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Approaching The Scene links

 

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2023-4 Holiday Gift Guide

PHOTO BOOKS

STOCKING STUFFERS

BIGGER GIFT IDEAS

 

New & Exciting Photo Gear

New Nikon Z50II

New Leica Q3 43mm

New Nikon Z6III:

My Favorite Drone Yet

  • DJI's Air 3 (get the fly more bundle with the RC2): Amazon B&H

My Current Camera Bodies and Accessories

Nikon

Nikon’s Flagship Z9 B&H Amazon (My Complete Setup Videos)

New Nikon ZF: A beautiful, affordable, retro design showcasing some of Nikon’s latest technology. Old meets new!

New Nikon Z50II

Nikon Z30 (good option for vlogging): B&H Amazon

Leica

All new 60MP Leica Q3 with tilt screen, USB-C, HDMI, 8K and more (My Review Video & my Complete Setup Video)

Recommended Camera Bodies I’ve Tested & Trust

Nikon Z8 (Like a mini Z9 with the same speed and power)

New Leica Q3 43mm

Nikon Z6III: B&H Amazon

Nikon Z7ii: Amazon B&H

Leica Q2 (I love this little beast. It’s a gorgeous 28mm attached to a 48MP sensor)

Fuji X100VI (40MP APS-C 35mm F2 equivalent) Expect a long backorder.

Nikon Z fc: (consider the 16-50 or 28 2.8 kits): B&H Amazon

Nikon FTZ ii (adapter for F mount) B&H

CF Express Cards & Readers:

External USB power for mirrorless: See Necessities below

Bluetooth Smart Phone Camera Triggers:

  • Foolography Unleashed (choose appropriate camera connection):

  • Pluto Trigger (a great wireless trigger for extra long exposures, lightning and other applications): B&H 

Canon’s R5 (highly recommended for Canon shooters)

Sony’s A1 (an amazing all around mirrorless camera)

Sony’s A7RV Sony’s image quality dedicated machine

Video & Audio Capture Accessories

GoPro Hero 12 (crazy little camera):

Atomos Ninja V Pro Res Raw monitor/recorder: B&H Amazon

Short, coiled mini-full HDMI cable

Rhode Wireless Pro 2-person kit (My go to audio solution): B&H

Rhode NTG shotgun mic

Small Rig cage for Z5, Z6/7, Z6ii/7ii, Z30, ZF, Z8 & Z9

Small Rig top handle grip

Small Rig side handle

Small Rig articulating monitor mount

My Current Lenses

NIKON Z-MOUNT

NIKON F-MOUNT (use with the FTZ adapter)

Recommended Lenses I’ve Used Tested & Trust

  • Viltrox 13 F1.4 DX for Z50 and other DX Z cameras: Amazon B&H

RECOMMENDED NIKON F-MOUNT COMPATIBLE LENSES (These work seamlessly on Nikon’s Mirrorless Z cameras with the FTZ adaptor)

  • Nikon 500 F5.6 PF (Wow, do I still love this lens): B&H (Kirk’s Arca Swiss foot with QD is nicer than the Nikon foot).

  • Nikon 20 F1.8 (it throws such a nice sunstar at F16): Amazon   B&H

OTHER BRAND RECCOMENDED LENSES:

Universal lens cap in case I lose one in the field.
Reikan FoCal AF calibration and lens testing software:

CAMERA SUPPORT

Tripod legs, fluid heads, monopods, and alternatives

Here's everything you need to get your camera on either a fluid head or an ultralight pan & tilt head without fluid (Use an L-bracket to get vertical). I’ll break it down into several different types of system and show you everything you need to buy in each. The first is my favorite that uses a tall set of systematic legs with a leveling base to mount a smooth stable fluid head. The second is my ultralight, four-pound pan and tilt system that reaches eye level with a leveling adapter and rotating Arca style clamp. Third is a way to easily adapt your existing center column or flat-topped tripod to level and use either a fluid head or the ultralight head. Finally I list a couple of specialty systems and essential tripod accessories. Check out this video to learn more about fluid heads and how to assemble each of these systems.

1) Tall, Sturdy Fluid Head system with leveling base (my favorite)

My abosolute favorite camera support. I carry this with me whenever possible.

  • Here is a link to my complete custom built Tall 7-pound Fluid head build with all the accessories you need, built, greased, wrapped and ready for action. DIY parts are below.

  • Big Tripod legs: Leofoto LM-324CL Summit Systematic 79.5” legs (including plate, 75mm bowl, spikes and tool kit). This is by far my favorite set of legs on the market.

