Gear plays an important part in photography. More important than many would admit and far less important than the rest believe. The simple fact is that without a camera, there is no photograph. Without a lens, a camera is just a box with a hole in it. And without a reason, the photographer is just a brute with an axe. I’ve chosen to continue what I believe to be the best medium for discussion on stills and that is the article format. I don’t believe video formats such as YouTube (certainly not TikTok or Reels) efficient at delivering what an article does. With still imagery there is a sense of timelessness, one can leave an image and return to it. Video doesn't grant you that — it takes the fundamental advantage of a still image, and puts it in an algorithmic constraint; under a minute, under five, or fifteen with three adverts. There is no room for the image, or the lesson, to breathe. With my departure from Fujifilm (in favour of Sony) continuing an editorial presence would be false. Whilst I have assured my editor at FUJILOVE that I do have a back catalogue, and if they need an article in a pinch I am able to deliver, it isn’t reflective of my current output. It remains largely unsaid but the decision is respected by both parties. DRobertsPhoto builds for the archive, but it does not live in it. I pride myself on being contemporary first and foremost. Greg Girard did this in the Eighties, Stuart Isett in the Nineties, Patrick Brown in the Noughties, my place is firmly standing here today and pointing my camera towards tomorrow. As such, these articles may be gear based and closer to my editorial contributions, but they come from a single defined space. These are not a continuation of my Field-Tested Reviews or reviews in any sense, but as the title suggests it is “gear talk.” I’m not offering generalities, this is what I use, what works for me, and why I chose it. I hope you enjoy and I hope you take advantage of the format to experiment and return.

It is also of note that any brand affiliation is highlighted in my About, prior affiliations have largely been discarded in favour of independence. I am not a believer that the industry should dictate the market, but the artist use should dictate the tools manufacture. I am especially proud of my affiliation with Angelbird Technologies (through my Discover Temples of Thailand Project), whom many trust as an OE manufacturer for their proprietary media including RED Digital.

My Relationship With Gear

One Year, One Lens, One Camera

Equipping DRobertsPhoto: 2026

Coming Soon: Cameras, Lenses, Workstation and Workflow used by DRobertsPhoto on Discover Temples of Thailand and in preparation for Japan expansion.

With the prevalence of influencer content and YouTube for YouTube’s sake becoming the norm, it has become increasingly difficult to find those willing to share the process of creating outside of the mandated “YouTube or Instagram Hype.” it is getting increasingly difficult to identify sales content, advertisement, and hyperbole as the facade of personability is used by major influencers. Gear Talk is the ethical counterpoint to this conversation, what it takes for the expansion of an individual into a market dominated by institutions when the need for equipment is primary in use, but secondary within the funding cycles needed for long-form documentary projects. These choices are made and validated in real-time.