Last updated on September 3rd, 2017 at 08:22 pm
Our Travel Photography Gear
We’re planning an entire series of stories here and on our forthcoming podcast about travel photography: what gear to buy, how to use it, what works best, dealing with airport security, and more.
But we are hundreds of stories and videos behind for publication. Writing and podcasting more means stopping our adventures to report on them. Oh, what a problem to have in life!
Until we create all of these stories and podcasts, here’s a list of the gear we use and what we recommend in order of buying priority and use in the field for travel photography.
- Note: We travel (there's two of us) with one suitcase apiece. If it can't fit in one bag, it doesn't go with us. That's because we have to think about how to carry everything once we get to our destination. Many taxi cabs and rental cars around the world are small with limited storage space. And it's easy to be separated from your gear riding public transportation. This poses theft risks.
We carry with us a separate bag for computers and storage drives, and a separate bag for cameras and recording gear. It's an enormous hassle given airline security procedures. We'll talk about this issue in a separate post.
These links are to Amazon.com because that’s where we buy a lot of our stuff and you can read the reviews of others there.
CELL PHONE — OUR #1 TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY TOOL
Why? You can use them for about 90% of the situations you’ll run into on travel.
They have capable cameras, video recorder apps, and are a communications platform to transmit all of your photos and videos via your favorite social media tools: Hootsuite, Buffer, and Instagram (our favorite), to Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook and more. Plus the photo and video editor tools are amazing for these phones.
The combination of power in a small form factor means you get NO hassles at the airports. And, if you do get hassled, and, the authorities want to seize or inspect the contents of your phone, you can refuse (they can seize it), all you have to do is make sure it is encrypted when you set it up (this is automatic with Apple phones). Plus, if you have an iPhone and pair it with your Mac following these instructions, it’s likely that no one but the most determined and capable professionals, will ever get into your phone. See: http://rovertreks.com/iPhone-Pairing-Security
What we recommend:
The Apple iPhone or the cell phone of your choice. Get the latest model. At the time of this post, it’s the 6S. Get the + model: the larger screen is easier to see when editing photo’s and videos. Also, get the tools below from the App Store or the store for Android phones.
- Photo Editor (Axiem Systems)
- iMovie for the iPhone
A PALM SIZE CAMERA — OUR #2 TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY TOOL
Cell phones are terrific. But none of them are as capable as a stand-alone camera — yet. If you find, as we have, that you must buy a camera, consider this great little camera. Based on all of the reviews we’ve read and the performance of the camera in our hands, this is the one to get for its size and performance as of April 2016:
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV 20.1 MP Digital Still Camera
See: http://rovertreks.com/Sony-R100IV
$948.00
We won’t waste your time here seconding what others have said. Many professional photographers specializing in camera testing reviews love this camera. As of April 2016, this camera is widely regarded by pro’s and prosumers alike, to be THE camera to get if you can’t or won’t buy a “full size” camera. And it is the camera of choice for many pro’s as a “quick second” to carry with all of their larger photo gear for a host of reasons.
Going on a cruise or on tours where it’s hard to get clear or quick shots? This camera is the one to get if you’re not using a cell phone.
What do we like about it? In short …
- Incredibly clear, brilliant pictures.
- A 1.8 aperture lens good for close-up macros and low light shooting (like those pix of food you want from the restaurants).
- Selectable shooting modes just like the pro level cameras (because this is a pro level camera in a small package).
- A popup viewfinder! Are you sick of your “display screen on the back” point and shoot camera that’s difficult to see through the sunlight? If so, you’ll love this feature.
- Wi-Fi capability to transfer pix to your camera for transmission (because Instagram only allows uploads through their mobile phone API).
- 4K video (even though no one can play it at that resolution yet (:>)
A COMPACT MIRRORLESS CAMERA — OUR #3 TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY TOOL
Fujifilm X-T1 16 MP Mirrorless Digital Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD and XF 18-55mm F2.8-4.0 Lens
http://rovertreks.com/Fujifilm XT-1
$1399.00 (or lower by the time you read this)
We love this camera. And professional camera buffs drool over this camera in their reviews. It’s inexpensive, yet, presents a host of features and capabilities found in more expensive cameras. Here’s what we like about it.
