It’s been over three years since I printed the checklist of my pictures gear. What I lately realized is that the contents of my digital camera bag have tremendously modified over that interval.
Since I modified digital camera manufacturers by switching from Sony to Fujifilm, I believe that is the proper time for an replace.
It took me about three months to promote all my Sony gear and purchase new Fuji gear. At this level, I’m totally outfitted and able to provide the breakdown of what’s in my digital camera bag!
Cameras
My main motivation for switching from Sony to Fuji was my want to get one of the best mixture of digital camera and lenses with out choosing a full body sensor. If I wished to shoot with a full body digital camera, I may have stayed with Sony and upgraded to a Sony 7III or a Sony 7rIII.
I imagine that APS-C sensor cameras finest match my type of pictures and the way I journey. I actually just like the compactness of cropped sensor cameras and lenses. The fashionable mirrorless full body cameras will not be massive in any respect, however what prevents me from entertaining even the potential for utilizing a full body digital camera is the big dimension of its lenses.
For me, I’ve zero temptation to go the total body route.
Fujifilm X-T2
The Fujifilm XT2 was the logical alternative for me. It’s properly constructed, properly designed, and the degrees of customization it provides are unbelievable. At this level, I custom-made all of the buttons and dials to suit my pictures type and am totally comfy taking it on a protracted journey.
The Fuji XT2 arguably has one of the best physique design amongst all cameras. It has a standard “DSLR” physique type with the “hump” within the center the place the EVF resides. However, after taking pictures with Sony APS-C cameras, I spotted that I additionally just like the “rangefinder” physique kinds. I’m pondering of buying a Fujifilm X-E3 as my second, backup digital camera.
Associated: Evaluating Fuji XT2 vs XT3
At this level, I exploit a Sony RX100III as my backup digital camera.
Sony RX100 III
It’s laborious to name my tiny Sony RX100 III a backup digital camera. The aim of a backup digital camera is to exchange the first digital camera within the occasion of a catastrophe. Often, backup cameras are hardly used and are left in digital camera luggage as a “simply in case” precaution.
However, the Sony RX100 III is such a tiny and succesful digital camera that I usually use it after I don’t wish to carry round any gear. I’ve my RX100 III in a single pocket and a transportable tripod in one other pocket. I’m prepared for something.
Sony RX100 III Digital Nonetheless Digital camera
The largest benefit of the RX100 III – apart from the unbelievable picture high quality and kind issue – is its built-in EVF, which is uncommon for compact cameras.
Learn my detailed information: Finest Compact Digital camera for Journey
Lenses
Sony is the largest producer of digital camera sensors on this planet and it leverages its experience by pushing know-how to the restrict by designing new sensors at unbelievable speeds.
Fujifilm, then again, is a real pictures firm with a long time of expertise in cameras and lens design. Fujifilm leverages their know-how by creating probably the most full and logical lens ecosystem. The fantastic thing about being a Fujifilm photographer is you could decide any lens and know that it is going to be properly constructed and provide stellar optical high quality.
At this level, I’ve three Fuji lenses.
Fujinon 18-135
The Fujinon 18-135 is my final journey lens. It has wonderful optical high quality and prolonged focal vary. It’s climate sealed and has extremely efficient picture stabilization.
That is the lens I’d decide if I may solely convey one lens on a protracted journey.
Lastly, I’ve a journey setup the place each my digital camera and lens are climate sealed.
Fujinon 10-24
As a journey photographer who shoots plenty of landscapes, I completely will need to have an ultra-wide lens.
The Fujinon 10-24 is proof that, due to the advances in lens design, the distinction in high quality between prime and zoom lenses is getting smaller and smaller.
Even after months of utilizing the Fujinon 10-24, I’m nonetheless shocked {that a} huge angle lens can produce such excellent picture high quality.
Fujinon 35 f/1.4
The Fujinon 35mm prime is the most recent addition to my Fuji lens assortment. I used to be a bit hesitant about buying this explicit mannequin. It is without doubt one of the first lenses Fuji launched once they entered the mirrorless market years in the past. By trendy requirements, it’s sluggish to focus and the focusing mechanism is loud.
However, after I noticed the standard of photographs it produces, all my doubts had been gone. It stays in my bag and is ideal for environmental portraits or household pictures.
Rokinon 12mm f2
The Rokinon 12mm f2 is a specialty lens that I exploit for just one kind of pictures—astrophotography. It’s a guide focus prime lens that’s each huge and quick, which is a uncommon mixture. It’s tiny and cheap, however the optic high quality is stellar.
Rokinon 12mm F2.0 Extremely Extensive Angle Lens for Fuji X
I had an ideal expertise with the identical mannequin after I shot with Sony. Due to its high quality, dimension, and value, it was a no brainer buy.
Associated: The right way to Choose the Finest Lenses for Astrophotography
Tripods
Feisol Event CT-3442
It has been six years since I purchased the Feisol Event CT-3442 mannequin and it’s nonetheless my go-to tripod. Even in spite of everything this time, I contemplate it to be probably the greatest tripods for journey and panorama pictures. It’s tall, light-weight (1kg), and regular like a rock. I’ve no plans to exchange it.
Although I really like my Feisol, I’ve added two different tripod fashions to my digital camera bag. I felt the necessity for a a lot compacter and lighter mannequin that I can carry throughout city explorations and demanding hikes the place a full-size tripod turns into a burden.
Sirui T-025X
The Sirui T-025X (I nonetheless have no idea how one can pronounce it) weighs solely 2lb and measures 13 inches when folded. I can match it into my smallest digital camera bag. After all, it doesn’t compete with the soundness of my full-size Feisol, however it works properly sufficient to present me another choice on my city journeys.
