what gear am i using?

Super excited to have recently added this next generation of the fantastic R5 to my kit! With upgrades to the original R5 in nearly every category, this powerhouse hybrid camera will be my ultimate workhorse for creating art with my bird, wildlife and landscape photography.

Key features include: 45MP FF Stacked BSI CMOS Sensor, DIGIC Accelerator Processing, dual pixel intelligent AF, 30fps (electronic), pre-continuous shooting, eye control AF, 8K/60p Raw and 4K/120p 12-Bit Internal Video, IBIS (8.5 stops), and dual memory card slots (CFexpress Type B and SDXC UHS-II).

This camera needs no introduction and has been my main camera body for stills and video. It is a wonderful all-rounder which has been such a reliable tool in helping to elevate my photography to that next level.

Key features include: 45MP FF CMOS sensor, 12fps (mechanical) and 20fps (electronic) continuous shooting, 8K/30p Raw and 4K/120p 10-Bit Internal Video, IBIS (5 stops), AF with subject tracking, 5.76 million dot EVF & dual memory card slots (CFexpress Type B and SDXC UHS-II).

For me (and I think also for many wildlife and bird photographers), this lens is the ultimate holy grail of lenses. Such a privilege to have recently added this to my toolkit and I'm very much looking forward to seeing all the beautiful images that this superb lens can capture!

Optically identical to the EF 600mm f/4 IS III USM lens, this super telephoto lens is big and heavy, but lugging this around is well worth the workout! It is sharp and bright, has fast AF, great optical image stabilisation, excellent IQ, and produces images with amazing, soft bokeh that until now, I could have only dreamt of!

This ia an ultrasharp, versatile telephoto zoom lens is part of my core set-up for birding and wildlife. Its compact and lightweight form factor (1.616g with lens hood and tripod collar), coupled with its superb IQ, makes it my go-to lens on most days.

The AF on this lens is fast and the in-body stabalisation (5 stops) should also make capturing videos a joy. Lots of pluses with this lens, including being able to handhold this lens for lengthy periods!

Oftentimes, either it’s because of physical limitations or out of respect for my subjects, I just can’t get close enough! This extender is crucial to make sure that I fill my frame with my subject (mostly lovely birds) as much as I can.

A quality ultra-wide-angle zoom lens which will be my new workhorse for landscape photos. This focal length is a must-have in every landscape photographer’s bag.

What is lacks by way of in-body stabilisation, it more than makes up for with its stunning optics and fast aperture - which also makes it a fantastic lens for astrophotography. Works seamlessly with the Canon EF-EOSR adapter on my R5.

The focal range on this zoom lens has surprised me with its versatility! It’s quite light and compact (is weather sealed) and I think irepresents very good value.

Image quality is strong across the focal range, produces pleasant bokeh and great contrast and colour saturation. The focus motor is a bit noisy and while focus accuracy is good, it is slow!

Super rapt to have this newly-launched Action X V2 bag added to my essentials gear!

The Action X40 is designed for action-sports minded female photographers with serious gear needs. It's an efficient and fast access backcountry camera bag, built for action in foul weather, ever-changing environments and challenging terrain.

*I’m a Shimoda Affiliate and have a Special Offer: use Promo Code “Misa10” to receive 10% off all Shimoda products when you purchase from their website here: Shimoda Designs Website

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My reliable companion from day one, which has withstood some tough conditions!

It has been my go-to bag, especially when I’ve had to carry more camera/videography gear as well as other things that I’d normally bring on long or multi-day hikes.

This 50L bag has been the bees nees of outdoor adventure photography bags, and is now joined by a younger, upgraded and prettier Action X40 V2 ;)

*I’m a Shimoda Affiliate and have a Special Offer: use Promo Code “Misa10” to receive 10% off all Shimoda products when you purchase from their website here: Shimoda Designs Website

(I earn a small commission from sales).

