Filters - Clear glass
All of my lenses are protected with a clear glass front filter. I know there is an endless discussion on the internet whether this will degrade your image quality, due to an additional piece of glass between the camera sensor and your subject, or not. I have to work hard for any piece of equipment I add to the bag and rather spend a few bucks for a new filter than bemoaning the damage of the optics at an expensive lens. As a wildlife and landscape photographer you don’t get your best shots by standing in a parking lot, thats all what I can say…😉 I prefer clear glass filters from German brand B+W (Schneider Optics), ★ ★ ★ ★ ★, because just the way they are built, but also like and use TIFFEN filters. ★ ★ ★ ★
Filters - Polarizer
Important for my landscape photography to take out glare or sometimes to blur water at a waterfall. I don’t use them much to improve the color of the sky. I use 77 mm, 72 mm, 58 mm B+W F-PRO and cover the 67 mm lens thread on the Nikkor 70-200 with a 67/77 step-up ring. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Filters - Neutral Density
The neutral performance of the X4 ND and GND filters from Breakthrough Photography is truly fantastic and I haven’t seen a filter related color cast yet. I love Breakthrough’s sense for detail, like the color coding on their filter pouches or a cleaning cloth in every piece they send out. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
This is what I use so far:
X100 filter holder
100 mm square X4 ND 10-stop
100x150 mm square X4 GND 2-stop soft
100x150 mm square X4 GND 4-stop soft
Adapter rings for 72 mm and 77 mm lens threads
77 mm round X4 ND 6-stop
Camera batteries
During all the years, using first the NIKON D200, later D300s, D750, and now the Z 6II, I have used original NIKON batteries, as well third party products, like Impact, Pearstone, or Watson. To be honest, I have not found any significant difference in performance between any of them. My tip for adding more batteries to your bag, buy the less expensive third-party brand and call it a day…
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Flash batteries
I use rechargeable Ni-MH batteries from Watson and eneloop. Both brands served me very well in the past.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Memory cards
I may not follow always the advice of photography professionals about what accessories to buy or to use, because some are cost prohibitive for me. When it comes to storage of my images I do what the pros recommend, buy name brands with a good reputation. There is nothing worse than loosing a set of photos because the memory card has failed.
I use SanDisc or Lexar cards. Both brands have served me without any glitch since 2007.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
MIOPS Camera trigger
This device provides a versatile way to capture photos using lightning, sound, or laser to trigger the camera or flash. It features different modes of operation with adjustable sensitivity depending on a given shooting situation. I acquired it mainly for landscape photography that includes lightning. As I write this the MIOPS is still relatively new in my bag and more experience needs to be gained before a star rating will be issued.
HOODMAN loupe
If you ask me, what is an essential piece of accessories in my gear bag for DSLR cameras, I would always answer, this one is the #1! I do not like to shoot with my reading glasses on, but the loupe helps to evaluate sharpness of a picture or make adjustments in the menu on the screen at the back of the camera. With the new mirrorless Z 6II I don’t employ the HOODMAN loupe at all. By using the electronic viewfinder for evaluation or settings under any light conditions the need for the loupe or my glasses is drastically reduced.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
GIOTTOS Rocket Blaster Dust-Removal Tool
Always in the bag. A built in one-way valve prevents dust from redistribution while cleaning a lens or the sensor. A simple solution to keep dust away from the equipment.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
UPstrap Sure-grip shoulder strap
Double-sided non-slip strap that stays on the shoulder even with a heavier camera / lens combo.
★ ★ ★ ★
Peak Design AL-4 Anchor Links
I have a set on each camera. The anchor links allow to detach the shoulder strap within seconds, so it doesn’t dangle around while shooting wildlife with the long lens and scare off birds or critters in a decisive moment.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
BLACKRAPID SPORT Camera sling strap
I use this strap mostly for short hikes or longer shooting sessions while handholding the SIGMA 150-600 Sports lens. The design allows to carry the heavy camera / lens combo very comfortable and secure. You also can shoot with one camera from a tripod and a second body can hang right next to you and is easily accessible if necessary.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Moose Peterson MP-3 V.2 Backpack (by MindShift Gear)
I can’t rave enough about this backpack. It is a high quality bag and is made for extreme weather conditions and critical environments. The backpack has lots of great details, like self-closing compartment flaps, and you can tell that many design ideas came from one of the best and experienced wildlife photographers, Moose Peterson.
It is available in three different sizes. The MP-3 is tall enough to hold the camera with the Sigma 150-600 lens attached and the lens hood mounted, ready to shoot.
After 18 months of using and testing the MP-3 V.2 I have written an article about my experience with this backpack:
http://www.exnerimages.net/blog/2018/2/10/gear-talk-mindshift-moose-peterson-backpack-series-mp-3-v2
Moose Peterson MP-7 V.2 Backpack (by MindShift Gear)
I bought the smaller and lighter MP-7 version for a bargain price shortly after production of this incredible backpack was discontinued and use it for hikes and excursions in the great outdoors. It still is capable to carry the camera with the long lens and detached lens hood. It has all the design and weather protection features like its bigger sibling. I love both of them!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
ONA messenger-style shoulder bag THE UNION STREET
This cool shoulder bag looks rotten and elegant at the same time. It doesn’t necessarily call “steal me” because it is made out of waxed canvas and doesn’t look at all like a photo bag full of expensive gear. The design and quality of this photo bag is outstanding. The gear is well protected against bumps, weather, and dirt and is lined on the inside with protective padding. It fits my life style and photography habits perfectly.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★