Essential Photography & Cinema Gear
After 20 years of directing and photographing campaigns for top-tier brands, I’ve tested more gear than I can count—on set, in the studio, and in the field.
This isn’t a wishlist. It’s what I actually use on real shoots: gear that holds up under pressure, creates the images I’m proud to deliver, and earns its keep on the job.
I’ve grouped my recommendations by category, and I’ll keep this page updated with new tools as my kit evolves.
Most links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase—at no cost to you.
CINEMA GEAR
Clean, modern and sharp. Use filtration to dial in your look.
My go-to reference lens against which all others are compared. Use filtration to dial in your look. Picked as a good comprimise between 35 and 50mm.
A classic focal length. Add filtration to dial in your look.
DZO X-Tract 18-28mm Direct View Probe
Best probe lens in the business. Minimal focus breathing, great focus throw, extremely sharp.
DZO X-Tract 18-28mm 90 degree Probe Lens
90 degree view version. Gets into tight spaces and great for looking sideways or directly up with that probe lens feel. Just as sharp as the straight variant.
Well priced, accurate monitor. Love how they include custom foam that fits in a pelican 1600 case!
Used with the Blackmagic Hyperdeck to preview multi-pass shots from our cinema robot in real time.
Use with Lensmaster and the Osee GoStream to preview multi-pass composites in real time.
Multiple sizes with straight or 90 Degree connectors for signal between monitors, Hyperdeck and GoStream
Affordable and compact wireless video transmission. I use these as my portable director's monitor. Not the best for focus pulling due to latency, but that's all handled by the robot, so not an issue for us.
Power multiple NPF devices from a single D-Tap - super handy!
STILLS GEAR
I still use the OG GFX100 - well priced on the used market and perfect for still life.
Dramatic, wide angle and super sharp. Love it for landscapes and getting wierd in the studio.
As sharp if not sharper than some of the Fuji primes. Great flexibility and way better than the 32-64mm zoom.
Best lens in the lineup. Amazing, creamy bokeh and foreground separation. I use it all the time.
Fantastic lens, similar to the 55 1.7 in look. I use this with extension tubes instead of the 120mm macro.
A unique lens, with great "reach". I don't use it all the time but it comes in handy for compressing a scene. Slightly different rendering than the other primes.
One of my favorite cameras of all time. A joy to shoot with, and is my go-to travel camera for both urban and backcountry photography when I don't want to lug the Fuji.
I use the original R5 as my full frame camera when I need more depth of field or faster autofocus than the Fuji. Most of the time I use it with Sigma Art primes with an EF> RF adapter.
COMPUTER GEAR
Using 1 SSD + 7 18 TB Seagate Exos HD's for main storage.
Good blend of size, price and reliability. Used in the Thunderbay drive and as singles in Oyen Enclosures for offlining previous work.
The only device that gives me peace of mind for long term archiving.
For less than $80, a great external monitor for palettes or scopes on set.
Used with the problade transport on our Phantom camera workstation.
Uses swappable modules for expanding storage while on set.
Fits in pelican case for Phantom Camera & Capture Workstation
Call me crazy, but this thing still rips. Handles anything I throw at it. Note - I prefer the 4TB SSD version, but hard to find. 64GB RAM is key.
LIGHTING AND GRIP GEAR
Super compact and flexible battery or AC powered point light source. Super unique and useful.
My precision light of choice. I use two sets of these on nearly every shoot.
Godox DL5 Parallel Beam Attachment
Increases ouput of S60 lights by 1.5 stops - perfect for the LiteFlow reflectors.
Godox Liteflow K1 Reflector Kit
The best money you'll spend on lighting gear. I use them every shoot, without fail.
Big brother to the K1 kit, great for bouncing larger sources or gathering multiple sources into one powerful source.
A huge upgrade from the original 1200d, with more ouput and gorgeous, full spectrum light quality.
Output rivaling a 6K HMI... this thing is BRIGHT. Note: 220v for full power.
STUDIO AND ORGANIZATION
Modular, Stackable Organization. I'm converting all my cases to Stacktech.
Great for larger lights.
Wheel it onto set, take out your gear, start shooting. Super efficient.
SPECIAL EFFECTS GEAR
Worm Drive Gear for Aputure Spotlight Max
Combine with a 12v variable power supply and .08 mod gears to spin the gobo holder in the Spotlight Max.
Makes a great precision nodal pour rig with just a few modifications.
I use this digital pressure gauge for better accuracy with our pneumatic rigs.
Ultra precise ultraviolet activated glue for small parts and for holding things up on set. Use instead of hot glue.
My favorite glass cleaner. Sounds like a dumb thing to have a favorite of, but it makes a difference.
Simply Unwined Microfiber Cloths
Great, streak and lint free for glassware.
Just discovered this cleans glassware up amazing!