What Camera Kit Do I Need? - a peak in Mike's bag

[@cameraman655]

I like this guy, unlike so many others, very straight forward and non-pretentious. While I am a "pro" shooter, I get a kick out of Mike's videos and even pick up a few tips. Keep 'em comin, Mike.

[@MikeBrowne]

Thank you cameraman655 - Always more to learn for everyone (including me) so we're all learning from each other all the time.

[@oc2phish07]

September 4th 2023. And I STILL get great enjoyment from watching, and re-watching Mike's videos

[@MikeBrowne]

That's what they're here for! Great to hear you're still getting value out of them too.

[@raysims373]

This will sound strange but I will be 70 yo in Feb. and have been bitten by the photo bug. Bought an intro dslr (canon t5i) last August before going on an Alaskan cruise. I have watched hours of videos on KZbin and yours are amongst the most watched. VERY helpful information. I appreciate your natural candor, insight and desire to instruct others. My plan is to shoot at least one photo a day in 2016...everything from the mundane to the spectacular. You are an inspiration to me, keep up the good work.

[@MikeBrowne]

Thank you +Ray Sims - you're never too old to be bitten by any bug! Delighted to have helped you, please share the vids with other photographers because it'll help me make more..- MIKE

[@maureenbaril8813]

It is so great to listen to a down to earth person, it's probably the best youtube I've seen, straight forward , great personality! Learned a lot! thank you!

[@MikeBrowne]

Thank you Maureen Baril - happy to help. Please help me make more photography videos by sharing these wherever is appropriate.

[@MikeBrowne]

+imjhulia .mphotographer I can't answer your comment directly because your G+ settings don't allow it. You have to change them. Cameras don't take photos, Photographers take photos and any camera will do a great job of recording what you tell it to. So camera make and model isn't that important when starting out. A DSLR or CSC camera that lets you control the settings and change lenses is best. As you learn techniques which are the same for any camera then learn how to think like a photographer your photography will improve as you practise. Don't be fooled into thinking an expensive camera will take awesome photos, buy something you can afford later you might want to upgrade if you choose to specialise in a genre that needs fast shutter speeds, or high iso performance. For now that's a way off in the future... Hope this helped.

[@Ziggycay]

sound advice - I had a Nikon E995! when I started 6yrs ago, it saw me threw the start of college by which time I had saved for a Canon EOS 500D. Now all that time later I have another Canon (No3) and I have not looked back. The person behind the camera sees what they like, learns from it and improves on it. It can take a while to get to know where you are going with photography so have fun now and play. :)

[@BillBooz]

Good tour, Mike Browne. Thanks!

[@MikeBrowne]

Thanks Teejaybees photo I know what you mean about the 'compliment'. It's like telling a chef his food is delicious and saying "you must have a fantastic oven"!!

[@DavidWood2]

15:43 I put the PDF versions of my manuals (body, flash, also anything else that happens to be in my bag such as a microphone) on my phone. These days phone screens are more than good enough to read manuals on screen, at least for quickly checking something. You can always switch to landscape orientation and zoom in if necessary.

[@MikeBrowne]

Thanks David. There';s not much to choose between them. Look out for our FAQ 2 video coming soon...

[@MikeBrowne]

I wish I knew. My D300s are getting old and I want to replace them - but i have no idea what to replace them with yet. As a photographer i know about light lenses composition etc but very little about what's on the market. When I do replace them we'll make a video about the research I do to find a replacement and the reasons for my choice.

[@MikeBrowne]

Hi Josh. Mine's a Lowepro - can't remember the model and the label's come off. If you've got lots of things to carry around then buy a bag to suit. I carry 2 bodies, 3 lenses, 2 speedlights and other bits and pieces so i use a big bag.

[@MikeBrowne]

At the beginning of Calshot Spit, near Southampton UK. It's on the left where the road curves back on itself on a one way system.

[@MikeBrowne]

Thanks jmamro. I'm not sure which it is but I've also got a compass app and as you say it's great..

[@MikeBrowne]

Blast (he said in a very British fashion) - you're right I did forget to mention BluTac! Very useful stuff. I have a little blob of it stuck to my tripod - which occasionally falls off!!

