What gear do I use?
What’s in My Camera Bag?
2025 Edition.
Blog by Paul Hopkins - Photographer - Janaury 01-2025
This is a question I get asked quite often and one that I feel is the least important; that being said, there are things I wish I had known when I was beginning in Photography that would have changed what I bought.
Below is a list of all the equipment that I currently use. Of note my gear is always changing so I will try and keep this up to date as much as I can. So here goes:
Camera Bodies
Nikon D600 - This is my main body that I use to get all of my images on. I am quit content with the camera for the moment, it’s a get body that produced great quality images.
Samsung ES75 - This little camera surpirse’s most people that it’s apart of my kit. But, a while ago I did a little project called the “Cheap Camera”, where I went out to try and prove, more to myself, that it’s the photographer not the camera that matters.
iPhone 16 Pro Max - I wasn’t sure to put this in here or not. But then, I really do use the phone for photography. I don’t always have my camera with me when something I see I want to take an image of. The quality of the images are really good.
Lenses
Sigma 17-70 f/2.8-4 DC - I use this lens for all my photography, good quality and light weight.
Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 AF-S G - Again I used this for all my photography. I was surprised of the quality of this lens, very happy with it.
Flashes
Neewer Speedlite NW620 - This is the first flash I’ve ever had and still learning. From what I have used of it, it seems pretty good.
Tripods
I am the least happy with my current tripods and need to upgrade asap.
K&F Concept K234A0 - I bought this with the intention of getting better when I had more money and soon regretted it. It’s not a bad tripod but with heavy lenses it’s difficult to lock off and always drifts down.
Filters
I’m intending to increase my range of filters throughout 2025.
HOYA - 72mm Circular Polarizing Filter - Probably the most important filter I use. Cuts through glare and reflections.
KOOD - 72mm Circular Polarizing Filter - As above but bought thinking it was a different filter size.
Bags
Toribio Backpack - Really good bag; holds all my gear and a laptop and very comfortable to carry. The only thing I wish it had was a waterproof cover.
Manfrotto Sling 50 - My bag I used for walking around in the city. Very comfortable and ease of reach to my camera with enough room for 2 lenses.
Editing
Apple mac 2017 21.5-inch, 2.3 GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5. 8 GB DDR4; Mac 1TB HD (Soon to be upgraded)
MacBook Air M1 2020, 13” 8GB
Adobe Lightroom Classic
Adobe Photoshop CC
1TB Verbatin External HD
Thats about it; I’ve tried to list everything that use but like mention I do change this on a monthly bases.
Thank you :) Paul!