A Mirrorless Kit for Professional Editorial Work

Even though the original attraction to mirrorless cameras was their high nimbleosity rating, over time, that's evolved into all around photographic capability. I have a few editorial assignments on the horizon, and I'm packing my Lowepro bag for these jobs. I thought you might be interested to see what's inside.

Olympus OM-D E-M1 - when it comes to professional work, this is the most capable mirrorless body in my arsenal. It is rugged, light, and very sophisticated.

Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm f/2.8 zoom lens - this is my workhorse optic. I can shoot indoors existing light or outdoors in full sun. It's optically exquisite, fast, and solid. (A highly capable alternative is the Olympus PRO 12-40mm f/2.8 zoom.)

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 75mm f/1.8 lens - this is the optic I reach for when I need a portrait with a soft background. At f/1.8, it is incredibly sharp where I focus, and creamy soft everywhere else.

Olympus 9mm Fisheye body cap lens - I love having a fisheye in my kit, and this little gem hardly takes up any room. The pictures it produces, however, are grand indeed.

Olympus 60mm Macro f/2.8 lens - not only does this prime optic bridge the gap between my 12-35mm zoom and 75mm portrait lens, but it has outstanding 1:1 close-up capability. The 60mm is very handy when you have to get really close.

Fujifilm X20 compact camera - I like the X20 as my back-up camera because it has a silent mode (thanks to its leaf shutter) that's perfect for street shooting, ceremonies, and other locations where going unnoticed is important. Plus it includes an optical viewfinder, film simulation modes, and great image quality. (As an alternative backup, the Panasonic GX7 or petite GM1 have electronic shutter options and can shoot silently. And they accept these lenses.)

Lowepro Urban Reporter 150 - I've modified the interior of this bag to accommodate this kit, plus a flash and my iPad mini. It looks professional, yet is discreet. Great bag for city assignments.

I'll usually pack the MeFOTO DayTrip tripod in my suitcase during flight. But it will fit in the Urban Reporter if I need to bring it out on location. That means, of course, I would have to leave another piece of equipment back in the hotel.

With this kit, I can photograph just about any editorial assignment that comes my way. Yet, it's very nimble, and quite honestly, a joy to use.