§ Equipment Guide

Equipment in the Field

Practical principles for preparing your photographic equipment — with specific advice on every individual event page.

A guide, not a universal checklist

There is no universal photographic kit. Your equipment should serve the work you want to make: the subject, the season, the available light, the physical conditions and your own way of seeing. Each workshop, journey or expedition provides detailed recommendations on its individual page and in the pre-departure information sent to confirmed participants.

Camera bodies and lenses

Use a reliable system you know well enough to operate in rain, cold, wind, dust or failing light. Lens choice should follow the subject and your visual intention, not a generic checklist. The individual event page will indicate the most suitable approach; bring only what you can carry, use and protect with confidence.

Tripods and support

A tripod is essential field equipment. Choose a carbon-fibre model that is light enough to carry, robust enough for wind and uneven ground, and tall enough to work comfortably. Pair it with a dependable head from an established manufacturer, such as Manfrotto or Gitzo, rated for the real weight of your camera, telephoto lens and accessories. It must hold the equipment securely, without drift or imbalance.

Filters and lens hoods

Professional filters and a proper lens hood are among the most useful tools for location work. A large-format filter system, such as Lee Filters or Tiffen, gives precise in-camera control over reflections, contrast, exposure and atmosphere. In hard or unstable light — in deserts, on snow, around water, steel or pale stone — a professional bellows hood can be indispensable for preserving contrast and protecting the front element from flare, spray and dust.

Protection in rain, cold, heat and dust

Carry fitted rain covers, Bongo Ties or strong elastic ties, and Ziplock bags in several sizes. In dusty locations and sandstorms, sealed bags are among the most dependable practical safeguards for cameras, lenses and accessories. In the Scottish Islands, Iceland and other wet environments, a fully waterproof dry bag can protect the entire camera bag more effectively than its usual rain cover: seal the bag and its contents inside it before sustained rain or spray arrives.

Practical support in the field

Our workshop teams travel with an emergency supply of practical materials: protective bags, rain covers, Bongo Ties, elastic ties and cleaning accessories. These are available to participants without charge when conditions demand them. They do not replace your own preparation, but they can protect equipment — and preserve valuable working time — when the field becomes unpredictable.