I’m sometimes asked about the equipment used for my photography and in particular, capturing bird images.

Listed below is the kit I normally use, however depending on what I intend to photograph and if I know the location, I don’t usually take all of this with me.

For static birds I generally use the Sigma 500mm lens together with the Kenko x1.4 teleconverter mounted on a tripod  if possible .

 When it comes to birds in flight, I try and use either the Sigma 500mm without the converter or preferably the Canon 100-400mm L lens.

Generally, insect images are taken handheld with the Canon 100mm L macro lens.

The Canon 40D was my first DSLR camera but since buying the Canon 7D in late 2009 it has become my back-up camera body.

Canon 7D DSLR

Canon 40D DSLR

Sigma 500mm f4.5 telephoto lens

Canon 100-400 L f4.5-5.6 zoom lens

Canon 100mm L f2.8 macro lens

Kenko x1.4 Pro 300 teleconverter

Kenko AF extension tubes

Manfrotto 055CX3 carbon fiber tripod with a Wimberley Mk II gimbal head

Canon Speedlite 430EX II flashgun

Kirk flash X-tender 

Sigma Macro EM-140 DG ring flash