When it comes to Canon lenses I am pretty maxed out and have just about all that I would need for any normal shoot. If I need something unique then I would just rent it. To me, there is no sense in owning a lens I use once a year. This is why I don’t have any specialty lenses. Fujinon lenses are another thing altogether. The X-series lenses are so new they don’t even have all of them out yet.

Fujinon XF 35 mm f/1.4R:

Fujinon XF 35 mm f/1.4R

f/2.2, 1/220 sec, at 35mm, 400 ISO, on a X-Pro1

This lens is crazy sharp. on the cropped sensor of the X-Pro1 this lens if effectively 53 mm on a full frame camera. Not an ideal portrait lens, but you use what you have, right? With an f/1.2 depth of field, this lens has a really nice bokeh.

Fujinon XF 14 mm f/2.8R:

Fujinon XF 14 mm f/2.8R

f/3.6, 1/40 sec, at 14mm, 200 ISO, on an X-Pro1

Fujinon XF 14 mm f/2.8R is another prime that like all the Fujinon lenses is sharp. At this point in the Fujifilm’s lens roadmap, this is the wides lens they make. It works well for street photography.

Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R Lens:

Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R Lens

f/8, 1/35 sec, at 23mm, 4000 ISO, on an X-Pro1

Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R Lens is the full frame equivalent of a 35mm and at f/1.4 it is super fast and like so many f the Fujifilm lenses it is razor sharp! You can read my review of this lens HERE.

Fujinon XF 56mm f/1.2R:

Fujinon XF 56 mm f/1.2R

f/1.4, 1/1500 sec, at 56mm, 400 ISO, on an X-T1

Fujinon XF 56 mm f/1.2R is equivalent to an 85mm on a full frame camera. At f/1.2 it is a crazy fast lens with wonderful bokeh. You can read my review on this lens HERE.

Fujinon XF 10-24 mm f/4 R:

Fujinon XF 10-24 mm f/4 R

f/4, 1/180 sec, at 17.4mm, 400 ISO, on an X-E2

This is the lens and the 56 mm f/1.2 are the two lenses from Fujinon that I had been waiting for since they first camera out with the X-Pro1 body. This is the full frame equivalent of a 16-35 mm. My only gripe is it is slow at f/4. But it does have an effective lens stabilization built into it. Read my review HERE.

XF50-140mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR:

Fujinon XF50-140mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR

A crazy sharp telephoto, the Fujifilm XF50-140mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR  is a full frame equivalent of a 76mm to 214mm with optical stabilization it is a great way to get those hard to get distant shots.

Fujinon GF110mmF2 R LM WR Lens:

Fujinon GF110mmF2 R LM WR Lens

I use this medium telephoto lens with my GFX 50s. It has a focal length equivalent to 87mm in the 35mm format offers fantastic bokeh thanks to its large F2 aperture, making it the perfect portrait lens. 

Fujinon GF32-64mmF4 R LM WR:

Fujinon GF32-64mmF4 R LM WR

Lighting has been a growing category for me on this page. Like every photographer, I have always had a speedlight in my kit. I would use an umbrella when I felt it was absolutely necessary. But over the past few years, I have been doing more and more off camera lighting projects and have seen my kit grow considerably. What was once a bag with a speedlight or two now carries two or three large off-camera high power flashes and modifiers. My whole way of shooting has been significantly influenced by the recent portability and in some ways even more important the affordability of these big lights.

One of my partners in my work is a local Malaysian distributor of flash and other lighting equipment, Onsmo Lighting here in Penang. They rebrand and distribute one of, if not the most cost-efficient flashes on the market: Godox flashes.

Godox TT685F TTL Flash 2.4G HSS or Onsmo X700:

Onsmo X700 aka Godox TT685f

This full-size speedlight comes in two versions the TT685 that uses AA batteries, and the V860IIthat uses a proprietary lithium-ion battery. With 2.4G wireless transmission, X1F (for Fujifilm ) can be used to trigger camera flash, studio flash and camera shutter over 100 meters’ distance. Given its size and portability, I often use my Osmo X700 as a kicker or rim light as in the photo above.

