Cemhan Biricik Equipment List: Camera Gear & Tech Setup

Gear Is a Tool, Not a Talent

Let me be clear before listing my equipment: gear does not make the photographer. My National Geographic awards were shot on equipment that cost a fraction of what many amateurs spend. Vision, patience, and instinct — these are the tools that matter.

That said, professional photography demands reliable, high-quality tools. Here is what I use daily for my work at Biricik Media and personal projects.

Camera Bodies

• Primary: Full-frame mirrorless — fast autofocus, dual card slots, weather-sealed body. Under 700g for all-day carry.
• Backup: Same system, same mount — muscle memory does not change when I grab the second body.
• Video: Same mirrorless body shoots 4K 60fps for hybrid photo-video projects.

I carry two bodies on every paid shoot. Card failure, battery death, mechanical issues — redundancy is the professional's insurance policy. My travel kit scales down to one body for weight savings.

Lenses

The Core Three

• 35mm f/1.4 — my default. Close to human vision, fast enough for low light, wide enough for environmental portraits and street work. 80% of my published work is on this lens.
• 85mm f/1.4 — portrait perfection. Beautiful compression, creamy bokeh, flattering perspective for faces. Essential for headshots and editorial work.
• 14mm f/2.8 — architecture, interiors, and landscapes. I bring this when I know I will need ultra-wide perspectives.

Specialty Lenses

• 70-200mm f/2.8 — events, sports, and when I cannot get physically close to the subject
• 24-70mm f/2.8 — the backup zoom. Versatile but heavy. I avoid zooms when possible because primes force better composition.
• 100mm macro — food photography, product shots, and extreme close-up detail work

Lighting

• 2x Speedlights with wireless triggers — bounce flash for events and weddings
• Portable LED panels — continuous lighting for video and casual portrait work
• 5-in-1 reflector — the cheapest and most versatile lighting tool. Silver, gold, white, black, and translucent.
• Studio strobes — 600Ws monolights with softboxes, beauty dishes, and strip lights for studio sessions

I prefer natural light whenever possible. My philosophy values authenticity over manufactured perfection. But when the light is not there, professional tools fill the gap.

Support & Accessories

• Carbon fiber tripod — under 1kg, supports 10kg, essential for night photography and landscapes
• Camera bag — sling-style for street work, roller for studio and travel
• Memory cards — 128GB x5, fast write speed (300MB/s minimum)
• Batteries — 5 spares per body. Always.
• Circular polarizer — essential for cutting reflections and deepening skies
• Waterproof housing — for underwater work

Editing & Tech Setup

• Adobe Lightroom — RAW processing, color grading, and catalog management
• Adobe Photoshop — compositing, retouching, and advanced manipulation
• Capture One — tethered shooting and studio color work
• ZSky AI — AI-enhanced creative workflows for video and image generation
• Calibrated monitor — color accuracy is non-negotiable for print and web delivery
• Portable SSD — on-location backup. I never leave a shoot without a second copy of every file.