It’s been over three years since I printed the listing of my images gear. What I not too long ago 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 proper time for an replace.
It took me about three months to promote all my Sony tools 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 major motivation for switching from Sony to Fuji was my need to get one of the best mixture of digital camera and lenses with out choosing a full body sensor. If I needed 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 consider that APS-C sensor cameras greatest match my fashion of images and the way I journey. I actually just like the compactness of cropped sensor cameras and lenses. The trendy mirrorless full body cameras are usually not massive in any respect, however what prevents me from entertaining even the opportunity of utilizing a full body digital camera is the large 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 effectively constructed, effectively designed, and the degrees of customization it provides are unimaginable. At this level, I custom-made all of the buttons and dials to suit my images fashion 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 conventional “DSLR” physique fashion 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 exhausting to name my tiny Sony RX100 III a backup digital camera. The aim of a backup digital camera is to switch the first digital camera within the occasion of a catastrophe. Normally, backup cameras are rarely 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 once I don’t wish to carry round any tools. 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 – in addition to the incredible picture high quality and kind issue – is its built-in EVF, which is uncommon for compact cameras.
Learn my detailed information: Greatest Compact Digital camera for Journey
Lenses
Sony is the most important producer of digital camera sensors on the planet and it leverages its experience by pushing expertise to the restrict by designing new sensors at unimaginable speeds.
Fujifilm, however, is a real images firm with many years of expertise in cameras and lens design. Fujifilm leverages their know-how by creating essentially the most full and logical lens ecosystem. The great thing about being a Fujifilm photographer is which you can decide any lens and know that it is going to be effectively 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 might decide if I may solely carry 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} broad 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 specific mannequin. It is without doubt one of the first lenses Fuji launched after they entered the mirrorless market years in the past. By fashionable requirements, it’s gradual to focus and the focusing mechanism is loud.
However, once 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 images.
Rokinon 12mm f2
The Rokinon 12mm f2 is a specialty lens that I exploit for just one sort of images—astrophotography. It’s a handbook focus prime lens that’s each broad 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 fantastic expertise with the identical mannequin once 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 Greatest Lenses for Astrophotography
Tripods
Feisol Match CT-3442
It has been six years since I purchased the Feisol Match CT-3442 mannequin and it’s nonetheless my go-to tripod. Even in any case this time, I contemplate it to be among the finest tripods for journey and panorama images. It’s tall, light-weight (1kg), and regular like a rock. I’ve no plans to switch it.
Regardless that 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 how one can pronounce it) weighs solely 2lb and measures 13 inches when folded. I can match it into my smallest digital camera bag. In fact, it doesn’t compete with the steadiness of my full-size Feisol, nevertheless it works effectively sufficient to offer 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 an especially low cost and compact choice that’s typically sufficiently small to place in my pocket as a backup within the occasion I can’t carry my major 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.
Examine my in depth information: The right way to Select Greatest Journey Tripods – A Sensible Information
Digital camera 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 just a few 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 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 once I have to carry 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 document 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 rarely use continues taking pictures mode, aside from bracketing. It makes me unlikely to benefit from UHS-II playing cards blistering pace. Additionally, it’s exhausting 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 most likely one of the best $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 greater 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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Digital camera Thumb Grip for Fujifilm X-T2
L-Bracket
The fast-release L-bracket permits me to modify 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 effectively constructed, light-weight, and cheap.
Initially, I deliberate to make use of it with my new Fuji XT2, however once 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 suggest it. It prices solely $25.
Digital camera Straps
I’ve not had a lot success with the collection of the digital camera straps in the previous couple of years. I saved altering them each few months looking for the one I like with out a lot luck. However I consider 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 mix 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 crucial annoying points of utilizing mirrorless cameras is poor battery life. Usually, I’m going via two to a few batteries throughout the day and it takes perpetually 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 unimaginable which you can buy a 20.000mAh energy financial institution for underneath $40 that permits 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 once I journey.
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WD My Passport Wi-fi Moveable Exterior Arduous Drive
This piece of apparatus 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 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 connect with the drive and switch the chosen photographs to a pill for modifying and sharing.
WD My Passport Wi-fi Professional Moveable Exterior Arduous Drive
Learn my exterior exhausting drives information: Greatest Exterior Arduous Drives for Photographers
50W 6-Port USB Charger
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That is an especially 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 just isn’t a chunk of photograph tools by its definition nevertheless it all the time accompanies me in every single place and helps me to take higher footage. So I contemplate it an important a part of my travels.