When I started out as a Rail Enthusiast in the early 1980’s, all of my equipment was analogue, from film and full sized vhs video cameras to a dictaphone that used (and sometimes ate) full sized cassette tapes. I now work almost entirely in digital, and the only analogue equipment I now carry are a notebook & pen.
You can learn more about my older cameras on the photography & video page.
Here is a list of the principal equipment used, however, it must be stressed that I only carry the items relevant to the job I’m doing at any given specific time.
Photo | Equipment Type | Make\Model | Description |
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DSLR Camera | Canon EOS 4000D | Purchased in 2021, this is now my main camera. | |
DSLR Camera | Canon EOS 400D | Purchased in 2007, this camera has travelled with me all over the UK and mainland Europe. Since the purchase of the Canon EOS 4000D, it has been downgraded to being my backup camera. | |
Digital Video Camera | Panasonic SDRH 80 | The Panasonic SDRH 80 was purchased around 2010 and is small and easily stored when travelling. I have shot several European rail videos with this camera. Its’ downside is that is not too great in low light. It is now basically a backup as I use a mobile phone (see below) to record video. | |
Digital Video Camera | Huawei PSmart 2021 Smartphone | Originally purchased in 2020 a a mobile phone for my wife, it was found that this was an ‘embargoed‘ phone, which meant that Google accounts could not be accessed. When she got a further replacement, I kept this phone purely for recording and uploading video. | |
Parrot Bebop Mk I | Drone (Video Capable) | Rarely used in railway settings as it would be unsafe to operate a drone close to an active railway line, however it has been used for panning or high level shots, well away from any running lines. Network Rail: Drone Safety and the Law |
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Digital Dictaphone | Olympus VN 480PC | Purchased in 2002, this is now, primarily a backup dictaphone, although it is rarely used, having been superceded by the VN732PC dictaphone described below, and also by the large dictation capacity of my personal mobile phone. | |
Digital Dictaphone | Olympus VN 732PC | This dictaphone, together with the recording facility on my personal mobile phone has taken over from the previous VN 480PC unit. It is very compact and easy to use and is one of my four ‘core’ pieces of equipment, (camera/dictaphone/notebook/pen). | |
Tablet (Android) | Lenovo Tab M10 HD | The Lenovo tablet allows me to post reports, upload video and even update the website when I am away from home. It connects to the internet by way of wifi tethering from my personal mobile phone or a suitable external wifi connection. |
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Other | Bluetooth Keyboard | The bluetooth keyboard is able to link to both the Lenovo tablet, and also to my personal mobile phone, which allows the direct input of data easily and conveniently when working away from home. |