My equipment

With this post I want to list what exact equipment I use when photographing nature.

I have one main camera, the Nikon D500, and a secondary camera, the Nikon Z50. I use both for nearly all types of photography, except I usually do not use the Z50 for animal photography. Furthermore, I use my smartphone, currently a Fairphone 4, for casual photos or documenting landscapes if I do not have the Z50 with me. My equipment is getting old, so this is not a guide on what you should buy. There are more modern and likely better alternatives. Read my previous blog-post for a guide on equipment.

You can see what equipment and settings I used for each of my photos, both in my gallery and on social media. The following lists are a summary of my gear. Entries are sorted by (subjective) importance for nature photography.

Disclaimer: This is not advertisement, but a list of my current gear. I do not get any money for listing these items. Please refer to your favorite social media to see paid advertisement (except for the Fediverse, do not go there if you want ads).

Cameras

  • Nikon D500
    • Good all-purpose crop-sensor camera
    • Very good for wildlife and telephotography
  • Nikon Z50
    • Small and lightweight
    • Good as second camera for landscapes, street photography or point-and-shoot
  • Fairphone 4
    • Not the best camera on a phone, but works for documentation purposes
    • Bought it for repairability, not photography
    • GPS works well for tracking
    • It has Android installed because of some bought apps, but I want to ditch Google at some point

Lenses

For D500

For Z50

Miscellaneous

If you need a European (German) reseller for some of the more difficult to get camera accessories, I have had good experiences with Augenblicke Eingefangen. And please avoid Amazon. Good clothes and general outdoor equipment can also be found in hunting and fishing stores.

Filters

I use multiple 76 mm filters for the Z 17-28mm and DX 16-85mm

Tripods & straps

Backpacks & bags

  • Atlas Athlete
    • Together with the Atlas Adventure Hip Belt
    • This is the only good camera backpack with separated compartments and proper support I could find at the time (2020)
    • Expensive (especially when importing to Europe), but really worth it
    • By now they also sell other equipment, like QD clips for their backpacks
  • Cullmann Action 150
    • Small bag for the Z50 + Z 17-28mm
    • Has space for filters or other small equipment
    • I added a strap to connect it to the Z50 for extra security when using it as a second camera
  • DOMISO Camerabag
    • Very small bag for the Z50 + Z 16-50mm
  • Genesis Rover L (I have a version in black)
    • Large bag for the D500 + smaller lenses
    • Has space for filters, batteries and other stuff
    • Has a hip belt
  • I have more bags I seldom/never use

Trigger & flash

Covers & camouflage

Miscellaneous

  • Nikon Battery Chargers for MH-25a (D500) and MH-32 (Z50)
  • Off-brand camera and lens cleaner set
  • Ledlenser MH5
    • Headlamp with beam focus option
    • Accepts Li-ion and standard AA batteries
    • Red LED for night photography
    • Small and comfortable to wear for longer sessions
  • Ledlenser P2
    • Small handheld flashlight as backup
  • Anker PowerCore+ 13400
    • For charging smartphone on the go
  • LEATHERMAN WAVE multitool
    • Useful for all kinds of things like repairs and meal preparation
    • It can be used to open bottles and cans
  • Zeiss Terra ED 10x42 binoculars
    • Powerful binoculars
    • I use them less than I would like, because I always have my Sigma 150-600mm with me that allows me to see just as far, but with the benefit to immediately take a photo
  • Off-brand XQD Card Reader

...dary. Legendary!