What’s in my Travel Camera Bag 2023
As a photographer, my camera gear is my most important possession. It's the tool that lets me capture the beauty of the world and share it with others. Over the years, I've honed my kit to include only the gear I really love and use often. Here is what's currently in my travel photography backpack:
Camera
Sony A7iii
As a travel and street photographer, I need a camera that is versatile, and lightweight. That's why I chose the Sony A7iii camera as my go-to camera. The first thing that drew me to this camera was its compact size and weight. When I'm traveling, I don't want to lug around a heavy, bulky camera, and the A7iii fits the bill perfectly.
But it's not just the size that I love about this camera. It also produces stunning images. The autofocus is fast and accurate, which is essential when shooting in fast-moving environments. I've never missed a shot because the autofocus wasn't fast enough. Additionally, the low-light performance is unbeatable. I’ve used it for astrophotography in Jordan, Greece and the UK and it performs brilliantly. I often find myself shooting in less-than-ideal lighting conditions, and the A7iii has never let me down. The images are clean, sharp, and noise-free, even in low light.
One of the features that I appreciate the most is the camera's ability to shoot silently. This is especially useful when I'm shooting in quiet locations, such as temples or museums. The last thing I want to do is disturb the peaceful atmosphere with the loud clicking of my camera shutter.
Finally, the battery life of the A7iii is fantastic. I can shoot all day without worrying about running out of power. This is especially useful when I'm on long hikes or multi-day trips where I may not have access to electricity. I can often shoot all day, for multiple days in a row without needing to charge. My record so far is 3 days.
Lenses
Sony 28-70mm F3.5-5.6
Sony 70-200mm F2.8 GM II
To keep my kit light and to have less strain on my back, I value lightweight lenses with that produce sharp, clear images. That's why I rely on my Sony 28-70mm f3.5-5.6 and Sony 70-200mm F2.8 GM II lenses.
My Sony 28-70mm f3.5-5.6 is my go-to lens when I wide enough focal length to fit in a large scene. It's lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry around all day. The focal length range of 28-70mm is perfect for capturing a wide range of subjects, from landscapes to portraits. The image quality is great with accurate colours.
The Sony 70-200mm F2.8 GM ii lens is easily my favourite lens for street and travel photography. It is a is truly a remarkable piece of equipment. Whilst it is a bit heavier than the 28-70mm lens, but the extra weight is worth it for the image quality and versatility. One of the things I appreciate about this lens is the new Linear Motors that make focusing both quiet and fast. As for sharpness, the corner sharpness is greatly improved, while the legendary GM lens sharpness is still very much intact with this lens. It is absolutely enjoyable to shoot with. It's also weather-sealed, making it ideal for shooting in any conditions.
the Sony 28-70mm f3.5-5.6 and the Sony 70-200mm F2.8 GM ii lenses are the perfect combination for my travel photography needs. They are both versatile, produce high-quality images, and can handle a variety of shooting situations. The 28-70mm lens is great for everyday shooting, while the 70-200mm lens is perfect for capturing subjects that are further away or for getting in closer for a more intimate shot.
Tripods
Manfrotto Pixi Evo
Manfrotto Befree GT XPRO
Having the appropriate tripod is crucial for getting the shot, as I have learned from experience. This is why I always have either my Manfrotto Pixi Evo compact tripod or my Manfrotto Befree GT XPRO in my backpack, ready to be used.
When I need to take pictures quickly or don't want to lug along a heavy tripod, I reach for my Manfrotto Pixi Evo compact tripod. Its portability and compact size make it ideal for all-day use. The tripod's legs may be set at a variety of angles and can double as a handhold for filming on the move. The smooth and easily adjustable ball head allows me to get the perfect shot composition every time. When I need a solid shot but don't want to lug about a full-sized tripod, this compact tripod is the perfect solution.
But, my Manfrotto Befree GT XPRO is a bigger, more sturdy tripod. When I require the highest degree of steadiness and adaptability, I switch to this one. Although it's bulkier and heavier than the Pixi Evo, it's still manageable in size and weight. Because of its high weight capacity, the tripod may be used with a broad variety of cameras and lenses. Long exposures and panoramic images are perfect candidates for the extra stability provided by this tripod.
Filters
Tiffin Black Pro-Mist ¼
Urth ND Filter sets
Filters are an essential tool in my photography kit, and I always carry a few different types with me to help me capture the perfect shot. Here are the filters I carry in my backpack:
Tiffen Black Pro-Mist ¼ Filter: I love using this. The Tiffen Black Pro-Mist filter helps to soften the contrast in your images, giving them a dreamy, ethereal quality. It's perfect for shooting portraits or landscapes where you want to create a soft, romantic atmosphere. I also love the glow I get from lights when using it at night. I have 2 of these, one for each lens.
Urth ND Filters: Neutral density (ND) filters are a must-have for any landscape photographer. These filters help to reduce the amount of light that enters your camera, allowing you to use slower shutter speeds to capture motion in your images. I carry a set of Urth ND filters for both lenses
Drone
DJI Mavic 2 Zoom
Whenever I have the chance, I bring my DJI Mavic 2 Zoom along on travels so that I may shoot breath-taking aerial photographs. Being honest, its getting a lot harder to find places to fly it unfortunately. This small but mighty drone is an indispensable part of my gear since it allows me to shoot spectacular footage from previously impossible vantage points.
In order to go closer to my subject without having to physically move the drone, I take advantage of the Mavic 2 Zoom's 2x optical zoom lens. While photographing landscapes, this feature allows me to zoom in close to catch fine details and then zoom out to get a broader view. The 2x optical zoom also allows for super resolution photos. The drone takes 9 photographs at a high magnification and stitches them together to make one massive photo you can examine in great detail.
There are a number of clever flight modes available on this drone, such as ActiveTrack, which lets me latch onto a subject and follow it as it moves, and Hyperlapse, which lets me create breath-taking time-lapse recordings.
Backpack
Gomatic MCKINNON Camera Pack 35L
When it comes to travel photography, having the right backpack to carry all your gear is essential. The Gomatic MCKINNON Camera Pack 35L is the bag that I rely on to protect my camera and lenses while on the go. This camera bag is truly next level.
For those wondering why I called it the Gomatic MCKINNON Camera Pack 35L instead of the Nomatic MCKINNON Camera Pack 35L, in the UK (and the rest of Europe I think), the company is called Gomatic. Their products are the same as those from Nomatic.
When I first received the backpack, I was amazed at just how rugged it felt. It's designed to fit all my gear snugly and securely, and I love that it can hold even more than I initially thought possible. Even though it's packed with expensive equipment, I never worry about it getting damaged because of the sturdy construction.
At first, I was hesitant about the price of the Gomatic MCKINNON Camera Pack 35L, but it has proved to be worth every penny. It can extend to 42l which allows me to add enough clothes for a 2 or 3day trip, meaning this is the only bag I need to take on a flight for a short trip.
One of the things I love about this backpack is how comfortable it is to wear, even with many pounds of equipment packed inside. It's designed to distribute the weight evenly across my back, and the padded shoulder straps and back panel make it easy to carry for extended periods.
What's in my backpack - conclusion
The right equipment can make all the difference when you're trying to capture the spirit of the locations you visit via your photographs. All of the aforementioned components work together well to ensure my comfort and safety when I am out and about taking breathtaking photographs. The appropriate equipment may make or break your vacation photography, so I hope my advice has been helpful.
Your questions
If you are interesting in knowing more about any of the gear listed above please contact me. Looking forward to chatting soon!