• Built-In 2.4GHz X Wireless Radio System
• Compatible with Sony ADI / P-TTL
• Guide Number: 197′ at ISO 100 and 200mm
• Zoom Range: 20-200mm (14mm with Panel)
• Tilts from -7 to 90°
• Rotates Left & Right 180°
• Wireless Master/Slave TTL Functionality
• Recycle Time: 0.1-2.6 Seconds
• High-Speed, 1st & 2nd Curtain Sync
• Runs on Four AA Batteries

Godox AD200 or Onsmo X2 Mini TTL:

Godox AD200 or Onsmo X2 Mini TTL

Godox AD200 is a battery powered mini strobe with Built-in 2.4G wireless X system. It can support Canon, Nikon Sony and of course my Fujifilm system (both TTL and HSS, need to purchase trigger separately). This strobe is very small and compact and I recommend for travelling photographers like myself. 200 w of power make this like three full-size speedlights in one package not much bigger than one. Unlike other flash units it’s size this flash is not an on-camera flash. It needs to be mounted on a stand or hand-held. The unit comes with two heads; bare-bulb or fresnel.

Godox AD400Pro or Onsmo Z4 Pro TTL:

Godox AD400Pro or Onsmo Z4 Pro TTL

This flash has power and stamina yet small in size lightweight and Portable. It only weighs 2.1kg but packs a whopping 400w of power! It even allows me to shoot 1/8000s high-speed sync flash with my Fujifilm kit. I use the Bowens mount, but it comes with just about any mount you might need for whatever modifier you choose.

Wireless Remote Control and Triggering: Godox XPro and X1 series TTL wireless flash triggers are recommended.

• Quick recycle time: 0.01-1s.
• Dot-matrix LCD panel: with clear and convenient operation.
• Precise power output: power adjusts from full power 1/256 to 1/1 in 25 steps.
• Studio quality light: up to 400Ws, GN 72 (m ISO 100, with high-efficiency standard reflector).
• Stable colour temperature mode: colour temperature changes within ±75K over the entire power range.
• Advanced functions: 1/8000s high-speed sync flash, multi-flash, high-speed sync triggering, C.Fn: Setting Custom Functions, etc.
• Wireless Multiple Flash Shooting： You can divide the slave units into two or three groups and perform TTL autoflash while changing the flash ratio (factor). In addition, you can set and shoot with a different flash mode for each firing group

 Onsmo (Godox) XPro and X1 series TTL wireless flash triggers:

Onsmo (Godox) Speed X-PRO and Onsmo Speed X Trigger FUJI (X1T-F)

Godox is a system that is completely integrated. All of the off-camera flashes (the Ad200, AD400 and AD600) flashes will work with any camera system because they are dependent on a trigger. These triggers or transmitters are super easy to use and very stable. Each of these transmitters are TTL/HSS capable as well as ging you manual control of off-camera groups.

SMDV Speedbox-70 & Speedbox-A90:

SMDV Speedbox-90 & Speedbox-A70

Here I am using the Onsmo Speed X trigger and Piet is holding the SMDV-A70 Speedbox.

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The SMDV Speedbox is a unique light modifier. It set us super quick and takes down even faster. (see video). There isn’t much to talk about except that is is a lightweight and very portable system which is what you want in the field. I think the video explains everything.

SIRUI T-1205X 5-Section Carbon Fiber Tripod:

SIRUI T-1205X 5-Section Carbon Fiber Tripod

• Extremely light-weight 5-section 8X carbon fiber tripod
• Silicon twist locks; independently locked into place at two different angles
• Short centre column allows the tripod to reach extremely low positions
• Leg warmer on one leg which facilitates handling in extreme weather conditions and help to protect the legs
• Two leg-angle settings (52 & 80 deg.)

Only weighing about 0.8 kg (1.76 lbs), the model can support up to 22 lbs of photographic equipment and stay very sturdy at the same time. 

Digipod a2830 Tripod:

Digipod a2830 with the Acratech GV2 Ballhead

I needed to larger steadier a tripod but I didn’t want to spend as I won’t use it a lot. I am not a landscape photographer but every photographer needs a good size pair of sticks. The Digipod A2830 is Chinese brand aluminium tripod. It’s a little heavier than I wanted, at 5lbs. However, it is just the height I wanted and the finishing is quite nice. With my Acratech ball head and the center, column lowered it stands exactly 5 feet tall. Once I put the camera body on, the eyepiece of my GFX 50s is level with my eye. All this for only… are you ready..$120.00!

