It’s been over three years since I printed the checklist of my pictures gear. What I just 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 feel that is the right 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 geared up 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 the perfect 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 should not huge in any respect, however what prevents me from entertaining even the potential of 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 nicely constructed, nicely designed, and the degrees of customization it provides are unbelievable. At this level, I personalized 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 the perfect 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 considering 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 onerous to name my tiny Sony RX100 III a backup digital camera. The aim of a backup digital camera is to interchange the first digital camera within the occasion of a catastrophe. Normally, backup cameras are infrequently 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 typically use it after I don’t need to carry round any gear. I’ve my RX100 III in a single pocket and a conveyable tripod in one other pocket. I’m prepared for something.
Sony RX100 III Digital Nonetheless Digicam
The most important benefit of the RX100 III – moreover the incredible picture high quality and type issue – is its built-in EVF, which is uncommon for compact cameras.
Learn my detailed information: Greatest Compact Digicam for Journey
Lenses
Sony is the largest producer of digital camera sensors on the earth 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 can decide any lens and know that it will likely be nicely 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 glorious 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 deliver 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 numerous landscapes, I completely should 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 newest addition to my Fuji lens assortment. I used to be a bit hesitant about buying this specific mannequin. It is likely one of the first lenses Fuji launched once they entered the mirrorless market years in the past. By fashionable 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 have 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 Large Angle Lens for Fuji X
I had a terrific 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: How you can Choose the Greatest 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 take into account it to be top-of-the-line tripods for journey and panorama pictures. It’s tall, light-weight (1kg), and regular like a rock. I’ve no plans to interchange it.
Though I 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 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 steadiness of my full-size Feisol, however it works nicely sufficient to provide 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 take into account a final resort in tripods. It’s a particularly low-cost and compact choice that’s typically sufficiently small to place in my pocket as a backup within the occasion I can’t deliver my main tripod.
Pedco UltraPod II Light-weight Digicam Tripod
I sometimes use it with my Sony RX100 compact digital camera, which makes this a compact and succesful combo.
Verify my intensive information: How you can Select Greatest Journey Tripods – A Sensible Information
Digicam Baggage
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 a number of Manfrotto luggage over time, I’m nonetheless shocked by how a lot stuff I can slot in such a tiny bag. My new Fuji setup is way larger than my earlier Sony setup, however I can match my Fuji XT2 with the lens connected, two further lenses, spare batteries, a pocket book, cellphone, 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 deliver 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 identical 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 infrequently use continues taking pictures mode, apart from bracketing. It makes me unlikely to benefit from UHS-II playing cards blistering pace. Additionally, it’s onerous to justify the upper value of UHS-II playing cards
You’ll be able to learn my in-depth tutorial on how to decide on the fitting reminiscence card in your digital camera right here: Greatest SD Reminiscence Playing cards for Pictures
Thumb Grip
That is in all probability the perfect $10 I spent that has tremendously improved my Fujifilm expertise. I discover that the dearth of a well-defined grip on the Fuji XT2 makes it uncomfortable to deal with when attaching larger lenses just like the Fujinon 18-135 or the Fujinon 10-24. The thumb grip makes an enormous distinction when taking pictures handheld.
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Digicam Thumb Grip for Fujifilm X-T2
L-Bracket
The short-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 nicely 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 in addition improves the digital camera’s ergonomics.
Fast Launch L Plate with the Hand Grip for Fujifilm XT2
I extremely suggest it. It prices solely $25.
Digicam Straps
I’ve not had a lot success with the collection of the digital camera straps in the previous few years. I stored altering them each few months looking for the one I like with out a lot luck. However I imagine my search is over.Just 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 Digicam Wrist Strap
Peak Design Leash Digicam Strap
Twin USB Charger for Fuji Xt2 + 2 Battery Pack
One of the annoying points of utilizing mirrorless cameras is poor battery life. Usually, I am going by way of two to 3 batteries in the course of 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 identical time. Plus, the USB charging characteristic lets me cost the batteries within the automobile!
Twin USB Charger for Fujifilm XT2
20.000mAh Energy Financial institution
It’s unbelievable you can buy a 20.000mAh energy financial institution for underneath $40 that allows you to cost as much as 4 gadgets without delay. I additionally discovered the facility financial institution’s flashlight characteristic which, though I believed it was gimmicky at first, I discover it very helpful after I journey.
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WD My Passport Wi-fi Transportable Exterior Arduous Drive
This piece of apparatus permits me to journey with no laptop computer and with out having to fret about backups. As a result of it helps incremental SD automobile backups, I can again up my images on a number of events all through the day with out utilizing a laptop computer.
The cell app lets me wirelessly hook up 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 onerous drives information: Greatest Exterior Arduous Drives for Photographers
50W 6-Port USB Charger
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That is a particularly vital gadget for my travels. On the finish the day after taking pictures for 12-14 hours, I can cost all of my digital gadgets 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 wash up my lenses but in addition for glasses, telephones and tablets.
Aeropress Espresso and Espresso Maker
Aeropress will not be a chunk of picture gear by its definition however it at all times accompanies me in all places and helps me to take higher footage. So I take into account it a necessary a part of my travels.