2023 Gear In Review
Another year, another Gear in Review!
2023 was a very special year for me. As some of you may, or may not, know, photography is 50% of my professional life. The other 50% is spent as a creative director – something I’ve done for almost 30 years for the largest Tech companies in the world – and 2023 marked the year where both sides of my professional life thrived!
On the photography side of things, we found ourselves working both locally and on location for all types of fun commercial shoots; album covers, product shots, editorial commercial work, portraits, etc. We also spent a lot of time growing our YouTube channel in the pursuit of our love for Street Photography. The community has been growing, and I would be thrilled to see you there as well!
Our gear list has been growing as well! The more you work behind the camera the more gaps you see that need to be filled – this is true both on the creative and the practical side of things. Creatively I’ve leaned heavily on platforms such as Instagram to feed my inspiration, as well as just getting out there myself and taking photos to put consistent reps on the creative muscles.
On the practical side of things, I decided to make several important purchases which have totally upended and shifted my shooting tendencies. Specifically, the RF 85mm f/1.2. This is a lens I bought late in 2022 and pressed into service for much of 2023. I’ve used it so much that it now dominates my lens selection. Last year my most used focal length was 50mm, accounting for nearly 18% of all my photos taken. This year the 85mm has taken over that top spot at a massive 33%! For comparison, my two 50mm lenses account for only 3% of all my photos – wow!
The other notable Lens Heroes of the Year are the RF 24-105mm f/4.0 and RF 35mm f/1.8 – both of which have proved their weight in gold. I couldn’t imagine life without eithr of these lenses. I expect these three lenses to dominate my list again in 2024, but may be disrrupted a bit by a recently purchased lens, the RF 70-200mm f/4.0, and a yet-to-be-purchased lens which is currently on my wish list for 2024 – stay tuned!
On the camera side of things, the EOS R5 is, hands down, the best camera I’ve ever owned.
Equipment-wise, not too much changed from last year – the list stays about the same. Notable work horses are the Thule Escort Daypack Backpack which I’ve had for over 10 years and still performs like a champ. Another great piece of gear I picked up last year that has earned some high praise is the Peak Design Backpack/Belt camera attachment – a real game changer for the working photographer!
For the completionists, here is a complete list of “What’s In Your Bag – 2023 Edition”
Canon EOS R5 ⭐
Canon EOS R
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EF 15mm Fisheye f/2.8
Canon RF 16mm f/2.8
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 Mark I
Canon RF 24-105mm f/4.0 ⭐
Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 ⭐
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4
Canon RF 50mm f/1.8
Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 ⭐
Canon EF 100mm Macro f/2.8
Canon RF 70-200 f/4.0
Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8
Lumix G7
Lumix G 25mm f/1.7
Lumix 14-42 f/3.5-5.6
Lumix 45-150 f/4.0-5.6
2x AD300 by Flashpoint/Godox
Various Canon Speed Lights
Various Alienbees Strobes
Many Light Modifiers of all shapes and sizes
Light Stands galore
Thule Backpack ⭐
Eirmai Backpack
Caden Sling
Hex Sling/Fanny Pack
Peak Design Belt/Backpack Camera Attachment ⭐