What's in my camera bag?

I've been a Canon user all my life, and currently use a combination of DSLR and mirrorless camera bodies, EF and RF lenses, DJI drone and Benro tripod.

What gear do I need for a photo workshop?

I've unpacked my camera bag – a Lowepro Whistler – to give you an idea of the gear that I use. Obviously, not all of this goes into the backpack in one outing – I'm on a constant mission to streamline my outfit and make it as lightweight as possible! I've used Canon cameras for over 40 years. I'm not claiming they're the best, but I do think familiarity with a system helps to make you a better, more efficient and intuitive photographer. Over the next few years, I envisage phasing out my DSLR body and lenses and switching entirely to mirrorless. Having said that, I love my Canon 5D MkIV and it continues to perform brilliantly, especially for landscapes and travel. It's mainly for wildlife and astrophotography that I'd switch to the Canon R5.

Lowepro Whistler 350

Tough, well-designed camera backpack that's comfortable for long hikes and is also small enough for cabin baggage.

Canon EOS 5D MkIV

My workhorse camera for many years. Has taken a few knocks, but still performs superbly, particularly for my landscape and travel work.

Canon R6 MkII

New kid on the block – this stunning mirrorless camera has breathtaking autofocus and tracking ability, and I also use it for 4K videography.

Canon EF 16-35mm f4.0

Much lighter than the f2.8 equivalent, and razor sharp right to the edges – perfect for landscape shoots where long hikes are involved.

Canon RF 24-70mm f2.8

Great lens for video work when coupled with the R6, offering shallow depth of field for that cinematic feel.

Canon 50mm f1.4

Humble little standard lens, but I love it! Bitingly-sharp, lightweight, a great lens to pop on for street photography or when you just want to be unhindered.

Canon 70-300mm f4.5-5.6

Great travel telephoto that's as useful for wildlife as it is for landscapes. Much lighter than a 70-200/2.8 which I previously had.

Sigma 150-600mm f5.0-6.3

Really impressed with the quality of this lens. For a whopping great focal range it's sharp and fast – although sometimes I'd wish for a faster maximum aperture.

Canon 100mm f2.8 Macro

This is the old version, but still does the job! Probably ready for an upgrade to the RF model with its superior autofocusing.

DJI Mini 3 Pro Drone

Simply fantastic! So easy to use, lightweight and capable of outstanding images and footage. I use my iPhone and the DJI app.

iPhone 14 Pro

What a camera this phone has! Shoots in Apple RAW and has a dedicated wide-angle and telephoto lens. Crazy results, but will never replace my Canon cameras!

Benro Tortoise tripod

Recently replaced my old (and heavy) metal Manfrotto with this carbon-fibre smooth operator. Beautifully made, slick and lightweight.

Benro Geared Tripod Head

I still have a ball head (and video head) for my Manfrotto tripod, but this geared head gives me precision for composing landscapes.

Canon Remote Switch

Yes, I often just use the 2s self-timer, but where timing is crucial, I always make sure I've got this remote release handy.

Lee Filters

I have a small set of 105mm Lee filters, including neutral density and graduated. The 10-stop Big Stopper is a favourite for long exposures.

Lee Circular Polariser

Crucial filter for saturating colours and removing reflections. Will update this to the newer magnetic versions as the filter thread on this is frustratingly shallow.