Some of my favorite cameras, gadgets and goodies (that I really use)

I have a lot of passions – photography. Storm chasing. Writing. Travel. And all of them require gear. I thought I’d gather some of my favorites in one place. These are all items I use and enjoy.

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Photography

Nikon Z8 and lenses

Mirrorless camera: I’ve owned many Nikon cameras over the years, and I finally made the transition to a mirrorless system in 2024. I still have DSLRs, but most of my work these days is accomplished with the Nikon Z8 full-frame mirrorless camera for stills and video. There are so many technical aspects to this camera that you can explore at length on other sites. I’ll just give you the basics: It makes gorgeous pictures even in very low light, and the new Z lenses are extraordinary. I mean, let’s face it – all professional cameras can take good pictures, and you can salivate over technical details and pixel-peep at your blown-up images all day long. What this comes down to is a sharp, versatile camera with so many features, I took a short course to familiarize myself with them all! I have yet to use all of its functionality, but that gives you an idea of just how much it can do. I still think it’s better at stills than video, but the video quality is beautiful, too. (Video also eats up battery life a lot faster than shooting stills, so make sure you have extra batteries and consider a quality charger; the two-battery charger I bought doesn’t seem to be around anymore, but I’ve had good luck with the Wasabi brand.)

Lenses: I’m so invested in old Nikon F-mount lenses that I got the Nikon FTZ II Lens Mount Adapter for Z Series Cameras so that I could use all of them with the Z-mount Z8. One issue I had was that I was moving from DX (crop sensor) cameras like the D500 to the full-frame Z8, so using the adapter with these means you’re using less of the Z8 sensor. But you’re still getting amazing high-resolution images. It was worth it for me, because it will take me some time to build up a library of Z lenses, unless I win the lottery.

That said, I have a couple of the top-of-the-line Z “S” lenses, and I can recommend them wholeheartedly. The first one I got was the NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S lens. For storm chasing skyscapes, I’m always going for the wide-angle shot, and this was a must-have replacement for my old F-mount 12-24mm. A year later, I picked up the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S, wondering if I should have jumped to a larger zoom for my second Z lens. It turned out to be a fantastic choice. I ended up keeping this on the camera for much of my storm-chasing trip in 2025, switching to wide for the dramatic shots when I was up close and personal with supercells. I could see using this as the “one lens” for casual travel.

Speaking of which, as I plan a photography-heavy trip, I’ll be bringing multiple lenses but wanted at least one that was lightweight for kicking around the city before I get out into nature. So I picked up the relatively inexpensive NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 prime lens. Call it a substitute for a “nifty fifty” or just a small-form-factor fast lens, but it’s light, packable, and has beautiful bokeh and almost an old-fashioned film look. Oh, believe, me, I have more and bigger lenses on my wish list, but these all make for a great kit. For now.

Filters: I’ve adopted the Kase Wolverine stackable magnetic filter system for my two “S” lenses, starting with the magnetic mount (which was included with the single filters I purchased) and the UV filter for protection (112mm for the 12-24mm lens and 82mm for the 24-70mm, and a polarizing filter (112mm or 82mm) for those crisp blue skies and saturated rainbows.

Pros: Magnetic filters are fairly easy to get on and off (and rotate, in the case of the polarizing filters).
Cons: It’s possible to knock one off if you are a klutz, as I am – let’s just say I retrieved the one I knocked off in a cow pasture, and it was fine.
Pro or con? The 82mm magnetic lens cap I just got for the 24-70mm has such a strong connection, it takes off the filter with it when I remove it. But it’s not coming off by accident! I’m trying to decide if its strength is a good or bad thing. Another pro: that 82mm for the 24-70mm UV filter also has a thread that allows me to screw on conventional filters – like the super fun, inexpensive star filters in the K&F Concept 82mm Star Filters Kit, available in multiple sizes.

Hoods: For the 12-24mm, I’m using the NiSi Lens Hood for Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S. It’s kinda huge in the camera bag but effective in allowing me easy access to the magnetic filters. On the other end of the size scale, I got the neat little Haoge Metal Lens Hood for the 40mm lens – it’s sturdy, small and, bonus, cheap!

The hood for the 24-70mm isn’t small, and that’s fine if you’re not trying to pack tightly – which I am sometimes. So I got an alternative cheap, small hood: the SIOTI 82mm Wide Angle Vented aluminum hood. It may not provide as much protection, but it’s sturdy, threads easily onto the lens, AND it has threads to add a filter on top of it. These filter threads were more fiddly, and while the UV filter I added seemed secure (after I worked at it), removal might be more difficult. Since I’m using the Kase UV filter, which is magnetic has its own filter threads, I have more options for adding magnetic or traditional filters. This short hood also gives me easier access to the super-strong magnetic Kase lens cap, which is not easily disengaged. This setup gave me slight vignetting in the corners at 14mm. Your mileage may vary.

