Equipment That Will Deliver, Whatever the Weather
As a landscape and nature photographer, I need gear that won’t disappoint – no matter what Mother Nature throws at me. Some of my all-time favourite photographs have been captured in torrential rain, sleet, heavy snow, and thick fog (not all at once, thankfully!) – the kind of extremes that leave me questioning my sanity. Over the years, I’ve built a collection of camera bodies and lenses I can depend on. Just knowing that my kit can handle whatever I throw at it means I can focus on watching for that perfect moment, without any distractions.
If my gear can survive the wrath of the Lake District’s winter weather, I know it can survive anything. Here’s a quick look at the equipment in my camera bag that will deliver when the going gets tough.
The Camera Bodies I Trust in the Field
Canon has been my go-to camera brand for well over twenty years. During that time, I’ve been out in some questionable weather, and not once have I doubted their unrivalled build quality. There have been times when my waterproof clothing has failed, such as the unprecedented Lake District snowstorm of December 2023, yet my camera has soldiered on. It’s such a nice feeling to know that when the conditions get tough, my cameras will deliver. Rugged, durable, and dependable (my camera bodies, not me!) – Canon has well and truly earned my trust.
Camera bodies I depend on:
- Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
- Canon EOS R5
Lenses that Capture My Vision
There is no better feeling as a photographer than unboxing a new lens, once your bank balance recovers from the shock that is. A good lens is honestly worth its weight in gold; they’re effectively an extension of your eyes, and arguably THE most important tool in your creative arsenal. I put so much trust in my lenses to perform seamlessly, every single time – whatever Mother Nature throws my way.
Landscape photography is one of those genres where it pays to think outside the box – especially when it comes to focal length. There are no hard rules, and that’s what I love most. One moment, I can be capturing wide-angle sweeping valley views from the summits of the Lake District’s iconic fells, and the next, picking out intricate mountain details with a telephoto lens.
Wildlife photography, on the other hand, doesn’t always offer the same luxury of flexibility. My 100-400mm lens is often glued to my camera, especially when paired with my 1.4x extender for extra reach. It’s not the fastest setup in the world, but what I lack in lens speed, I make up for through fieldcraft. One day, I’ll upset my bank account again, with a 500mm or 600mm f/4 purchase, but for now, patience, respect, and clever use of camouflage are my strengths.
Lenses I use:
- Canon EF 16–35mm f/4L USM (Landscape photography)
- Canon EF 24–70mm f/2.8L II USM (Landscape photography)
- Canon EF 70–200mm f/4L USM (Landscape photography)
- Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM (Macro photography)
- Canon EF 100–400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM (Wildlife & Landscape photography)
- Canon EF 1.4x Extender III (Wildlife photography)
Camera Bags
I’ve got camera bags for all occasions – can you really have too many? Asking for a friend. Being a mostly lone hiker/photographer, I like to know I’m well-equipped for anything unexpected. For most of my day-to-day local photography work, my Lowepro Flipside 450 AW is perfect. It’s a dependable and spacious backpack that has truly stood the test of time. I know when my gear is inside, it’s well protected.
When I’m headed up into the Lake District fells on long-distance hikes, safety gear takes priority over photography equipment. Switching to my Osprey Stratos or Kestrel backpacks gives me the flexibility to carry the essentials I need for the mountains, while Lowepro toploaders keep my camera and lenses accessible on the move.
Camera bags I use:
- Lowepro Flipside Trek BP 450 AW
- Osprey Stratos 36L
- Osprey Kestrel 70L
- Lowepro ProTactic TLZ 70 Pro AW III Toploader
- Lowepro ProTactic LCS 11×26
- Vanguard Supreme 46F Hard camera case
- Vanguard Supreme 27F Hard camera case
Essentials That Support My Work in the Field
There’s always that one pocket in my camera bag filled with essentials I never leave home without. Admittedly, there’s also the odd thing or two I’ve never used, but I’m holding on to the fact that one day I’ll need them, a told you so moment, almost. First aid kit, various filters, spare batteries, and a lens cleaning kit, far from the most glamorous of accessories, but they’re the unsung heroes that keep me shooting, trouble-free.
And then there’s my tripod. I’d always recommend investing in a good quality tripod. Mine is well over ten years old, and it’s still going strong. Over the years, it has been battered by all weathers imaginable, dropped in the mountains, and even used as a trekking pole to cross swollen becks – yet it still holds firm when I need it most.
Essentials that support my work:
- Manfrotto MK055XPRO3 Tripod
- Manfrotto XPRO Ball Head with Arca Swiss Top Lock
- Kirk L-bracket
- 3-legged-thing Roxie L-bracket
- Canon LP-E6P spare batteries
- Lee 105mm Circular Polariser
- Lee big stopper – 10 stop ND filter
- Lee little stopper – 6 stop ND filter
- Microfiber cloths
- K&F Concept Rocket Blower
- Lens pen
- Canon wireless remote shutter trigger
- Spare memory cards
- Small spring clamps
- First aid kit
- Petzl Swift RL Headtorch
Camouflage Accessories for Wildlife Photography
I fully acknowledge that my setup isn’t the best, but it’s certainly not the worst. I’ve learned to make up for any shortfalls by effectively becoming one with the environment. I’m a firm believer in the art of concealment; a well-considered approach to camouflage beats any amount of camera gear, hands down. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sat under a makeshift hide and been rewarded with unbelievably close encounters. Patience, respect, and a little camouflage go a long way.
Here are the camo accessories that help me blend in:
- Realtree one-way camouflage netting (4m x 1.5m and 2m x 1.5m)
- Various camouflage scrims – a mix of woodland browns and field greens
- 3D camouflage poncho
- 3D camouflage gloves
- 3D camouflage balaclava
- Realtree low noise jacket & trousers
Trust is Key
Trust in my gear is essential. When I’m outdoors, I’m there to connect with nature and capture its true beauty. I can’t do that if I’m worrying about a bit of rain or whether my camera battery will last the day. If my focus is unbroken on my subject, then my gear has excelled in doing its job, and I can’t ask for more than that. It has taken me years to reach this point, but I genuinely couldn’t be happier with my kit. Every single item has proven its worth time and time again. Whatever the weather, whatever the challenge, these are the tools that help me capture the beauty of the great outdoors.
If you’d like to see how my camera gear performs in the real world, my latest Field Notes and galleries are a great place to start.