Acratech GV2 Ballhead:

Acratech GV2 Ballhead

The Acratech GV2 Ballhead is a great head with a unique design. It’s lightweight and open design makes it ideal for the type of shooting I do. Many other ballheads, and I am not excluding the big names out there, have their ball and socket design encased in some sort of housing. When dirt and grime get inside the housing the head starts to have friction and the movement no longer stays smooth. Not with the exposed design of the Acratech heads and being oilless and greaseless the ball will not attract and hold dirt and debris. Very smart! This is a lightweight head, less than 1 lb (.45kg). A concern with it being so light is, will it support the weight of a DSLR and a 70-200 2.8 lens? It does, and in fact, easily holds over 25 lbs (11.4kg) at any angle. They are made with a quick release clamp that is compatible with most major manufactures QR plates.

For packing my camera I use Thinks Tank Photo bags for two reasons. The first and most important reason is I find them functional and incredibly well made. They fit my use and so I use them. And in full disclosure, the other reason is that I am on the design board and get a really good deal on any bag I want, but I would use them even if I wasn’t, though I might not own as many as I do now.

Airport International V2 Roller Bag:

Airport International V2 Roller Bag

When I travel and find myself shooting with my Canon bodies and lenses then I almost always pack my kit in this bag. It is spacious and rolls nicely and is seemingly indestructible. This bag has been around the globe many, many times. Like a Timex, it takes a licking and keeps on ticking. Note of Caution: Even though this bag is legal carry-on size, it is big enough that many airline attendants look at it and often ask you to weigh the bag upon checking in for your flight. This is a pain, as it is almost always overweight by the time I finish packing my kit in it.

Think Tank Photo Airport 4-Sight Rolling Camera Bag:

Think Tank Photo Airport 4-Sight Rolling Camera Bag

Even though TTP says it works well with larger gear, I find it too small for carrying two pro-size DSLR and a full kit of lenses. But it is perfect for two X-Pro1 bodies and several X-series lenses. One of the best features of this bag is that it rolls on all four coasters. This might not seem like much, but it is really nice to roll this bag through an airport without having to drag it behind you.

Think Tank Photo CityWalker 20 (Blue):

Think Tank Photo CityWalker 20

This bag has replaced my Think Tank Photo Urban Disguise 70. It is light weight and looks like just another messenger bag. The 20 is just the right size to fit two X-Pro1 cameras with lenses attached and still have room to carry another lens or two. But frankly, I hardly ever use it to shoot out of. I use it when I am traveling from location to location with one slight modification. I replace the handle strap that came on it with another think Think Tank adjustable strap. This allows me to put the bag over the handle of my roller bag and then cinch it tight. While traveling, I carry my MacBook Pro 13″ with my Kindle Paperwhite in it along with some headphones, a small backup drive, various cables and power cord, business cards, pens, passport and more.

Large Luggage:

The North Face Rolling Thunder 36″:

I keep trying to buy roller duffles and I keep getting disappointed. When I need to have a large roller bag I go with my Rolling Thunder 39″. This thing is massive at 155 Liters it can hold my clothes and light modifiers, light stands and more. It is easy to pack and roll. But at 10.4 lbs (4.7kg) it is not what I call light. With that said, I use it over the extremely lightweight duffle below because it saves my back! This bad is a winner in my book.

The North Face Base Camp Duffel:

The North Face Base Camp Duffel

There is a lighter – albeit harder on the back option to the Eagle Creek roller, and the one I usually go with, The North Face Base Camp Duffel. It is very light at 4 lbs 15 oz (2240 g). Made from a durable laminate material, the Base Camp Duffel is a bomber of a bag. Amply resilient to be roughed around in-flight, or to be transported up a mountain via a yak, this is one tough duffel bag. At 155-litre volume, it provides ideal storage for long, extended trips, or space for a photographer to store a large tripod and lighting gear. This bag has no padding, so you need to pack it with that in mind.

