I often get asked what gear I use when I’m out shooting. While I believe that the best camera is the one you have with you, the right tools definitely make a difference. 

Here’s a look at what’s in my kit right now, and why I chose each piece.

This is my main camera body. I love the G9 for its fast autofocus, excellent image stabilisation, and solid build quality.

It’s a Micro Four Thirds system, which means it’s lighter and more compact than full-frame cameras, perfect for when I’m hiking or carrying gear all day.

The G9 also has great ergonomics and custom buttons that make it quick to use in the field.

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 Pro

This is my go-to everyday lens. It’s sharp, weather-sealed, and versatile for everything from landscapes to street photography.

The constant f/2.8 aperture means I can shoot in lower light and still get crisp results.

Panasonic Lumix LEICA DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm F4.0–6.3

This is my wildlife and bird photography workhorse. The zoom range is incredible—allowing me to capture distant subjects without needing to get too close.

It’s lightweight for what it offers, and paired with the G9’s stabilisation, it makes handheld telephoto shots much more practical.

Video + Action

Panasonic Lumix G85

The G85 is the heart of my dedicated filming rig and the camera I use for most of my talking-head and studio-style videos.

Mounted in a camera cage with a microphone and external power, it gives me a reliable setup that can stay ready to record whenever inspiration strikes.

Despite being an older Micro Four Thirds camera, the video quality continues to impress me. Its 4K recording, fully articulating screen and excellent image stabilisation make it a remarkably capable filmmaking camera.

More importantly, it allows me to concentrate on what I’m saying rather than the equipment I’m using—and that, ultimately, is exactly what I want from a camera.

DJI Osmo Pocket

I use this tiny camera for quick, stabilised video shots. It’s small enough to carry everywhere, which makes it great for capturing behind-the-scenes footage or vlog-style clips without needing a big setup

DJI Action 2

For action or wide-angle shots, I use the Action 2. It’s rugged, compact, and ideal when I want to record in challenging conditions without worrying too much about the gear.

The DJI Action 2 is also perfect to mount on the hotshoe of my Panasonic G9 to give that perfect "POV" recording angle.

Audio

RØDE VideoMicro Microphone

Good audio is just as important as video. The VideoMicro is small, reliable, and gives me much cleaner sound than the in-camera mic. It’s especially handy when recording outdoors or adding narration to clips.

Gyvazla Lavalier Microphone

A simple clip-on microphone I use for talking head videos. It’s lightweight, easy to set up, and gives me cleaner audio than the camera’s built-in mic.

Perfect for when I want to keep the setup minimal but still sound clear.

Neewer CM28 Wireless Microphone

The CM28 is my wireless microphone system for filming when I need the freedom to move around or want to keep the microphone close to me without running cables across the room.

The small transmitter can be clipped discreetly to my clothing, while the receiver connects directly to my camera.

I particularly like the flexibility of having a wireless system that I can use with different filming setups, whether I’m recording a talking-head video in my creative room or taking a more portable setup into the field.

It’s simple to use, compact enough to carry in my camera bag, and gives me clear, consistent audio without adding unnecessary complexity to the recording process.

Optics

Olympus 8x25 Tracker PC I Binocular

These compact binoculars are a great companion for wildlife photography outings, especially when I’m scouting locations or tracking animals before switching to the camera.

The 8x magnification strikes a nice balance between reach and stability, and the 25mm objective lenses keep the overall size and weight down; perfect for throwing into a side pocket of my bag.

The optics are bright and clear for their size, and the build quality is solid enough to handle field use. I’ve found them especially useful for birdwatching or getting a closer look at distant landscapes when framing a shot.

Accessories

I carry a selection of neutral density (ND) and circular polarising (CPL) filters.

ND filters help me control exposure in bright light (great for video), while CPLs reduce glare and make skies and water look much richer.

Final Thoughts

This is the kit that works for me right now. It has grown and changed over time, and I’m always experimenting with ways to make my photography and filmmaking simpler.

I don’t believe you need the newest or most expensive equipment to make meaningful work. Some of my favourite photographs and videos have been created with cameras that are several generations old.

What matters far more is knowing your equipment well enough that, eventually, you stop thinking about the camera and start thinking about the story.

If you’re just starting out, don’t worry about finding the “perfect” gear. Start with what you have, learn what it can do, and only add or replace equipment when you discover a genuine reason to do so.