What's in My Camera Bag and How I Use It

Everything in my bag has to earn its place. These are the cameras, lenses, lights and support I carry, and how I actually use each one on real jobs, from live music and reportage to portraits, headshots and food.

Two Nikon Z8 bodies

On most jobs I dual wield both cameras, so I never stop to change lenses. On tethered jobs I only use one. Recently I have been running Headshot Sessions with one Z8 tethered, while the other is there for the very rare moment I am shooting video.

Right now the Z8 is the best piece of kit I have had in years. Before it I used the Nikon Z6 II, which was amazing, but it lacked the jump I wanted from a camera after eight years with the Fuji XH1. Why I carry two bodies.

Nikon Z 24-70mm: the workhorse

As it is for most people, the 24-70 is my main workhorse. There is not a job where it does not come out: music, reportage, portraits and my secret life as a food photographer. It is on every shoot, every job.

Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G VR II

This is my journalism and music lens for when I need distance. It does not really come out for portraits or food, because that is not what I need in most cases. On the Z8 it sometimes feels like a 300mm, because I can crop in so intensely.

Nikon AF-S 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G

My long distance weapon, mainly for events where reach is everything. The last time it came out was actually to photograph the full moon this October. I rarely do it, but the fact that I can get so stupidly close is fascinating. How it performs on Z.

Viltrox 16mm: the unique one

I use it when I want to get more in the frame or play with different angles in portraits. A lot of people do not like using wide lenses on people, but I really love how it works.

Nikon Z 50mm f/1.8

My least used lens, but a great backup when I need more light than the 24-70 can give. It mainly comes out at festivals at night.

Godox AD300 Pro with the Magnum reflector

The AD300 is my main light, and it is always attached to a Magnum reflector. It is a workhorse of a flash: big and powerful enough for any job, but small enough to fit in my hard case, unlike its bigger 400 and 600 companions. You will generally see me use it for portrait and food work, never on music unless I am doing press images, and sometimes at step-and-repeats for theatre and film releases.

Godox V1 Pro

My main speedlight, and the only one I use. They are really good, really reliable, and I appreciate being able to charge the battery directly.

The PixaPro Magnum reflector

My main modifier, and I do not know anyone else who uses it the way I do: outside, like a madman, carrying it over my shoulder. Occasionally you will see it strapped to my hard case, where it makes the world's worst noise, but realistically that is the only way to move it without a massive case. People look at you like you are mad, and I am mad enough to use it instead of a softbox.

I do not want soft light in my work by default. Softness can come from distance, but I like trying to mimic the sun. Why I carry it around London.

SmallRig 5565 monopod

Great for height, or for low-level control in a scene. It usually comes out at events like Crufts or protests, and its last outing was a festival, where it got me wide images of fans enjoying themselves. The full field test.

Manfrotto Pro Light Tough TH-83 hard case

Most people get Pelican cases. I wanted something people would not instantly recognise as a photographer's hard case, and to most everyday people Manfrotto is not a known brand. It was also cheaper at the time.

What I did not know is that the TH-83 has side hooks for Manfrotto's various holders, which means if I am smart enough, I can make my own attachments. It comes everywhere with me: a hard case, an apple box, and a seat when I am not bringing a stand. It also came with a stand attachment for free. It is not amazing, but it does the job, and it means I can hold the Magnum reflector on the case, though, like before, it makes the world's worst rattle. Why you need a hard case.

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Frequently asked questions

What camera does Metty Unuabona use?

Two Nikon Z8 bodies, usually used together on a job so lenses never need changing.

Which lens does he use most?

The Nikon Z 24-70mm. It comes out on every job, from music and reportage to portraits and food.

Why use a Magnum reflector instead of a softbox?

Soft light is not the default in his work. The Magnum reflector gives hard light that mimics the sun, and softness can still come from distance.

What hard case does he use?

A Manfrotto Pro Light Tough TH-83, which also works as an apple box and a seat.

What's in My Camera Bag: How I Use Each Piece of Kit