The gear I use
August 1, 2023 2025-02-24 14:56The gear I use
My 2025 Photography and Video Gear List
Below is an up-to-date list of the equipment I regularly use for photography and video projects.
For full transparency, I am a Platypod Pro, and some of the Platypod gear featured here was provided by them. However, I only use equipment that meets my professional standards and serves its purpose effectively.
Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links, directing you to Amazon or MPB. Purchasing through these links won’t cost you any extra, but I may earn a small commission if you choose to buy—this helps support my work. If a product is no longer available due to age, I will link to the most suitable updated version.
Thank you for your support!
Main Gear for macro photography
I am now working in cooperation with OM System, having transitioned from Canon in 2023. I chose OM System cameras primarily for their advanced focus bracketing and stacking features, which are essential for my macro photography work. Additional advantages include the sensor size, providing a magnification boost, and a lightweight setup that is perfect for both studio and field photography.
The main camera I use for most of my macro work.
(On loan from OM System)
This lens offers 2:1 magnification with exceptional sharpness, built-in image stabilization, and weather-sealed construction, making it ideal for high-detail macro photography.
One of the best and most powerful flashes I’ve used for macro photography.
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.
Used as a B camera but I’m using it a lot more for all my outdoor videos.
A great mono pod to place the Pocket 3 onto for hands free filming.
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!
One of the best macro lenses for iPhones with great working distance.
Save 15% using code: STEWART15
A very nice wood finish case.
Save 15% using code: STEWART15
A great little RGB LED pannel.
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.
A great headset for music and editing.
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, LG monitor is a great match for my MacBook Pro ads a secondary monitor.
A great little device for help with image and video editing!