How To Travel With Camera Gear

Traveling calorie-free is non an easy task. It requires both dedication and sacrifices to proceed your traveling load lite enough to permit you to move freely when traveling. But what if you throw in camera gear and equipment to the mix? Well, that'due south a whole different game.

Traveling light with photographic camera gear is an art that requires not simply dedication but also complete devotion and creativity from start to finish. It starts correct at the outset with the camera organization you lot choose all the way to which photographic camera handbag is the best for lightweight travelers.

Without further ado, hither are the all-time tips for backpacking and traveling light with camera gear that I have honed for the by 10 years.

• 1. Pick The Right Camera Format
  • Micro-Four-Thirds Organization
  • Full-Frame System
  • APS-C Organization
  • So Which Camera System to Choice?
• 2. Buy The Right Lenses For Travel
  • Best Lightweight Sony APS-C Lenses
  • Best Lightweight Fujifim APS-C Lenses
  • All-time Lightweight Sony Total-Frame Lenses
• 3. Consider Which Lenses To Bring On A Daily Basis
• 4. Bring Only What You Need
• 5. Exit your drone at dwelling
• six. Pick The Right Photographic camera Backpack
• 7. Suit and Fit Your Photographic camera Backpack Before Traveling
• 8. Use a Unified GAN Charger
• Farther Reading for Resources

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i. Option The Right Camera Format

Commencement and foremost, the ane thing that can affect the load of your backpack is the camera system y'all cull to go with. DSLR is clunky and erstwhile which puts it out of the moving-picture show when it comes to travel.

Mirrorless cameras are the manner to go simply which system should you invest in? At that place are 3 main categories you will have to know nearly. The Micro-Four-Thirds system (lightest), the Full-frame arrangement (heaviest), and the APS-C arrangement (medium). Each system has its own advantages and disadvantages that you lot should consider before picking one.

Micro-4-Thirds System (Lightest)

There is the Micro 4 Thirds arrangement which is the smallest and lightest of the bunch. Brands like Olympus and Panasonic are known for their great Micro Four Thirds organisation.

This system is the smallest and lightest of them all which means that the lenses and of import accessories similar a tripod tin be lightweight besides. That said, the Micro Four Thirds cameras often take the smallest sensor which tin can be quite limiting when it comes to image quality and lowlight operation and that can be a deal-breaker to some.

Full-Frame System (Heaviest)

At that place is also the full-frame organisation, the heaviest and often time largest of the bunch merely still compact enough to carry, unlike DSLRs. Brands similar Canon and Sony are known for their lightweight full-frame cameras with a ton of lens options available.

The arrangement is the best performing photographic camera system out of all with excellent image quality and swell lowlight performance. It is likewise the larger of the bunch but not by much, now that we have a compact total-frame camera with a form cistron that is similar to those of APS-C cameras like the Sony a7C which I am currently using.

With a larger camera system, you lot volition also take to worry about the sizes of the lenses you desire to pack as well as other accessories you lot might need as they become significantly heavier and more expensive than the Micro Four Thirds and APS-C lenses and accessories.

APS-C System (Medium)

Last but not least, the APS-C system which is in between the 2 with a bit heavier and larger gear than the Micro Four Thirds merely smaller than the full-frames. Brands like Sony and Fujifilm accept a pretty cracking APS-C ecosystem, especially Fujifilm with new APS-C lenses and cameras coming out all the time.

The image quality and lowlight performance are also in between the 2 systems besides as the size and weight of the APS-C lenses and other accessories.

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And so Which Camera Organization to Pick?

Well, it all depends on how yous want to rest between size & weight and epitome quality and performance. If you are only starting out, wanting to larn more about travel photography, and are not used to carrying heavy camera gear when traveling, the Micro-Four-Thirds and the APS-C systems are an excellent choice.

I would lean in more than towards the APS-C every bit it will leave more rooms for you to grow as a photographer. With the Sony and Fujifilm cameras, you lot will also have more access to lenses and accessories that y'all might not have with the Micro-Four-Thirds.