  • Leveling Base: Leofoto LB-75S Systematic (includes simple set screws for locking the head in place and plugs into the Leofoto legs above with a locking pin).

  • Manfrotto 500AH fluid head: Amazon B&H (Don't buy a larger model, this is the sweet spot for DSLR and mirrorless)

  • Arca Swiss style clamp conversion method to connect to your camera’s L-bracket:

  • An L-bracket for your particular camera body is essential to get vertical. Here are Kirk’s for the Z9, D850, Z7/Z6, D500, A7iii, A9 & A7Riii, A7Riv, A1

  • Epic and innovative new Leofoto TFS long tripod spikes with threaded covers: (This adds a few more inches of height and is so versatile)

  • TFC Rock Claw Feet or more expensive but ultralight 1/4 pound lighter Titanium Rock Claws (These are my favorite feet)

  • Tripod stone bag (like the folding shelf on my tripod) THIS NEVER LEAVES MY TRIPODS. It’s essential in high wind

2) NEW! Ultralight four-pound, eye-level pan & tilt, panoramic head complete system

When you need to go lighter, but don’t want to sacrifice ease of use or stability. Finally I’ve found a lightweight system that works for me.

  • Here is a link to my complete custom built 4.5-pound Ultralight build with all the accessories you need, built, greased, wrapped and ready for action. DIY parts are below.

  • Leofoto Ranger LS-284CEX carbon legs with built in 15 degree leveling adapter and set screws (58 inches and less than 3 pounds)

  • Acratech Panoramic head including Arca style rotating clamp (1 lb with 25lb capacity): In stock late late June 2020.

  • Tripod stone bag (like the folding shelf on my tripod) THIS NEVER LEAVES MY TRIPODS. It’s essential in high wind

  • Epic and innovative new Leofoto TFS long tripod spikes with threaded covers: (This adds a few more inches of height and is so versatile)

  • TFC Rock Claw Feet or more expensive but ultralight 1/4 pound lighter Titanium Rock Claws (These are my favorite feet)

3) My Featherweight Travel Tripod Build:

Sometimes you need to go beyond ultralight. Here’s the 3.5 pound eye-level tripod I built for that purpose. DIY parts are below.

  • Here is a link to my complete custom built 3.5-pound Ultralight build with all the accessories you need, built, greased, wrapped and ready for action.

  • Leofoto 255CEX 5 section carbon legs with built in leveling adapter.

  • Acratech GXP-SS an insane little .8 lb head that hold 35 lbs and acts like a gimbal to boot. This little dude is a work of art for featherweight setups. Acratech is making the best ball heads period.

  • Tripod stone bag (like the folding shelf on my tripod) THIS NEVER LEAVES MY TRIPODS. It’s essential in high wind

  • Optional 1/4” feet for the smaller diameter 255 carbon legs:

    • 1/4” TFS Spikes with removable threaded floor protecting covers (Not interchangeable with larger tripods using 3/8” threaded feet)

    • 1/4” TFC Rock Claw feet (Not interchangeable with larger tripods using 3/8” threaded feet)

4) ADAPT YOUR OWN FLAT TOP OR CENTER COLUMN TRIPOD LEGS

To level the head using  your current non-systematic-tripod with a flat top plate or center column:

  • Leveling Adaptor:

    • Leofoto LB-75 The threaded version of my favorite leveling adapter (for any flat top plate tripod)

  • Head to put atop the leveling adapter

    • For the Manfrotto 500AH fluid head See section 1 above for both the head and Arca Swiss style clamp conversion method.

    • Acratech Panoramic head including Arca style rotating clamp (1 lb with 25lb capacity)

  • An L-bracket for your particular camera body is essential to get vertical. Here are Kirk’s for the Z9, D850, Z7/Z6, D500, A7iii, A9 & A7Riii, A7Riv, A1

  • Tripod stone bag (like the folding shelf on my tripod) THIS NEVER LEAVES MY TRIPODS. It’s essential in high wind

  • Epic and innovative new Leofoto TFS long tripod spikes with threaded covers: (This adds a few more inches of height and is so versatile)

  • TFC Rock Claw Feet or more expensive but ultralight 1/4 pound lighter Titanium Rock Claws (These are my favorite feet)

My Featherweight Travel Tripod Build:

Sometimes you need to go beyond ultralight. Here’s the tripod I built for that purpose.

Individual parts to build your own:

  • Leofoto 255CEX 5 section carbon legs with built in leveling adapter.

