Carl Heilman II Nature Photography Workshop Equipment List

Camera Equipment
(Suggested variety of equipment - but not necessary for the classes. I often suggest taking the class 
		before buying equipment so you have a better sense of what you would like to purchase.
		Please contact us with any questions re: equipment)

~ 35 mm DSLR camera (or film), or advanced point and shoot camera 
	- should have manual mode, aperture priority, shutter priority in addition to program mode
	- features - CMOS sensor, LiveView, auto-bracket, exposure compensation, full screen histogram, 
	highlights alert, sensor cleaning, large LCD, RAW option, 100% viewfinder, remote release capability
	- I use 2 - Nikon D750 bodies and also have a Coolpix P7700 
~ Lenses
	- the lens is the single most important camera investment - use top quality optics
	- have a range - wide angle, normal, telephoto, macro (extension tubes turn any lens into a macro lens)
	- zooms are fine, fixed focal length lenses are great glass but have less flexibility
	- I carry a Nikon 17-35, 35-70, 70-200, 2x teleconverter, and Kenko extension tube set 
	but also have a 16 fisheye, 20, 24, 28, 35, 50, 105 macro - all these are Nikon 2.8D series lenses or faster 
~ Tripod 
	- a tripod is the second most important piece of camera equipment for nature photography
	- select a versatile and very sturdy tripod that securely holds the weight of the 
	camera and lenses (at least 10 pounds or so)
	- height adjustable from ground level to about 60" or better recommended with ability to 
	shoot near ground level easily
	- I have 4 Gitzo tripods - Explorer G2258 w/ GH2750QR off centre ballhead, Systematic 3540XLS, 
	Explorer #G2228 w/ Gitzo G1275M offset ballhead, and Benbos Trekker
- Suggested Models
	- aluminum tripods - Gitzo Explorer G2220, Giottos MT93, Bogen/Manfrotto 3001B/3021B-Pro
		- carbon fiber tripods - Bogen / Manfrotto 440 or 441 Carbon One
		or the Gitzo Explorer series - GT2541EX, GT2931EX 
		or Giottos (MT 93/83/73)Aluminum/Carbon/Lava Tripod series
		- tripod head - ball head, offset ball head - other brands available - 
		these fit flexibility and weight specs
			- Bogen / Manfrotto ball - 484, 486, 488
			grip action ball - 3265
			- Gitzo 3 way - G1270M   ball - G1177M, G1275M, G1276M, G1277M, G1375M
			- Acratech Ultimate ball heads
			- Really Right Stuff ball heads
~ EXTRA BATTERIES and MEMORY CARDS
~ Cable Release
	- electronic / manual / wireless remote depending on the camera
	- 12" long or longer is fine
~ Backpack
	- choose a pack that comfortably accomodates all your camera gear and outdoor gear
	- I use a LowePro DryZone Rover and have found it sufficient and comfortable in all seasons

Optional Camera Equipment

~ Lens Filters (I only use a solid ND for digital photography) filters are a personal choice
	- polarizer (circular for autofocus cameras), warming - A-1, color enhancing
	- split neutral density filters (+1, +2, soft edge, hard edge)
	- I carry only a Tiffen 2-8 variable and a 10 stop solid ND for special motion effects, 		- all are Singh-Ray filters for Cokin P holder
	- In order of importance for use and purchase
		- Cokin 'P' system (1 filter holder w/ adapters for each lens mount size)
		- split neutral density (high quality glass with no color tones) - 
		+1 stop soft and hard edge
		- polarizer (circular for autofocus)
		- beyond those, the +2 stop soft and hard edge split neutral density
		- last - color enhancers, etc. Today I do all color enhancing in Photoshop 
~ ttl Flash System
~ Reflector (gold / silver) 
~ Extension Tube System (for variations of macro photography and close-up wide angle views)
	- Kenko Extension Tube Set, Nikon PK11A 8 mm tube - thinner tubes for wider angle lenses
~ Lens Reversing Attachment (for micro photography)

Outdoor Clothing and Equipment

~ Dress in layers of synthetics or natural insulating material
	- coolmax, thermax, fleece, wool, silk, polyester, or similar materials
	- No Cotton!!!
~ Windproof / waterproof Layer
	- gore-tex or similar breatheable materials is preferable over waterproof nylon
	- no plastic ponchos
~ Insulating layer
	- long johns (in season - always good to have as emergency clothing even in summer)
~ Lightweight long sleeve shirt / long pants
	- for protection from biting insects
~ Wide brim hat - or screen bug hat
	- good for sun protection
	- helps to keep black flies from around the face, ears, and hairline
~ Sturdy, comfortable waterproof hiking shoes
	- we might be in some wet areas, so it would be good to be waterproof to 
		above the ankles
	- the NEOS overshoes are great for over the shoes water protection
~ Bug repellent
~ Sunscreen
~ Headlamp or flashlight
	- headlamp preferred so hands remain free
~ Water bottle(s)
~ Food for the trail
~ Umbrella - for working in showery conditions - a white or light colored one can double
as a reflector - I use a 'Gustbuster' Metro

Additional Equipment for Winter Photography

~ Additional layers of synthetics or natural insulating material beyond three season needs
	- coolmax, thermax, fleece, wool, silk, polyester, or similar materials
	- fleece jacket
	- fleece pants
	- check to make sure that all layers contain Absolutely No Cotton!!!
~ Windproof / waterproof Layer
	- gore-tex or similar breatheable materials is preferable over waterproof nylon
	- no plastic ponchos
	- important to have knee high gaiters to keep snow from going down into your boots
~ Insulating layer
	- 2 pairs or more of long johns that can be worn at once 
	- they should have a gentle snugness and not be too tight 
~ Comfortable winter boots that have a temperature rating to about 30 or 40 below zero F
	- large enough to comfortably accomodate liner socks and insulating socks
	- thin liner socks
	- vapor barrier socks or bread bags over liner socks are helpful 
	for keeping insulating layers dry
	- insulating socks - I find that socks made from synthetics keep me warmer for longer
~ Head gear
	- balaclava - or hat and scarf - face mask
	- wide brim hat can be helpful for head / shoulders protection if it is snowing
~ Hand protection
	- liner gloves for handling cameras (Thermax or Outlast material is warmer than polypro)
	- well insulated gloves - or
	- mittens preferable - fleece liners with gore-tex or nylon overmitts
~ Hand Warmer packets
	- great for both gloves and boots to help keep extremities comfortable
~ Snowshoes / ski poles (if you have them)
	- (we have some available for loan)
~ My winter clothes consist of ALL synthetics
	- I have found that the combination of synthetic long johns / fleece jacket, pants / 
	gore-tex parka and bibs is the most versatile and warmest combination I have used. 
	I no longer use wool for any of my clothing layers.
~ Extra Camera Equipment
	- extra batteries
	- plastic bags / or good camera bags - to put equipment in before going indoors
	to keep condensation from forming on / in cold camera equipment

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