Cameras similar the Sony a6100 and the Fujifilm X-T200 are great entry-level cameras you tin can go. They weigh around 400 m (0.88 lbs) and you can pick them up at quite an affordable price between 700 - 800 USD. Here is a great comparing video past DPReview TV, my favorite photography Youtube Channel.

Looking for Photography Youtube channels to follow? Check out: 10 All-time Photography Youtube Channels to Follow in 2022

If you accept a little scrap more upkeep, you lot can go with the more mid-entry level cameras similar the Sony a6400 or the Fuji X-S10 which weighs effectually the same as the entry-level cameras at 400 g (0.88 lbs) and are the best bang for your bucks with the cost point at around 1,000 USD.

For people who can spare around 1,500 USD for a camera body, the very best APS-C cameras y'all tin can purchase correct now are the Sony a6600 or the Fujifilm X-T4, both weigh 500 g (1.i lbs) around are highly capable for enthusiasts and professionals alike.

All these APS-C cameras are all great just information technology is still limited to the smaller size of its sensor and it can be a bargain-billow to some. If you are looking for a camera organization with the best image quality and can shoot sharp pictures even in poorly-lit places and you practice not listen having a bit of a heavier bag load, the Full-Frame organisation is the fashion to become.

The Sony a7C camera is the lightest and most meaty Full-frame camera y'all can get right at present and I highly recommend you go for this camera if you want to travel light without sacrificing image quality.

Sony did a great job at keeping the class-gene and the weight similar to its APS-C counterparts like the Sony a6600 only comes with an uncompromising full-frame sensor. Whatever other options like the Sony a7IV, etc. will exist style too cumbersome to travel with, in my opinion.

All in all, it's all almost what you lot want to get out of your trip. If y'all are only taking photos of families and friends, you lot can easily go with entry-level cameras similar the Sony a6100 and Fujifilm X-T200 cameras.

If you enjoy taking photos of compages and landscapes while traveling and occasionally press them out for your walls, you might consider going with the mid-level cameras instead, such as the Sony a6400 or the Fuji X-S10 cameras.

If you are an aspiring content creator as I am and y'all want your backpack to be as light as possible, y'all might consider going with the Sony a6600 or Fujifilm X-T4 cameras or even going up the next level as I did and cull the Sony a7C full-frame photographic camera if upkeep allows.

APS-C Vs Total-Frame, which one is meliorate for you? Check out: Full Frame VS APS-C Cameras: Which One Should I Go For Traveling?

2. Buy The Right Lenses For Travel

Now that you lot have picked the right camera system for your next trip, it's time to selection the right lenses. No affair what camera you lot selection, the majority of the weight of your haversack will come from the lenses you want to pack for your trip.

Of course, you can hands travel the world with one lens but since this article is for photographers, I volition be focusing on providing a comprehensive listing of the holy trinity lenses for each camera system that will cover all the focal lengths from 16mm to 200/300mm you might need when you travel.

Best Lightweight Sony APS-C Lenses

For Sony APS-C cameras like the Sony a6100, a6400, and a6600, hither are the best and well-nigh lightweight travel lenses that do not sacrifice image quality you should pick upward:

• Wide-Bending Lens: Sony 10-18mm F4 lens (225 g | 0.49 lbs).
• All-Around Lens (for a6100, a6400): Tamron 17-70mm F2.eight lens (544 g | 1.twenty lbs)
  This is not the lightest lens just information technology comes with optical paradigm stabilization which is important for the Sony a6100 and a6400 cameras since they do non have in-body stabilization (IBIS).
• Accommodating Lens (for a6600): Sigma 18-50mm F2.eight lens (for a6600) (290 m | 0.64 lbs).
• Telephoto Lens (for a6100, a6400): Sony 70-350mm F4.5-6.three lens (625 g | 1.38 lbs)
  Again, since the Sony a6100 and a6400 don't come up with IBIS, you are going to need a lens with OSS which this 1 has.
• Telephoto Lens (for a6600): Tamron seventy-300mm F4.5-6.3 lens (544 g | 1.20 lbs)
  Despite it existence a full-frame lens, information technology is the lightest telephoto lens out at that place that is great for traveling light.

