top of page
Costa Rica Camera Gear
I would always recommend that you prioritise your budget on travel experiences rather than the latest camera tech, but there is certain photographic gear that will help you get the most out of the trip. We will be doing a mixture of wildlife, macro and landscape photography.
NOTE: I'm a Canon user, so you'll notice a bias towards this brand. However, most major manufacturers produce equivalent, or similar, lenses to the ones suggested below.
Canon R5 MarkII
Superb for wildlife photography, the R5 MkII has a 45MP back-illuminated stacked sensor for blackout-free shooting at 30fps with electronic shutter speeds of up to 1/32,000s. With Dual Pixel Intelligent AF, you can track animals even when they are momentarily hidden from view. Other useful features include pre-capture, in-body stabilisation and weather sealing.
Nikon Z6II
The Nikon Z6 II is a versatile 24.5 MP full-frame mirrorless camera, featuring dual EXPEED 6 processors for faster performance, 4K 60p video, 14 fps burst shooting, and improved, faster autofocus. It boasts dual card slots (CFexpress/XQD and SD), a 5-axis VR image sensor, and a robust, weather-sealed body, making it an excellent all-around hybrid for stills and video.
Sony Alpha 7R V
The Sony a7R V is a 61MP high-resolution full-frame mirrorless camera that introduces advanced AI-based autofocus, 8K 24p/4K 60p video, and 8-stop in-body image stabilisation. It features a 4-axis multi-angle monitor, improved 9.44m-dot EVF, and dual CFexpress Type A/SD slots, making it a powerful, well-rounded professional hybrid camera.
Canon R7
The Canon EOS R7 is a high-performance, compact APS-C mirrorless camera with a 32.5MP 1.6x crop sensor, ideal for obtaining 'extra reach' when using telephoto lenses for wildlife photography. It features 7-stop IBIS, 30fps electronic shooting, 4K/60p video and fast autofocusing with subject tracking. The R7 MkII is expected to be released during 2026.
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Highly regarded for its rugged, weather-sealed build, the 5D MkIV is showing its age slightly (the 30MP full-frame DSLR was released in 2016), but the camera's 61-point AF system, 7fps burst shooting and dual card slots (CF/SD) still make it a sound choice for wildlife or landscape photography. Pre-capture (found on newer mirrorless bodies) is not a feature.
Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM
The Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM is a premium, compact L-series super-telephoto zoom lens designed for EOS R-system mirrorless cameras, ideal for wildlife and travel photography. It offers 5-stop image stabilisation, fast Dual Nano USM autofocus and a 100-500mm range in a 1365g lens. Minimum focusing distance is just 0.9m and the lens works with x1.4 and x2 extenders.
Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
Weighing just 1,355g, the Nikon NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S is a premium S-Line telephoto zoom lens for Nikon Z-mount mirrorless cameras, launched in 2021. It offers exceptional sharpness, 5.5 stops of built-in image stabilisation and effective weather sealing with a fluorine-coated front element. Minimum focusing is 0.75m at 100mm, 0.98m at 400mm.
Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR
Weighing 1,955g, the Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR is a super-telephoto zoom lens designed for Nikon Z-mount mirrorless cameras. Ideal for wildlife and birds, it offers significant reach (up to 600mm), built-in 5.5-stop optical vibration reduction, and a fast internal zoom mechanism. The minimum focus distance is 1.3m at 180mm and 2.4m at 600mm.
Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS
Highly regarded for wildlife (and particularly bird) photography), the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS is a super-telephoto lens for E-mount mirrorless cameras. It offers excellent, consistent sharpness, fast autofocus, and compatibility with 1.4x/2.0x teleconverters to reach up to 1200mm. The lens weighs 2,115g.
Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3
The Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM is a popular, versatile and relatively affordable ultra-telephoto zoom lens, available in both Contemporary (lightweight/portable) and Sports (durable/weather-sealed) versions. The 1,930g lens features optical stabilisation, fast autofocus and provides sharp images with a long 600mm reach.
Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
A premium L-series lens for Canon EOS R-series cameras, the RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro features 1.4x magnification for extreme close-ups, up to 8 stops of image stabilisation and an innovative Spherical Aberration (SA) control ring to adjust bokeh and create soft-focus effects. Dual Nano USM autofocus is fast, smooth and quiet – ideal for photographing insects.
Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S
The best overall macro lens for modern Nikon mirrorless cameras (Z-mount), the Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S is praised for its exceptional sharpness, 1:1 magnification and 4.5-stop image stabilisation. It can focus as close as 0.29m, providing a comfortable working distance of approximately 13.4cm. The lens weighs 630g and robust weather sealing and has a fluorine-coated front element to repel dust and moisture.
Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS
The Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS is widely considered the best all-around macro lens for the Sony system. It is celebrated or its exceptional sharpness and versatile focal length that doubles as a high-quality portrait lens. For photographers seeking even higher performance, the Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro GM OSS is a top-tier G Master option offering 1.4x magnification.
Godox V860III flashgun
The Godox V860III is a powerful, rechargeable lithium-ion TTL speedlite featuring a 1.5s recycle time, 480 full-power flashes, a 2W LED modelling lamp and built-in 2.4G wireless X system (master/slave). It offers 1/8000s HSS, 20-200mm zoom, a quick-release lock and a TTL/Manual switch. Combined with a flash diffuser, it's ideal for macro photography.
Cygnustech macro flash diffuser
The Cygnustech macro flash diffuser is designed to soften the harsh light from a camera flash in close-up photography. Handmade in Australia, it is renowned for producing even illumination and reducing bright hotspots on reflective subjects like insects. Each unit is made-to-order based on camera body, lens and flash being used to ensure optimal light positioning.
Benro tortoise
Carbon fibre leg construction balances strength and reduced weight. Reverse-folding design improves portability. Independent leg angles enhance stability on uneven surfaces, while twist-lock mechanisms enable rapid deployment during professional landscape and wildlife photography requiring dependable support systems.
Manfrotto BeFree
Lightweight aluminium construction enhances portability during travel. Compact folded size improves transport convenience. Lever-lock leg system enables quick setup, while centre column provides adjustable height for stable camera support during long exposures or telephoto shooting applications in professional field environments.
Remote switch
Minimises vibration during long exposures by enabling shutter activation without physical contact. Wired connection ensures reliability, while compact design enhances portability during professional astrophotography applications requiring stable shooting conditions and precise exposure control.
Kase Revolution Magnetic Filters
Magnetic mounting allows rapid filter changes without threading. Optical glass preserves image clarity. Polariser reduces reflections effectively. Neutral density filters provide precise exposure control, while slim profile construction reduces vignetting when used on wide-angle lenses during professional landscape photography applications.
iPhone 15 Pro
Advanced multi-camera system combines wide, ultra-wide and telephoto lenses with sensor-shift stabilisation. ProRAW and ProRes enable high-quality capture and post-production flexibility. Computational photography enhances dynamic range and low-light performance, while LiDAR improves autofocus accuracy.
GoPro with underwater housing
Sealed housing enables waterproof operation at depth. Wide-angle lens captures immersive perspectives. Compact form supports dynamic shooting, while impact-resistant casing enhances durability during aquatic photography applications requiring protection from water and environmental hazards.
Rocket blower
Provides safe, contact-free dust removal from sensors and lenses. Reduces contamination risk during cleaning procedures. One-way valve design prevents reintroducing debris, while compact construction enhances portability during travel and field photography assignments requiring frequent maintenance in dusty environments.
Zeiss microfibre cloth
Non-abrasive fibres safely remove smudges and dust from optics. Maintains surface coatings without scratching. Washable material supports repeated use, while fine weave construction improves cleaning effectiveness during routine maintenance of lenses, filters, and camera screens in demanding shooting environments.
Lowepro Whistler 350
Weather-resistant materials protect equipment from moisture and dust. High-density padding absorbs impact. Removable camera insert enhances flexibility, while harness system improves load distribution during extended carrying periods in challenging outdoor environments requiring reliable protection and organisation.
Lowepro Phototrekker 450
High-capacity internal layout accommodates large camera systems. Adjustable padded dividers enhance protection. All-weather cover improves environmental resistance, while ergonomic harness system distributes weight effectively during extended transport in demanding outdoor shooting conditions requiring substantial equipment storage capability.
bottom of page