- Controls. Controls are on the outside of the camera and easy to get to. ISO, exposure compensation, and shutter speed are dials on the top of the camera rather than buttons you have to click through in a menu to find. Nothing is more annoying when operating a camera in the sunlight, than trying to see your settings by toggling through screens and menus.
- Viewfinder. The best electronic viewfinder in any camera — great for those with limited vision.
- Lenses. Fujifilm is a supplier of lenses for the legendary Hassleblad cameras. They build some of the best lenses in the business. Image stabilization is built-in to their lenses. And they offer a wide and growing selection of zoom and fixed focal plane lenses you can choose from, depending on your shooting style.
- Wi-Fi capable able to reduce photos in size for upload to your smartphone for posting on the Internet.
- A kit camera lens that comes with the camera (if you buy it that way) that’s all you’ll need for most shooting situations, the XF 18-55mm F2.8-4.0.
LENSES
We’ve tried a number of the Fujifilm lenses. They’re all terrific. But, in our opinion, these are the only two lenses to get if you want more than the 18-55mm.
Telephoto: Fujinon XF 50-140mm F2.8 R LM OIS WR
http://rovertreks.com/Fujinon Telephoto
$1399.00
Why? For those distance shots.
Wide Angle: Fujinon XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS Wide Angle Zoom Lens
http://rovertreks.com/Fujifilm Wide Angle Zoom
$799.00
Why? You'll need wide angle lens for close in shooting spaces. We like to capture expansive street art and city settings. Only a zoom wide angle will let you do that.
Optional Lenses (We have all of these, but you probably won’t need them)
Fujinon XF 27mm F2.8 Pancake
http://rovertreks.com/Fujifilm 27mm pancake
$299
Why get it? It's the size of a U.S. .25 cent piece. Your subjects won't notice you're pointing the camera at them. Used in connection with the tilt screen, subjects will think you're checking the controls of your camera, or, reviewing pix.
Fujinon XF56mmF1.2 R
http://rovertreks.com/Fujinon Portrait Lens
$799.
Why buy it? For portrait photography, or if you just like portraits of subjects you see on travel.
Fujinon XF 35mm F1.4 R lens
http://rovertreks.com/Fujinon 35mm
$499
Why buy it? To get pictures the way the eye sees them. This is the equivalent of a 50mm lens for a full size 35mm sensor camera. Arguably, 41mm is about the focal plane length of what the eye sees.
Fujifilm and other Accessories
Fujifilm Long Eyecup EC-XT L for X-T1 (Black)
http://rovertreks.com/Long Eyecup
$14.99
Why buy it? It's better than the stock eyepiece to keep the sun out of your eyes.
Fujifilm Vertical Battery Grip X-T1 Battery Grip (Black)
http://rovertreks.com/Fujifilm Battery Grip
$190.00
Why buy it? Good for those with big hands, or those wanting more shooting time without stopping to change batteries.
Fujifilm RR-90 Remote Camera Release
http://rovertreks.com/FF-90 Remote Release
$30.00
Why buy it? To have a remote shutter release while your camera is on a tripod
Promaster Adventure Pack Series – Khaki Camera Backpack
http://rovertreks.com/Promaster Photo Backpack
$149.95
Velbon Videomate 438 Aluminum Tripod with Fluid Pan and Tilt Head
http://rovertreks.com/Velbon 439 Video Tripod
$84.95
Why buy it? Recording videos. Video is the hottest visual medium on the ‘Net right now.
BlackRapid RRS-1BB Sport (RS-Sport) (Black)
http://rovertreks.com/Black Rapid Side Hanging Camera Strap
$73.95
Why buy it? The best camera strap we've found for a 6/3″ tall, 250 lb man with a V-shaped torso!
At the time of our purchase, we narrowed our choices down to the XT-1 and the Sony A7. The A7's 400K + ISO would have been great for us … we love night photography. But is was and remains, twice the price, and, only one lens was available for the A7 at the time of our purchase.
[wdi_feed id=”1″]