Please feel free to Contact us if you need recommendations or have questions about GEAR. 📸

Any camera model is welcome, but for some of the sessions utilizing computational technologies, you will place your SD card into a loaner OM SYSTEM camera.

A special thank you to our sponsors:

OM SYSTEM
Platypod (Email us for a discount code when purchased directly from Platypod)
- Hunts Photo or Amazon https://amzn.to/4j6WBf1
Hunts Photo and Video
AK Diffuser
ProPrints

Required and Recommended Equipment 📸 for the Retreats

While ALL camera models and all macro lenses can be used for some sessions, participants will use an OM SYSTEM loaner for in-camera focus-stacking (and for live composite and other computational technologies).
Camera (see below, scroll down)
Lenses
- A dedicated prime MACRO lens is required for macro retreats and recommended for the nature retreats 🐸
  - The 60mm is an awesome lens, very sharp yet inexpensive lens (this lens can be used for portraits, landscapes, close-ups, macro, including 1:1 or 1X macro)
  - If you do not have any macro lens and do not want to purchase one for the nature retreat, then purchase the Nisi Close-up filter below.
  - 90mm (https://tinyurl.com/lisatom-OM90mm) or 60mm https://tinyurl.com/LisatomOM60 OM SYSTEM macro lens
  - Note that any brand lens can be used for some sessions, but participants will need an OM SYSTEM loaner for in-camera focus-stacking (and for live composite and other computational technologies).
Other useful lenses: 12-100, 40-150, 100-400 II, (8-25 for landscapes).
- Own a 40-150f2.8, watch this video.
For retreats that include Birds, we recommend one of the following (but a 40-150 f2.8 with a MC14 teleconverter could also work):
Camera Equipment (Required)
- Extra camera batteries, battery charger, memory cards (You will be taking a LOT when using focus bracketing and focus stacking! so bring ALL of your cards)
Photography Gear 📸
- Flashlight
  - A specific flashlight is required for our retreats that have a light painting session (can easily share one with a friend): MX75 Soonfire flashlight (remember it is being used during the day) with this Flashlight Snoot (see below) (both required for retreats that have a light painting session, could opt to share the pair with a friend and take turns light painting).
    - Snoot https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/68B74EA0-E4AE-4202-8608-64D0DD97EEF4?ingress=2&lp_context_asin=B07L94CMJ3&visitId=118325a3-7361-4f35-8da9-53532159016c&store_ref=bl_ast_dp_brandLogo_sto&ref_=ast_bln
  - This flashlight is NOT required for ALL retreats, jsut the Macro retreat and any retreat that has a dedicated light painting session.
  - For light painting and landscape sessions, please bring either a Platypod or a tripod.
    Platypod Extreme https://amzn.to/4j6WBf1 (Definitely this model, much improved over older models)
    Platypod Extreme. You can get a 20% discount on any Platypod products use code LTCretreats2025 on https://www.platypod.com/products/extreme
- Flash and Flash diffuser — Required for Macro retreats
  - Flash Best = OM FL700WR with a Flash diffuser (AK diffuser or Cygnustech, see below)
  - Good = OM SYSTEM FL-900R or Godox V860IIIO (note that the smaller, cheaper Godox flashes are ok for single images, but not great for focus stacking or focus bracketing) with a Flash diffuser (AK diffuser or Cygnustech, see below)
  - Flash Diffusers
    - AK Diffuser:
      - 90mm https://tinyl.io/BrgC
      - 60mm https://tinyl.io/Brg8
      - Other macro lenses https://tinyl.io/BrgE
      - Also purchase the inexpensive battery for use at night or in low light.
    - Cygnustech
- Recommended:
  - A Light Diffuser is recommended (can share with a friend) A light diffuser is round translucent material in a frame that folds up small, see link below)
  - For light painting and landscape sessions, please bring either a Platypod or a tripod.
    - Platypod Extreme https://www.huntsphotoandvideo.com/detail_page.cfm?productid=1021PP&mfg=Platypod&show=yes or https://amzn.to/4j6WBf1
      - For a new purchase definitely get this model, the Extremem, as it is much improved over older models. If you alreayd have an older model that is fine.
    - Platypod Extreme. You can get a 20% discount on any Platypod products use code LTCretreats2025 on https://www.platypod.com/products/extreme
  - Remote (recommended for light painting, live composite, water drops, highly recommended for night photography)
    - For the OM-1, OM-1 mark II and OM05 mark II, the wireless https://tinyurl.com/LisaTomOMWR2 is awesome but the less expensive cable remote https://amzn.to/3Re9mZq is fine.