Sirui T-025x Carbon Fiber Tripod with C-10 Ball Head
Pedco UltraPod II Tripod
The Pedco UltraPod II Tripod is what I contemplate a final resort in tripods. It’s a particularly low-cost and compact possibility that’s usually sufficiently small to place in my pocket as a backup within the occasion I can’t convey my main tripod.
Pedco UltraPod II Light-weight Digital camera Tripod
I sometimes use it with my Sony RX100 compact digital camera, which makes this a compact and succesful combo.
Test my intensive information: The right way to Select Finest Journey Tripods – A Sensible Information
Digital camera Luggage
Manfrotto Unica I Messenger Bag
The Manfrotto Unica I Messenger Bag is the smallest digital camera bag I personal, however it’s undeniably my favourite. Even after proudly owning just a few Manfrotto luggage through the years, I’m nonetheless shocked by how a lot stuff I can slot in such a tiny bag. My new Fuji setup is far greater than my earlier Sony setup, however I can match my Fuji XT2 with the lens hooked up, two further lenses, spare batteries, a pocket book, telephone, and a pill within the bag.
It is a hybrid bag and doesn’t appear like a digital camera bag in any respect, which I actually like. I can mix in amongst vacationers with out attracting any consideration.
Tenba Messenger Bag
The Tenba is a shoulder messenger bag I exploit after I have to convey my laptop computer with me. The bag is comparatively compact, however can match a 13-inch laptop computer.
Equipment
Reminiscence Playing cards
A few of my causes for selecting Fujifilm XT2 was its twin reminiscence card performance and help for quick SD reminiscence playing cards (UHS-II). With the twin card setup, I can file the images I take to each reminiscence playing cards concurrently, making my journey workflow redundant from begin to end.
However on the similar time, I overestimated the significance of Fuji XT2 help for UHS-II reminiscence playing cards. I spotted that I by no means shoot quick motion and, I hardly use continues taking pictures mode, aside from bracketing. It makes me unlikely to reap the benefits of UHS-II playing cards blistering pace. Additionally, it’s laborious to justify the upper price of UHS-II playing cards
You may learn my in-depth tutorial on how to decide on the precise reminiscence card to your digital camera right here: Finest SD Reminiscence Playing cards for Pictures
Thumb Grip
That is most likely one of the best $10 I spent that has tremendously improved my Fujifilm expertise. I discover that the shortage of a well-defined grip on the Fuji XT2 makes it uncomfortable to deal with when attaching greater lenses just like the Fujinon 18-135 or the Fujinon 10-24. The thumb grip makes an enormous distinction when taking pictures handheld.
No merchandise discovered.
Digital camera Thumb Grip for Fujifilm X-T2
L-Bracket
The fast-release L-bracket permits me to change between panorama and portrait tripod taking pictures in seconds.
For years, I used a common L-bracket that’s suitable with most digital camera fashions. It’s properly constructed, light-weight, and cheap.
Initially, I deliberate to make use of it with my new Fuji XT2, however after I found a mannequin with a built-in aluminum grip designed particularly for the Fuji XT2, I didn’t hesitate. It not solely serves as an L-bracket, but additionally improves the digital camera’s ergonomics.
Fast Launch L Plate with the Hand Grip for Fujifilm XT2
I extremely advocate it. It prices solely $25.
Digital camera Straps
I’ve not had a lot success with the choice of the digital camera straps in the previous few years. I saved altering them each few months looking for the one I like with out a lot luck. However I imagine my search is over.Lately I purchased two digital camera straps from Peak Design, one is the shoulder strap, and one other is a wrist strap. The mixture of two fashions covers all my bases.
Peak Design Cuff Digital camera Wrist Strap
Peak Design Leash Digital camera Strap
Twin USB Charger for Fuji Xt2 + 2 Battery Pack
One of the vital annoying facets of utilizing mirrorless cameras is poor battery life. Usually, I am going by way of two to 3 batteries throughout the day and it takes endlessly to cost them one after the other on the finish of the day. The Twin USB Charger for Fuji XT2 simplifies my life and permits me to cost two batteries on the similar time. Plus, the USB charging characteristic lets me cost the batteries within the automotive!
Twin USB Charger for Fujifilm XT2
20.000mAh Energy Financial institution
It’s unbelievable you could buy a 20.000mAh energy financial institution for beneath $40 that allows you to cost as much as 4 units without delay. I additionally discovered the facility financial institution’s flashlight characteristic which, though I assumed it was gimmicky at first, I discover it very helpful after I journey.
No merchandise discovered.
No merchandise discovered.
WD My Passport Wi-fi Transportable Exterior Arduous Drive
This piece of kit permits me to journey with out a laptop computer and with out having to fret about backups. As a result of it helps incremental SD automotive backups, I can again up my images on a number of events all through the day with out utilizing a laptop computer.
The cellular app lets me wirelessly connect with the drive and switch the chosen photographs to a pill for enhancing and sharing.
WD My Passport Wi-fi Professional Transportable Exterior Arduous Drive
Learn my exterior laborious drives information: Finest Exterior Arduous Drives for Photographers
50W 6-Port USB Charger
No merchandise discovered.
No merchandise discovered.
That is a particularly necessary gadget for my travels. On the finish the day after taking pictures for 12-14 hours, I can cost all of my digital units in a single shot.
Zeiss Lens Cleansing Wipes
I allays maintain a dozen of wipes in my digital camera bag and use them not solely to scrub up my lenses but additionally for glasses, telephones and tablets.
Aeropress Espresso and Espresso Maker
Aeropress is just not a chunk of photograph gear by its definition however it all the time accompanies me in every single place and helps me to take higher footage. So I contemplate it a necessary a part of my travels.
