Okay, so I’m basically stealing an info-dump I posted on Discord and re-posting here because I like it. Also wow this isn’t going to be about some profound realisation, just me being a nerd! What is this? This ain’t what I usually do!
Prepare for a big god dang info-dump about the gear I’m bringing on today’s shoot. I’m on location today so I want to make sure I’ve got everything that I could need (to avoid awkward-ness and needing to run home -.-)
First up, my main camera bag’s body:
3 bodies are coming with me:
Canon 5D Mark II
Canon EOS 300
Sony A6000
The 5D will likely be the main body I shoot with, A6000 there as a backup if I need something a bit sharper. EOS 300 just in case film is needed.
Primary trio of lenses: 24-85mm USM, Helios 44-M (58mm f2), and some random Tokina 135mm f2.8 I got off E-Bay ages back. Those can be used on either the 5D or EOS 300, flexibility. Vintage glass has a feel about it that will lend itself well to this medieval/fantasy style shoot.
Secondary trio of lenses: 24mm f2.8 (Tamron), 35mm f1.8 & 50mm f1.8 (Sony) so I’ve got coverage. Shout out to my girlfriend for lending me the Sony primes.
Each body / lens is labelled: the bodies with their lens mount (E/EF) and each lens with focal length, aperture, filter diameter, and mount. Color coded as well – Blue for EF, red for E mount. Saves me having to basically list a model number if I’m asking someone to go grab the lens for me. Not pictured is the Blonde Robot & Tamron branded towels that sit between the lenses because former camera retail, and a pair of circular polariser filters to cut through glare.
Top pocket of my camera bag:
I’ve got my film, hurricane blower, straps, and batteries. Strapped to the side is my little Manfrotto portrait tripod (not great but compact and usable.) I also have a secret pocket with a SpyderCheckr for color calibration, ThinkTank SD card holder with a few SD cards & reader, and a notepad. Carabiner-ed to the bag is a hand of rope (no, it’s not nice stuff I’d use for anything fun, just shitty cotton stuff I beat around) and a 5-in-1 reflector.
Make-Up Bag:
I’ve got a little ‘makeup bag’ that I use for knick-nacks. Battery bank & portable hard-drive to prevent lost time (second an SD card is filled or a battery dies, straight back onto cleared/charged.) Duck tape & 1in clamps have saved my ass more often that I will admit, and anytime I’m on set without them I need them. Fairy lights because I have them and they fit the vibe of the shoot, plus a little square bicolor panel for accent lighting if needed. And cables + AA batteries.
Not pictured is my Chromebook which is on charge currently for data wrangling & look-book reference. Biggest Hare-Clerk pro-tip (that I learned from my film-making days): Build a look book, they’re handy and help everyone get on the same page.
None of this is particularly good gear, it’s shit I’ve picked up over the years and that feels right for me. If I had my way I’d be shooting with the Hasselblad 907X/CFV 100C & their gorgeous primes. Would that make my images cleaner & more technically brilliant? Maybe. But a cleaner sensor, higher resolution, all that bullshit doesn’t intrinsically improve the artistic expression that photography is to me.
I think back to the incredible shoots I had last year with the Fuji GFX50II $8000 medium format behemoth last year, those shots were great don’t get me wrong. But I’ve captured moments & images that make me feel more emotion on my shitty A6000 & Tamron 24mm (bout $1100 combined new, maybe worth $600 now.) Better pens help, but they don’t make the artist.
Thus concludes today’s episode of “Hare’s Gear-Heady Info-Dumps.” Thanks for tuning in.
Lots of love,
Hare xx
Update post-shoot: I literally just used the A6000, 50mm f1.8, 35mm f1.8, and the SpyderCheckr. Fuckin’ hell.