My current kit  -  the transition to mirrorless is complete

Cameras:

  • Nikon Z9 - The Z9 is a revelation – it finally got me to trade in my trusted D5 and D850 and focus fully on mirrorless

  • Nikon Z8 - A mini-Z9 and a perfect companion to its bigger brother

Lenses:

  • Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 PF - See a few early observations in this blog

  • Nikon F 500mm f/5.6 PF  -  An astonishing lens – so compact and sharp it is perfect for travel and easily hand-holdable (the one Nikon F-mount lens I will hold on to)

  • Nikon F 500mm f/4 FL -   For ultimate quality and separation but heavy to hand hold for long periods and benefits from support and the Jobu gimbal

  • Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8  -  Just so versatile and works exceptionally well with the 1.4 converter for a flexible 100-280mm f/4 equivalent

  • Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8  – The sharpest standard zoom I’ve ever used

  • Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8 - My new wide addition – yet to use in anger

  • Nikon Z 105mm f/2.8 Micro - An excellent macro lens

  • Nikon Z 28mm f/2.8 - lightweight prime when space is a premium to go with the telephoto lenses for the odd wide angle image

  • 1.4 III F teleconverter - works equally well with both the F 500mm lenses. Often (until I got the 800mm) paired with the 500mm PF to reach those small birds with 700mm handheld, albeit at a slow f/8

  • 1.4 Z teleconverter - a step up in converter performance and works particularly well with the 70-200 zoom

Support:

  • Mindshift 26L backpack … after many different bags over the years this one is a stayer – great build quality and perfect for my needs - I can just about fit my big 500mm (or 800mm), the 70-200 and two bodies …

  • Benro and Giotto tripods (the first is a big monster for total stability, the second a lighter travel friendly carbon tripod)

  • Jobu gimbal and LensCoat Beanbag

  • Remote controls – always in my bag – very handy when in a hide observing wildlife and waiting for action at a pre-focused point

  • Polariser Filters and the Lee filters set