When you book onto your chosen course, you’ll get a full set of joining instructions, including recommended kit for the day.

Why is there a kit list?
The reason that we put together a kit list for your course is so that you get the most out of your day and so that you're not carrying around unnecessary kit. If you're like some of us on the EOS team and you like to take extra stuff 'just in case', you'll know that always comes with regrets!

So to save you the tears and the bad back, follow the kit list on your joining instructions and the extra advice below when packing your kit bag.

WORKSHOPS
For workshop courses, this is as simple as your Canon EOS camera, any lens (a standard zoom is sufficient such as an 18-55mm, 17-85mm or 18-135mm), a fully charged battery and empty memory card. Some workshops include a practical session, but those sessions are to undertake some basic exercises to reinforce what you’ve learnt in the classroom and aren’t about getting great results on the day. This means you don't need your 'best' lens with you.

The only exceptions are the Speedlite flash courses. Here you’ll need a flashgun, extra batteries (for your camera and flash), and for the Creative Speedlite course you’ll also need either a flash or a camera that can act as a flash master. Bring a lens that's suitable for portrait work too.

For the software workshops, you can bring a laptop with you if you want, so you can follow along. Otherwise you'll get a comprehensive handout to refer back to when you're sat at home with your computer. Because everyone's computer skills vary, we find that trying to work on a computer during the workshop can be a distraction and can slow the course down.

Should I bring extra gear?
On workshop events, you'll be in the same location all day, so you can bring extra gear if you really want to. However, your equipment remains your responsibility at all times and we cannot be responsible should anything happen to your gear.

PRACTICALS
The kit lists for the practical events vary significantly, though all have the following in common:
– EOS camera
– Fully charged battery (or two)
– Empty memory card

Lenses are the most varied requirement, with you needing different lens types for different locations. As a rule, you need as follows for the different types of locations we use.

For city-based practicals
– minimum is 18-55mm kit lens or 24-70mm lens
– ideal lens is 18-135mm (for APS-C cameras) or 24-105mm (for full-frame cameras)
– a lightweight telephoto lens such as 70-200mm, 70-300mm or 55-250mm can also be useful for tighter framing, but is not essential

For night and interior events
– similar to city events, but with the addition of an ultra-wide angle (10-18mm or 16-35mm) lens if you have one
– bring a couple of extra batteries as you'll be using power-hungry Live View throughout the events

For wildlife venues and focusing events
– a telephoto lens, minimum focal length of 200mm (e.g. 55-250mm, 70-200mm, 70-300mm or 100-400mm or a 300mm or 400mm prime lens)
– WWT venues, the longer the better! Minimum of 300mm, plus extenders if you have them. You won’t need any other lenses!

For macro events
– a standard zoom lens
– a telephoto zoom lens for close-up work (e.g 70-200mm, 70-300mm are ideal)
– extension tubes if you have them
– a macro lens if you have one
– a macro ring flash or Speedlite flashgun if you have one (LED lights aren't usually bright enough, so we don't recommend one of these)
The macro events command the most gear, so be prepared for a heavier kit bag!

Should I bring extra gear?
On the practical events, you are responsible for carrying your camera bag around the location. There is nowhere to leave spare bags, nor a photographer’s assistant to carry your bag for you!

DO
– bring only what you can carry comfortably. If you’re not used to carrying a heavy bag for the day, then either try wearing your bag for an hour or so at home, to make sure that it’s comfortable.
– check the weather forecast and make sure you have appropriate clothing for the British weather (could be a sun hat or a rain coat needed, or both!)
– wear suitable shoes, and comfy ones too. You'll be on your feet for most of the day, sometimes for up to three hours at a time.
– charge your battery, and get a spare camera battery if recommended
– choose a suitable bag that you can either put down easily on the ground (i.e. one with feet or that stands up well) or a sling bag which you can keep on you whilst still accessing your kit with ease.
– use a comfortable camera strap. We recommend a stretchy neoprene neck strap or, if you don't like the camera round your neck, then try a sling strap.

DON’T
– bring a tripod or monopod unless recommended (we’ll be shooting handheld exclusively, except on night and interior events)
– be tempted to use a wheeled bag, as these can be noisy (a problem especially at wildlife venues as it will disturb the animals) and can be a trip hazard for other people
– bring a macro lens, unless you’re attending a macro course
– bring third-party flash units as we cannot advise on non-Canon models

And remember, if you do have any queries, call on 01869 331741 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we’ll be able to advise you for your course.