General Packing:

For packing my clothes I find using packing cubes to be the most helpful. I used to by the costly ones, only because I couldn’t find any other. Then eBags started carrying them and now that is what I use to pack and sort my clothes.

eBags Packing Cubes:

eBag Packing Cubes

These guys are a silent hero for the traveller. They are indispensable. They are simple yet effective at keeping your clothing and gear organized and mostly wearable once you arrive at your destination. If you don’t use them then you must be wearing wrinkled clothing once you arrive.

Here is another look at the eBag packing cubes in action and how they keep me organized and save space in my luggage.

eBag Packing Cubes in Action

(a) eBag packing cube with my pants
(b) eBag packing cube with my shirts
(c) raincoat
(d) Think Tank Lens Skin that contains my filters
(e) eBag packing cube with more clothes
(f) eBag packing cube with heavy winter weight socks
(g) Think Tank storage container that with two other smaller containers of storage (see below)
(h) nylon liner for sleeping bag
(i) Think Tank storage bag
(j) Eddie Bauer toiletry case

I travel to various climates, often in one trip. So, how do you pack as efficiently as possible for a trip where you might be hot one day and freezing the next? In truth, there is not a good answer, but here is what I do.

Anokhi’s lightweight 100% cotton hand blocked printed shirts:

Anokhi’s 100% cotton hand blocked printed shirts

The tropics rarely allow me to go through a day without sweating like crazy. So when I found Anokhi’s lightweight 100% cotton hand-blocked printed shirts, I found relief. For a slightly overweight middle-aged man, I like to look nice when I can–I gotta do what I can–after all, I am married to a gorgeous Asian woman. These shirts fit the bill, lightweight and casual, with a certain sophistication or, dare I say, je ne sais quoi. Each shirt is like a piece of handmade Indian folk art. Gavin Gough‘s been lusting after my collection for years. I don’t go to India without picking up one or two of these shirts. They are practical in that you can soak them with sweat but they dry within minutes if you are in a breeze. The only catch with Anokhi is finding them outside of India. Here is the best I can do for you: Anokhi’s retailer’s listing and a catalogue of images of some of their other product. At the risk of “TMI” (Too Much Information”), I also wear Anokhi’s super lightweight Boxers Shorts. Lightweight and breathable, they are perfect!

Kühl Pants:

Konfidant Air Pants: The Perfect Travel Companion

After years of dealing with nylon packable pants that were too hot in warm climates, too cold in cooler ones, and prone to ripping, I switched exclusively to Kühl trousers. Among them, the Konfidant Air pants are my absolute favorite.

These pants are the perfect weight, providing just enough warmth to ward off a chill while remaining lighter than jeans, making them ideal for tropical climates. They’re not cheap, but they are reasonably priced, considering their quality and durability. Most outdoor stores carry them, and I get mine at REI.

I have several pairs of Konfidant Air pants, and I couldn’t be more pleased with them. My oldest pair, bought in 2015, is still going strong. They offer a great, comfortable fit with very convenient pockets, including a dedicated phone pocket that easily fits an iPhone Pro Max with a UAG case.

I now own five pairs of these pants, and they are incredibly comfortable in a variety of environments, from desert to tropical. I’ve worn them trekking in Ethiopia and hiking in Indonesia, India, and Mongolia. They provide the perfect combination of comfort, durability, and practicality for any travel adventure.

Kühl Shorts:

  Kühl Shorts

I am sorry if you think of me as uncreative, but when you find a good thing you stick with it. This is why I also wear Kühl shorts. Why Kühl? They are the right length (I hate short shorts) durable, good looking, not too hot and crazy comfortable.

My Hats:

Ever since I was a young lad, I have had a thing with hats, in particular, wide-brimmed fedora. I like the way they look, but they also have a utilitarian function: They keep the sun off my ears and neck. Some people might think I splurge on these hats. I have a hand full and I wear them all. Honestly, nothing says this hat should be worn for this type of day or function. It is a matter of what I am in the mood for. So here is the list:

Stetson Premier Stratoliner, open crown

Stetson Premier Stratoliner

The Stetson Premier Stratoliner is a hat for someone who wants to shape their hat the way he wants it.  A true icon, the Stratoliner comes with a legendary backstory. In the middle of the 20th-century, TWA launched the first premium passenger jets. Known as Stratoliners, these planes revolutionized travel. Stetson launched the Stratoliner as a travel-friendly gentlemen’s hat with a classic style, a wider brim than the popular urban fedora, and a shorter crown that made it a practical choice for travelers.