[@MikeBrowne]

Thanks Freddie. Yes The south coast of the UK

[@MikeBrowne]

I don't need one unless I'm using flash heads. I find it quicker to use the cameras own metering, check exposure in LCD and Histogram then adjust if necessary.

[@MikeBrowne]

Yes it is - I wouldn't carry that lot around on holiday for instance I'd just use my phone. It's for you to choose how serious you want to be and what's appropriate for what you want to do. I'm not saying people must have this lot and should have said so in the video.

[@MikeBrowne]

Thank you Nilamahesh Mehta. Sounds like you have plenty of lenses and have the 18-70mm range covered already. My lens is a Nikon 18-70 and I'm happy with it but I'm not saying people need to buy the same lens as me, just to have between 10mm to 200mm in focal lengths.

[@MikeBrowne]

Thank you. I sometimes just take one body if it's a case of going for a walk on a nice evening. Most of the photos i take for me (not work) I take on my phone or a compact camera. I'll be making some vids about later this year.

[@MikeBrowne]

Hi - sorry that could sound a bit misleading. I have another bag with a spare set of lenses and another speedlight (3 in all). Plus the two bodies in the main bag because so far I haven't managed to break both of them on one job. But i have broken a lens in one incident and a body, lens and speedlight in another....

[@MikeBrowne]

Hi - There are several types of card used by different cameras. Mine use what's called CF or compact flash which are these bigger ones. Many are using SD cards which are smaller. But it's not exclusive to brand. Some canons use big ones - some little, same with Nikon too. - Mike

[@MikeBrowne]

I probably lost the cover in the first couple of days owning the cameras to be honest. I've never had an issue with dirt messing up the connection, but I do give them a clean now with some isopropyl alcohol before I go on a job when i'm likely to be using a speedlight a lot just in case.

[@MikeBrowne]

Yes i do carry quite a lot around with me. Certainly not for everyone and as you say - I do it for a living. I certainly didn't carry as much when it was my hobby. - Mike

[@MikeBrowne]

Thanks - we're uploading a lot of new stuff so most haven't been online long. Please feel free to share them on blogs, websites, facebook etc and help us get the numbers up. Cheers - Mike

[@terebiomimasu]

Was not expecting that compass bit. Brilliant.

[@MikeBrowne]

I prefer a good zoom to a prime because I don't want to change lenses more than I have to and with a selection of primes that's what I'd have to do. If I'm shooting in a fast moving situation and find myself swapping lenses because i wand a few more or less mm to get the shot looking how I want - chances are i'd miss the shot.

[@MikeBrowne]

True - there's a small gap between 70 and 105.

[@MikeBrowne]

I have a 70-200 f2.8 Nikkor and it's great.

[@camheadking]

compared to all other kit videos on youtube which says a few lenses a bag and tripod along with the body,this video has a lot of experience that has gone into it.thank you for sharing.

[@MikeBrowne]

Nikon FE film camera? Brilliant camera - I used to own one. Loved the two needle light meter set up it had. And I agree about the phone. I take more photos for myself on my phone than anything else. DSLR is usually for work but the phone is always there when I just see something I want to capture for me. Going to be making some films about phoneography in the next couple of months. - Mike

[@MikeBrowne]

If you want to have as much focal length in one place as possible - go for an 18-270 super zoom. Tamron and sigma both make them. I had a Tamron and it was OK. But super zoom lenses are not the best image quality when used at full zoom. Just uploaded an FAQ film which mentions lenses at /watch?v=uBQkozxzVUQ which might be of interest....

[@MikeBrowne]

Lymington on South Coast of Hampshire between Bournemouth and Southanpton

[@NielsDevisscher]

I suggest buying a Lowepro bag. I'm using a lowepro flipside 400 AW and I'm really happy with it! It's easy in use and you can carry a lot of stuff in it.

[@MikeBrowne]

Other makes are usually every bit as good when buying consumer lenses - sometimes better. I use a Sigma 10-20mm and it's excellent. For Professional lenses (expensive ones) I personally stick to the manufacturers own though.

[@siscopiso]

eagerly looking forward to your phoneography video! love your videos and happy new year!

