Marcio Cabral
Landscape | Last Updated: April 4, 2024
I’m a landscape photographer from Brazil and I’ve been photographing since the time of analog photography. I’ve been traveling the world in the last decade capturing spectacular landscapes; that’s my passion.
My work has received great recognition with dozens of awards in the main photo contests of nature and landscape. I am also the current Guinness world record holder of the largest panoramic underwater image.
Landscape photography is very complex, including waterfalls, caves, coasts and mountains during the day and night.
I also photograph wildlife, plants, and underwater photography of oceans, rivers and cenotes. I need to have diversified equipment so I can capture all these places.
I have a Canon 5DS R
, Sony A7r II
and a Nikon D7200
. These cameras were purchased in 2015. I upgrade cameras usually every 4 years, so I should switch these cameras next year.
I will migrate to the mirrorless system and I am waiting for the next industry news to decide which system I will migrate.
My Canon 5DS R
is my main camera. I use it to photograph landscape and underwater images. It is the highest resolution full frame camera on the market and even after four years of its release it is still one of the best landscape cameras.
I won a Nikon D7200
with Nikon AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6 ED VR
as part of a prize in a nature photo contest. I liked the camera and decided to keep this equipment for shooting birds and wildlife because I did not have a lens above 200mm on my main Canon system.
My Sony A7r II
I use to do 360º panos, night images and filming. This camera has an excellent result in high ISO and high DR, but I was a bit disappointed with the images in long exposure – the thermal noise is unacceptable for a camera of this value.
Another problem with Sony is that it needs original lenses to have maximum performance. The Canon 8-15mm f/4 Fisheye
is one of my few lenses that fit well on Sony, so I use this camera in 360º images.
I have 2 Nikon lenses, a Nikon AF-S 14-24 f/2.8 G ED
that I use for astrophotography. I use Canon with the Fotodiox adapter.
I use the Nikon AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6 ED VR
along with the Nikon D7200
for wildlife photography
My main lenses are the Canon f/4 Trio: 16-35mm f/4L IS USM
, 24-70mm f/4L IS USM
and 70-200mm f/4 IS USM
.
The f/4 L lenses are lightweight and perfect for daytime landscape photography that does not require wide aperture.
I also have a Canon 8-15mm f/4 Fisheye
for 360º panos and a Canon 100mm f/2.8 macro
.
I use some 77mm Singh-Ray filters for my 16-35mm f/4L IS USM
and 24-70mm f/4L IS USM 
lenses. Singh-Ray are the best filters for landscape photography, and I’ve used these filters since the time that Galen Rowell was alive.
Singh-Ray Gold-N- Blue polarizer
– This filter I use on cloudy days to colorize and give life to the landscape.
Singh-Ray Daryl Benson’s reverse grad 3 stops – It’s my favorite graduated filter, it’s perfect for sunset photos on flat sites or at sea.
Singh-Ray LB Warm polarizer
– It’s my main landscape filter.
Singh-Ray Mor-Slo 5 stop ND
– I use these filters to photograph waterfalls, usually in conjunction with LB polarizer.
Singh-Ray Mor-Slo 10 stops
– This filter is used for creative images and long exposures over 100 seconds.
Fotodiox Wonderpana 145 mm Polarizer
and 144mm ND Stops (for Nikon 14-24mm
)
Fotodiox Wonderpana Graduated ND 3 stops
(for use on Nikon 14-24
)
For lighting, I use a Canon 550 EX flash
and three Scurion Flashlights. Scurion Flashlights are essential for my nighttime images because they have far greater control of the flow and temperature of the color of light. They are the best lamps for caving and are made in Switzerland.
Scurion 1200 Warm LED – Used for general light painting.
Dive Scurion 1200 Warm LED – For underwater caves and night-dive photography.
Scurion 1500 for speleophotography, was adapted in the Petzl Helmet.
I use a Nodal Ninja pole 2
series to do panoramas up to 6 meters high from the ground.
My main tripod is a Manfrotto Cx Pro3
carbon (older model), it has a good cost benefit and good durability.
I also own a Benro Travel Angel 2
that can also be converted into a monopod, I use on trekking trips.
I use several tripod heads, among them:
Clauss Pixplorer
, for giga panoramas, this is the world’s best compact robotic panoramic head. It is made in Germany.
Nodal Ninja NN3 MK3
for 360º panoramas. This is my main panoramic head because it is the lightest and is great value for money.
The Gitzo GH3750
Ball head is my main ball head.
I use an Ioptron Skyguider Pro
for equatorial camera mount in astrophotography.
My Sirui G20x Ball Head
is used in conjunction with Ioptron Skyguider
.
I use a Zenelli Carbon NZX gimbal head to photograph wildlife with telephoto lenses. This is the best gimbal head in the world for this purpose.
For underwater images I use:
Ikelite for 5DS R / 5D Mark IV
– Ikelite is the best cost-benefit and has the most accessories and parts available.
Ikelite 8″ Dome port
with extensions.
2 Strobes Ikelite DS 161 with dome diffusers, these flashes have integrated TTL system.
Spair Air to photograph snorkel dives. Some specific locations require greater air autonomy and time underwater.
For aerial imaging I use a DJI Mavic 2 Pro 
drone with the fly more combo for longer flight autonomy.
Check out these 8 essential tools to help you succeed as a professional photographer.
Includes limited-time discounts.