Think Tank Photo Mirrorless Mover Camera Backpack

Camera bag: I have gone through so many bags for camera gear. I have one huge, heavy backpack that’s fine for the car, but I wouldn’t want to carry it around. So I looked for something a little smaller – and waterproof – and found the Think Tank Photo Mirrorless Mover Camera Backpack for airline travel. On a recent flight, it fit under the airline seat in front of me (though it didn’t leave a lot of room for my feet). I can carry my Z8 camera body, the three lenses mentioned above, filters, a couple of GoPros, the included rain cover, cards, and a few more gadgets in the main compartment. (Which leaves room for nothing else in the main compartment.)

It also has a laptop sleeve that fits my iPad Pro or my 14-inch Macbook Pro. This sleeve is tucked within a zipped outer pocket (covered with a magnet-secured flap) that has a small zippered pocket at the top as well as a slightly bigger, deeper area for a few small items alongside the laptop sleeve – like this flat passport wallet with an AirTag slot or anything that might fit in a small purse. My only quibble with this pocket is that it really is flat (this is why the bag is svelte) and has zero stretch. There’s no sticking a light jacket in here or anything with bulk. When the main compartment or the little zipper compartment is totally packed, it’s literally difficult to reach into the bottom of this pocket and extract anything. Even if you pack lighter than I do, the padding and structure of the bag probably won’t make this pocket any more flexible.

There are two folding pockets on either side of the bag that, when empty, are secured flat with hook-and-loop fasteners. They each can hold a small tripod (there’s a strap on each to secure it) or a water bottle if it’s not too big. I liked the padded straps, too, though a fully packed bag is still a big heavy.

Other than the very flat pocket mentioned above, the only thing I really didn’t like was the zipper pulls. They’re small, with thin, uncomfortable cords that are hard to get ahold of. I made my own with paracord and chunky glow-in-the-dark beads, making the pockets much easier to open. Overall, this is going to be a very handy bag for my next plane trip.

Tripods: Where do I start? I’ve heavily invested in Manfrotto tripods over the years, but I’m finding more and more Arca-Swiss heads on the light gear I’ve been browsing lately. You can’t even find a bunch of the Manfrottos I have. Yeah, I’ve been doing this for a while. But I love them. So there’s that.

For now I’ll just mention a really neat portable tripod I have – the SIRUI Lightweight Carbon Fiber Mini Travel Tripod with Two-Section Center Column. It comes in multiple configurations, but this is the one I got. It will easily fit in a suitcase. It’s fairly light but sturdy and will support my Nikon – but for best stability with this heavier camera, it seemed wise to open the legs to a wider stance. (In fact, the legs can open all the way flat.) For a GoPro, it’s perfect. The legs open and lock easily. I rigged the post with an inexpensive small ball head and a Manfrotto quick-release adapter/plate I had on hand. Conveniently, you can open the top piece and choose which end of the screw goes up – 1/4-inch or 3/8-inch – so you can easily add a head of your choice. The legs come with rubber feet or optional metal spikes. The fact that this particular configuration comes in two pieces makes it easier to carry; it folds up tightly because there’s no center column on the tripod to stow. Both pieces fit in the included bag, which I can stuff in an outside pocket of my Think Tank Mirrorless Mover Backpack. And you can always use the stick as a short monopod with the proper head on it. SHORT is the operative word here; the whole kit extends almost to 26″ tall. This would be a great tabletop tripod. But it’s also fine for outdoors if you don’t mind getting a lower angle on your subject. I mostly use it to shoot the sky with a GoPro for time-lapses. This was a reasonably priced piece of gear that’s perfect for travel or tooling around town.

Gadgets

VisionOwl portable monitor

This VisionOwl 15.6-inch 1080p Portable Monitor is great for adding screen space to your mobile setup (or—the reason I first bought it—adding an inexpensive monitor to a MacBook with a broken screen). It comes with most if not all of the cables you might need: HDMI; USB-C to USB-C; and USB-A to USB-C, along with a power adapter and a magnetic cover. There are different ways to configure the power, via the included brick or via your computer with the USB-C cable. You may be able to power your laptop from the plugged-in monitor as well. Register the warranty to get a free accessory; I have the travel case and the folding metal stand, both quality items. The magnetic case that comes with it doubles as a stand, but the metal one lifts up the monitor and is handy if you’re using it as a second screen. When I first got my monitor, I propped it over my broken laptop screen – it was light enough to do so. When I got a new laptop, the VisionOwl made a nice second monitor, handy for photo or video work when I need more screen space. Even in the soft travel case accessory, it fits in my backpack. The high-definition 1080p resolution isn’t “Retina” level, but I don’t need that kind of resolution all the time. It’s great.

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Querkywriter keyboard

The Querkywriter typewriter-inspired keyboard is something I use every single day. It LOOKS like a typewriter and has a satisfying “clacky” sound and feel, though it’s not as noisy as real vintage typewriters. It has just enough tactile action and sound for satisfaction. The metal bar on the left can actually be used as a carriage return, though I default to the enter button. It’s fully functional with my Mac, though you have to learn that a couple of the keys don’t look quite like the Apple keys do. Easy-peasy. Use it via Bluetooth or wired. I keep it wired to avoid having to recharge the battery. Yes, it’s portable and can be paired with up to three devices, but it has some heft that makes it less than friendly for carrying around (though they do offer a groovy vintage-style carrying case now).

Get the keyboard on Amazon

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