[@Thalestin]

Another great video. I love how down to earth you are with your choice of gear. Your educational videos are of the highest quality :)

[@MikeBrowne]

Thanks again PTGearGuy

[@rotvonrat]

Did you really like to waste your time (like I did) to watch this. Btw, first crap Ive seen from Mike, keep them coming and I do watch this channel no more.

[@MikeBrowne]

Thank you Keith. I think you mis-heard me though - mine's a D300 not a D3100. Don't worry about that though - all cameras take good images these days.

[@123marijn321]

I always carry the only stuff i have, isnt that much yet, starting out. It's a D3100 with 18-55, 35 f/1.8, Tamron 70-300 VC, tripod, reverse ring and some stepups. Also a lens blower and cleaning cloth

[@BluefanNL]

For portraits or other shoots that are not that time critical primes can also give more control over depth of field. The good old "zooming" by using one's feet is also readily available although not as fast.

[@georgepirokkas2102]

amazing video lots of info, thanks for the lesson Mike keep up the good work

[@MikeBrowne]

Hi owent54. We never use DSLRs for video for the very reason you mention - it's hard to connect good audio to them. I expect there are ways but this is not a field I know much about. If anyone else knows please feel free to post a reply - Mike

[@MikeBrowne]

Great tip Steve, Thanks for sharing.

[@MikeBrowne]

Thank you - great tip by the way.... I might just do that..

[@MikeBrowne]

Yes

[@TheFreddiebear]

Where are you filming from, UK? I watch your videos because your a great teacher and you don't talk down to people. Every person that wants to learn all they can, need to watch you.

[@MikeBrowne]

:-) If the lens hood is vignetting it's the wrong hood for the lens so that might be worth checking out.

[@emtmdt4551]

just found your channel this morning. I've been watching videos for a long time but yours are brilliant as you Brits like to say.

[@MikeBrowne]

I Say +EMT MDT how spiffing of you to say so old bean! Seriously though, thank you I'm happy they help. Please help me keep making more by sharing your favourites around with other photographers. - MIKE

[@MikeBrowne]

Muchas gracias - Mike

[@MikeBrowne]

Thank you - Mike

[@MikeBrowne]

The images I get from mine are great. As with all things in life we all have our own opinions about what's good and what's not.

[@PostColorGear]

Mike, in one of your other videos, I believe it was the one with the long lens uses, you went up to 270mm. As you mention in this video, did you find that you never needed that kind of perspective and stick with the 70-200mm now? Or do you still have it in the other bag, or at home?

[@timputtick9703]

You have a 105mm-300mm due to the 1.5x crop factor on the sensor, the Nikon 70-200 is full frame, and the others are essentially DX lenses so you do not have every focal length covered.

[@BluefanNL]

I find myself taking my sigma 18-200 OS and sigma 28 f1.8 with me if I need to travel light like on vacations. The 18-200 is really an allround from wide to tele and when it get's dark 28mm on an APS-C is a very natural focal length. With a wide aperture it can work in low light and the depth of field at 1.8 is small enough for some creative photo, all in a small lens. I'm a bit suprised you don't have any primes, they're cheap (especially secondhand), have wide apertures and are small/light.

[@elfmackelfmack]

I have the an app for a compass and also the cameras manual stored on my cloud system. I always use the Google map feature to record possible location sites for a shot. Finally I use old business card plastic boxes for storing batteries, cloths etc

[@MikeBrowne]

Perfect Enda McCormack. Though I've had trouble with my compass app in 2 or 3 places on Lanzarote. Every few seconds it kept changing it's mind by 180 degrees but my old faithful needle compass stayed constant so I've stuck with it ever since.

[@xperience-media7396]

Fantastic communication skills - very enjoyable Mike. Just wondering if you did an updated version of this what changes there would be.

[@MattisProbably]

Jeez, that's a big bag! :D All I have in mine is a camera (a D3200), a Tokina 12-24 f4 with a UV filter (I'd use the hood instead but it causes a LOT of vignetting and the filter is doing a decent job), a Nikkor 35 f1.8 and a Nikkor 55-200 f4-5.6. I also have a remote, a 52mm ND 1000 filter and a polarizer in there. My flash is usually either at home or in my backpack together with a diffusor and a remote for the flash for off-camera flashy goodness. Then there is my tripod of course.

