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We’ve both been photographing together for over 10 years shooting weddings, portraits and places we visit around the world. Over this time, our gear has changed as we’ve experimented with different cameras, lenses, bags and accessories and what works best for us and what we are creating. Last year, we moved into our self-converted ford transit van to continue travelling and working full time as travel photographers. This move has forced us to re-think our photographer gear as space is limited in the van and to keep it as lightweight as possible!
CAMERA BODY
Photography equipment for a beginner can be quite overwhelming and can be difficult to know where to begin. The camera body refers to the main part of the camera which has the controls, screen, viewfinder etc and is what you hold whilst taking a picture. When we first started out with photography, we borrowed cameras from family and with no time to waste we got out there and started to take photos of anything we could find, flowers, landscapes, friends etc. These cameras are what we had to hand at the time and over time we experimented with different settings, environments and subjects until we outgrew our equipment.
What camera is good for beginners?
One of the questions we are asked the most is what camera should I get if I’m just starting out? If you already have a camera then it’s the one you already have, learn everything about your camera until it no longer serves you and you’ve outgrown it. Currently, there is a huge shift from DSLR (Digital Single-Lens Reflex) to mirrorless cameras. One main advantage mirrorless cameras have in comparison to DSLRs is there are generally lighter in weight, which makes them more suited to travel photographers. However, even with the shift to a mirrorless camera, there can be some advantages to using a DSLR including better battery life and some photographers prefer the optical viewfinder which is most similar to what you see with the naked eye. Since we started, we have mostly used DSLR cameras, especially for our wedding work. Whilst travelling around South-East Asia for 6 months we used a Fujifilm XT1 and a Fujifilm XF 23mm f2 lens (the equivalent of 35mm due to the cropped APS-C sensor) and from this gear, we took some of our most treasured photos. From time to time we flirt with the idea of moving back to Fujifilm again but for now, we are sticking with our Canon gear.
Canon EOS 1D X
Weight: 1585g
The largest member of the team in terms of size and weight, the Canon EOS 1DX is a DSLR beast and is the ultimate tool for professional imagery and video. Fast performance in low light and rapid shutter speeds make this camera body a perfect choice for those shooting in high-pressure environments such as weddings, sports events, events etc. Since travelling full time, this camera has taken a back seat as its impractical to carry around with the limited space we now have in the van.
Canon EOS 5D mark III
Weight: 950g
This camera is solid, weatherproof and extremely reliable. A great camera if you need to capture fast-moving objects and performs well in low-lit environments. The EOS 5D mark III is a DSLR and has been the backbone of our wedding photography business, this camera body is a fantastic choice and a good all-rounder. However, it is the second heaviest of the camera bodies in our kit which does make it the least ideal body for travel photography. However, its reliability and impressive battery life are some of the reasons why it is still found in our camera bag.
Canon EOS R
Weight: 660g
A recent addition to the team over the past couple of years, the Canon EOS R has become one of our main team players and we regularly use this as our main camera body. This was Canon’s first full-frame mirrorless camera, a lighter weight equivalent to its DSLR counterparts, making it a great companion for taking on hikes, road trips and for travel photography as a whole. The body is compatible with our canon lenses using an an EF-EOS R adapter. One feature we love is the touch screen, which allows you to quickly select the focus and browse the main menu allowing quick response times to moments you don’t want to miss.
THE LENSES
The glass in front of your camera is referred to as the lens and can dramatically change the look of your image. Each lens has a specific focal length, this is defined by the amount of the scene that will be captured and how magnified the objects will be. The shorter the focal length, the wider the scene and the least amount of magnification. For example, 18mm will have a wide-angle whereas 300mm will limit the objects you can include in a specific scene and will be magnified on a particular part of the scene.
We have a selection of zoom lenses and prime lenses that each provide different capabilities. The main difference is that a zoom lens is a bit more versatile as it allows you to shoot within a certain range of focal lengths, allowing for more creativity without the need for multiple lenses. For travel photography, this is ideal but can limit your creativity. Whereas prime lenses are fixed at a specific focal length and can be more compact compared to zoom lenses. Prime lenses tend to have a larger maximum aperture which is fantastic in low light conditions and creates a shallow depth of field where it softens the background, suited to portrait photography.
CANON EF 85MM 1.2 L
Weight: 1.025kg
This prime lens creates beautiful portraits and has been a key player in our wedding photography work. Part of the Canon L series lenses, these lenses give professional quality and have a red ring around the lens to distinguish them from other lenses such as Sigma Art lenses. The larger aperture produces a shallow depth of field where the background is soft and out of focus. Recently, this lens doesn’t get out much because it has limited uses for travel photography as it has a fixed magnified focal length which can make it less adaptable in a range of shooting situations compared to most of the other lenses in our camera bag.
Photos captured on the CANON EF 85MM 1.2 L
CANON EF 50MM 1.2 L
Weight: 590g
The Canon 50mm 1.2 L is another great Canon prime L lens which also creates beautiful portraits. An essential tool in our wedding kit and also our travel gear. The short focal length compared to the 85mm provides more versatility in different environments and types of photography which makes it a great all-rounder.
