KIT

I love cameras and have loads of them. I started out on Nikons – my first camera was a Nikkormat EL. I then moved onto an F3 and an FE. A few years ago I decided to go Canon and bought a full kit. I started with an EOS 1Vhs then went digital with a 1DS MK2. It was a great camera which I used until recently. I am currently working mainly with a Canon EOS 5D MK2. I have two of these, one is Infra-red converted. They’re great cameras, the image quality is fantastic and the live view makes my world a better place. I use a 50D as a spare body. It’s a great camera because it’s fast. The image quality is not as good as the 5D but it’s still pretty good.

I’ve got a few lenses 500mm, 70-200, 16-35, 50 and 100mm macro. The Canon 100mm is by far my favourite lens. It is not the L-Series version, it’s the cheaper one; the image quality is incredible though, pin sharp with great contrast.

My favourite camera is my Canon G10. I use it more than any other and keep in my pocket all the time. It’s great for taking portraits of people and it’s got old fashioned turning dials on top, which remind me of the days before LCD displays made it all more difficult. Another favourite camera is my Leica M4P, I’ve started shooting with it again recently and I’m really enjoying using film again.

I use artificial light for a lot of my work, usually strobes. I’ve got a few Canon Speedlites and a whole load of Vivitar 283’s. These are great old school flash units, they’re cheap on ebay and with the VariPower unit attached, they’re fully controllable manually. I also use a couple of Elinchromes when working in the studio.

I’ve recently bought an Aquatica underwater housing for the 5D. It’s an incredible piece of kit. I’ve only used it a few times and I haven’t learnt to dive yet so my underwater photos aren’t the best but I’m enjoying playing.

I spend a lot of time in my workshop fiddling and tinkering with bits of kit I invent and make – they’re usually based around getting tricky shots of otters or kingfishers. Some of these work, some don’t, it’s great fun playing though.