There are many things to consider when traveling with photography gear. A lot of people ask me about the best cameras, lenses and accessories for travel photography. But I think the most important thing is to start with a small and simple kit that will help you build your skills as a photographer.
This list of must-have travel photography gear is based on my personal experience as well as feedback from other photographers who have traveled the world with their cameras. In this post, I’ll share my favorite cameras, lenses and accessories that helped me capture some amazing trips.
Table of Contents
A DSLR or Mirrorless Camera
The first piece of equipment that any serious photographer needs is a camera. The best option for travel photographers is a DSLR or mirrorless camera because it has interchangeable lenses and can output high-quality images. These types of cameras are also easy to use, which makes them great for beginners. If you don’t already have one, I recommend getting a Canon Rebel T6i or T7i if you’re on a budget — it’s an entry-level DSLR with lots of great features for the price!
Lenses
As far as lenses go, our top picks are wide-angle primes and zooms. For starters, we recommend a 35mm prime lens. If you’re shooting in the day, use the widest aperture possible (f/1.4-f/2.8) to get shallow depth of field in most scenes. At night, use a wider aperture (f/2.8-f/11) to capture stars, fireflies, and the sky. For portraits, we recommend using a 50mm prime lens (or 28-70mm zoom). This will allow you to shoot from a slightly shorter distance and will also allow you to control how close you want to get to your subject.
A macro lens
These allow you to get up close and personal with objects so that they fill up the frame entirely — no space wasted around them! Macro lenses also tend to be sharpest at their closest focusing distances, so they’re perfect for capturing details like flower petals and insect wings (or your own fingers).
Memory Cards
This depends on how much memory you intend to use, but you should plan on getting a 64GB card. If you plan on doing lots of RAW shots, then get a 128GB card.
The Hard Drive
This is one of the most important pieces of equipment that you should have with you when traveling as a photographer. You will be taking many pictures and videos on your trip but if your memory card fills up there will be no way for you to backup your photos and videos. So having a hard drive is essential for any photographer that doesn’t want to lose all their work. The size of hard drive depends on how many photos and videos you take during your trip but make sure that it has enough space for everything before leaving home!
Backup Battery
It is a good idea to get a rechargeable battery rather than an AA battery. They are cheaper and less likely to die.
Flashlight
Just a basic LED flashlight will be sufficient. You will rarely need more than that.
Camera Bag
You need a small bag that you can strap over your shoulder. This should have a few compartments to separate the things you need on a daily basis.
Tripod
A tripod is a great piece of kit and it is something you should invest in. It will enable you to take good photos in a wide range of conditions. It will also help you get the most out of your memory cards.
A tripod is an essential tool for capturing sharp images with a slow shutter speed in low light, but it’s also helpful when shooting at night or in dark spaces where you don’t have a steady hand (or two). A tripod provides stability, which means you can use slower shutter speeds to capture more light and avoid blurry images.
Tripods are essential when you are shooting landscapes, especially if you want to shoot from high up. The best tripods are collapsible. You should spend between $50 to $200 for a decent tripod.
External Battery Power Pack
These days you can buy a small power pack that will charge two batteries at once. These are great for emergency situations and they are relatively cheap.
Wrist Watch
A simple digital watch will do. It will let you know the time and how much battery power you have left.
Light Meter
An exposure meter will enable you to accurately set your camera’s settings. You will find light meters in all kinds of shapes and sizes. You can get a really cheap one for around $40.
Battery Charger
This depends on the number of batteries you need to charge. If you are charging batteries regularly, it’s worth investing in a charger.
Sleeping Bag
This is a personal preference, but I think you are better off with a small synthetic sleeping bag than a mummy-style bag. The mummy bags are bulky and they aren’t really suitable for travel.
Packing List
This will depend on where you are going and what you are planning to do. But, in general, you will need a change of clothes, toiletries, and a towel.
Travel Adapter
This will enable you to use your camera and other electronics.
A good camera bag
When you are travelling, you will need to take your camera with you. If you are looking for a travel bag, look for one that has a laptop sleeve and/or a zipped pocket on the inside.
If you’re going to be carrying around thousands of dollars worth of equipment, you want it protected from drops and bumps. A well-designed bag will also keep your gear organized and easy to access — two things that can save time in the field.
USB Cable
You will need this to transfer the photos from your memory card to your computer.
A flash
A flash is useful for brightening up photos during low light conditions and for helping to fill in details that are lost in shadows. You can find a flash for around $80.
A protective camera case.
A camera bag is an essential item to carry your camera in and protect it from knocks and bumps. Most cases can be bought for less than $20.
A small point and shoot camera
You might want to take this camera on holiday as it is great for taking pictures on the go. These can cost from $150 to around $400.
Final thoughts
This equipment will all help you to get started on your journey as a travel photographer, but you will need to practice. You don’t need to rush into buying all this gear. Just take it slowly, and you will get better and better with each new piece of kit.