Not the lightest of camera bags (1.9 kgs), but I like that it’s a rather inconspicuous camera bag and can convert to an ordinary day bag when I’m not carrying much camera gear.

For those days when I just want to go walk-about and keep things simple, this camera toploader is all I need to take with me.

It’s compact, but can be expanded to hold my Tamron 150-500mm long lens (about 21cm long) mounted to my X-H2. It’s versatile (you can wear it 4 ways), and there’s just enough storage space for those easy, short shoots (there’s a dedicated top organizer pocket which is great for small items).

This 4-section, waterproof carbon fibre tripod is paired with the Sirui ST-10X ball head.

Key features of the tripod include: in-built foot spikes, removable center column, weighs 1.6kg, 12kg max payload, max. height of 158cm & collapses to 48cm.

Ball head has 20kg load capacity, weighs 430g, Arca-Swiss style Quick Release clamp, knobs for pan, tilt & tension.

*I’m a Sirui Affiliate and if you’d like to purchase this tripod or other Sirui products, please use my link here: Sirui Website

(I earn a small commission from sales).

My secondary travel tripod, used mainly to hold up my Fujifilm X-T4 or GoPro on days when I’m filming or travelling very light (weighs in at only 1.2kg).

Nothing fancy, but does the job and features reverse-folding legs & Arca-Swiss compatible Quick Release plate.

*I’m a Sirui Affiliate and if you’d like to purchase this tripod or other Sirui products, please use my link here: Sirui Website

(I earn a small commission from sales).

As I’ve started to focus more on wildlife and bird photography, having a high quality, light but sturdy gimbal has proven essential - especially giving my arms much needed rest from holding the weight of a long lens for an extended period of time!

This gimbal head is super smooth, supporting up to 30kg and weighs only 1.1kg, is Arca-Swiss compatible and the large pivot tension and panning knobs are quick to lock. A fantastic gimbal head all-around!

A fantastic professional fluid head that’s not only great for smooth video footage, but also photography. These days, as I find myself doing a fair bit of both, the fluid head is my go-to tripod head as it’s so versatile and is basically a ball head, a gimbal head and a fluid head all rolled into one!

The BV-20 is super smooth and feature packed, with customisable damping settings for pan & tilt and counterbalance, and removeable handle - all squeezed into a relatively compact, Arca-Swiss compatible 2kg package (15kg load capacity).

For those times when I need to travel light, this is my preferred “Jack-of-all trades” when it comes to stability for stills and videos.

This fluid head and tripod kit offers great value for the features that are offered, and IMO, definitely punches above its weight in terms of price point and class! Features include smooth friction-adjustable pan & tilt, counterbalance, Arca-Swiss compatible with QR plate, and slim and lightweight profile (only 1.8kgs with max payload of 3kgs).

*I’m a Sirui Affiliate and if you’d like to purchase this tripod kit or other Sirui products, please use my link here: Sirui Website

(I earn a small commission from sales).

This monopod (with Pedal-Release Mini Tripod Base) provides great support for my 600mm f/4, giving my arms much-needed reprieve, while still offering fantastic versatility and speed for my workflow out in the field.

It's a lightweight (only 1.27kg with 8kg payload), 4-section carbon fiber monopod which features flip-lock joints, a quick disconnect collar system (that can be unlocked and locked in a jiffy), and a swiveling, folding base that adds stability and makes it easy to follow a subject while capturing stills and video. The base is removable and converts to a mini tripod, which is great for super low-angle shots - who needs a ground pod when you have this?!

My reliable “eye-in-the-sky” that offers amazing perspectives and views for my YouTube videos - views that would just otherwise be impossible to see from land.

Key features include 1-inch CMOS sensor, 5.4k video, active tracking & 4-directional obstacle sensors) and has given me great aerial photos, videos and general flying experience. Just wish it had side sensors! It has been out for a couple of years now (and is rumoured to shortly be replaced by a new upgrade), but I think it’s still fantastic value for money.

