Welcome to my Gear / Kit Page

Here’s a current 2020 list of all the kit I use for my Photography, Retouching, Video and LIVE Streaming.

Being completely transparent, out of all the kit listed here I am linked in with Westcott as one of their Top Pros and a BenQ Ambassador, but apart from that there’s no other company listed that I’m tied in with or have any kind of contract; I basically use it because it’s fit for purpose and does exactly what I want it to do! I also used both Westcott and BenQ kit before I became associated with them in any way.

Oh and just so you know the links below will take you (mainly) to Westcott and Amazon and this means you pay the same price you always would have done but because they’re Affiliate links, they also give me a commission ranging anywhere from 3% – 8%

Thanks for the support.

Camera Bodies and Lenses

At the time of putting this kit list together, my main work-horse is the Sony A7RIV which I absolutely love! The quality of the files, the speed and accuracy of the focus tracking is outstanding!

The other cameras listed here I use for video work and as a webcam. The Sony A6400 with it’s focus tracking is outstanding! My ‘every day’ lens for portrait work is the Sony 55mm when doing anything other than a tight, close in portrait / head shot; for those I use the Sony 85mm G-Master because of it’s insane detail / sharpness and wide aperture.

Sony A7RII (My Backup)

Amazon

Lighting and Modifiers

When it comes to lighting I use equipment by Westcott but being completely transparent I am one of their Westcott Pros. However I was using Westcott equipment before that relationship developed and that’s because it’s rock solid, does what it’s supposed to do, does it well and has never let me down.

My light for both indoor studio and out on location is the FJ400. It has a rechargable battery AND can be mains powered so it’s incredibly versatile.

As for the modifiers, my ‘go-to’ is the Westcott Rapid Box Switch Large Octa; superb build quality and crazy fast to set up.

The Cine range I am using for lighting in my office for LIVE Streaming and recording tutorials.

Westcott Flex Cine Softbox 1′ x 1′

Westcott

Rapid Box Switch Octa-M

Westcott

Backgrounds

I get asked about the background I use on a very regular basis, and this is it..my Vintage Grey Canvas by Glyn Dewis from Westcott. This comes on a roll and measures 7′ x 5′. Very quick and easy to set up onto the Westcott X-Drop Backdrop Stand and takes up mimimal space which is vital when photographing on location as  do the majority of the time.

*Note: Just so you know, the background comes in 2 different materials … Art Canvas and Vinyl; I use the Art Canvas version.

Tethering

There’s just no way I’d do a photo shoot without tethering! Being able to see your images come up nice and big on a laptop screen or mobile device has so many benefits when it comes to seeing the details and being able to check sharpness and composition much clearer. Plus there’s the added bonus of backing up those important files at the time of the photo shoot, on-site power and so on…

For years I tethered using the TetherTools cables from my camera direct into my laptop, but now with technology moving forward I can do the same but without wires which for me is invaluable; fewer wires on set means less chance of me tripping and maybe damaging my kit BUT more importantly it reduces the risk of those I’m photographing falljng over and hurting themselves.

TetherTools Aero Table

TetherTools

TetherTools ‘T’ Set Up

TetherTools

Tripods

I’ve tried many tripods over the years and many haven’t stood the test of time; the Manfrotto one I use now (shown below) I’ve had for some time now and is as good as the day I got it. Solid build, no fiddly bits and light as it’s made of Carbon Fibre. The BeFree version I use when travelling. I’ve changed the plate using the industry standard Arca fitting using the Arca Plate Adaptor below so that I can use it with pretty much everything.

Manfrotto Arca Plate Adaptor

Amazon

Monitors, Calibration and Printing

Not much to say here really other than I simpy couldn’t be happier. Yes I am linked in with BenQ as one of their Ambassadors but I was using their monitors way before that relationship began. Great price, great colours and I’ve never had a monitor fail on me. What more could you ask for?

As for the X-Rite products, for years I wasted time and money trying to get my prints to look as good as the images do on my screen. Now though I’ve totally nailed it. I mainly use the i1Studio because with that I can not only calibrate my screens BUT also profile the paper I use with my Canon printer. Only when I started doing this did I finally ‘get’ printing; the downside though is that it’s now an addiction!

X-Rite i1Studio

Amazon

Permajet Portrait White 285

Amazon