What’s in my bag?
Let’s open it.
Explore v2 30 Backpack
The Explore v2 backpack by Shimoda Designs is my go to backpack for long walks and days out. Available in Army Green or Black. I opted for the Army Green, although bigger than my other bags it is far more lightweight and comfortable. Depending on the amount of gear you have you can choose different sizes for the core unit, which is what your camera gear packs in to and is well protected. Plenty of space for other items including a compartment for a tablet/laptop/MacBook and many pockets. Tripod can strap to the side and room to strap a drink to also. I’ve used this bag in woods, muddy fields and on sandy beaches in the last 2-3 years and the bag still looks new. The best part is when you buy it you give back to nature, as you will help plant more tress.
To buy the bag or learn more visit this link -
Manfrotto Bags
I have two Manfrotto backpacks, one for small walks and one from even smaller walks and nearly every day use.
Despite them being smaller than the Explore v2 above, I find the bags less comfortable, not saying they are uncomfortable but they don’t feel as good as the bag above.
The bags offer plenty of protection and enough room for a camera and some lenses.
Manfrotto Backpack 20
I use this one for small walks. As many bags do these days it also has space for a MacBook or tablet. You can strap a tripod to the front of it also. In side you can arrange the space to suit your camera & lens needs.
Manfrotto Active Backpack III
A great little bag, I don’t only use this bag for my camera gear I often use it for work. Main compartment can fit your camera and lens, the bottom compartment can store one or two more lenses, you can also fold the insert out of the way to make one big space. I mostly use this if we are walking the dog and I want to take my camera with me.
To buy these bags please use this affiliate link -
Active Backpack III - https://amzn.to/4cFgxTP
The backpack 20 is no longer available for purchase
A top camera which will really help my progress with my bird & nature photography. Full of technology & features with a full frame sensor and 45mp.
My main and only camera body in my bag solely for photography.
To buy this camera please visit -
Canon EOS R5 Mark II
The DJI Pocket 2 Creator combo aimed at content creators is a great little addition to any bag. Easy to record video and to capture a photo as well as a big panoramic shots, Timelapse video and HDR video
To buy this please visit -
The DJI Action 5 is an action camera, I have the Hiking pro bundle. The camera is offers all the features of the pocket 2.
I often have this camera attached to my camera bag and will use it to create short videos.
To buy this camera please visit -
Vanguard 3GO 265HCB Carbon Fibre Tripod
I was quite possibly the first person in the UK to buy this Tripod. After reading a review from America, I thought this could be a tripod I would use often. After waiting and waiting for it to release here in the UK, it seemed like it never would be. I emailed Vangarud asking if it will be released here and they informed me it will be but not just yet. However as I emailed them they would offer me the chance to buy it before any one else had, they sent me a link and a discount code and I went ahead and bought it.
I am made up with the tripod and had it for a good few years now and wouldn’t swap it. I also have another one of their tripods on my Wishlist. This tripod I use mostly for my Macro photography. As the name suggests it is lightweight. The removable centre column is great addition and to reverse it makes it great for flower photography.
I should add it is that light to carry, I often check my bag to make sure I did pick it up again when walking between locations.
To buy this tripod or to learn more about it then please visit -
https://www.vanguardworld.co.uk/collections/tripods/products/veo-3go-265hcb
Joby GorillaPod 3k & 5k
A great little tripod that you can use for almost anything from holding cameras or phones, lights or mics, you can also use in most place. Uneven land is no match for this tripod as you can bend the legs anyway you want. The legs can be wrapped around most things too.
Bulky little things and despite being much smaller than the Vanguard Tripod above, the 5k weighs almost half the weight of the above tripod. Sturdy and well made. To learn more or to buy them please visit their website -
Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM Lens
My first big expensive lens. The RF 100-500mm purely bought for my wildlife photography. Getting me closer to the wildlife but still at a distance away to not scare the wildlife off. Looking forward to getting out more with this lens in my hunt for UK birds of prey. Will also use this lens for my Steam Train photography.
To purchase this lens the visit - https://amzn.to/3RWGBAp
Canon RF 100mm F2.8L Marco IS USM Lens
The lens I wanted the most as soon as I bought a EOR R camera. Solely bought for Macro photography and what a lens it is too, sharp images all the time. Due to the washout of summer in 2024 I can’t wait to use this lens again this summer for flower and bug photography.
To purchase this lens the visit - https://amzn.to/4lSJqAq
Canon RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM Lens
I bought this lens for landscape photography. I rarely visit this type of photography but I am hoping to spend more time doing it in the future. A lightweight lens which I can have in my bag without it making a too much of a difference to the wight of it all. Handy to have for when I do visit the picturesque location of my Island.
To purchase this lens the visit - https://amzn.to/3EwGmJl
Anything Else?
Other items I do own but don’t use all the time are here. The Lensbaby lenses bought for fun and something I still really want to use at time. I should have them in my bag more often but I do leave at home most of the time.
The Kase magnetic filter system is really a must for landscape photographers. Like the Lensbaby lenses I often leave these behind too. I will use them more often as I explore landscape photography especially when I am on the coast.
My bag has many cloths in to keep my gear clean, in fairness I use the cloths more to keep my glasses clean as I often touch them when I am out and about. Many memory card too in SD and CF format.
