Photography is a passion that allows me to capture moments, emotions, and stories through my lens. The gear I use makes all the difference in the world. Below is what you will find in my bag, how I use them and what I love about each.
OLYMPUS MICRO FOUR THIRDS GEAR
Olympus OMD E-M1 Mark III
My camera of choice is the Olympus OMD E-M1 Mark III. This compact, mirrorless camera is a powerhouse, boasting exceptional image quality and impressive features. When I left to travel, I knew I needed something lighter and more compact than my Nikon SLR gear and the Olympus Micro Four Thirds systems fit the bill. The sensor might be smaller than some other options, but it's incredibly versatile and allows me to travel light without compromising on image quality. What I love the most about this camera is the tracking auto-focus. This came in handy when I was in Tanzania for 6 days photographing all the moving animals.
Olympus 12-40mm F2.8 PRO Lens
The Olympus 12-40mm F2.8 PRO lens is my everyday workhorse. It has a versatility that makes it an ideal choice for a wide range of photography styles, from landscapes to portraits. The constant f/2.8 aperture allows me to achieve beautiful bokeh and work in low-light conditions. It's small and light, which allows me to take it anywhere and can even fit it and my camera body in my purse.
Olympus 40-150mm F2.8 PRO Lens
My Olympus 40-150mm F2.8 PRO lens is my favorite lens and go-to choice when I want clean, sharp photos. It has a fast autofocus and image stabilization make it easy to get crisp shots of fast-moving subjects. I use it exclusively when photographing wildlife and when paired with the Mark III auto focus tracking makes this my top choice and some of my favorite images.
Olympus 1.4X Teleconverter MC-14
To extend the reach of my 40-150mm lens, I carry the Olympus 1.4X Teleconverter MC-14. This is a recent purchase. It is a must-have for photographing wildlife. It allows me to get closer to the action without the need for the heavier and expensive longer lenses on the market. It makes my 40-150mm (80-300mm 35mm equivalent) into a 56-210mm (112-420mm 35mm equivalent). It maintains the optical quality of my existing 40-150mm lens while providing that extra reach, which is especially useful for capturing distant subjects with stunning clarity.
LUMIX 7-14mm F4 Lens
When it comes to capturing sweeping landscapes, I use the LUMIX 7-14mm F4 ultra-wide-angle lens, which allows me to fit more into the frame. I originally bought it to take with me to Iceland to capture the northern lights, but have since used it for capturing landscapes when I want to showcase sweeping vistas.
FILM (ANALOG) GEAR
Canon AE-1 35mm Camera with 50mm Lens
As much as I love the convenience of digital photography, there's something magical about shooting with film. I've had my Canon AE-1 since I was a teenager, it's what I learned on. I use a 50mm prime lens which is the perfect lens for capturing sharp, clear photos. The manual controls, the satisfying click of the shutter, advancing the film by manual lever, and the anticipation of seeing developed film I just took has a charm that the instant gratification of digital photography can't replicate.
UNDERWATER GEAR
Olympus TG-5 with Underwater Housing
For capturing the beauty of the underwater world, I rely on my Olympus TG-5 paired with an underwater housing. This rugged and compact camera is a powerhouse designed for underwater adventures. Alone you can take it to 15 meters/50 feet, but adding the underwater housing allows you to go down to 47 meters/147 feet. There have been two more models released since I purchased mine, the Olympus TG-6 (2019) and newly launched Olympus TG-7 (Sept 2023). All the Tough cameras have exceptionable underwater capabilities with different shooting modes and the high image quality is what you expect from Olympus. This camera enables me to explore and document all of the ocean's wonders.
CAMERA GEAR BAG
MindShift 18L Backpack
I am in love with my MindShift Gear TrailScape 18L Backpack! I bought it for Africa as I needed something small, but still needed to fit all my gear. It's only 18L so can fly as a carry-on and fit under my seat. It has room to fit 2 camera bodies, my long lens and 2 smaller lenses along with all my accessories (extra batteries, battery chargers, cleaners, back-up storage cards). It also has a dedicated laptop pocket with room for chargers. It's a great storage bag, so even when I'm not traveling I store all my gear in the bag.
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