The Premier Stratoliner has a good strong heavier weight fur felt body and a nicer suede finish, a good outdoor hat. It comes with a bound edge, a 2 1/2 inch brim, a leather sweat band, a regular Stetson lining and a 3/8 inch gros grain outside band.

Akubra Stylemaster:

Akubra Stylemaster

Akubra has been handcrafting hats for over 130 years. I buy their superior rabbit fur felt hat, it’s not only an exceptional looking hat but one of the most durable. The thing most people don’t understand about fur felt is it is breathable and so the Akubra hats have been worn in the heat of the Australian summer right through to their freezing cold winters. This hat was my first Akubra. The Stylemaster is a pre-creased fedora. The pinched telescope crown is 4-1/4 inches at the front, rising to 4-3/4 inches on the side and then down to 3-7/8 inches in the back. This gives this hat a distinctive look. The brim is 2-1/2 inches wide and bound with ribbon. I am not a huge fan of cut brims, I like then bound like this one. The snap brim is usually worn snapped down in front and up in the back. The pure fur felt is Akubra’s Imperial Quality. The hat is fully lined and has a 1-1/2 inch grosgrain band. A leather sweatband.

Borsalino Enzo Open Crown Crushable:

Borsalino Enzo Open Crown Crushable

Borsalino is another hat company that has been around forever. Based in Alessandria, Italy, they make quality fur felt hat for every type of need. The Enzo Open Crown Crushable was the first that I owned that had a feel of a vintage hat from the 1930s & 40s. The fur felt is light and flexible, unlike that of the Akubra felt that is stiff like a cowboy hat. The Borsalino fur felt is not only pliable but water repellent as well. This hat is easily rolled up and stuck in a packing tube for travel. You might ask, why don’t you just wear your hat on the plane? Well, often I do, but I always risk forgetting them in the seat next to me when I am disembarking or they can get crushed in the overhead bin by sliding luggage. It sports a half-inch grosgrain band and a custom Borsalino cloth sweatband. The brim is 2 3/8″.

Travel is a big part of my work. Of course, when we photographers travel we don’t just carry cameras and lenses. We have to carry many other accessories that make travelling easier and our work more productive. So here is a list of items that have made my time on the road easier and more productive.

WACACO Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker Bundled with NS Adapter:

WACACO Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker Bundled with NS Adapter

A good cup of coffee is a must for many of us when we travel. But so often, even in countries known for their coffee production like Indonesia or Ethiopia, it is hard to find a good cup of coffee. Many of these countries after they export their top quality coffee they are left with the lowest grade beans or worse they serve Nescafe! YUCK! This little espresso press paired with quality Nespresso capsules is the answer. Built around a patented pumping system and no battery or electricity is needed, the Nanopresso is powerful. With the help of your hands, a maximum of 18 bars (261 PSI) of stable pressure is created during extraction for unparalleled coffee. It is more than what most home espresso machines can deliver. I wish I had a commission on how many of these units I have sold. It seems every workshop someone goes home and buys one fo these presses. It is that good!

PacSafe: Wrapsafe cable lock:

WrapSafe

The Wrapsafe this is a monstrously long cable with a creative design. Unlike other normal cable locks PacSafe’s Wrapsafe cable is adjustable due to the polycarbonate anchors along the cable length. It’s not exactly light, but it’s effective at securing your luggage in a train station, airport or even in a hotel room while you’re gone all day shooting photographs. It leaves you with peace of mind while you are away from your belongings. Well worth the weight!

Belkin 4-Way Surge Protector and Extension:

Belkin surge protector

One of the most frustrating things while traveling is having enough plug adapters for all your different electrical items. Sometimes, you may have enough adapters, but there just isn’t enough sockets in the room. Enter the Belkin 4-Way Surge Protector and Extension. There are several of these available, but I use the one that has the multi-plug slots. In this way I can use almost any type of plug from the round prongs of Indian plugs to the English and Malaysian large square plugs. (Unfortunately, I have never found this particular power extension available in the United States. I’ve only found it available in South and Southeast Asia.)

