Gear · Nouméa, New Caledonia

My professional camera gear, on land and underwater

I’m Benjamin, a photographer in Nouméa. These are the tools I use to make your pictures: two full-frame Canon EOS R6 bodies, six lenses from 8 to 600 mm, a Profoto flash and a Nauticam housing rated to 100 m. For each one, what it actually changes for your photos.

Book a session See all my work

2full-frame bodies
6lenses · 8 → 600 mm
3flashes
100 munderwater housing

Approximate proportions

The table

Every tool, and what it changes for you

My gear laid out flat, drawn in approximate proportions. Open a card for its specifications.

×2
Bodies
Canon EOS R6 × 2
What it changes for you Two identical bodies: if one has the slightest issue, the session goes on. And two focal lengths ready at once, so I never swap lenses during moments that won’t happen twice.
Ideal for
- Weddings
- Portraits
- Family
- Underwater
- Wildlife
Specifications
Sensor
Full frame, 20.1 MP
Stabilization
In-body, up to 8 stops
Autofocus
Eye, face and animal detection
Cards
Dual SD UHS-II slots
Burst
12 fps (20 fps electronic)
Lenses
Canon RF 85 mm F1.2 L USM
What it changes for you The king of portraits: a creamy background, a subject sharp down to the eyelashes, and enough light to keep shooting as the sun goes down.
Ideal for
- Portraits
- Weddings
Specifications
Aperture
f/1.2
Line
L series
Aperture blades
9
Weight
1,195 g
Lenses
Canon RF 24-70 mm F2.8 L IS USM
What it changes for you The reportage lens: from the whole group to the detail of a ring without moving, with the same brightness from morning to night.
Ideal for
- Weddings
- Events
- Family
Specifications
Focal length
24–70 mm
Aperture
Constant f/2.8
Stabilization
5 stops
Weight
900 g
Lenses
Canon RF 50 mm F1.8 STM
What it changes for you Light and discreet: perfect for candid family moments, without ever intimidating the children.
Ideal for
- Family
- Portraits
Specifications
Aperture
f/1.8
Aperture blades
7
Weight
160 g
Lenses
Canon RF 100-500 mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
What it changes for you Shoot from afar without disturbing: the vows from the back of the church, a child at play, the birds of the lagoon.
Ideal for
- Wildlife
- Weddings
- Events
Specifications
Focal length
100–500 mm
Aperture
f/4.5–7.1
Stabilization
5 stops
Weight
1,370 g
Lenses
Canon RF 600 mm F11 IS STM
What it changes for you A very long telephoto that stays light: wildlife, the moon above the lagoon, the details the eye can’t see.
Ideal for
- Wildlife
- Landscape
Specifications
Focal length
600 mm
Aperture
f/11
Stabilization
5 stops
Weight
930 g, retractable
Lenses
Canon EF 8-15 mm f/4L Fisheye USM
What it changes for you The underwater lens: behind the housing’s dome, it fits the whole reef in the frame while staying close to the subject, where the water is clearest.
Ideal for
- Underwater
- Landscape
Specifications
Focal length
8–15 mm
Angle of view
180°, circular at 8 mm, full-frame at 15 mm
Aperture
f/4, L series
Weight
540 g
Light
Profoto A10
What it changes for you Studio light that fits in the bag: soft and natural, it tames the midday sun and saves the evening photos.
Ideal for
- Portraits
- Weddings
- Events
Specifications
Type
Round-head on-camera flash
Power
76 Ws
Control
AirTTL, Bluetooth
Underwater
Nauticam NA-R6
What it changes for you The full-frame body goes down into the lagoon with all its controls: the same image quality as on land, underwater.
Ideal for
- Underwater
Specifications
Type
Aluminium underwater housing
Depth rating
Up to 100 m
Controls
Access to the camera controls
×2
Underwater
INON D-200 × 2
What it changes for you Water absorbs reds and oranges within the first few metres: two strobes, one on each side, bring back their true colours.
Ideal for
- Underwater
Specifications
Type
Underwater strobes
Quantity
2, one on each side
Guide number
20
Coverage
110° underwater
Modes
S-TTL auto and 13-step manual
Underwater
Venom 50
What it changes for you A continuous light to find the subject in the blue, nail the focus and light the video.
Ideal for
- Underwater
Specifications
Type
Dive light
Use
Aiming, focusing, video
Accessories
Filters
What it changes for you Taming the tropical sun: fewer reflections on the water, a deeper sky, and water that turns to silk in a long exposure.
Ideal for
- Landscape
- Portraits
Specifications
Type
Neutral density, polarising
Use
Long exposures, reflections, colours
Accessories
Tripods
What it changes for you Absolute stability: sharp landscapes at dusk, and group photos where everyone is in, photographer included if you wish.
Ideal for
- Landscape
- Portraits
Specifications
Use
Long exposures, landscapes, video, group self-timer shots

Your session

Which gear for your session?

The bag changes with every project. Here is what suits each type of session best.

Weddings

Two bodies, wide to telephoto, and light for the evening.

EOS R6 ×2
RF 24-70 mm F2.8 L
RF 85 mm F1.2 L
RF 100-500 mm L
Profoto A10

Portrait & fashion

The 85 mm for texture, the flash to sculpt the light.

EOS R6 ×2
RF 85 mm F1.2 L
RF 50 mm F1.8
Profoto A10
Filters

Underwater

The housing, the fisheye behind the dome and two strobes for colour.

EOS R6 ×2
Nauticam NA-R6
EF 8-15 mm Fisheye L
INON D-200 ×2
Venom 50

Wildlife & landscape

Long lenses for wildlife, filters and tripod for landscapes.

EOS R6 ×2
RF 100-500 mm L
RF 600 mm F11
Filters
Tripods

Benjamin Forte, underwater photographer, in dive gear holding his Nauticam underwater housing with its dome port and strobe — Nauticam housing in hand, ready to dive.

In the field

The gear doesn’t stay in the workshop

Housing in hand, ready to dive: this is the gear I photograph underwater life with. The same full-frame body as on land, protected by the Nauticam housing, with its dome port and strobes.

The underwater kit

Nauticam NA-R6
EF 8-15 mm Fisheye L
INON D-200 ×2
Venom 50
EOS R6 ×2

Questions

Frequently asked questions about my gear

Which camera do you use?

Two Canon EOS R6, full-frame mirrorless cameras. I always bring both: if one has the slightest issue, the session goes on, and I have two focal lengths ready at once so nothing is missed.

Can you shoot underwater?

Yes. The EOS R6 goes into a Nauticam NA-R6 housing rated to 100 m, with a dome port, the 8-15 mm fisheye, two INON D-200 strobes and a video light. I create aquatic portraits in a pool or in the lagoon, as well as marine life photography.

Do I need to bring any equipment to my session?

No. I bring all the equipment needed, including the housing and strobes for an underwater session. You just bring yourself and your outfits.

What if a camera fails during the session?

It’s all planned for: two identical bodies, and every photo recorded on two memory cards at once thanks to the EOS R6 dual card slots.

Can I learn to use this gear with you?

Yes: that’s what my photography courses in Païta are about, on land and then underwater. Settings, light, composition, and a course to shoot in the lagoon.

The journal