first camera was a Kodak Instamatic. His first proper SLR was a Mamiya quickly changed for the ground-breaking Canon A1, the first SLR with Aperture Priority and Shutter Speed priority auto modes. The Canon manual focus gear gave way to Leica R with superlative lenses even by modern standards. Karen meanwhile was using Nikon film SLRs and eventually common sense prevailed and Martin switched to Nikon for lens compatibility and autofocus. They used the fabulous F100 bodies and a selection of lenses up to the 500mm f/4. In the digital era they switched to the Nikon D1s, all 2.7Mp of them before it became obvious that at that stage Canon had the technological lead. Better camera bodies and, critically, image stabilised long lenses that were groundbreaking at the time prompted a costly brand switch. With a significant investment in lenses it’s very unlikely Martin and Karen will switch brands again. Martin does however have a modest Fuji X kit for travel when photography is not the primary goal.

Martin and Karen are in process of transitioning to the Canon Mirrorless EOS-R range and have acquired an R5, 24-105 f/4 L and RF-EF converter for testing. It’s very likely that he 1Dx ii cameras will be disposed of soon.

Martin’s Bag (all Canon)

For wildlife and landscapes (this all just fits in a Think Tank Airport Security roller case). The 600mm is a recent addition bought used in 2019. All Martin’s long lens images up to that date shown here are taken with the 500mm f/4 he acquired in 2004. Good lenses last.

Also available:

Karen’s Bag (all Canon)

For wildlife and landscapes (carried in a Think Tank Airport International roller case)

Also available: 70-200 f/4 IS

Tripods etc

Gitzo 3530 LS tripods
Wimberley heads
Really Right Stuff BH-55 ball heads
5Ds have Kirk L brackets
Long lenses have Wimberley replacement feet
100-400s have Really Right Stuff replacement feet.

Flash

(Not often used for nature work – rarely find the results pleasing)
Three 600EX-RTs
ST-E3-RT
Wimberley flash brackets
Walt Anderson’s better beamers

Gone But Not Forgotten

In the portfolio are many images taken on cameras and lenses Martin and Karen no longer own. Cameras gone: 1D mk1, 1D mk2, 1Ds mk2, 1D mk4 (lamented for the loss of its 1.3x crop), 10D, 20D, 5D mk1, 5D mk2, 7D mk2. This is a sobering list considering some of the lenses bought in 2004 have outlasted all of them.

Lenses gone include: 24-70mm L mk1, 70-200mm L f/4, 300mm L f/4, 100-400mm L mk1 (hated that push-pull lens), 400 f/4 L DO mk1, 500mm f/4 L mk1, 85mm f/1.4 L IS, Zeiss 21mm f/2.8, 70-200 f/2.8 IS L