  • Acratech GXP-SS an insane little .8 lb head that hold 35 lbs and acts like a gimbal to boot. This little dude is a work of art for featherweight setups. Acratech is making the best ball heads period.

The best star tracker head on the planet

For star trackers nothing beats Acratech’s original Ultimate head. Here’s why.

My Monopod

Leofoto MP-364C monopod

Leofoto VH-10 tilt monopod head

A better clamp for the VH-10

A spectacular, ultralight, modular Itallian carbon fiber gimbal head:

Zeneli Carbon ZC Compact gimbal (my favorite gimbal yet)

Accessories & maintenance for tripods

Advanced Panorama Equipment

Finally a fabulous lightweight reasonably priced advanced multi-row panorama system for today’s cameras. It works for Fluid heads, pan & tilt heads, even ball heads. Bravo RRS. I LOVE this little 1 pound setup.

Kirk Nodal Sliders (worth every penny to me):  

Cheaper Nodal Slider:  Amazon  B&H

Other Essentials

Filtration

I’m a proud Kase filter ambassador for several reasons. Here’s a link to a short video all about why.

Filters for Nikon’s exciting 112mm multi-lens HB-97 Z mount hood (so simple and forget vignetting)

Kase Revolution magnetic 112mm filters & accessories: to fit the HB-97 112mm hood above

Kase Revolution 82mm magnetic filters & accessories: I don’t suggest smaller than 82mm to avoid vignetting and to accommodate future lenses

Kase Revoluiton 95mm magnetic filters & accessories: great to avoid vignetting on ultra-wide lenses with 82mm filter threads & with long lenses with 95mm threads

Kase 82, 95 and 112mm magnetic step up adapter rings

KASE THREADED MC-UV FILTERS (sized below)

Kase K100/K9 Pro ND, CPL & Night Filter Kit

Digital Darkroom

Hard Drives that I use and trust (review video)

  • Samsung T7 Shield SSD Drives: (FAST, small & durable)  Amazon B&H

    • Samsung’s new T9 is built to be faster with USB 3.2 2x2, but I fear that’s a dual connection technology that died before it hit the real world. I know of no Macs or PC’s using it. On current Thunderbolt or USB 3.2b connections, the T9’s performance is identical to the more affordable and quite fast T7. I tested this on Mac and PC

Network Attached Storage (NAS) & 10Gbe Storage and Networking: Fast NAS systems rock!!

Five & Eight Bay Drive NAS Enclosures From Synology (see setup video )

Speed up either NAS with SSD Cache Drives

IronWolf NAS capable Hard Drives (my favorite)

10Gbe Ethernet Switch Required to move data fast between the NAS and your computer(s)

10Gbe Ethernet Adapter to feed 10Gbe speed into your computers

Cat 6 Ethernet cable is good to 100 meters. Beyond that use Cat7 Ethernet Cables

Uninterupted Power Supply (UPS) this is critical for NAS data integrity

Backup Software & Backblaze Ulimited Cloud Backup

Printers I recommend:

Computers & Peripherals

Mac Studio Ultra (The ultimate desktop powerhouse)

Asus ProArt StudioBook 16 Laptop (choose i9, 64GB RAM, 2TB SSD and OLED touch): B&H Amazon

Dockcase Studio Travel Hub: A tiny laptop powerhouse dock. (10% Discount code: HHP81F)

OWC Pro Thunderbolt dock: my favorite Thunderbolt dock has 10Gbe & a fast CF-Express B reader

Logitech MX Master 3S (my favorite mouse for PC or Mac): Amazon

My favorite keyboard (PC or Mac): Full size, or mini version without number pad

Wacom Intuous Pro Medium: (PC or Mac): Amazon B&H

Monitors:

Uninterupted Power Supply (UPS)

BenQ Screenbar Plus Monitor mounted desk light (I LOVE this light): Amazon B&H

X-rite i1 Display Pro Plus colorimeter: Amazon   B&H

X-rite ColorChecker Passport Photo 2: Amazon B&H

Datacolor Color Checker SpyderChecker: Amazon B&H

My sit stand desk

Monitor arm options

Cables

Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps) Cable

USB 3.1 Gen2 (10Gbps) (C-type) Cable

USB 3.1 Gen2 (10Gbps) (A to C-type) Cable

Magtame Magnetic Charging Cables (60 & 240W):

Minus Travel Chargers:

Adobe Lightroom & Photoshop

Film Digitizing Kit Use either Nikon or the Kaiser Light Board:

Lighting & Night Photography

NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR

  • Move Shoot Move’s ultra-light Nomad star tracker (Use code “HUDSON” for 5% off)

    • CHOSE THE KIT WITH POINTER AND POLAR SCOPE + ARCA PLATE

    • DO NOT buy the heads sold alongside

    • You need a ball-head above the MSM. For star trackers nothing beats Acratech’s original Ultimate head. Here’s why.

