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My Favorite Tech Gear: Hardware and Software Picks
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items Here are the cameras, phones, tech accessories, and software that check all the right boxes for a creative who's worked in the tech industry for many years.
Note: This list may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission (at...
Sections
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Hardware
Software
Hardware
I like anonymity and the ability to go off-the-grid. Who knew that I would be so dependent on geek chic, some that keep me connected (more or less) 24/7?
One doesn't think of power backups as being a particularly glamorous piece of tech gear – until surge arrests and the costly loss of important data, happen, of course. My votes still go to APC in this important industry (sorry Schneider Electric).
APC Surge Protection Devices
As a long-term user of Android phones who's has the opportunity to make the switchover to iOS, I'm quite happy with the iPhone 15. I've found it and the preloaded Apple apps (particularly Apple Fit and Apple Health, which I use every day), to be a lo...
Apple iPhone 15
I've been a big fan of Bang & Olufsen ever since they partnered with ASUS to put their Icepower speakers (with room-filling audio!) in ZenBooks so many years ago.
Bang & Olufsen Speakers
The Canon EOS 6D and its successors are my favorite digital cameras (yes, I'm old school – I still prefer full-frame DSLRs 😉). Nice weight, good grip, logical placement of buttons, and sturdy construction (and shoots well, too). I am the rebel holdo...
Canon EOS 6D (Family)
A macro lens is indispensable for super closeup work, and Canon's offerings have never disappointed me. My 100mm f/2.8 macro lens is a workhorse that continues to serve me well for many years.
Canon Macro Lenses
Canon brand batteries need Canon brand battery chargers. That's a non-negotiable for me.
Canon Camera Battery Chargers
Canon cameras need Canon brand batteries. I say this from both firsthand and secondhand impressions. The OEMs just don't hold the same charge (that goes for Nikons, too).
Canon Camera Battery Packs & Battery Grips
Although I tend to shoot in the great outdoors using natural light (and with very little setup), Canon Speedlites are still my go-to for external flashes. I've never considered any other brands!
Canon External Camera Flashes
My favorite for inkjet and every day printing needs. My Epson Artisan inkjet MFP is still goin' strong after more than 10 years!
Epson Inkjet Printers
The coolest audio dock / conferencing tool with AI recording, transcription, and summary that I've ever had the pleasure of using! Wonderful for home and office, and the sound amplification is amazing for such a small device! Includes a wireless earp...
HiDock H1
I find Logitech mice to be very well suited to my work and the size of my hand. They're pretty too; the availability of cool designer models are the cherries on top!
Logitech Mice
You can't go wrong with Lowepros. Take it from me when I say that they last for years (not even a torn stitch), and come in all sizes (even for those of us who like to lug around their long lenses 😉).
LowePro Camera Bags & Backpacks
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Initially, I was looking for a SwissGear backpack to haul around my telephoto lens-outfitted camera in – but after learning that SwissGear was out of stock, I discovered NatGeo backpacks as the replacement. Mine is amazing, and has been built to last...
NatGeo Camera Bags & Backpacks
Because I don't live on my iPhone 15, Panasonic cordless phones are great for working or moving around the house (or in the backyard!) Well-built, with a nice responsive feel to the buttons; large screens; big fonts; and ease of use (I don't have to ...
Panasonic Cordless Phones
These were *the* notebooks that I looked forward to putting through their paces when they premiered in the mid-1990s. Build quality was superb (and it had to be). Not only were ToughBooks spec'ed differently from other business notebooks, they looked...
Learn more about them at connect.na.panasonic.com/toughbook/rugged-laptops-tablets
Learn more about them at connect.na.panasonic.com/toughbook/rugged-laptops-tablets
Panasonic Toughbook Rugged Laptops & Tablets
Pelican waterproof (and yes, they are) cases are a necessity for camera accessories as well as smaller cameras and smartphones). I can vouch for the necessity of having a Pelican case (and more importantly, one that fits your equipment!) 😉
Pelican Waterproof Micro Cases
When a phone screen is too small but you don't want to haul your laptop around, a tablet is indispensable. The Galaxy Notes offer touchscreens with just the right amount of sensitivity and great color saturation. I can't even recall any other brands ...
Samsung Galaxy Tabs
Sigma telephoto lenses are quite portable (not that heavy – less than 7 lbs) and my 150-500mm lens has been indispensable for photographing wildlife (it also gets me PLENTY of second glances. I've also been told that it has given some people whiplash...
Sigma Telephoto (Long) Lenses
SSDs and cloud storage may be mainstream now, but I still want my external hard drives (cue that 80s hit song from Dire Straits). The Seagate Expansion series is worthy of your consideration (it is, for me!)
Seagate Expansion Series External Hard Drives
It may not have the same cachet or brand recognition as Microsoft or Logitech, but Targus (which offers quite a few laptop carry cases) makes amazing and indispensable peripherals for desktops, tablets, and laptops – including, but not limited to, ke...
Targus Keyboards
You can't go wrong with a Wacom tablet. I can't, either, even though mine has been a bit dusty lately.
Wacom Tablets
I've been a long-term fan of Western Digital My Passport HDDs from the start. It's a holdover from working in the computing industry. Cute, extremely portable, and they come in many "flavors" and storage capacities.
WD My Passport Series External Hard Drives
Software
The stuff that lets me take my stuff from wonderful to wow.
Don't be shocked when I say that Adobe Photoshop Elements (2023 / 2024 / 2025) has everything I need as a graphic designer and photographer to handle post-processing and digital touchups – and at a price point that's a little easier to stomach than a...
Adobe Photoshop Elements
In those early days with my Canon EOS 6D, I would shoot in RAW + JPG, and this RAW photo editing software was a must. In fact, DxO was the reason why I found Adobe Lightroom cumbersome to use by comparison.
DxO PhotoLab
Microsoft Clipchamp comes with my Windows 11 laptop, and it's a fast and intuitive way to create and assemble my videos. It does have a few quirks, but they're not deal-breakers.
Microsoft Clipchamp