The full weight of this lens gear up is i,394 thousand or 3.07 lbs (without the camera body) for Sony a6100 and a6400.

For the Sony a6600 with its IBIS, you can save even more weight which is around 1,059 one thousand or 2.33 lbs (without the camera body) for this lens setup.

For more than lens options for the Sony APS-C camera? Bank check out: The Best Lenses for Every Sony APS-C Photographic camera

Best Lightweight Fujifim APS-C Lenses

For Fujifilm APS-C cameras like the Fujifilm X-T200, Ten-S10, and Ten-T4, here are the best and most lightweight travel lenses you should pick up:

• Wide-Bending Lens: Fuji XF 10-24mm F4 lens (385 one thousand | 0.8 lbs).
• All-Around Lens: Fuji XF 16-55mm F4 lens (653 g | 1.44 lbs).
• Telephoto Lens: Fuji XF 55-200 F3.five-4.8 lens (580 m | 1.28 lbs).

The total weight of this lens set upwardly is 1,618 1000 or 3.56 lbs not including the weight of the photographic camera body.

For more than lens options for the Fujifilm APS-C photographic camera? Cheque out: The Best Fuji Lenses For Travel

All-time Lightweight Sony Total-Frame Lenses

For Sony full-frame cameras similar the Sony a7C or a7IV, here are the all-time and most lightweight travel lenses you should choice upwardly:

• Wide-Angle Lens: Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 lens (422 g | 0.93 lbs).
• Accommodating Lens: Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 (471 g | 1.04 lbs).
• Telephoto Lens: Tamron 70-300mm F4.5-6.3 lens (544 thou | 1.20 lbs).

The full weight of this lens set up is one,437 one thousand or three.16 lbs not including the weight of the camera body.

This may seem surprising as it is even lighter than some APS-C lens setups but due to the much larger lens ecosystem for the Sony full-frame cameras, you have admission to more lightweight options than the APS-C ecosystem.

With the listing higher up, you tin reduce the weight fifty-fifty more if you assess what lens you demand for your trip and go only the ones you will be using. Not many travelers are going to need all the holy trinity lenses at once which all come downwardly to our next bespeak, consider which lenses to bring for your trip.

For more lens options for the Sony full-frame camera? Bank check out: The Best Travel Lenses For Sony a7III, a7C, a7IV, a7RIV, and More than

3. Consider Which Lenses To Bring On A Daily Basis

Carrying all your photography gear in your daypack for an unabridged twenty-four hour period of exploration may seem like a good thought at first just trust me, you are going to feel information technology on your shoulders by afternoon and it may fifty-fifty make you sore the next day making it even worst for you the next mean solar day.

Consider leaving some of the lenses you lot do not need in a safe or a locker in your hotel/hostel before heading out for the day. Retrieve of the places you are planning to visit today and bring the lenses you lot need and leave the ones you don't.

For case, if I am planning to explore the city and visit large architectures and maybe a few viewpoints, I would ofttimes go out my all-purpose lens at my accommodation and pack a wide-angle lens for architecture and a telephoto lens for viewpoints.

If I am going to go walk around a flea market in the evening, I would merely have my all-purpose lens and go out everything else at my accommodation so that I don't weigh myself down with unnecessary gear. Trust me, every gram yous can eliminate counts when it comes to traveling with photography gear.

4. Bring Merely What You Need

This besides applies to other items in your backpack likewise. I used to carry everything in my daypack including a camera, all the lenses, a tripod, a laptop, an ND filter, my tech pouches, cables, chargers, which accumulate to a weight of 10 kg.

That was not sustainable and I often become tired afterwards spending half the twenty-four hour period carrying it. A better way I found is to leave whatever I do not need at the hotel, fifty-fifty the smallest of things similar an ND filter or a tech pouch which tin can add upwards fast if you are not careful.