    • DO NOT USE a V or Z plate on the MSM. It adds far too much instability.

  • Lens warmer to avoid condensation

  • Headlamp Princeton Tec Vizz (with red light default): Amazon

STROBE LIGHTING

CONSTANT LIGHTING / LIGHTPAINTING

LIGHTWEIGHT LIGHT-STANDS: B&H Amazon (Amazon one is nicer and lighter, B&H is cheaper)

Cleaning Supplies

Rocket Blower Brush: Amazon   B&H

VSGO blower (my video review)

Residual Oil Remover (ROR): Amazon B&H

Zeiss Lens Wipes: Amazon   B&H

Microfiber Cloths: Amazon 

Small Travel Sensor Light: Amazon   B&H

Sensor Gel Stick (approved for Sony): Amazon

Sensor Swabs & Fluid (Full Frame): Amazon B&H

Sensor Swabs & Fluid (APS-C): Amazon B&H

My sensor cleaning & gear maintenance course

Super Lube Synthetic Grease: To maintain your tripod especially after desert or ocean use: Amazon

  • Small grease gun for simple use of Super Lube above: Amazon

Packs and Straps

My NYA-EVO Fjord 60-C pack and NYA-EVO Fjord 36 Action Pack (The best photo backpacks I’ve used yet): European Buyers

Osprey Transporter 120L rolling duffel (badass bag to check tripod camera bag and other essentials on flights)

Pelican Air 1535 with Trekpac dividers (How I roll the gear safely): Amazon B&H

My little Gregory Rhune backpack for carryon

Thinktank Airport International 3.0 (great for long lenses): Amazon B&H

Sea to Summit’s strong light 65L Big River drybags (great insurance against water damage)

Protective Camera Rain Sleeves (for using your camera in wet conditions while protected)

Travel Digital Scale (I don’t fly without it)

Lumalabs QD Loop 3.5 strap. This strap has sadly been discontinued. For now the best QD alternative is this with this

  • I am currently working with another brand on a new strap. Stand by for now.

TSA Combination Locks

L.L. Bean X-tra large rolling duffle bag (a more affordable, but durable rolling duffle)

F-stop Navin expandable camera holster: Amazon

F-stop Gatekeeper straps (to connect Navin or other accessories to pack): Amazon

Think Tank clear window organizer for cords or tripod feet, etc.

Timbuk2 messenger computer bag (I love mine): Amazon

Travel Digital Scale (I don’t fly without it): Amazon

TSA approved combination locks: Amazon

 

NECESSITIES

External USB PD power compatible cameras like Nikon’s ZFc, Z6/7ii & Z9:

PD Battery Bank to recharge or run your PD capable camera via USB-C

100 Watt USB/USB-C multiport travel charger: Amazon

Anker 6-foot, PD 100W USB-C cable: Amazon

CF Express Cards & Readers:

Protective Camera Rain Sleeves (for using your camera in wet conditions while protected)

Samsung T7 Shield SSD Drives: (FAST, small & durable)  Amazon B&H

Think Tank battery wallets: Amazon   B&H

Headlamp Princeton Tec Vizz 550 lumens: Amazon

Pocket flashlight O-light 1750 lumens!: it’s long lasting, rechargeable, metal, tiny and has a dim little reading mode on a separate button. It’s like a pocket sun.

Cold & Wet Weather Glove Modular System

  • Outdoor Research Sensor Gloves: Amazon

  • Outdoor Research Transcendent Down Mittens (put Sensor Gloves inside to stay warm): Amazon

  • Outdoor Research Revel Shell Mittens (put Sensor Gloves in to stay dry): Amazon

Tripod velcro hammock (like the folding shelf on my tripod):  Amazon  B&H (cheaper at B&H)

Platapod Ultra (like a tiny ultra light 2nd tripod that’s great when working on edges): Amazon, B&H

Foolography Unleashed (choose connection):

Pluto Trigger (a great wireless trigger for extra long exposures, lightning and other applications): B&H 

My favorite tabletop tripod and ball head

Awesome multi-use Arca phone mount and stand

 

For full disclosure know that I'm an ambassador for Kase Filters, F-Stop, Move Shoot Move, Acratech, Foolography  and Kirk Enterprise Solutions. The reason I work with those brands is that I like the people who run them, believe in their products and trust them myself in the field.