Night Masterclass - Night Landscape Photography Equipment

Night Landscape Photography Equipment

DSLR with Bulb Mode

To achieve successful night images that allow a long enough exposure to capture movement you will need to check that your camera has the facility to lock open the shutter using B or Bulb Mode.

Chris Uses:
Canon EOS 5D with 17-40mm, 100-400mm and 100mm Canon lenses

Alternatives:
•Almost all DSLRs and a small number of compacts have a Bulb mode

A Sturdy Tripod

Exposures can run from minutes to hours so a sturdy tripod and head is crucial. For extra stability avoid raising the central column and if your camera has the facility to suspend your camera bag from it, use this to aid stability.

Chris Uses:
Gitzo G1227 MK2 Carbon Fibre Tripod (£400)

Alternatives:
•Velbon CX 440 (£40)
•Manfrotto 190XPROB (£100) 
•Giottos MTL8350B Carbon Fibre (£200)

Battery Grip

Not essential, but if your camera can accept a battery grip it will allow you to use more than one battery in your camera at a time, so you can take longer exposures before the camera’s power runs out.

Remote Release

A remote or cable release is essential to allow you to lock open your camera’s shutter button over a long period of time and allow you to walk round the side of your subject to illuminate it with your chosen light source.

Chris Uses:
Canon RS-60E3 remote

Alternatives:
•Nikon MC-DC2 (£20)
•Seculine Twin 1 R3 Universal (£30)

Light Source

A light source is vital to allow you to illuminate a subject. A flashgun that can be used off camera, and a powerful torch, will both come in handy. Remember to carry a spare torch with you to find your way back to your car.

Chris Uses:
A Canon 550EX Flash Gun and a Challenge 2m Candle Power Rechargeable Spotlight

Alternatives:
•Sigma EF530 flash (£120)