SIGMA 35MM 1.4 ART
Weight: 645g
The range of Sigma Art lenses is a more affordable option in comparison to Canon L lenses. At a 35mm focal length, this lens can be used for everyday life such as street photography, weddings, travel and portraits. The 35mm focal length makes it a versatile lens and works well for portraits and landscapes. A reasonably lightweight lens with great optical quality, the Sigma 35mm is tough competition to its Canon L lens equivalents.
SIGMA 24MM 1.4 ART
Weight: 695g
Another Sigma Art lens which we have found invaluable for our travel photography. The 24mm focal length on this lens provides the perfect tool for landscape lifestyle photos where in particular locations it might be difficult to step back and fit the scene in the frame. When shooting for social media platforms such as Instagram, it can be frustrating as you have to also consider the crop ratio. The 24mm allows flexibility to keep space in the frame for cropping later in post-editing whereas using other fixed prime lenses does not have this option in certain situations. A bonus to this lens is that is relatively small and lightweight.
SIGMA 24-105MM 4.0 ART
Weight: 920g
After many adventures travelling by car, bus, boat, train and plane, we have had to downsize our gear and determine what is essential for capturing those travel moments. The essential requirements of a camera lens for us are that it must be lightweight, small, versatile, produce high-quality images and be reliable (not much to ask for right?!). The Sigma 24-105mm 4.0 Art lens has increasingly become our go-to travel lens. Although this zoom lens is slightly heavier than the prime lenses listed above, you have to consider that the range of focal lengths it provides instead of packing each corresponding prime lens. The Sigma 24-105mm has a 4.0 aperture which is ideal for travel photography. We enjoy using Sigma 24-100mm for landscapes where we want to use background compression. For example, when we want mountains in the distance to be brought closer to the subject.
CAMERA BAG
MINDSHIFT BACKLIGHT 18 L PHOTO DAYPACK CHARCOAL
This backpack is great for the outdoor photographer as it’s durable, has easy access to gear and is comfortable. There are plenty of pockets to store memory card cases, batteries, snacks and in addition to plenty of storage there is space for two water bottle pockets on either side of the pack with an elastic cord to tighten. The inside of the bag has adjustable dividers depending on the gear and also has a rain cover perfect for those moments when you get caught out in unexpected wet weather and keeps your gear protected. There is even space for a 13” laptop which makes an ideal all-rounder travel backpack on the road or even for flying.
ACCESSORIES
JJC SD Card Holder Water-Resistant Memory Card Case Storage
Memory cards are like gold dust holding your images until they are transferred onto your hard drive. Every photographer’s worst nightmare is a damaged memory card. That’s why it’s so important to protect your memory cards in a crush-proof case, the JJC card holder ensures they are safely stored away from water, dust, sand or anything else! Each slot is specifically designed for a perfect snug fit to avoid any damage in transit.
SanDisk Extreme Pro memory cards
We carry multiple memory cards which allow us to have plenty of flexibility and opportunities to capture on the move without having to transfer images regularly if we have a busy travel itinerary and want to make the most of capturing our travel content.
Peak design camera strap and anchor links
The great design feature on this Peak Design camera strap is that you can easily clip your camera in and out of the camera strap, allowing you to shoot according to your preference effortlessly. We prefer to have a camera strap whilst out exploring as it allows us to take photos with minimal fuss but have the option to remove it when shooting portrait or vertical orientation as the strap can get in the way.
Peak Design capture clip
Whilst hiking, using your camera can be a hassle having to get it in and out of your camera bag. The Peak Design capture clip is a great solution where you can have your camera fastened to your bag straps without having to get it out or have it around your neck. It provides quick and easy access to your camera either from your bag strap or your waist. There are adaptor mounts you can get for other cameras such as GoPro etc.
Manfrotto Beefree tripod
We noticed we rarely took photos together, other than selfies on our phones! A tripod is a great way to get photos together when it wouldn’t otherwise be possible. The Manfrotto Beefree tripod ensures that the camera is level and secure in remote locations.
DRONES
A drone allows you to get creative with perspective and is a great tool for photos together. Currently, we have the DJI Mavic Pro and the DJI Mavic Mini 2. Since 2017, the Mavic Pro has been to multiple different countries across the world. The UK Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Regulations, categorise drones based on their weight. The DJI Mavic Pro will have additional rules and restrictions from December 2022. The Mavic Mini 2 is under 250g which means it is exempt from most of the new regulations.
GoPro Hero 8
Since starting our Youtube series, we have been filming most of our videos on our GoPro Hero 8 for capturing our vlogs. We have found it easy to use and lightweight with the limited space in our camera bag! To capture the sound we use the V-MIC Dual Capsule microphone as it captures sound in front and behind the camera. There are a number of grips we use and our most recent addition is the Volta battery grip, which charges the GoPro whilst you use it. We have found it frustrating while using the media mod to change batteries when on the go as you have to take the case off which is time-consuming. We also use the GoPro El Grande grip for snowsports and Joby Gorilla pod.
