Inside My Camera Bag | Tony Curado

Hi all, my name is Tony Curado. I’m a landscape/astrophotographer currently residing in New Jersey. First, I would like to say thanks Mark and Shotkit for the invitation to present my gear here.

My love for photography started in the world of landscape photography and just grew from there. My equipment list is a product of allowing my love of photography to grow from landscapes to weddings to sports and now to astrophotography.

My current journey into astrophotography started over 3 years ago when I moved out to Colorado and truly discovered the amazing night sky. After a few summers learning the ups and downs of night photography, I started my current project “Galactic 50,” an astrophotography project to photograph the Milky Way in all 50 states of America. The project is rooted in the idea that our dark skies are as much of a treasure as our national parks.

I kicked the project off traveling across the northern United States capturing the Milky Way and visiting over 23 states. The journey continues and takes me to the northern east coast where I explore the rocky shorelines of the northeast to the sandy beaches of the Carolinas. You can follow the entire adventure and read up on last summer at my blog: truevisionphotos.com.

Camera:

Since day one I have always been a Canon guy. My first camera DSLR was Canon’s Rebel and have since continued my journey with Canon using a 20d, 1D, 1D Mark II, 1D MarkII N, to my current 6D.

Lens:

Canon 17-40mm f/4, Canon 70-200mm f/2.8, Canon 300mm f/4, and rounding out my Canon lenses is the 28mm f/1.4. These lenses are primarily used for Landscape and Wildlife photography. But as I have just started a journey into astrophotography I have acquired some wide angle lenses that continue to surprise me every time out. Both my Rokinons, the 14mm f/2.8 and 24mm f/1.4, are inexpensive entry level lenses that yield quality results over and over again.
Lastly, in my lens kit, is a Canon 1.4x Teleconverter and my creative rut breaker The Lensbaby Composer.

Accessories:

My general accessories are
–Vanguard Veo Travel Tripod and Ballhead
-Vanguard Heavy Duty Tripod (guide) and Pistol Grip
-BlackRapid Camera Strap
-USB Power backup Charger
-Canon 580 EXII and 480 EX Flashes
-MagSphere Flash Cover

My Astrophotography Accessories:

-TriggerTrap (a great intervalometer utilizing your smart phone)
-Polaris Star Tracker
-Headlamp
-LED Light for Low-Level Lighting

I don’t consider myself a real “GearHead,” but prefer to acquire gear as needed. I think the best advice I ever received in my early photography years is to learn whatever equipment you currently have and don’t by another piece of glass or new camera until you have reached the limits and understand them fully. I utilized this mantra throughout my career and it has served me well.

Thanks again to shotkit.com for allowing me present to all of you my gear. Please visit my site for more photos and stories.

INSTAGRAM