Zero Tolerance ZT-0350 tactical knife:

Zero Tolerance ZT-0350 tactical knife

Some might feel this is overkill and that a complicated Swiss Army knife might work better or even a multi-tool. Maybe that is true for you. I switched to this knife after years using a Swiss Army knife. But frankly, the Swiss Army knife was too heavy to carry around in my pocket and I never used anything but the scissors and the knife blade, so what was the point? I like the simplicity of this knife. Plus, this particular knife gives me a sense of security in that it is an “every day carry” and I can clip it onto my pocket and wear it. It has an assisted opening that makes one-handed opening easy using the large, ambidextrous thumb stud or blade flipper. It is made of thick S30V stainless steel. S30V steel is really tough, so much so that you can use this knife to pry apart two wood 2-by-4 planks nailed together and not damage the blade.

LEDLenser-ZL7438 Flashlight:

LEDLenser-ZL7438 Flashlight

Any small LED flashlight is handy. But this one is as bright as a laser beam! My LEDLenser has proven to be indestructible. I have dropped this from quite high on many occasions and it still performs well. This little light takes 3 AAA batteries and runs forever on them. It is rated to give 100 hours of battery life. I’m not sure that’s true. Maybe it is 100 hours till the battery dies completely. Needless to say, you will want to replace the batteries earlier than later to keep the light bright. It is not cheap, but it’s been the last flashlight that I’ve had to buy. So, in the long run it might be worth the money spent. This is an Australian company, so I’m not sure how easy it is to find in the United States, I bought mine in the Philippines.

Giro Blaze Cold-Weather Cycling Gloves:

Giro Blaze Cold-Weather Cycling Gloves

You might ask, why cycling gloves? The fact is, I didn’t go out looking for cycling gloves in particular. I was browsing around a few years back at an REI (a sports store in the U.S.) and found these. They are thin, grip well and yet still warm and allow me to feel the buttons on my camera while wearing them. I don’t find much use for fingerless gloves, so these were perfect. These guys went with me to the Everest base camp and will go with me whenever the weather is chilly to down right cold.

Bose QuietComfort 20i Acoustic Noise Cancelling In-Ear Headphones:

Bose QuietComfort 20i Acoustic Noise Cancelling In-Ear Headphones

Audio is very important to my work and I want to be able to hear what I’m capturing with my recorder. But I also don’t want to have to carry along several types of headphones. I used to travel with a pair of huge over-the-ear noise canceling headphones but I found I only use them when I was in the plane. Then I found these QuietComfort 20i Acoustic Noise Cancelling In-Ear Headphones from Bose feature their active noise-cancelling technology. In a word, AMAZING! The headphones are powered by Bose’s TriPort Acoustic drivers to produce a balanced frequency response. They are powered by the built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery that provides up to 16 hours of noise cancellation per charge. The in-line microphone and remote allows you to take calls and control your iPhone, iPad, or iPod device.

Eneloop Ni-MH Rechargeable Batteries with Charger:

Eneloop Ni-MH Rechargeable Batteries with Charger

A conventional NiMH Battery can be charged only up to 500 times and looses about 10-15% of its charge on the first day itself. In contrast the Sanyo Eneloop retain up to 85% of its charge even after one year. Not only that but they can be recharged up to 1000 times. I have found these to be the best rechargeable batteries out there…by far. They’ve saved me a lot of money over time. Great for use in a flash, radio triggers and recorders.

iPhone/iPad Pen and Stylus:

Kensington iPhone Sylus

Why a iPhone stylus? Good question, since the iPhone doesn’t need a stylus for you to write on it. But, try to get someone who’s never written on iPhone to use their fingers to sign a model release. Trust me, it’s difficult, I’ve tried it. That’s when I went and purchased a stylus pen and everything became easier. If you’re using Easy Release or some other type of iPhone app for obtaining a model release I highly recommend getting a stylus. The one I have (pictured above) doubles as a writing pen as well.

Pipes & Tobacco:

Two to Three Pipes

At the risk of getting inflammatory e-mails by people telling me how dangerous pipe smoking is I put my pipes on this gear page. It’s a simple pleasure that relaxes me. I enjoy the camaraderie it facilitates with other pipe smoking photographer friends. You know who you are – I will not list your names here.  😉