The gear I use
Here’s a 2024 list of all the kit I regularly use for Photography and Video.
To be completely transparent, I am a Platypod pro and they supplied the gear I use. That said, I use it because it’s fit for purpose and does exactly what I want it to do!
Oh and just so you know the links below will take you to Amazon or MPB and this means you pay the same price you always would have done but because they’re Affiliate links, they also give me a commission ranging anywhere. In cases where the product is no longer available due to age, I’ll link the updated product.
Thanks for the support.
Main Gear for macro photography
In 2023 I switched systems from Canon to OM Systems. Mostly for the focus bracketing and stacking features of the cameras. Other benefits are the sensor size, giving a magnification boost and lightweight setup.
The main camera I use for most of my macro work.
One of the best macro lenses I’ve used in recent years.
A very good flash that can keep up with my camera while doing focus bracketing.
Light is king in macro photography and this is the diffuser of choice for me. (Save $5 by using code STEWARTWOOD5)
Video gear for YouTube
The Sony ZVE1 is a fantasic full frame camera for creatives, I cant fault the auto focus at all and with 4K 10bit 4:2:2 it’s the best soliution for my YouTube work.
My camera I use for my YouTube work in 2024.
a simple but powerfull budget friendly lens.
Varible ND filters are a must for outdoor filming.
Recording 4K 10bit 4:2:2 requires a very fast SD card.
Mobile macro photography
Sometimes I just want to have fun or sometimes I stop something when I’m out and about without my main gear, in that case, I just use my phone.
Although the phone is great out of the box it does need some help.
I recently upgraded to the iPhone 15 Pro Max… Love it!
I’m currently using the Reeflex macro lenses.
Save 15% using code: STEWART15
A very nice wood finish case.
Save 15% using code: STEWART15
A custom made diffuser, made from a crafty bells bonnet diffuser.
The perfect grip for my iPhone 15 Pro Max
The elbow is great for holding all sorts of accessories
A great accessory for my the field insect photography.
This is a work in progress hacked together from spare diffuser material.
Other gear I use
Some gear I use with all the setups, this gear just helps out a little more.
If I need a quick boost to magnification, this clip-on lens is a great choice.
Another alternative I’ve been testing to increse magnification.
From time to time I do require the use of a tripod, this is my tripod of choice.
The perfect ballhead for my work, I love this ballhead.
Mobile macro studio setup
Although I do now prefer to photograph my subjects as I find them, sometimes this is not possible. For this reason, I have developed an indoor and outdoor mobile macro studio.
This mobile studio is great for insect photography and I use it a lot when I want to create something more artistic than a standard macro shot.
A great tripod for when you need it, strong and steady.
The tripoad heasdt goes ontop of the platypod extreme or handle.
The Platypod extreme is a great choice for desktop setups.
One of my favourite accessories from Platypod.
I use the elbow to place a background texture.
The clamp is used to hold the background texture and subject.
The Platypod disc is a quick and easy way to place a subject onto the Platypod extreme or handle.
The textures I use in most of my macro photography.
Desktop setup
Cameras and lenses are only 50% of the setup for a macro photographer, the rest is the editing hardware.
I’ve had intel, AMD and MAC… Windows and IOS,
This is my current setup and quite possibly the best hardware I’ve had as a creative.
One of the best computers I have used for creative work, love apple or hate them, it just works!
This monitor is great for video editing. The amount of desktop space it offers is great for creatives like myself.
with all the footage I record I need a good editing drive, this does the job great.
There are better options but I’m sticking with this headset for now.
When the edit requires detailed touch-ups, this is what I use.
Being able to “draw” is a must-have for complicated retouching and editing.
Does what it says on the tin, a wireless keyboard makes for a neat and tidy desk… plus a finger print reader.
I have the keyboard so the mouse was a no brainer. again, wireless so no cables at all.
4 X Western Digital 8TB HDD’s and two 500GB SSD, this Synology 920+ NAS is perfect for storing all my work.
This setup was kindly supplied by Synology and Western Digital.
A good monitor is a must, this hardware-calibrated monitor is a great match for my MacBook Pro.
A great little device for help with image and video editing!