Nowadays, I will ofttimes leave non merely lenses but also my laptop (1.7 kg), a laptop charger (300 g), my ND filters (100 g), my tech pouch containing all the cables and hard drives (300 thou), and sometimes fifty-fifty my tripod (1 kg). By doing this, I was already saving myself from conveying an actress iii.4 kg (7.49 lbs) of unnecessary weight every twenty-four hour period.

So before y'all become out every day and explore a new place, recall of what you actually need, pack them, and get out the residue in a locker of a rubber at your accommodation and your haversack should be lighter than always.

Wondering what I carry in my camera backpack? Bank check out: What's In My Camera Bag In 2022?

5. Go out your drone at domicile

Don't get me wrong, I honey flight drones and I love seeing places from a new perspective merely the more I travel with it the less I want to pack it, particularly when I am abroad and getting in problem with the authorities can become much more serious. Trust me, yous practice not want to be in problem with the police in places like Kenya.

Yous might even get your drone apprehended straight from the airport if the land is really strict. I well-nigh got mine apprehended at the airport in Nairobi equally they say information technology is illegal to even bring a drone into the country. They were going to proceed it at the aerodrome until I fly dorsum but since I wasn't flying out from Nairobi, I plead and plead. Thankfully, they budged and allowed me to enter the country with a drone but they took a photo of the serial number and if they grab me flying, I'll go straight to jail.

If y'all are flying abroad to places with strict security rules like Republic of kenya or the UAE, consider leaving your drone behind to lighten the weight of your camera numberless. If you insist on bringing a drone and are traveling in countries that are not every bit strict, feel complimentary to do and so but I highly recommend y'all pack it in a divide pouch pack information technology when you need it or leave it backside at your accommodation when y'all don't to save weight.

six. Pick The Correct Camera Backpack

Now that y'all have sorted out all the camera gear, you will also have to option the right camera haversack that will permit yous to carry all your gear comfortably and without calculation even more weight to it.

Some photographic camera bags are lighter than others only still maintain their power to acquit camera gear comfortably. Below are some of the best camera backpacks that strike the perfect balance between lightweight and functions:

• Shimoda Explore V2 Haversack (1.8 yard | 3.96 lbs).
• Wandrd Prvke Backpack (i.5 g | 3.31 lbs).
• Peak Everyday Haversack (1.5 - 1.8 g | iii.31 - 3.97 lbs).

Or if you are only carrying an APS-C camera and 2 lenses, you do not really need a camera backpack. A ameliorate way is to become with a regular haversack and utilise a camera insert instead which should be the virtually optimum solution when information technology comes to price and weight reduction.

You can become a top-loading camera insert and put it at the height of a regular purse like the Herschel Supply'south Trivial America backpack which weighs only nigh 907 g (2 lbs). Combining the handbag with a photographic camera insert and you should accept a haversack that weighs only around 1 kg (two.ii lbs), saving you over 500 g (one.i lbs) if you were to choice a camera backpack.

For more camera gear, bank check out: ten Best Camera Bags For Hiking, Backpacking, And Travel

seven. Adjust and Fit Your Camera Backpack Before Traveling

Technically, having your camera backpack adjusted and fitted to your body may not help in reducing the literal weight of your camera backpack just information technology can assist you mentally and make the weight of the bulk of your camera gear distributed equally on your back, making information technology more comfortable to conduct around all day.

I used to conduct my camera backpack incorrect, fifty-fifty hiking with it, and I was blaming everything from my mistakes for not eliminating unnecessary weight to the design of the camera backpack itself just what I forgot was to look at how it fitted my back. As you tin can see in the photo, the haversack was not adjusted properly and the sheer weight of my backpack was pulling me downwardly.

After I readjusted the backpack straps correctly to accept the weight closer to my back, it definitely felt lighter and makes moving around with the backpack so much easier. If you only got a new camera haversack, be sure to conform it correctly before you go on a trip. Trying fitting it at home and spend a few hours walking with it, readjust until you find the near comfortable setup, and your camera backpack will magically feel lighter.

viii. Use a Unified GAN Charger

Another way you lot save fifty-fifty more weight is to pack a unified GAN charger that will let you to charge everything at once and then yous practise not have to carry a phone charger, a laptop charger, a camera charger, and more.

