Camera gear that I ACTUALLY use
If you are an avid watcher of YouTube and gear related content, then I am sure you will have been bombarded with gift guides left, right and centre, so I thought that I too would cash in on those affiliate links and also do one … I have focused on the gear that I use, that helps me to make my photos and videos, in the hopes that maybe one or two of them will also be useful to you.
1: Neewer Magnetic Cold Shoe Mount for Action 5 AC012 Currently on sale for £19.69
This is a really handy mount that fits on top of your camera in the cold shoe … obviously, it being a cold shoe mount and all, and I use this in pretty much all of my videos when out with my camera, to fit my DJI Osmo 5 on top of my Sony A7iv, to get a down the barrel, POV style shot.
This is great as a solo content creator, as it means that I can focus more on getting my images, rather than faffing around trying to set up my camera and completely miss what it was I was trying to take an image of.
Now I did have a cheapy plasticky one to start with, and that one actually broke, so I replaced it with this Neewer option, as it is completely made of metal, baring the clips that hold the Osmo in place. It is really sturdy, and I have no qualms as to the longevity of this handy little mount.
Get in on Amazon.
2: Ulanzi Magnetic Quick Release Mount £19.95
Yes, it is another quick release mount, but this time it is specifically for the Insta360 360 cameras. I originally got this one for my X3, as that solely had a ¼” screw mount and swapping it between mounts was very slow.
The Ulanzi, works by screwing into that ¼” mount and then the magnetic base can be clipped in to the rest of the mount. What I didn’t realise at the time I purchased it, was that the baseplate for the Ulanzi is also compatible with the DJI mounts. Now I have the Osmo 5, I can quickly and easily swap both cameras between the mounts.
My X3 met its end in the summer, due to an unfortunately timed mount break (the bolt in the stick sheared off!) during some MTB filming for Tim’s bike park, so I decided to upgrade to the X5. Now this one does have extra mounting options built in, but these are not compatible with the DJI mounts, so I am still using the Ulanzi baseplate on this camera.
Get it on Amazon.
Bit of an odd one to have on this list, I know, but the 1/4” – 3/8” spigot has come in handy. I originally got them to replace an old, worn out one in one of my tripods, but I have recently been using them as an extra mounting point for my Insta360 X5, via the base of the tripod foot on my Sony 200-600 mm lens.
This allows me to have the camera mounted further away from my face, than the cold shoe mount, giving me a better view point for reframing my videos. Having the camera off of the cold shoe also means I can keep my cap on in the correct orientation, which is a small thing, I know, but it means I don’t end up having to faff around with it.
Get it on Amazon or at WEX Photo Video.
4: Vanguard Alta BCS Small currently £9.60
Now, I have had this little pouch for years to carry around my spare batteries. I like to have 3 batteries, one in the camera and 2 spares, so this little pouch is ideal. There is also a zipped pocket on the inside and an extra pocket on the back of the pouch.
The BCS, doesn’t take up much room, so I can easily squish it into my bag, or carry it in my coat without it taking up too much space.
Get it on Amazon or at WEX Photo Video
5: My 2026 British Wildlife + 1 Cow Calendar £12 + postage
Perfect for knowing what day of the month it is, and helping you to schedule in your photography outings! You get a new image to look at each month and for all you camera nerds, the settings for each image is included on each page….
Now I know that this is a bit of a joke option, and I know that I am bias, but these calendars do mean a lot to me, and they are really good quality. I worked with Johnson’s Calendars to get the calendar made professionally, and the only thing that would make me happier is to sell them all 😂
Get them here!
6: Wildlife Watching Supplies Waterproof Camera Cover C80R (C80.2.5R) £57
If you live in the UK then you already know, but if not, then the UK is a rather damp place to live so keeping my camera and lenses dry in the deluge of rain we can get, is essential. While I know that most cameras now are weather sealed, I don’t really know to what extent, so would rather throw on this cover than have to go through my insurance to get a repair/replacement as I let my camera get too wet.
My go-to option is the C80R from Wildlife Watching Supplies. They are a small company based in my home county of Devon (I grew up in the next town over), making these, and other accessories.
The one I have is the C80R, well specifically the C80.2.5R which is compatible with the Sony 200-600mm lens (there is information on the website as to what option is compatible with what lenses). This is a two layered, reversible waterproof cover with an elastic end to fit snug on your lens, draw string closure and a Velcro bit to mould around the tripod foot of your lens. Mine is in the Realtree Edge option, as I liked this one the best, but there are others to choose from. You can also get the cover in an all seasons option, which has 4 layers of fabric to help with insulation and noise reduction.
