It’s been over three years since I printed the listing of my pictures gear. What I 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 proper 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 major 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 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 model of pictures and the way I journey. I actually just like the compactness of cropped sensor cameras and lenses. The trendy mirrorless full body cameras will not be massive in any respect, however what prevents me from entertaining even the potential of utilizing a full body digital camera is the big measurement 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 gives are unimaginable. At this level, I custom-made all of the buttons and dials to suit my pictures model and am totally comfy taking it on an extended journey.
The Fuji XT2 arguably has the perfect physique design amongst all cameras. It has a standard “DSLR” physique model with the “hump” within the center the place the EVF resides. However, after taking pictures with Sony APS-C cameras, I noticed 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 arduous 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. Often, backup cameras are infrequently used and are left in digital camera baggage as a “simply in case” precaution.
However, the Sony RX100 III is such a tiny and succesful digital camera that I usually use it once I don’t wish to carry round any gear. 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 Digicam
The most important benefit of the RX100 III – in addition to the improbable picture high quality and kind 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 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, then again, is a real pictures 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 that you would be able to choose any lens and know that will probably 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 wonderful optical high quality and prolonged focal vary. It’s climate sealed and has extremely efficient picture stabilization.
That is the lens I might choose if I may solely deliver one lens on an extended 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 a variety of landscapes, I completely will need to 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 stunned {that a} vast 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 explicit mannequin. It is among 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 had 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 sort of pictures—astrophotography. It’s a handbook focus prime lens that’s each vast and quick, which is a uncommon mixture. It’s tiny and cheap, however the optic high quality is stellar.
Rokinon 12mm F2.0 Extremely Extensive Angle Lens for Fuji X
I had a terrific expertise with the identical mannequin once I shot with Sony. Due to its high quality, measurement, and value, it was a no brainer buy.
Associated: 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 think about it to be probably the greatest tripods for journey and panorama pictures. It’s tall, light-weight (1kg), and regular like a rock. I’ve no plans to switch it.
Despite the fact that I really 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 you 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 soundness of my full-size Feisol, however it works nicely sufficient to present 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 think about a final resort in tripods. It’s an especially low-cost and compact choice that’s usually sufficiently small to place in my pocket as a backup within the occasion I can not deliver my major 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.
Test my intensive information: Select Greatest Journey Tripods – A Sensible Information
Digicam Luggage
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 baggage through the years, I’m nonetheless stunned 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 hooked up, two additional lenses, spare batteries, a pocket book, cellphone, and a pill within the bag.
This can be a hybrid bag and doesn’t appear to be 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 must 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 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 noticed that I by no means shoot quick motion and, I infrequently use continues taking pictures mode, apart from bracketing. It makes me unlikely to reap the benefits of UHS-II playing cards blistering velocity. Additionally, it’s arduous 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 on your digital camera right here: Greatest SD Reminiscence Playing cards for Pictures
Thumb Grip
That is most likely 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 fast-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 appropriate 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 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 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 number 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 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 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 elements of utilizing mirrorless cameras is poor battery life. Usually, I’m going by two to 3 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 that you would be able to buy a 20.000mAh energy financial institution for underneath $40 that permits you to cost as much as 4 gadgets directly. I additionally discovered the ability financial institution’s flashlight characteristic which, though I believed it was gimmicky at first, I discover it very helpful once I journey.
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WD My Passport Wi-fi Transportable Exterior Onerous Drive
This piece of apparatus permits me to journey and not using 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 Transportable Exterior Onerous Drive
Learn my exterior arduous drives information: Greatest Exterior Onerous Drives for Photographers
50W 6-Port USB Charger
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That is an especially essential 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 scrub up my lenses but in addition for glasses, telephones and tablets.
Aeropress Espresso and Espresso Maker
Aeropress isn’t a chunk of photograph gear by its definition however it at all times accompanies me in every single place and helps me to take higher photos. So I think about it an important a part of my travels.