I started using Olympus | OM System cameras back in 2016 due to their significant weight efficiency. Compared to the previous equipment, I reduced the overall weight of my backpack by 6 kg while maintaining the diversity of focal range and equipment. Here you can see all my gear that is naturally subject to change infrequently. In March 2022, I have updated this after three years, and I can see some exciting upgrades & additions.
You can also view my current accessories overview here >>

CAMERA BODIES

I always carry two bodies on each expedition. Currently, it’s been & for some time will be the OM-1 as both the main & backup body. The reason for this is twofold. Not only does the backup one serve in case something happens to the main body. But it speeds up my reaction times as it allows me to use different lenses without the need to swap them on my main camera.

LENSES

Several lenses in my backpack ensure maximum creative flexibility for creating photos. Their range changes oftentimes depending on what’s on the market, but the fundamental pillar is currently the Olympus M.Zuiko 150-400mm/4.5 TC 1.25x IS. This lens is excellent for taking pictures of any wildlife and close-ups without the need for 1:1 zoom, such as orchids, shy lizards, dragonflies or treefrogs. For night photography of lizards, snakes and frogs, as well as wide-angle shots of landscapes and various animals, I use the universal M. Zuiko 8-25mm/4 PRO, as you can quickly change the angle of view. M.Zuiko 60mm/2.8 is for classic macro shots. Laowa 10mm/2 works excellent for landscape and photos of the night sky. I will use the brand-new M.Zuiko 40-150mm/4 Pro for wildlife within their extended natural habitat. And finally, I use the M.Zuiko 17mm/1.2 for various creative plays with bokeh or family portraits.

NOTE // Images of the lenses and camera bodies are created using the www.camerasize.com online tool.

Olympus M.Zuiko 150-400mm/4.5 TC 1.25x IS PRO
| read my review 1 | read my review 2 | read my review 3 |

FLASHES

I use several different flashes to photograph nocturnal animals and sometimes even during the day. For several years now, I’ve had an excellent experience with the Olympus FC-WR flash in combination with the electronic Olympus FL-700WR flash with wireless radio-wave communication. For flashes that are not compatible with radio-wave reception, I also have an FR-WR receiver that enables you to control via radiowaves flashes by other brands. I recently added a Godox X-Pro transmitter to my gear, which can radio control the Godox MF-12 macro flash and the classic Godox TT350O flash.

LENSES AND CAMERAS OF THE PAST

In addition to the equipment I have permanently in my backpack, I gradually sold a few pieces that I replaced with others. I was also lucky enough to test brand-new models on several occasions, for which I sincerely thank the Czech Olympus | OM System branch. Ideally, I’d like to have it all. But, let’s face it, I wouldn’t be able to carry it all 🙂. You can see a comprehensive overview of all the lenses that I either used or tested in the picture below.

Petr Bambousek

OM SYSTEM AMBASSADOR | I am a professional wildlife photographer who over the past 20 years undertook more than 40 photo expeditions to tropical rainforests across the world. You may have seen my photos in various exhibitions, on the Internet and many Czech and foreign magazines and books. A number of my photographs were awarded at local and overseas competitions such as the Czech Press Photo, Nature's Best Photography, Bird Photographer of the Year, Sony World Photography Awards, Big Picture Awards, Nactus Awards or the most acclaimed one - the Wildlife Photographer of the Year. At this particular competition, my photographs were not only in the Final but also, one of my finalist images became a central promotional piece of the whole 2015 WPY travelling exhibition. If you enjoy my work, don’t forget to visit my Photogallery and connect to my Facebook profile.