Sharing the gear in my arsenal the past 15 years since becoming a hobbyist. All can be found on Amazon & I’d be happy to discuss if you have questions. Keep in mind skill improves photos…not Gear. If you put a Point & Shoot camera in the hands of a professional, they’ll still achieve amazing results.
Learning Tools
Scott Kelby Digital Photography Book Part 1
I credit this book with giving me the nudge & desire to learn more about photography. Discusses basic concepts in a lighthearted, simplistic & humoristic way. Lots of other great instructional books from Scott Kelby, but this was the start.
Kelbyone
Great on-line resource encompassing tutorials for Photography, Videographjy, Post Processing, & many more industry related topics. Worth every penny.
Alex Santiago
I credit Alex with giving me the real life guidance to get out & take photos. It started with a simple conversation about Photography that led to a trip to Wild Basin Trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park to shoot some long exposure of water. I was hooked. He’s since taken his craft to the next level specializing in portraits & his work is phenomenal.
Cameras
Canon R5
This is my current every day camera. Full Frame Mirrorless at 45 Megapixels. Been a slight learning curve & starting to enjoy using it.
Canon 5D MK3
This used to be my workhorse until I decided to go Mirrorless. Full Frame at 22 Megapixels & a phenomenal camera. Looking at converting with an Astro Mod to enhance Astrophotography
Canon 7D MK2
Purchased to compliment my 5D & attracted by the high Frame Rate for Wildlife & the 1.6 Crop.
Lenses
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
Go to for Astrophotography with a 2.8 Aperture & incredibly Sharp. Also used with landscapes.
Canon EF 24-105mm f4L IS USM
Where I start any adventure. Like the extended Zoom over the 16-35 & also sharp.
Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM
Go to for Wildlife & Aviation & an occasional tight Landscape. A little bulky but always keep it in my bag.
Canon 70-200mm F2.8L USM
Go to for the occasional Portrait & Dogs. Fast 2.8 Aperture.
Canon 100mm F2.8L IS USM Macro
Keep this one around for fun Macro shots. Don’t dive too much into macros, but use this one when looking at macro Focus Stacking primarily.
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
This lens has become my travel zoom when weight or space is an issue. Lightweight & gives the extra reach needed.
Other Gear
Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer 2i Pro
Game Change for Astrophotography! Allows longer exposures & avoids star trails. Translation is a cleaner image, more detail, & less noise. Rule of thumbs is to divide 500 by your focal length (500/20mm = 25 second exposure max). Downside is needing to Polar align to Polaris, but once figured out takes 10 minutes.
Manfrotto MT190XPRO3 Aluminum 3-Section Tripod
Original Workhorse that’s survived 12 years with a few minor bumps & bruises.
Benro Rhino Series FRHN34C Carbon Fibre Tripod
New addtion complimenting my Manfrotto Aluminum Tripod & to utilize 2 camera bodies during Astrophotography. Lighter & also converts to a Monopod.
Canon EF 2.0X III Telephoto Extender
Helps with Extra reach when needed & use for stationary distant subjects including the , the moon & Deep Space Astrophotography. la. Autofocus is difficult & you lose 2 stops of light so not the best but the extra reach comes in handy when you need to get the shot.