Some people think I’m an ‘equipment junkie’, and they’re probably right. This addiction only started last year, as I wanted to push my photographic boundaries to the absolute limit and not be limited by the equipment I was using.
Don’t get me wrong, the equipment I’m provided with is top notch but I just wanted to put a clear, distinguishable look to my photos so people without looking at the photo by-line could go ‘That’s a Matthew Poon photo”.
Photographers in the media industry are usually pretty lucky to be able to work with some of the best and latest photography equipment available. Community is no exception to this with the latest Canon and Nikon kits provided.
I’ve used Canon SLR cameras for 12 years after purchasing my first one back when I was in high school in the shape of a Canon EOS Rebel G / 500N.
My CNG supplied ‘drool bucket’ camera kit consists of the following:
Canon 1D Mk3.
Canon 1D Mk4.
16-35mm f/2.8L USM II.
24-70mm f/2.8L USM.
70-200mm f/2.8L USM II.
Multiple Canon Speedlite flash units.
Manfrotto tripod and monopod.
In addition to the above kit, I’ve added the following:
PocketWizard TT1 and multiple TT5 receivers.
PocketWizard AC-3 controller and multiple Plus II triggers.
Honl Accessories (all of them – gels, grids, snoots etc).
Manfrotto light stands carried in a Manfrotto light stand bag.
Translucent umbrellas.
Remote camera cables (analog and digital)
Rain / dust covers.
Various filters (Neutral Density, Polarisers, Skylight).
The stands and umbrellas are kept in a Manfrotto light stand bag, but everything else still fits in one big rolling camera case which is made by Kata.
Depending on what jobs I have I may bring out my :
Canon 5D Mk2.
Canon 14mm f/2.8L USM.
Canon 15mm fisheye f/2.8.
Canon 35mm f/1.4L USM.
Canon 85mm f/1.2L USM II.
EWA marine bag housing.
Then some miscellaneous gear I carry in the car for possible shoots:
A couple pairs of board shorts and a beach towel.
Off camera flash cables (1.8m, 5m, 10m)
3 backdrops (white, grey, black)
Two safety vests.
Lowepro Street Belt & Vest system (for jobs where a rolling case or bag isn’t ideal)
Other flash diffusers and reflectors.
Currently I'm testing out an Elinchrom Quadra lighting system which may eventually come out on the road with me at times.
In future blogs I will try and explain in detail about some of the above equipment from how and why I use it, and what it helps me achieve in certain photos.