Camera Equipment

When I made the switch to digital, I bought a series of point-and-shoot cameras.  While I have some nice pictures taken with those, my photography improved a lot when I got a digital single lens reflex.  I purchased a Canon Rebel XSi in 2008 with a kit lens and a 300 mm f/4L prime in preparation for a February 2009 trip to Africa.  The images on this website started with the Rebel.  The other photographers on the African safari had far better cameras and lenses, and I felt I needed to upgrade.  By 2010, I moved up to a Canon 7D and, in 2015,  went to Canon 7D mark II when it came onto the market..  I have also had a progression of lenses that have led to my current inventory.

My current camera bag contains:

  • Canon 7D mark II A cropped sensor camera with some noise issues that is good for wildlife

  • Canon EF 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 L lens My go-to lens for wildlife

  • Canon EF 24-105 mm f/4 L lens My go-to lens for most other subjects

  • Canon EF 600 mm f/4 L II lens An amazingly good lens for wildlife that is heavy and requires a tripod

  • Canon EF 10-22 mm f/3.5-4.5 lens A very inexpensive lens that works surprisingly well with the 7D mark II

  • Canon extender EF 1.4x III An occasionally used lens that does not work so well with the 7D mark II

  • Canon extender EF 2.0x III A rarely used lens that is only useful under very bright conditions

  • Canon 580 EX II Flash An external flash

  • A 77 mm diameter circular polarizing filter An occasionally used tool that I should probably use more

For the first three lenses, the L stands for Canon’s professional line. My tripod is made by Gitzo and has a Wimberley gimbal head. Camera equipment, especially the 600 mm lens, is pretty expensive, so my kit has been frozen for the last five years. Technical progress has continued to the point where I probably should consider some upgrades.

Most photographers use a tripod or a bean bag to steady their equipment and minimize camera motion blur. I use it less than most because shooting hand held is more spontaneous and more flexible, which allows me to get images I would lose if I insisted on a tripod. The price is that only roughly 30% of the images taken with the 100-400 mm lens are sharp; with a tripod, 70% are sharp. Thus, if the subject is moderately still, I try to take many pictures, forcing the camera to refocus several times. I exclusively use the auto focus on the camera; it is far superior to my eyesight.