The Gear I Actually Use (And What’s Gathering Dust)
One of the first things people ask when they find out I’m a photographer is, “What camera do you use?”—as if knowing the model number will suddenly make their iPhone shots look like a magazine cover. Gear matters, sure, but it’s not the full story. That said, I do have a fair bit of kit, and some of it sees more action than others. So, here’s a no-nonsense look at what I actually use, and what just sits in my bag looking expensive.
The Workhorses: The Gear I Couldn’t Live Without
Canon R5 & Canon R6
These are my go-to cameras. The Canon R5 is an absolute beast when it comes to resolution, dynamic range, and autofocus. Although the R5 is a monster - it does have its drawbacks, expensive memory cards, HUGE file sizes and a wobble hot shoe - so there are times where I reach for its little brother: The Canon R6. It is the slightly less flashy sibling, but it’s brilliant in low light and a solid all-rounder. If I’m shooting anything important, one of these is in my hands.
Canon RF Lenses: 28-70mm f/2, 70-200mm f/2.8, 15-35mm f/2.8
The 28-70mm f/2 is a ridiculous lens. It’s heavy, but having f/2 across that range is game-changing. If I could only take one lens to a shoot, it’d be this.
The 70-200mm f/2.8 is for when I need that extra reach and compression. Great for portraits, events, and making people look like they belong in a high-end magazine.
The 15-35mm f/2.8 is my choice for anything wide—landscapes, interiors, or when I want a dramatic perspective and to get up close.
The Specialist Gear: Used When Needed
Canon EF Lenses: 11-24mm f/4, 16-35mm f/2.8, 24-70mm f/2.8, 70-200mm f/2.8, 400mm f/2.8
I still have some industrial standard Canon EF L glass and will never part with it. Mostly because they’re rock-solid performers and still compare to my RF lenses, but, also due to the sentimental reasons - it’s like a footballers first pair of boots. The 11-24mm is ultra-wide and perfect for dramatic shots. The 400mm f/2.8? That’s for when I need to shoot something that’s basically on the other side of the country and my 85mm F1.4 prime is my absolute favourite sense of all. Ever.
DJI Mavic Air 2
Drones are great, but they’re also a pain. When I get to use my DJI Mavic Air 2, it’s fantastic—stunning aerial shots, new perspectives, and clients love the results. The problem? Regulations, wind, and general hassle. I use it when it makes sense, but it’s not an everyday tool. - although I do bring it to every shoot (except the watches and jewellery ones)
GoPro
Mostly reserved for action shots, behind-the-scenes footage, or anything where I might drop a camera in water. It has its place, but it’s more of a fun addition than a serious part of my kit.
The Shelf Sitters: Good Gear I Rarely Use
I’d love to say I use every piece of kit I own all the time, but the truth is, some of it collects dust. The older EF lenses don’t see as much action now that I’ve moved to RF and my Laowa Probe macro Lens hasn’t been used once commercially.
Final Thoughts: Gear Matters (But Not as Much as You Think)
Yes, I have a lot of expensive kit. No, it doesn’t make the photos for me. The best camera is the one you know how to use, and the best lens is the one that gets the job done. If you’re looking to get into photography, focus on mastering whatever you have first—because no amount of gear will fix bad lighting, poor composition, or a complete lack of artistic vision.
That being said, if Canon wants to send me some more stuff to ‘review,’ I won’t say no.