[@lhlumby]

I always carry a camera, whether it being my phone or (often) a SLR. I don't want to lug a load of gear around, so I mostly end up with a Nikon FE or my D1x and a fast prime. A professional job on the other hand, I haul everything with me in my car. Nice video, keep them coming.

[@razorface34]

Hi Mike, i,m new to a DSLR but i was pleased to see you carry a Nikon D3100 body as this is the camera i have bought. So for i have been very happy with it and of course i,m still learning. So thanks for all your videos, and great idea about carrying a compass in your bag. Keep up the good work. Keith

[@MikeBrowne]

It is DX Rich and I've been very happy with it.

[@MikeBrowne]

Thank you

[@maqsoodkhan7451]

You are really doing a great job. Thank you very much.

[@Bilalizaddin]

I bought D7100 with its kit lense (18-105)mm,F (3.5-5.6)a month ago and its very very DSLR camera,its award winner of the year also, it has good quality and huge megapixel size which gave me stunning quality,also I ordered Sigma 1.8 18-50mm,I highly recommend to upgrade to this awesome camera

[@BinoyMishra88]

Thats actually very nice and informative. But I can't resist myself from asking you one question- No Primes?

[@MikeBrowne]

I don't prefer either. Cameras are just tools to record an image. I ended up with DX cameras because when I first bought a DSLR they were all DX - so I had DX lenses and didn't want to have to replace them so when the camera was worn out I bought another DX body.

[@Tonxoo7]

Really nice informative videos Mike, you are a great presenter too. I`m a bit surprised you don`t have a lighter, more- mobile kit set- up though. I travel with my friends to visit famous places and I like to use a fold-up bike and try to visit about three sites in a day. My D700, (tripod 28mm prime, and filters) and Finepix X100 set-uo nearly kills me! With two D300s, you must be as strong as a horse!

[@capturedbyannamarie]

Love your videos! Thanks for sharing!

[@MikeBrowne]

Thanks for the tip. - Mike

[@whiskeyturner]

Thanks for that mate, keep up the good work.

[@davidmills139]

could you do a video about pluses and minuses of dx cameras vs fx cameras? I know the full frame cameras are pricier but don't know the advantages of them. Love your videos!

[@iPhoneiPadReview]

@Mike Browne If you want hood audio, check out the JuicedLink. It will give your DSLR an XLR port which you can connect your mic to :)

[@MikeBrowne]

I have D300 and they've been great but getting a bit old now. I'm sorry i don't know anything about the D7000 or D7100 - never used one, but I expect they're great. If anyone has one please comment.....

[@prchkkizhe7]

Very interesting video and some good advice for all photographers - its surprising though that you do not have a separate hand-held light meter in your camera bag. Are camera light meters so good these days that you can totally rely on them?

[@MikeBrowne]

Hi John - no I don't own any primes.

[@MikeBrowne]

Hey Thanks for the tip - Mike

[@MrJazAfonso]

Hi Mike, Great video again, and agree with all comments, your method of teaching really is unique. I do have one question, being new to the "game". When buying a lens, must one always buy from same maker has the camera, Nikon for example, or are there other cheaper options? Thank you.

[@Ian-ky6hm]

Hi Mike, I have noticed from your videos that you just attach your speedlight straight away. I also have a Nikon and I always keep the small sliding cover on the top of the camera which connects the speedlight. Does it matter if I leave it off? I imagine dust or dirt interfering with the connections. Thanks again, Ian.

[@MrNYCman530]

Great info! I have the Nikon D750 for my main camera, the Panasonic GX85 for my backup, Sony RX10 lV for my zoo shots, and the Canon G7X ll which is pocketable. I shoot in Raw except for the G7Xll, which I use for more fun shots.

[@MikeBrowne]

No not really - they just happen to be what I bought when I went digital and I don't want to have to buy new lenses unless i have to...

