David Higgs Nikon D850
David customises his Nikon gear to meet the needs of any given assignment
Having gained a reputation as the ‘go to’ action photographer (with a penchant for big lighting jobs) for many publishers, I have worked for Sports Illustrated, Fortune, LIFE, Stern, GEO, National Geographic and all the UK press.
After a decade of non‑stop editorial, advertising and commercial assignments I formed The Environmental Press Agency (TEPA), doing what I love best. TEPA specialises in the production of features, increasing awareness and fundraising for themes around human rights, wildlife, conservation and the environment.
I have no firm favourite Nikon camera because every item becomes essential depending on the project. For example, on my recent jaguar conservation project I used a Nikkor 200‑ 500mm f/5.6E ED almost exclusively in the field. Sitting on the roof of our vehicle, without moving in the blazing sun for more than five hours, it was essential to have a light lens. It had to be handheld, and the VR performance was superb. When working at night with vets and capture teams I used Nikon SB‑910 Speedlights on stands, with umbrellas and the PocketWizard system. The exposure and flash control with those flashguns is always exceptional. Here I mostly used a Nikkor 16‑35mm f/4G ED with my workhorse cameras for this trip – Nikon D5s that were perfect for low‑light conditions, and a Nikon D810.
But you’re asking me about my current and next‑year camera. Currently I use a Nikon D850, which is phenomenal. As most of TEPA’s work is done overseas, I’m often working alone, carrying all my gear on my back. So with that in mind, the advent of the light and compact mirrorless Z system from Nikon is very exciting.