IN RICHARD’S BAG

01

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

WEB: www.canon.co.uk

I RECENTLY got the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV as an upgrade from an old 1Ds Mark III. I love the touchscreen aspect, which is so versatile. Also the capability of shooting high quality 4K video is a great feature. I’m aiming to put it to the test shooting some short film projects in the future. The 30.4Mp full-frame sensor delivers amazing sharpness. I added a BG-E20 battery grip, which gives the camera the same feel as my 1Ds and extends the battery life too.

02

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

WEB: www.canon.co.uk

THE Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM lens is also a recent purchase. I‘ve never had a fixed focal length prime lens before. But I’m finding that I reach for that lens more and more for close up portraits that can utilize its shallower depth of field. When I shoot a project, it’s important to me that the body of work needs to have the same feel for each subject, and shooting with a special lens like this helps me achieve great consistency.

03

Bowens Esprit Gemini 500

WEB: www.canon.co.uk

WHEN shooting outdoors I always try and mix the available light with my flash heads, and these 500 heads give me the right balance. I have more control using flash modifiers to direct the light. The wireless triggers let me fire it without the need for cables and have a range of around 40ft. When on location and there are no electric sockets, my Travelpak’s come in handy and resets pretty quickly when needed.

04

Canon Powershot G11

WEB: www.canon.co.uk

THIS compact camera sits in my bag for backup. It’s solid and svelte. Although it’s only a 10Mp sensor, it produces good results and can be used in full Manual mode, which is the same as on my Canon 5D Mark IV. It also goes on holiday with me, as it’s much easier when space is limited. On top of that, the image quality is more than good enough for those occasions.

05 Sandisk/lexar Compact Flash cards

WEB: www.sandisk.co.uk WEB: www.lexar.com

ALTHOUGH the memory card seems like an insignificant part of my kit, they play a vital role by storing the shoot. I tend to use 8GB and 16GB sizes, as I prefer not to have the whole job on one card. I always buy the better quality cards and favour the Sandisk and Lexar cards, as they have never let me down. Touch wood! I’ll probably be buying some more – certain cards are looking quite weathered…

06

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8l

WEB: www.canon.co.uk

THIS optic has been with me for a long time and is a core part of my kit bag. Some subjects are a little intimidated when they have their picture taken, and although I try to relax them, it’s sometimes better to move away from them to take the shot. Of course, there are times when I can’t get too close and the lens helps me achieve a closer portrait. Couple that with the added Extender EF 1.4x II and I can get even closer!