[@HighwayRamos]

I'm getting back into photography after a long break and trying to get my head around this digital camera/darkroom stuff. The last time I did colour work was with Cibachrome A ! So it's good to find your channel after viewing some rather unfortunate 'fix it in the mix' style presentations. I think the focus of many seems to be what the technology can do after the shutter closes rather than what they can do as photographers up until that moment. I was feeling a bit put off until I found your channel, your attitude toward this art is exactly what I needed to see, thank you.

[@MikeBrowne]

Thanks Evards Voofs. I love that... "what the technology can do after the shutter closes rather than what they can do as photographers up until that moment". I may quote you... MIKE

[@HighwayRamos]

+ Mike Browne You are more than welcome Mike, your videos are giving me the best refresher course I could hope for - Cheers :)

[@JoshKMusic]

Just shows how professional you are by not being phased by a few people watching. Great work as always!

[@MikeBrowne]

Thank you, I'm sorry I'm not an expert on the many thousands of lenses on the market, but if you're doing it professionally for clients then buy the best quality you can afford regardless of weight. Sorry not clear why weight is an issue?

[@jmamro]

Mike, great video as always!! I have downloaded the "Sun Seeker: 3D Augmented Reality Viewer" app for my IPhone and that replaced the compass that I always carried with me as well. It is a great app, I'm sure you would to like it too.

[@markdentry4166]

Hi Mike, really appreciate all the videos, its helping me soo much, I need some help syncing my minolta auto meter 4 to my flash wirelessly, so when I trigger the light meter the flash will fire, I currently have 2 transceivers, 1 for me camera and another for me flash, is it possible to get a few more transceivers and plug it to the light meter etc and then use the same channel to fire the flash? Many Thanks

[@owent54]

Hello Mike I'm a relatively recent subscriber and I have to say your videos are excellent; not too much information and very well presented. Any chance of a video on using a DSLR for video, particularly how to get good audio? My Nikon D5100 takes reasonably good video but the audio is poor. I've seen small hot-shoe-mounted mics (Rodeo) and there's Zoom digital recorders and the radio mics that can be occasionally glimpsed on you. What's the best way to go? Thanks.

[@whiskeyturner]

Hi Mike, Firstly I love your videos.. lots of great info without putting me to sleep just, I'm learning a lot. I'm wondering the flash card you showed was huge in physical size, I thought that was a canon thing.

[@MikeBrowne]

Sorry debodeebs I don't know. never used a D3200. have a look in Google and see what comes up :-/

[@MattisProbably]

It's not the original hood. I bought the lens second hand in awesome condition and the previous owner told me that she replaced the hood because she lost it. I am trying to get my hands on a new hood now but the filter is doing a great job!

Me gustan mucho tus vídeos. Gracias por compartirlos. Saludos desde España.

[@v12inside]

weight is an issue because the whole setups has to take off and fly in a drone, a hexacopter to be exact, it can lift 2-3 kilos no prob, but the stabilizing gimbal is more sensitive to weight and ballance so thats why I am using mirrorless, as for lens i need a lens mostly for landscape. shooting distance ranges mosly between 15m-infinite, 0-90° looking down, mainly 30-45°. maybe a pancake type lens? I'll upload some videos as soon as I can to make an ideea.

[@MsMorbid13]

Hi Mike I've just subscribe, and so far love your videos. I have a question. I've just bought me a Canon 60d and it comes with a EF-S 18-mm lens, and since I'm relatively new to photography, I'm unsure if I've bought the best size lens. Should I have gone for a 18-135mm instead?

[@lostish]

Hi Mike! Brilliant like all your videos! Your wide lens was a Sigma 10-20 f/4-5.6? I ve find one used at an affordable price.. thanks😊👍

[@Abhishek853]

i already knew he will be a youtube patner when i first subscribed....videos comes soo fast...its a great channel

[@devonbiker]

Great video, probably the best I've seen on KZbin so far as I scout around for my first proper camera bag! Being a beginner, your bag would be too big for me but I appreciate why you would take most of your gear in one go.

[@MikeBrowne]

Thanks devonbiker - yep build your kit and bag size as you go is the best way...

[@johndoerubytosa]

Hi Mike. I was just wondering, don't you use prime lenses like the 85mm f1.4 or a 50mm f1.8? I've seen most of your videos and I notice that you rarely use prime lenses. You don't find the need for one?