These chargers can add up to your backpack weight pretty quickly and replacing them with a one-solution-charger like the Ugreen 100W Wall Charger (240 1000, 0.5 lbs) will permit yous to fast charge almost any devices, including the new Macbook with a maximum accuse speed of 100W, information technology saves even more weight, and information technology will go along your electronics more than organized. Win-win!

For example, my laptop charger is 300 g, my phone and camera charger is some other 200 combined, in total, I take to carry an extra 500 g (1.ane lbs) every day. At present, I tin half that amount past replacing these chargers with a 240g (0.8 lbs) unified charger and I tin can accuse everything with one brick which is definitely more convenient.

And in that location you take it, the best tips on how to travel light with your camera gear. If yous are a light traveler like me, who is e'er interested in optimizing what you conduct, you volition find the OneBag subreddit, a community devoted to minimal urban travel, very interesting.

What do you think of these tips? Have you come up with better weight-saving tips for united states travel photographers? Feel gratuitous to share your ideas in the comments below.

Further Reading for Resource

Looking for more articles to assist yous with your travel may it be camera gear or wearable? Hither is a collection of articles you might like:

• Are you fully vaccinated? Are you looking for a land y'all can travel to where yous don't accept to quarantine? We've got that covered! Check out: 27 Countries That Are Open To Vaccinated Travelers.
• Always wonder what a full-time travel blogger like myself carries in my camera bag? Bank check out: What's In My Camera Bag in 2022?
• Looking for the very all-time travel full-frame camera to buy for your adjacent trip? How near the Sony a7C, the smallest full-frame camera with EVF in the globe! Cheque out my review: A Traveler'south Review: The Sony a7C Camera
• For APS-C photographic camera owners out at that place, check out: What's In My Camera Pocketbook? - A Gear Guide to the Sony APS-C Cameras
• Looking to buy a new travel photographic camera merely not sure where to outset? Cheque out our camera guide on The Best Cameras for Travel To Buy.
• Bought a new photographic camera and not sure what camera accessories to buy? Check out: 12 Best Sony Camera Accessories You Should Buy.
• Looking for a good-looking and functional photographic camera strap to purchase? Y'all are going to love the Langly Tactical, Premium Leather, and Paracord camera straps. Check out my review here: A Traveler's Review: Langly Camera Straps.
• Want to start a Youtube channel and looking to buy new cameras for travel vlogging? Check out: 8 Best Cameras For Travel Vlogging to Buy.
• Finding a great photographic camera bag yous can travel with is not equally piece of cake as it sounds. If y'all are looking for 1, here are the x Best Photographic camera Bags for Travel, Backpacking, and Hiking Y'all Should Buy.
• Now, if you are looking for a camera sling/shoulder bag instead of a total-fledge camera backpack to travel with, hither are the 10 Best Travel Camera Sling/Shoulder Bags to Buy in 2022.
• If you are looking for gifts to buy for your lensman loved ones, bank check out: 12 Cool Gifts To Purchase For Travel Photographers
• Afterwards years of research, I finally constitute the most beautiful camera backpack of all! Check this out: A Traveler'southward Review: Langly Alpha Globetrotter Backpack
• Are y'all looking for the best travel camera for your adjacent trip? Why not the Sony a6500? Hither'due south why Sony a6500 is the all-time travel camera.
• If you desire to behave just one lens when you travel, here is why the Sony 16-55mm F2.8 is the all-time travel lens to get for your Sony a6600 or a6500.
• This is the i lens I never knew I needed but now that I accept it, I can't travel without information technology! A Traveler'due south Review: The Sony Eastward 70-350mm F4.v-6.3 Lens.
• An ultra-broad lens is perfect for travel and in that location is no ameliorate lens than the Sony 10-18mm F4 lens. Here is why: Traveler'due south Review: Sony x-18mm F4 lens.
