Andy Keen · Field Inventory
Field Manifest
The complete kit behind the aurora hunts, storm chases, wildlife walks, macro work and studio sessions — every body, lens, light and cable currently in active rotation.
Issued to: Andy Keen · Luleå, Sweden · Rev. 2026.11
Load Ledger
Combined System Weight
Combined weight of items with a listed spec, grouped by system — a rough guide to what each part of the kit actually costs on the shoulder.
Video & Audio, Streaming & Podcast and Connectivity & Data omitted — mostly unweighted accessories, no meaningful total.
IMG
Imaging Systems
The core stills and hybrid video kit — two native mounts bridged by a small stack of adapters.
Camera Bodies
Nikon Z6 III
Full-frame hybrid body — aurora, wildlife, macro, timelapse, low-light video
Nikon D500
DX DSLR, wildlife specialist, native F-mount telephoto system
Insta360 Ace Pro
Action camera — POV, BTS, outreach, timelapse
DJI Osmo Pocket 4P Vlog Combo
Dual-lens pocket gimbal camera — solo vlogging, talking-to-camera, product videos, B-roll
Lenses
Nikon AF-S 14–24mm f/2.8G ED
Ultra-wide constant f/2.8, weather-sealed. ~21–36mm equiv. on D500; on Z6 III via Viltrox NF–Z
Filter: No front thread — rear gel filters or a dedicated large-format holder onlyBest use: Storms and big skies, dramatic foregrounds, interiors, aurora tours. Shoot f/4–f/8 for landscapes; avoid direct sun to limit flare
Nikon AF-S 16–35mm f/4G ED VR
Stabilised wide zoom. ~24–52mm equiv. on D500; on Z6 III via Viltrox NF–Z
Filter: 77mm — fits the NiSi 77mm ring directlyBest use: Filtered landscapes at f/8, handheld wide video, travel and architecture. Corners soften at 16mm wide open, so stop down
Tamron SP 35mm f/1.4 Di USD
Fast standard prime. On Z6 III via Fringer EF–NZ II
Filter: 67mm — fits the NiSi 67mm ring directlyBest use: Low-light portraits, environmental portraits, products and cinematic video at f/1.4–f/2.8; stop down to f/2.8 for the sharpest corners
Nikon AF-S 70–200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR
Pro telephoto zoom, TC compatible. ~105–300mm equiv. on D500; on Z6 III via Viltrox NF–Z
Filter: 77mm — fits the NiSi 77mm ring directlyBest use: Larger mammals and wildlife at closer range, compressed landscapes, action and sports. Use the 1.4× for extra reach and keep the 2× for the 300 PF
Nikon AF-S 85mm f/1.8G
Fast portrait prime, 9-blade aperture. On Z6 III via Viltrox NF–Z
Filter: 67mm — fits the NiSi 67mm ring directlyBest use: Portraits, head-and-shoulders video and subject isolation at f/1.8–f/2.8. Light enough to carry as a second lens
Nikon AF-S 300mm f/4E PF ED VR
Phase Fresnel telephoto, very light for its reach. TC-14E II gives 420mm f/5.6 and TC-20E III gives 600mm f/8
Filter: 77mm — fits the NiSi 77mm ring directlyBest use: Birds and mammals from a distance, handheld wildlife walks, distant storms. Best on the D500 (~450mm equiv.) for extra reach; watch for flare in strong backlight
Smart Telescope
DWARF Mini
Compact all-in-one smart telescope — app-controlled, auto-tracking and stacking
Best use: Educational outreach and casual Moon and sky sessions while travelling; also usable as a long telephoto for distant wildlife and landscapes
Adapters & Extenders
Fringer EF-NZ II (FR-NZ2)
Electronic adapter for AF/aperture/EXIF — carries the Tamron 35mm f/1.4
Viltrox NF-Z
Electronic aperture and EXIF support for compatible AF-S lenses
Nikon AF-S TC-14E II 1.4× Teleconverter
Converts 300mm f/4 PF to 420mm f/5.6. On the 105 Micro: ~1.4× macro (manual focus)
Nikon AF-S TC-20E III 2× Teleconverter
Converts 300mm f/4 PF to 600mm f/8. On the 105 Micro: ~2× macro (manual focus)
MAC
Macro
The close-up kit — from 1:1 product and forest work up to 2:1 and beyond for insects, ice crystals and water drops.
