Have you ever wondered what a full-time travel blogger uses for their photography gear? After over a decade of backpacking and shooting around the world, I’ve refined my setup to be both efficient and lightweight. In this post, I’ll share what’s inside my camera bag and the essential travel photography gear that helps me create content while staying agile.
As a solo traveler and content creator, I face unique challenges that require flexibility in my gear. The goal is always to balance performance with portability. Travel photography gear needs to be versatile, compact, and durable. Through trial and error over the years, I’ve developed a setup that allows me to capture everything from sweeping landscapes to candid street portraits without being weighed down by excess equipment.
1. Camera Body: Sony a7R V
My primary camera body, the Sony a7R V, is a workhorse. It provides incredible resolution with its 61-megapixel full-frame sensor, which is perfect for capturing fine details during my travels. Whether I’m shooting a bustling city street or a quiet landscape, the camera’s image quality stands up to any challenge.
This camera’s versatility also shines in video. With 4K 60p capabilities and 8K video options, it allows me to shoot both photo and video seamlessly. The AI-powered autofocus is particularly useful in dynamic settings, tracking subjects without a hitch. Plus, its 5-axis in-body stabilization helps me get sharp, smooth shots even in tricky conditions. Given its performance and weight (about 740g), it’s the perfect choice for my travel photography gear.
2. All-Purpose Lens: Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
The Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II lens is my go-to all-around lens. When traveling, I don’t want to switch lenses too often, so having a versatile zoom lens is essential. This lens covers a range from wide-angle (24mm) to telephoto (70mm), making it perfect for landscape shots, portraits, and even street photography. The new version is significantly lighter than its predecessor, weighing in at just 690g, which helps me keep my pack light.
Its f/2.8 aperture lets in plenty of light for low-light conditions, and the sharpness of this lens is unmatched. Though it’s on the expensive side, it’s worth every penny for its quality and convenience. If you’re on a budget, the Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 is a great, lighter alternative that still offers fast apertures and sharp results.
3. Ultra-Wide Lens: Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
For those sweeping wide shots of landscapes or architectural wonders, I turn to the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II. This lens has become indispensable in my travel photography gear. It offers an ultra-wide focal range perfect for capturing towering buildings or vast landscapes, like the ones I encounter on my adventures. The 16-35mm range ensures I can still capture fine details, even when I need to zoom in a bit.
At only 547g, it’s also light enough to carry on long hikes, which is important when I’m trekking through remote locations. The lens is fast, with an f/2.8 aperture, allowing for great performance in low light. It’s sharp and responsive, making it ideal for most of my travel needs.
4. Telephoto Lens: Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM II
For wildlife, sports events, or long-distance portraits, the Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM II lens is essential. It replaces both my old portrait lens and telephoto zoom lens, which were heavier and required frequent switching. This 70-200mm lens is a beast, offering both speed and sharpness. With a wide f/2.8 aperture, it provides beautiful subject isolation, even in crowded scenes.
This lens is versatile enough for anything from wildlife photography to capturing concerts. Additionally, the compatibility with Sony’s teleconverters means I can extend the zoom range from 200mm to 400mm if needed, without sacrificing image quality. It’s heavy at 1.4kg, but it’s worth the trade-off for its image quality and versatility.
5. Drone: DJI Mini 2
For aerial shots, the DJI Mini 2 is my drone of choice. At only 249g, it’s lightweight, making it an ideal companion for travel. Despite its compact size, the Mini 2 captures stunning 4K video and 12MP stills. It’s easy to carry and quick to set up, which is crucial when traveling through crowded or remote locations.
I’ve used other drones in the past, but the Mini 2 remains my favorite for its price-to-performance ratio. The DJI Mini 2 provides excellent stability, reliable transmission, and impressive battery life, offering around 30 minutes of flight time per battery. It’s a great option for those who want high-quality aerial shots without the bulk.
6. Tripod: Sirui Traveler 5CX Carbon Fiber
Carrying a tripod that’s both lightweight and sturdy is essential for travel. The Sirui Traveler 5CX Carbon Fiber tripod weighs only 1kg, which makes it one of the lightest in its class. Its compact design allows it to collapse down to just 31 cm, making it easy to store in my backpack.
Despite its light weight, the tripod provides stability for long-exposure shots and video. It’s easy to set up, and its carbon fiber construction ensures durability, even in rough conditions. It’s the perfect companion for my travel photography gear when I need a steady shot without the bulk of heavier tripods.
7. Camera Accessories: Filters, Remote, and Extras
A few key accessories complete my travel photography gear:
Nisi Swift ND Filter: The Nisi Swift ND filter is my go-to for controlling exposure in bright conditions while maintaining natural colors. It’s easy to use and provides a sharp, high-quality effect with no color casting.
Sony Wireless Remote Commander: As a solo traveler, a remote shutter release is essential for capturing self-portraits without asking others for help. The Sony Wireless Remote Commander is small, lightweight, and works flawlessly with my setup.
Extra Batteries and Chargers: I always carry spare batteries for both my camera and drone. With the Nitecore USN4 camera battery charger, I can charge two batteries at once, which is incredibly useful when I’m out shooting all day.
8. Storage and Editing Gear
For editing on the go, I rely on my MacBook Pro 14″ M1. Its power makes editing photos and videos seamless, even when working with high-resolution files from the Sony a7R V. I also pack a Samsung T5 SSD for fast file storage and backup while traveling.
Final Thoughts
Travel photography gear is all about striking the right balance between weight and performance. The gear I’ve chosen allows me to capture high-quality images and videos without adding unnecessary bulk to my backpack. From my versatile lenses to my ultra-portable drone, each piece of equipment plays a key role in ensuring I can capture the world’s beauty in all its forms.
With the right travel photography gear, you don’t have to compromise on the quality of your work while exploring new destinations. This setup gives me the flexibility I need, whether I’m capturing a sunset, documenting a remote village, or shooting street life in a bustling city.