My Gear

This is the photography gear I actually use, from landscape and aerial work around Coalville, Leicestershire, to the hills of Eryri (Snowdonia) and Scotland. I spent years as a wedding photographer, so a good part of this kit is built for fast, reliable work, and I now use it mostly for landscape photography, drones, film and printing. Every item links to the maker’s own page for the specifications.

Jump to: Cameras · Lenses · Flash · Tripod and filters · Batteries · Drones and action camera · Film · Navigation and safety · Bags · Printing · Editing · Travel and boots

Cameras

My main cameras are two Canon EOS 5D Mark III bodies, both bought in 2012. They have shot weddings, mountains, waterfalls and night skies, and they are still going strong.

I also own two original Canon battery grips. I used them only once, at a wedding, but the camera feels excellent to hold in portrait orientation with the grip fitted.

The Fairy Pools story: shortly after buying a nearly new EF 16-35mm f/4L for a trip to the Isle of Skye, I dropped one 5D Mark III with that lens into the river at the Fairy Pools. After a proper drying out, both worked normally again. I wrote the whole story in Canon: The Toughest Camera Brand? and the trip itself in One Man, One Car, One Island.

Lenses (Canon EF)

LensNotes
EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USMMy wide-angle zoom for landscapes. The lens that went into the river at the Fairy Pools and survived.
EF 24mm f/1.4L II USMFast wide prime for low light, interiors and night skies.
EF 35mm f/1.4L II USMA classic reportage focal length, great for weddings and documentary work.
EF 40mm f/2.8 STMCompact pancake lens, bought second-hand this year, mainly for holidays.
EF 50mm f/1.4 USMThe everyday standard prime.
EF 85mm f/1.8 USMPortrait lens with a flattering perspective.
EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USMMacro and detail work, rings and close-ups.
EF 135mm f/2L USMTelephoto prime for portraits and compressing distant landscape layers.

Flash and wireless triggers

This is the kit that mainly served me at weddings and events.

Planning event work? See my wedding kit checklist and event kit checklist.

Tripod, heads and filters

Working out which ND filter you need? Try my long exposure calculator.

Batteries

I carry 5 original Canon batteries bought in 2012 and 2013, which still work impressively well, plus 4 Neewer replacement batteries bought in 2019, which also still perform. For long days out I also carry an INIU 20000mAh power bank to keep my phone, watch and other gadgets charged.

Drones and action camera

I hold an A2 Certificate of Competency, trained with Infratec, and carry commercial drone insurance through FPV.org. Read more in my guide where to fly a drone around Coalville or check the conditions with the drone flight check.

Film photography

For film I use a Canon AE-1 Program with 28mm, 50mm and 70-210mm lenses, loaded with Ilford HP5 Plus 400 black and white film.

  • Garmin GPSMAP 64s, a handheld GPS I use for walking in total darkness in the mountains of Eryri (Snowdonia) and Scotland. It is very helpful the first time I visit a location.
  • Garmin Forerunner 255 Music watch, which shares my live location with trusted friends and sends an alert if something happens to me.
  • An emergency whistle, small and light, and always in my bag when I am out in remote places.

Bags

Printing

See my prints or order photo printing in Coalville.

Editing

At home I edit on a desktop PC I built myself in 2019. In the field I use a MacBook Pro. One tip: mine picks up marks on the screen from the keyboard when carried in a bag, so pack a protective sheet between them.

Travel and boots

  • A trusty Skoda Superb estate with 120,000 miles of my own driving. It takes me to locations and doubles as a bed on trips.
  • Scarpa Terra GTX walking boots

Packing for a shoot? Use my landscape photography packing list or browse the whole photography toolbox.

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© Leszek Chrzastowski. Enjoying the view? Please contact me for licensing or print options.