Macro Lenses
Nikon AF-S Micro Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED VR
1:1 macro with VR. Native on D500; on Z6 III via Viltrox NF–Z. Nikon-listed as compatible with the TC-14E II (~1.4×) and TC-20E III (~2×) — autofocus officially not supported with either, so focus manually. See Macro Combinations below
Filter: 62mm — use the K&F step-up rings for 67/72mm filtersBest use: eBay product photos and video, food, flowers and forest close-ups — handheld, or on the monopod for walks. With a teleconverter: frost, dew, ice and small insects up to 2×. Also a sharp short telephoto for portraits at f/4–f/5.6
TTArtisan 100mm f/2.8 Macro 2X
Manual-focus 2:1 ultra-macro, 12-blade aperture, all-metal build. Native Z mount with no electronic contacts, so no EXIF; enable "Release without lens" on the Z6 III
Filter: 67mm — fits the NiSi 67mm ring directlyBest use: Highest-quality 2× work — insects, ice crystals, water-drop refractions and fine textures. With both Meike tubes ~2.3–2.6×. Tripod and focus stacking recommended; sharpest at f/5.6–f/8
Macro Accessories
Meike MK-Z-AF1 Extension Tubes (11mm + 18mm)
All-metal mounts with electronic contacts — AF and aperture control preserved. Use singly or stacked (11, 18 or 29mm)
Fit: Z6 III only — always directly on the camera body, before the Viltrox NF–Z. Not compatible with the D500Magnification: TTArtisan ~2.3–2.6× with both tubes; 105 Micro ~1.3–1.4× with both tubes, ~1.6–1.8× with the TC-14E II, ~2.2–2.4× with the TC-20E III. One tube on the 300 PF gives ~0.3× from about 1 m awayBest use: Snowflakes and the smallest subjects on the TTArtisan; extra reach for frost and dew on the 105; long-distance close-ups of butterflies and dragonflies on the 300 PF. No glass, so no loss of sharpness — only light (about ½–1½ stops)
NiSi NM-180S Macro Focusing Rail
Geared single-axis rail, 1.25 mm per knob turn, ~110–130 mm usable travel. Arca-Swiss clamp rotating 360° with 90° click stops; removable feet for tabletop use. Planned purchase — May 2027
Fit: Arca-Swiss — mounts directly on the Kirk BH-3; camera needs an Arca plateBest use: Precise focusing at 1.4×–2.4× by moving the camera, not the focus ring; manual focus stacks with the TTArtisan; repeatable tabletop setups for eBay product photography
Macro Combinations — Mounting Order
TTArtisan 100mm
Z6 III → TTArtisan (native Z mount, no adapter). Enable "Release without lens"
Pros: best optical quality in the kit at 2×; compact setup; bright f/2.8 view; EVF focus peaking and punch-in; IBIS (enter 100mm in Non-CPU lens data). Cons: manual focus only; no EXIF; short focus throw near 2× — fine-focus by moving the camera
TTArtisan 100mm + Meike tubes
Z6 III → Meike tube(s) → TTArtisan
Pros: highest magnification in the kit with no added glass — snowflakes and the tiniest insects. Cons: ~1 stop less light; very short working distance and paper-thin depth of field; tripod, rail-style focusing and flash essential. Keep the lens at f/4–f/5.6
TTArtisan 100mm + teleconverters — not possible
The TC-14E II and TC-20E III are F-mount and only fit F-mount lenses, so they cannot be used with the Z-mount TTArtisan. The TTArtisan also cannot be used on the D500
105 Micro
Z6 III → Viltrox NF–Z → 105
Pros: AF, VR and IBIS; EVF focus peaking and punch-in; brightest view. Cons: adapter adds a little length
105 Micro + Meike tubes
Z6 III → Meike tube(s) → Viltrox NF–Z → 105
Pros: AF and VR still work; no optical loss. Cons: no infinity focus; ½–1½ stops less light; AF slower; shorter working distance
105 Micro + TC-14E II
Z6 III → Viltrox NF–Z → TC-14E II → 105
Pros: minimal quality loss; same working distance as the bare 105; VR works. Cons: 1 stop light loss; manual focus (AF officially unsupported). Keep the lens at f/5.6–f/8
105 Micro + TC-20E III
Z6 III → Viltrox NF–Z → TC-20E III → 105
Pros: reaches 2× with more working distance than most 2× lenses; VR works. Cons: 2 stops darker; some softness and colour fringing; manual focus only. Keep the lens at f/4–f/5.6 to limit diffraction; tripod or flash needed
105 Micro + TC + Meike tubes
Z6 III → Meike tube(s) → Viltrox NF–Z → TC → 105 (tubes are Z-mount, so they always sit against the camera)
Pros: maximum magnification from the kit — ~1.6–1.8× with TC-14E II, ~2.2–2.4× with TC-20E III. Cons: 2½–3 stops darker; very thin depth of field; tripod, rail-style focusing (move the camera) and flash essential
105 Micro on D500