Get them direct or at WEX Photo Video. (Affliate link for Wex only)
7: Highlander Folding Seat £19.99
Lightweight and waterproof folding seat, keeps your butt warm and dry, what more could you want? I love this seat, and on the times I haven’t brought it out with me, I wish I had. You can use it sitting on the floor, or on a bench/in a hide for some extra insulation and padding.
Get it on Amazon.
8: DJI Mic 2 – 1TX + 1 RX version currently £109
As I make videos, I want to have the best quality audio possible, well without breaking the bank. I used the original DJI Mic’s for a while (and still have them), but after getting the Osmo 5 I decided to upgrade to the version 2’s as these were wirelessly compatible with each other, making my life easier as I didn’t need to remember to record straight onto the mic, or worry about trying to sync my audio in post.
The set I went for was the 1TX and 1RX option, so that I could use the mics with my main camera, as well as attaching them into my PC and using them with that. There is also the option for just the mic, and the full kit with the 2 mics and the charging case. As it is just me for 95% of my videos, I don’t feel that I need the extra expense of the full set, though I can purchase the extras at a later date should I need to.
Get it on Amazon or WEX Photo Video.
9: DJI Osmo Action 5 PRO currently £248
I have had the Osmo Action 5 Pro for over a year now, and it is my main camera when filming my wildlife videos. I was using the GoPro hero 9 to start with, but this was slowly commandeered from me by Tim to use on the sailing videos, and it was starting to show its age (mostly with the terrible battery life), so I opted for the Osmo Action 5.
It being an action camera, it is really rugged, which is ideal for me as I have dropped it on more than one occasion, and it has been absolutely fine. The video quality out of the camera is brilliant (I film using 10bit D-Log M) and as I said previously, it is compatible with the DJI mic 2, so I don’t need to worry about audio syncing. The battery life on this is great and for the most part, I can film with just one battery. (even though I did purchase the creator bundle which has the 2 additional batteries).
Get it on Amazon or at WEX Photo Video.
10. Insta360 X5 currently £479.99
I got myself the X5 at the end of August, due to the demise of my X3 (it breaking was an excellent excuse to upgrade). The X5 has a big bump in quality and also has user replaceable lenses, which is a massive bonus, and I would recommend anyone getting a 360 camera to not bother with one where you can’t replace the lenses yourself.
The X5 was the main camera I used when filming my recent trip on the Isle of Mull, as it allows been to record and forget, so I can focus on taking my images and videos with my main camera and then reframe my footage in post. You can also get multiple angles from one clip, which is also a great time saver when out in the field.
Another feature I love on the X5, is that you can connect a wireless microphone to it, so my DJI Mic 2’s are also compatible with this camera as well! 🎉🎉
Get it on Amazon or at Wex Photo Video.
11. Shimoda Action X25 with the new core unit the L25 RST Army Green
To carry all my gear around, I have been using the Shimoda Action X25. They reached out to me back in the spring asking if I would be interested in one, and since it arrived, I have been solely using this (and have sold my Backlight 26L I was using).
I have been using the bag with the new L25 RST core, which was released this year and allows you to fit the Sony 200-600 lens mounted to your camera, in the bag. Now the L25 core, fills the majority of the main compartment of the bag, but I am still able to fit in some other bits n’ bobs (mostly food, allllll the food), even when the bag is fully loaded with all my gear (Sony A7iv and my 3 lenses 200-600, 70-200 and 24-70)
A big bonus for us ladies, is that Shimoda make ladies fit shoulder straps! There are 3 strap options for ladies, the tactical strap (my favourite), the simple strap and the petite strap and for you fellas, then from what I can see, you get the technical strap (which is the best). My preference is for the technical strap, as it has extra pockets on them, which is great for holding my phone and other small bits.
There is also a lot of adjustment bag side, with a S, M and L attachment point for the shoulder straps. I reach the whopping peaks of 5ft 3” (163 cm), so have mine set to the smallest option, but for those of you who are not vertically challenged, then the added adjustment points make it so this bag will still fit you.
The Action X line of bags also comes in a 30, 40 and 50L option for those of you with all the gear, or who need extra space for storing personal items.
Get it on Amazon or at WEX Photo Video.
So that is going to be it for my 2025 gear guide, I hope that there was something in there that could be useful to you and your own photography and video making.
Obviously, the links above are affiliate links, where I earn a small amount of commission from each sale at no additional costs to yourself, and it is a great way to help support small creators like myself.