• Total-frame or APS-C Cameras? Here's my take on which camera format to pick for travel: five Reasons Why I'yard Sticking With a Sony APS-C Photographic camera
• Wondering which Sony Mirrorless camera is right for you? The Best Sony Travel Cameras to Buy in 2022.
• Merely bought a new Sony mirrorless camera? Cheque out: 15 Tips & Tricks For Your New Sony a7C, a7III, and More.
• Wondering which lenses to purchase for your Sony cameras? Cheque out The Best Travel Lenses For Sony a7III, a7C, a7RIV, and More.
• Looking for a meaty and lightweight travel telephoto lens for wildlife and landscape? You are going to dear this lens. Here is A Traveler's Review of the Tamron 70-300mm F4.5-half dozen.3 lens.
• For the very best all-around travel lens money tin can buy, the Sony 24-70mm F2.8 GM lens is probably the best lens out there merely is it worth information technology? Let's find out in A Traveler's Review of the Sony 24-70mm F2.eight GM Lens.
• For the best landscape/compages travel lens, you lot simply can't beat the Sony 16-35mm F2.8 GM lens. Here is A Traveler's Review of the Sony 16-35mm F2.eight GM Lens.
• Looking for the best travel portrait lens to buy for next trip? Y'all tin't beat the Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN lens. Hither is A Traveler'due south Review of the Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art Lens.
• Picking a camera body is one affair. Picking the lenses is a whole different game. Here is the ultimate guide to the best travel lenses for the Sony a6500.
• Looking for the all-time street and travel photography lens? Hither is why Sigma 56mm F1.four is The Best Travel Photography Lens For Sony APS-C.
• GoPro is skillful and all only did you know that there are many other GoPro alternatives that are amend and cheaper? Here are the eight Best GoPro Alternatives Yous Should Buy in 2022.
• Looking for a cracking drone to travel with? Why the DJI Mavic Mini is the All-time Drone For Travelers.
• The all-time travel drone just got even better. Here is A Traveler'southward Review of The DJI Mini 2 and why it is the all-time travel drone to purchase.
• Already have a Mavic Mini or looking to purchase one? Hither are 25 Tips and Tricks for New DJI Mavic Mini Owners.
• For more travel drone options, be sure to bank check out the 8 Best Drones For Travel To Purchase In 2022.
• Looking for the all-time travel wireless earbuds or headphones? Here are the 7 Best Travel Wireless Earbuds & Headphones to Purchase.
• You lot can't travel without a haversack and if you lot are looking for ane, check out my guide on the best Herschel Supply backpacks for travelers.
• If you like hiking and going on adventures for weeks on end, you are going to need a bigger backpack. Here is Why the Osprey Atmos AG is the Best Hiking Backpack To Buy.
• If you are into making travel videos, here is my ultimate advanced filmmaking gear guide.
• Planning to go on your outset-e'er hiking trip? Here is How to Pack for Hiking and Camping ground
• Technical hiking gear doesn't accept to be ugly. Hither is a guide to hiking gear that really looks good on you.
• If you are a light-weight traveler and are looking for a powerful gear to go with your setup, check out the extremely light-weight photography gear guide.
• Looking for souvenir ideas for your traveler friends or family member? Here are x dandy souvenir ideas for backpackers.
• Or if you are into gadgets, here is a quick guide on ten tech gadgets y'all should buy this year.
• Looking for an Airbnb alternative for a better and more than authentic stay in a place you are visiting? Here are the 8 All-time Airbnb Alternatives to Utilise.
• Desire to know the secrets on how to travel the world cheaply? Bank check out: xvi All-time Tips on How to Travel the World Cheaply.
• If you are a blogger besides and are looking for costless travel images to spice upward your content? Check out the ten Best Websites to Find Free Travel Images.
• Looking to plan your first backpacking trip around the world? Check out: How To Program A Backpacking Trip.
• For more resources like this, visit my Resource page.
• Desire to learn how I was able to take and then many adept pictures of myself while I travel solo? Check out: How To Take Great Pictures of Yourself.

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