Canon 5D x 50mm f/1.2

My most used rig.

I love this camera and lens combo. I have been a Canon guy since before the digital era, and this 5D is my favorite camera I have ever owned. My 50mm f/1.2 is essentially glued to this body. It is not the most versatile lens, but in my opinion the quality of images that it produces makes up for the extra work required to get the shot. I did a cheesy unboxing video over here, the day that this body arrived. I was super stoked that day, and have subsequently been stoked every time I feel the shutter click. In case it is not already clear, I heavily endorse this setup.

Laser Range Finder

If you have ever made a floor plan with a regular tape measure, you will see the value in this thing. I picked it up on Amazon for under $20. It has been a game changer, especially when measuring larger spaces and ceiling heights. Also: lasers…

Rag & Bone Jeans

I was going to style up a little shoot for my jeans, but after seeing these action shots Britt snapped the other day, I thought that they would work just as well. Rag & Bone has been my go-to for jeans since the first pair I bought over 10 years ago. I love the way that they fit, and they have just enough stretch. I have worn out 3 pairs, and plan to continue replacing them with the same thing when I wear these ones out.

Even though it is tempting to just wear sweat pants all day every day in the current times, I feel like it has done me some good to get up, shower and put on normal clothes every day. These jeans have served me well while we have been camped out in this place. They have also picked up some custom paint details along the way.

[Photo: Britt]

Canon AE-1

Canon AE-1 (with 50mm f/1.4): This kit is very similar to the one that I used in Jr. high when I was learning how to use an SLR. I picked it up a few years ago, with this project in mind. Since then, I have collected a few additional lenses (thanks Mike), and amassed a stack of exposed yet undeveloped film at home. The great thing about shooting film is that it causes me to be much more selective about what I actually snap. I have been observing my new surroundings for the past month, and finally broke out the 35mm this week to start documenting some of my favorite aspects with film as well. Here are a couple of more from a bygone era of normalcy.

Mountain Hardware Quilted Down Jacket

Pensive Outerwear Model: Jacob Breinholt | Photographer: Britt

The quilted down jacket has been a staple winter item for many a year. Only in the past few years have I delved into the offerings of Mountain Hardware. Performance-wise, in my personal experience I’d say it is on par with Patagonia and Cold Smoke. I like the stylistic take of Mountain Hardware’s quilting. They do make models with the regular old Michelin Man horizontal stitching. But the ones I like have staggered blocking iteration. Not sure if this makes any difference in performance (probably not). But I like the way it looks. I brought the one shown here with me to the Catskills. But I also own an electric blue hooded version. I love them both quite a bit.

Outerwear Model Pretends to Shovel Snow | Photographer: Britt

Leather Gloves

These did not come with me from Brooklyn. I actually picked them up our second day in the Catskills at the local hardware store while I was purchasing other supplies to start our renovation project. This particular pair is made by Milwaukee tools. I have no allegiance to the brand, but I will say that these gloves have been excellent. I use them multiple times per day. The first weekend with them, the leather dye turned my hands orange for a minute. But other than that I have no complaints. Over the past month and change, they have kept my hands from getting torn to shreds while doing everything from stacking firewood, to shoveling snow. I plan to buy a second pair when these wear out.

WeSC Skully

The Author, Channeling His best James Harden Beard Impersonation. [Photo Cred: Britt]

We are the Superlative Conspiracy makes some pretty swanky garb. In a former life, I would cross paths with its operatives on a fairly regular basis. I also did some work with them from time to time. The good people at WeSC flowed me some decent gear back then. This skully is probably my favorite (and most likely the only WeSC piece I still have from those days). It is a shade of reddish brown that goes with pretty much everything, and is super comfy. Hoping this thing lasts as long as I do.

Multi-Meter

No toolbox is complete without a multimeter. I use this thing constantly around the house, as well as when tinkering on the motorcycle, drones, etc.. Not only has it saved me from many an unwanted shock, it has saved me guess work in a myriad of situations. This particular model is pretty old school, as evidenced by the analog readout. I got it in my Christmas stocking one year, in college. The rest of my siblings also received one that year. I think that my dad must have seen deal on them at Radio Shack (RIP) or something. Possibly the most valuable stocking-stuffer, ever. Thanks, dad!

Only NY X New York Mag Hoodie

Only NY is a brand that I have been stanning since I was a fresh transplant in the early aughts. I first learned of them from stickers that I would see around my neighborhood. From the design of the stickers, I knew it was something up my alley. I eventually connected with the founders of the brand and did a couple of stories about them for HS as well as one for a really old streetwear blog called SoJones.

Anyway, Only NY regularly does collaborations with local enterprises, like the MTA, NYC Parks, and this one: New York Magazine. The hoodie itself is super soft and fits a little larger than I usually wear, so it is insanely comfy. Very glad I brought this thing along.

[Photo Cred: Britt]

Master & Dynamic Earbuds

The fact that I now share a patio table with my wife as our “desk” (I knew one day I would get that partner desk, hehe), and being that she has a very strong phone voice, these earbuds from Master and Dynamic have proved invaluable over the past few weeks.

I’m one of those people who cannot wear Apple earbuds. My ear canal is too big, or the wrong shape (or something). The right ear always falls out. I hear good things about the airpod pros, with the silicone buds. But I’m not sure how soon I’ll be switching over to those, because I am very happy with these M&Ds. They sounds great and are also great looking, in my opinion. Also, everyone has airpods. I like to consider these the anti-airpods. Without going into a rant about why I’m generally anti-Apple/Mac, let’s just say that stylistically, I’ll take tortoise shell over most of the alternatives.