    - For the OM-3 thre is no cable port, so purchase the wireless https://tinyurl.com/LisaTomOMWR2
    - The remote cable for other Olympus/OM SYSTEM camera models https://amzn.to/3Re9mZq
  - Tripod/Monopod
    - Most macro is done handheld, however, some people prefer a monopod or tripod
      - Articulating Arm Tripod for Macro and Still Life
        Vanguard Alta Pro 263AB 100 Aluminum Tripod with SBH-100 Ball Head https://amzn.to/4mlr0si
        This is aluminum, so it would not be a good travel tripod, purchase the Peak Design, below, as that is the best most versatile tripod
    - Most bird photography is done handheld, however, some people like using a monopod with one of these heads
      - Monopod Gimbal Head – Side Saddle Speed Tilt with Arca-Swiss Dovetail Quick Release Plate https://amzn.to/4d795kN
      - For support, flexibility, and maneuverability, use the SpeediGimbal
      - Best Birding Gimbal (can also be used for landscape, etc) FlexShooter https://amzn.to/4iO8CoN
    - For night photography, landscape, travel, etc.
      - We love the Peak Design Tripod!!! The first tripod we LOVE, email us for details. We really appreciate you using our affiliate links to make your purchase https://tinyurl.com/lisatom-peakdesigntripod for the tripod or peak-design.pxf.io/lisatom-peakdesign for other peak design products. See us demonstrate the Peak design tripod and build in Peak Design ball head.
      - Best Birding Gimbal (can also be used for landscape, etc) FlexShooter https://amzn.to/4iO8CoN, you can easily mount this on a universal head and use the build in peak design ballhead for stars, landscapes, etc. and then the Flexi Gimbal for birds.
      - Platypod Extreme. You can get a 20% discount on any Platypod products use code LTCretreats2025 on https://www.platypod.com/products/extreme
      - Carbon Fiber Peak design Tripod. Here is a link to a 10% discount https://www.huntsphotoandvideo.com/detail_page.cfm?productid=TTCB5150CF1&sp=xRsUQ
      - Articulating arm Tripod for macro, still life, etc. This tripod allows you get parallel to the ground, table, floor, flower. etc. easily. The peak is better for travel.
        $65 off Vanguard VEO 3+ 263AB (ends August 31st but might be extended) https://www.huntsphotoandvideo.com/detail_page.cfm?productid=VEO3%2B263AB&mfg=Vanguard&show=yes&sp=S9tSI
        or
        10% off Vanguard Alta Pro 263AB Tripod and SBH 100 Ball Head Kit (LAST FEW UNITS AVAILABLE) https://www.huntsphotoandvideo.com/detail_page.cfm?productid=263AB100&mfg=Vanguard&show=yes&sp=Ehm15
Optional Gear
- Plamp for flowers, plants, sometimes insects on plants: https://amzn.to/44sHAzZ and https://amzn.to/4k6G4YD
- Focusing Rail
  - NiSi - NM-180S Macro Focusing Rail, Precision Focus Slider for Macro Photography , Universal Tripod Mounting, 360-Degree Rotating Clamp with Quick-Release Plate, Detachable Feet, Arca-Swiss Compatible https://amzn.to/3YAzMbH
- If you do not have a macro lens, or do not have the 90mm lens, or just want more magnification a close-up filter may fit the bill.
  - NiSi - 77mm NC Close-Up Lens Kit, Close-Up Macro Lens Filter, 78mm Thread, +3-4 Diopters, NanoNiSi - NM-180S Macro Focusing Rail, Precision Focus Slider for Macro Photography , Universal Tripod Mounting, 360-Degree Rotating Clamp with Quick-Release Plate, Detachable Feet, Arca-Swiss Compatible Coating, (Includes Protective Case, 72mm and 67mm Adapter Rings) - Camera Accessories for Photography https://amzn.to/4k1UvNy
    - You may need a step-up ring https://amzn.to/43cd5Mn for your particular lens
    - or Nisi 58mm for the 60mm macro lens https://amzn.to/3RWIXPQ
      - 46mm to 58mm Step Up Ring Filter 46 male 58 female https://amzn.to/3GLWyXQ
  - Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Snap-On Lens is also a possibility, more commonly used than the Nisi, as it is inexpensive but it has lower optical quality
    - To put a RayNox on the 60mm macro lens a step-up ring makes it easier (46mm to 58mm Step Up Ring Filter 46 male 58 female https://amzn.to/3GLWyXQ)
CAMERA: 📸
- While all camera makes/models can be used for some sessions, please note that you will place your SD card into a loaner OM SYSTEM camera for some sessions utilizing computational technologies.
- BEST📸📸
  - OM-1 Mark II https://tinyurl.com/OMRetreat-OM2
  - OM-1 https://tinyurl.com/OMRetreat-OM1
  - OM-3 https://tinyurl.com/LisaTom-OM3
  - OM-5 Mark II https://tinyurl.com/lisatom-OM5MII
- GOOD📸
  - OM5 https://tinyurl.com/OMRetreat-OM5
  - EM1 mark III, EM1X https://tinyurl.com/OMRetreat-OMgear
  - EM1 mark II, EM5 mark II/III https://tinyurl.com/OMRetreat-OMgear