[@oneworld279]

D7000 is a fine camera...it's an upgrade from D90 and slightly lesser than D600.. It's an APS-C sensor though. D7000 has 39AF points while D300s has 51.. I think. Technically D7000 is a step ahead but some prefer D300s for its rugged build. I own the D7000 and its an amazing camera.

[@andrewgraham6496]

Hi Mike, I really like the way you explain things, easy to grasp and you paint great mental pictures, which get the points over and I get the sense of things, art of being a good teacher, I suppose! I've got a question! A couple of friends of mine are getting married in May and they have asked me to take the photos at their wedding, I said yes, and am a little nervous! My problem is, as I see it, my camera kit is limited, as I cannot afford better gear, so, what I have and have to work with, as I have no other options, is my Canon EOS 1200D (half frame) and some lenses; I have a 35 to 70mm, 18 to 85mm and 70 to 300mm, also a 50mm prime focus lens and a wide angle lens, as I said, I have no other options, so, have to make the best of a bad (camera wise) situation!Any advice would be great! The wedding is a low key one, not many people going and taking some shots near the Humber Bridge in Hull Many thanks, Andy

[@MikeBrowne]

Hi Andrew, the very fact that your friends asked you to document their first day as husband and wife tells you that they trust and love your work. Here are some tips for you: 50mm f/1.2 - 1.8 this is my go-to lens, the gives her the versatility she needs to shoot in a wide variety of conditions. She takes this lens with her everywhere, whether shooting for work or personal purposes. The f/1.2 to f/1.8 lenses are designed to capture crystal-clear pictures regardless of the lighting, allowing for high-quality shots in low-lighting conditions without a flash 35mm - this wide angle lens is great for capturing the entirety of the room while the bride is getting ready as well as lounging prep photos of the bridesmaids in small groups. 85mm - this lens is traditionally used to capture portraits of the bride as she prepares and her bridesmaids as they look on from a distance. The 85mm has a lovely photojournalistic appeal, so I love standing at the farther point in the prep room and shoot with a wide aperture so the bride is in focus and items/people in the foreground are blurred. 70 to 300mm - is great for capturing the ceremony in stealth mode, as a wedding photographer myself, My aim is for the couple not to feel that i'm around whilst the ceremony is happening. 18-55 is great for capturing photo documentary style whilst the bride and groom are preparing, specially if the room is small. Take what you have and make it work :) Go scout the locations where these events will happen, check the time, ask who's planning the timeline and program and ask for the timeline so you can plan ahead. Search for the best light so you know where to put your subjects, make a " must shoot list" so you know you wont missed any and also you can be creative after crossing out the list. Hope these helps - Melissa pp Mike

[@MikeBrowne]

To add to what Melissa said. Wedding photography is not so much about what you shoot on, it's about being able to do the photography (exposures, manage light etc) without thinking about it. You have plenty of kit and lenses, though I always carry spares in case a body breaks during the day. I have a wedding photography ebook course that can definitely help you. Please take a look. Link below... MIKE www.photographycourses.biz/courses/wedding-photography-ecourse

[@MikeBrowne]

Aww - thanks!

[@v12inside]

Great videos Mike, watch them with interest as I am into the beginning of aerial video/photography business, currently working with mirrorles cameras because of the weight issue, what lens would you recommend for such a job? Nevertheless... If your bag is overkill then mine is the cargo ship you photographed in the other video. Cheers!

[@nilamaheshmehta2383]

Mr.MikeBrown i been watching ur video very often & i like the way u explain about photo graphy so thanks very much now my Q is i got nikon d90 and 18-105+70-300+35mm+50mm 1.8g +tokina 11-16 wide angle lens & ibeen watching ur video in 1video u said that u nikon 18-70 lens which i want buy ? so whats ur advise? thanks Mahesh

[@MrJooDoe]

Mike, if you have to upgrade or replace your D300 for say an act of nature reason. What would that be?

[@geojor]

thanks for this...

[@jollycarrot]

hey Mike is there a reason you choose to use crop factored cameras vs full frames?