D500 → 105 (no adapter)
Pros: native mount, fast AF, short and solid setup; DX crop frames tighter (1:1 looks like ~1.5× on full frame). Cons: 20.9 MP; optical viewfinder is hard to focus at 1:1 — use Live View zoom
105 Micro + TC-14E II on D500
D500 → TC-14E II → 105
Pros: framing equivalent to ~2.1× on full frame; minimal quality loss. Cons: dimmer viewfinder; manual focus via Live View; no focus peaking
105 Micro + TC-20E III on D500
D500 → TC-20E III → 105
Pros: framing equivalent to ~3× on full frame — the tightest framing in the kit. Cons: very dim viewfinder; manual focus in Live View only; 2 stops darker; some softness. Extension tubes cannot be used on the D500
300 PF + one Meike tube
Z6 III → Meike 11mm or 18mm → Viltrox NF–Z → 300 PF
Pros: close-ups from ~1 m or more — ideal for nervous butterflies and dragonflies; AF and VR work; creamy backgrounds. Cons: only ~0.3×; long, front-heavy setup; watch for PF ring flare in backlight
Macro Lighting
Godox MF12-K2 Macro Flash Kit (2 × MF12)
Two compact 2.4 GHz wireless flash heads with lens mounting ring, adapter rings (49–77mm), flash stands and colour gels. Built-in USB-C lithium battery, approx. 500 full-power flashes per charge
Fit: Lens ring via the 67mm adapter on the TTArtisan or the 62mm adapter on the 105 Micro — or off-lens on the included standsBest use: Freezing insects, snowflakes, ice crystals and water drops at 1:1–2:1. Manual power is most predictable at macro distances (start around 1/16 at f/8 and raise it when a teleconverter or tubes are fitted). Clean, controllable light for eBay product stills
Godox X2T-N Wireless Flash Trigger
2.4 GHz TTL/HSS transmitter for the Godox X system — required to fire the MF12 heads. Bluetooth control via the Godox app
Fit: Hot shoe on the Z6 III or D500Best use: Setting each MF12's power independently for key and fill light; also controls any future Godox flashes
Godox MF-DD Silicone Diffusers ×2
Purpose-made slip-on diffusion domes for the MF12 heads
Best use: Softening hotspots and specular highlights on ice, water drops, shiny insects and reflective products
SmallRig RM 03 Macro LED Light ×2
3W LED on a flexible metal gooseneck — daylight white (~5500K, CRI 95+), warm white and RGB. Built-in 2000mAh battery, up to 140 min, USB-C charging (can run while charging). IP54, runs cool. Each kit: diffuser, 4-leaf barn doors, spotlight snoot, heavy-duty clamp, ground stake, cold-shoe mount, 10 colour film slides
Fit: Clamp to a tripod leg or table edge, stake into the forest floor, or cold-shoe on the cameraBest use: Continuous key and fill light for eBay product video and stills; seeing the light while setting up focus stacks; safe near ice, frost and live insects. Close work only — within about 30–50 cm. Barn doors and snoot to shape the beam; diffuser for shiny products and water drops
SUP
Field Support
Everything that keeps the imaging kit steady, protected, filtered, and powered in the field.
Filters & Accessories
NiSi V5 Pro 100mm Filter Holder System
Rings: 82, 77, 72, 67, 95, 55mm
K&F ND64 100×100
Square ND
K&F ND1000 100×100
Square ND
Hoya CPL
Circular polarizer
Polaroid Variable ND
Variable ND
K&F Black Diffusion 1/4
Mist diffusion
K&F Step-Up Rings
18-piece size conversion set
K&F Nano Klear UV (55mm, 62mm, 72mm)
Protection filters
NiSi Pro CPL (Legacy)
Circular polarizer
Hoya Variable ND (Backup)
Variable ND
MASSA CPL
Circular polarizer
USB Lens Heaters ×2
Anti-dew
Cleaning Kit
Cloths, blower, pouch
Support & Motion
Gitzo 1448 Mk II Tripod
Heavy-duty
Rollei C6i Carbon Tripod
Travel
Manfrotto 685B NeoTec Monopod
Quick deploy
Kirk BH-3 Ball Head
Precision
K&F Panoramic 360° Gimbal Head
Telephoto support
Manfrotto 300N Panoramic Base
Pan control
Manfrotto 438 Levelling Base
Levelling
DJI RS 3 Mini
Stabilization
Miops Camera Trigger
Remote trigger
Power & Storage
Artman Dual USB Charger
Dual charging
Sandberg USB-C PD 15000mAh
Portable power
USB Power Bank (Secondary)
Backup
ProGrade CFexpress Type B 256GB ×2
High-speed storage
PNY EliteX Pro 90 SD 64GB ×2
SD storage
Bags & Protection
Lowepro 2-Lens Case
Lens storage
Lowepro Nova 200 AW II
Shoulder bag
Lowepro CompuTrekker AW Backpack
Travel backpack
Lowepro Event Messenger 250
Messenger bag
Arvok Waterproof Lens Cases
Protection set
Mounting Plates and Cables
Misc gear
A/V
Video & Audio
The Insta360 rig plus the monitoring and audio chain for hybrid shoots and live streaming.
