Recommending gear is challenging because it always depends on your needs and not ours. We created this list only with gear we love to use (and in most cases also own). We use much more gear than we list but these listed items are the ones that makes us happy to use them (we hope you see the difference).
We may change this list at any time. Because these are our top items we do not expect too many changes (of course cameras are the most likely candidates for change).
We post items to everything we like and recommend independently of any affiliate status. On the other side most gear is actually covered by B&H our main affiliate dealer.
Our Gear Affiliates
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In many cases we provide a "Buy at B&H" link. We are an affiliate of B&H. If you buy through one of these links you help to finance our work. B&H is a brand agnostic dealer with a great reputation. Use the link on the left banner if you want to browse the vast collection of B&H products. |
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Use the link on the left or you can enter the promo code "AP-224". Then with every order over $50 you will receive a free gift from Think Tank Photo.
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Note: There of course many other great tools out there. These are just the tools we use.
Still Cameras
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
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- Our main full frame DSLR
- Created the 5D video look
- For smooth low noise images
- If we need real wide angle shots (e.g. using the Zeiss 21mm lens)
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DOP Field Test
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Canon EOS 60D
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- We like them all: 7D, 600D and 60D
- The 60D has for us the best feature/price ratio
- Love to use it with the Canon 100mm f/2.8 IS Macro in Servo AF mode.
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DOP Field Test
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Sony Alpha NEX-7
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- Top resolution for an APS-C Sensor
- Excellent three dial control and handling
- Good EVF
- Good video quality
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DOP Field Test
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Sony Alpha NEX-5N
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- Our top travel camera
- Top mirror-less camera
- Great image quality and good video
- Swivel EVF is expensive but also excellent
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DOP Field Test
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Panasonic Lumix GH2
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- We follow the m4/3 cameras from their beginning
- Video is extremely well implemented
- A full set of lenses is much smaller and lighter with the m43 system.
- We also often like the deeper DOF from m43 lenses
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DOP Field Test
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Nikon 1 V1
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- Surprisingly good camera even with a small sensor
- Fast reaction
- Complete set is light
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DOP Field Test
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Olympus XZ-1
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- A P&S camera we enjoy to use
- Very good zoom
- We use the EVF
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DOP Field Test
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Ricoh GXR M-Mount Module
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- Optimized for use of your M-mount lenses
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DOP Field Test
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Fuji Finepix X10
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- Top P&S camera
- Very good zoom
- We like the OVF
- Very good images for a camera with this size of a 2/3" sensor
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DOP Field Test
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Video Cameras
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Panasonic AF100
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- Large sensor pro video camera
- Built-in ND filters helps a lot
- With m43 lenses it allows a very compact set
- We use it as a run-and-gun documentary camera
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DOP Field Test
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Panasonic Lumix GH2
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- Video is extremely well implemented
- Our lower cost alternative to the AF100
- Also a great still camera
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DOP Field Test
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Lenses we love
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Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 IS Macro
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- Maybe our most loved lens but the focal range is not so often useful
- Works great with AF Servo on the 60D
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Buy at B&H |
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Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
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- We like the short to middle tele range
- Our most used lens for years
- We use it on 5D Mark II and 60D
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Buy at B&H |
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Canon 1.4x EF Extender II
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- We use the 1.4x because we don't need dedicated longer lenses
- Works finr on the 70-200mm f/4 IS but even better on the 70-200mm f/2.8 IS
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Buy at B&H |
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Canon Normal EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro
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- Always fun to present lenses of great value
- Top Macro lens
- AF is not fast
- 50mm is more attractive than you may think (with 60D the angle of view is like 80mm FF)
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Buy at B&H |
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Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS
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Buy at B&H |
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Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm f/2.8 ZE
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- If we want to go wide on the Canon 5D Mark II
- We love the look of the images
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DOP Field Test
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Panasonic 7-14mm f/4
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- This has an equivalent of 14-28mm FF field of view
- At first it seems expensive but if you compare with alternatives it is worth the price
- Small and light jewel
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DOP Field Test
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Voigtlander Nokton 25mm f/0.95
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- Unique lens
- Filmakers love it
- Very well built
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Buy at B&H
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Cameraquest |
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Panasonic Lumix 20mm f/1.7
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- Good lens (40mm FF equivalent)
- We added a metal lens hood from eBay
- Great with GH2 or GF1 (and likely the new G3)
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Buy at B&H |
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Panasonic Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45mm F2.8 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S.
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- Very nice Macro lens with good image quality
- The Leica branding has it price
- AF is not fast
- If you use Panasonic G series cameras you may want one
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Buy at B&H |
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Panasonic Lumix G Vario 100-300mm F/4.0-5.6 OIS
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- Nice lens for the price and size
- 200-600mm field of view at FF equivalent
- Not without flaws (zoom is not smooth)
- Amazing with video (sample video from AF100)
- This is a 100-300mm lens you can carry with you all the time
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DOP Field Test
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Accessories we like
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SanDisk 8GB Extreme Pro SDHC UHS-I Memory Card
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- For good 1080p video you need a fast and reliable card (e.g. our AF100)
- Stay with good brand names
- Also follow good practices: Never remove a card while the camera is still writing to the card, best to format in camera, best use card write protection while ingesting on a Mac.
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Buy at B&H |
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Gary Fong Puffer Pop-Up Flash Diffuser
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- Harsh flash light looks bad from your camera
- The Puffer softens your light
- This is a great and inexpensive tool if you want to use your on camera flash
- We found that the model for the Canon 60D fits also on the Panasonic GH2
- For the Olympus E-Models try the m43 version
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Buy at B&H |
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Ross Camera Level
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- Camera Levels are important tools (not only for panoramic work).
- The Ross Camera Level has a lower profile than other levels. This makes it way less in our way.
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Direct Manufacturer Link |
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Zacuto Point and Shoot Pro Grip
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- Nice grip with small quick release plate
- We use it for P&S cameras (e.g. Olympus XZ-1) but also with the iPhone and GoPro
- We have multiple plates for different cameras
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DOP Olympus XZ-1 Field Test
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Bags and related Gear
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ThinkTank Photo AA Battery Holder
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- Helps to find your batteries
- Small but nice tool
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Buy at ThinkTank Photo
See the specials deals with ThinkTank Photo on top. |
More to come.... |