I’m a serious enthusiast photographer who most enjoys shooting wildlife, nature and landscapes. I live in Fort Collins, CO. Heading out in the early morning is my Zen time, and taking annual photography trips is becoming a critical thing. In the last two years I’ve spent time in Nebraska to see the sandhill crane migration and the Palouse region in eastern Washington state, both bucket list items.
I started with a Cannon EOS Rebel T5 as my first better-than-a-point-and-shoot camera. I had a good time with this camera and learned a lot. Then I took a workshop in Rocky Mountain National Park and one of the other students had an intriguingly smaller camera than all the rest of us. He explained it was a mirrorless camera and told us all about it (this was pretty new at the time, around 2014).
I was really interested because the camera (a Fuji) was so tiny by comparison to the big Nikons and Canons everyone else had. It was also a lot lighter – the lenses were smaller and lighter as well. I resolved that my next camera would be a mirrorless. Eventually I made that happen and sold all my Canon gear – it was a great decision for me, I love my Fuji cameras and lenses.
I have a drone that I’ve learned to fly reasonably well and want to start using for photography. I’m also a full-time professional web designer and developer.
See more photos at 500px.
Kit Info
Bodies:
Fuji X-T3 Mirrorless
Fuji XT-10 Mirrorless
Lenses:
Fujinon XF 70-300mm f/4.5.6 OIS LM WR (fantastic new lens, a great compromise between reach and weight for wildlife photography)
Fujinon XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR (super high quality, big and heavy but great for wildlife)
Fujinon XC 50-230mmF4.5-6.7 OIS II (good quality for the price point, kit lens)
Fujinon XC 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 OIS II Lens (good quality for the price point, kit lens)
Fujinon XF 1.4X TC WR Teleconverter
Bags:
I’m pretty picky about my bags. These are the keepers (note all backpacks have water bottle pockets).
Think Tank Urban Access 15 Backpack – like a TARDIS it’s small on the outside, huge on the inside. A compact bag for big trips that nonetheless holds both camera bodies, the big 100-400 lens, 3 other lenses and all supporting gear including a 13″ laptop. High-quality construction, highly recommended.
ThinkTank MindShift TrailScape 18L Backpack – my new TARDIS! A wonderful pack for my wildlife kit, it can hold the X-T3 with 100-400 or 70-300 attached and 2 other lenses and supporting gear easily. Super-comfy when full. It also has space for a 13″ laptop or large tablet. Like every bag I’ve had from ThinkTank, very well built.
LowePro Flipside 300AW Backpack – a pack for 2-3 smaller lenses (not the 100-400, it will not fit) and one camera body.
Think Tank Photo Cable Management 20 V2.0 – a great little bag for storing chargers, cables, card readers and other small parts. One side is clear and it has a handle.
Tripods
Three Legged Thing Punks Brian Travel Tripod – Got this in 2023 for a photo workshop in Grand Teton. It’s a lot more stable than the VEO for the same weight, and is also a lot taller at up to 73″. Holds up to 30 lbs. The legs unscrew and can be used as a monopod. 16″ when folded and comes with a nice padded bag.
Vanguard VEO 2GO 265HCBM Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod – I got this for my NE sandhill crane migration trip in 2022. Light at 3.1 lbs and holds up to 22 lbs. Also a monopod and has a low-angle adapter. 65.5″ tall. I think it’s hard to find this model now though.
Vanguard Alta Pro 263AB 100 Aluminum Tripod with Ball Head – a very sturdy tripod for the big 100-400 lens.