Highly recommend you purchase the Fly More Combo pack if you’re interested in adding this awesome drone to your kit.

Unfortunately this little guy hasn’t seen much air time since the arrival of my Air 2S.

I think the Mini 2 still packs a punch - it shoots great 4k footage and is quite fun to fly. A drawback to it being tiny and light (it weighs less than 250g) is that it does struggle in windy weather, and have no obstacle sensors or active tracking does create some limitations.

My sporty little side-kick that was a staple in all my early photography adventures (before I switched to the X-T4). It’s still my first preference for those scenarios where I don’t want to worry about losing my X-T4!

Small, light, reliable, durable, and records crisp footage in 5k - can’t ask for much more! Actually, I can ask for more - a bigger sensor to record better footage in low-light please…the noise can be terrible!

This ultra compact wireless mic system has met all my audio needs - both while I’m out and about filming and also when recording at home. They’re well-built little units and that offer great sound quality, are easy to use and hardly noticeable.

Folding up to a tiny 32cm and weighing less than 800g, you could be forgiven for forgetting that you were carrying a tripod!

On the flipside, I think it’d struggle in strong windy conditions and if height is important (its maximum height is only 130cm with the centre column extended). These days, this tripod forms part of my studio recoding gear, propping up my Neewer LED panel light!

Fantastic way for me to record my screen and EVF for content for my YT channel! But if you just need to see your camera LCD screen on a larger 5” monitor - this is great for that too!

CPL and ND filters are a must-have and I rarely take photos without a filter on. I prefer the ease and speed of snapping on a magnetic filter and am always carrying a UV, CPL, 6 stop, and 10 stop.

True to life colour with no colour cast and nano coating. Solid but thin screw-on filter which is a must for my harsh, daylight long exposures!

I’m a NiSi Affiliate and if you’d like to purchase this ND filter or other NiSi products, please use my link here: Nisi Website

(I earn a small commission from sales).

An alternative CPL in my kit, the key feature of this NiSi True Color CPL is that it’s colour-cast free (i.e. it’s neutral, true to life without any casting or addition of warm or cool tones regardless of the level of polarisation).

An essential piece of optical glass that helps to take the glare and sheen off reflective surfaces such as water and wet rocks, creates greater contrast and makes the colours pop (e.g. blues in skies and greens in tree foliage). This CPL blocks about 1-1.5 stops of light.

I’m a NiSi Affiliate and if you’d like to purchase this ND filter or other NiSi products, please use my link here: Nisi Website

(I earn a small commission from sales).

A fantastic video filter for creating that “cinematic” look by reducing highlights, lowering contrast and softly diffusing light (creating an ethereal glow around light sources) while preserving the clarity of images. Smooths out blemishes without affecting colour balance.

It’s meant to be great for shooting woodland or forest scenes where there is bright direct light - I’ve yet to use it for this!

I’m a NiSi Affiliate and if you’d like to purchase this ND filter or other NiSi products, please use my link here: Nisi Website

(I earn a small commission from sales).

If I’m heading out to a location before dawn or will be coming back after dusk, I’ll definitely have this headlamp with me.

Very bright, multiple settings and just so practical.

Exactly the same as the Smallrig L-bracket for my X-H2, except this is perfectly designed for my X-T4! The additional hand grip is much-needed!

A neat and unassuming but super nifty tool set that has oftentimes been handy for tightening and loosening things when I’m out in the field.

No better way to safely clean my lenses and keep the errant dust, water sprays and sand from ruining my shots.

Great value entry-level binoculars that are really compact and light. Sufficiently sharp and bright for my basic needs - i.e. discrete and fuss-free binoculars that I can quickly whip out to get a better view of birds on the go!

Let’s not kid ourselves, Canon RF glass are premium quality at hefty prices! EF lenses can be just as good (if not better) and this is the best way to get that EF glass onto your EOS R camera body!