Insta360 Ace Pro System
Insta360 3-Prong to 1/4" Adapter
Mounting
Insta360 Mic Adapter
USB-C to 3.5mm, external audio
K&F MS21 Selfie Stick Tripod
Invisible support
Nitze Cage for Ace Pro
Aluminium, cold shoe mount
Locofun Screen and Lens Protectors (2+2+2)
Tempered glass
Lens-Aid Padded Case
Protection
DJI Osmo Pocket 4P Vlog Combo
DJI FrameTap Remote
Remote for framing and control while filming yourself
DJI Wireless Mic Transmitter
Clean audio for talking-to-camera work
DJI Osmo Pocket 4P Fill Light
On-camera fill light
Video Monitoring & Live Streaming
FEELWORLD FW568 V3 6"
Field monitor
Accsoon SeeMo 4K
iPhone streaming
RedStar24 HDMI Splitter 4K
Signal split
Micro-HDMI to HDMI (Left Angle, 20cm)
Short cable
Micro-HDMI to HDMI (Coiled, 1.5m)
Flexible
UGREEN Micro-HDMI to HDMI (25cm)
Short cable
CABNEER HDMI 2.1 (0.5m)
High speed
Wireless HDMI Transmitter and Receiver
4K decode, 1080p output
RØDE Wireless Pro Kit
Wireless audio
RØDE SC2 TRS Cables ×2
Patch cables
Video Lighting
Lowel i-Light with Power Unit
Focusable tungsten light with built-in dimmer, approx. 3200K
Best use: Warm accent or spot light for product video and interviews. Runs hot, so keep it away from ice, snow and live insects; gel to daylight when mixing with LEDs or flash
Lowel i-Light Barn Doors
Shape and flag the beam, control spill
POD
Streaming & Podcast
The desk studio — broadcast microphone, interface and hands-on control for podcasts, voiceover, YouTube and live streams.
Microphone & Audio Interface
SE Electronics DynaCaster DCM 8
Dynamic broadcast microphone with built-in EQ switches and DSP preamp — podcasts, voiceover, livestreams
Connects to: Elgato Wave XLR via XLR cable
Elgato Wave XLR
USB-C audio interface and preamp with Clipguard, touch-to-mute and headphone monitoring
Best use: Single-mic podcast and stream setup; mix mic, system and app audio in Elgato Wave Link
Pop Shield (included with DCM 8)
Reduces plosives
K&M Table Stand
Desktop mount for the microphone
Control
Elgato Stream Deck +
8 customisable LCD keys, 4 rotary dials and a touch strip
Best use: Dial-in mic gain and Wave Link mix levels, switch OBS scenes, trigger recording, mute and sound cues — also handy as a shortcut deck for photo editing
NET
Connectivity & Data
Getting online and moving footage off cards in the field.
Connectivity
TP-Link M8550 5G Mobile Wi-Fi
Mobile hotspot
Data Storage
Samsung 990 PRO 4TB NVMe
High-speed storage
UGREEN 40Gbps NVMe Enclosure (Fan)
Thunderbolt, USB-C
The single most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it.
— Ansel Adams
It's not the gear that makes the moment — it's instinct, vision, and timing. This kit exists to support creativity in the field, whether chasing storms or capturing celestial events in remote silence.
We can get distracted by the logo on the front of the camera — the brands, the specs, the upgrades — but good photography is about far more than that. It's about creating opportunities, reading the light, and knowing when to look up from the viewfinder. Some of the most extraordinary moments are also the most fleeting — and if we're not fully present, we miss them.
— Andy Keen