What's in my Camera Bag? 
My Travel Photography Gear

The World - January 10th, 2020

© Ryan Thompson

A camera gear setup for the avid person with a passion for the outdoors. This setup of photography gear is a lightweight and compact for someone that lives to backpack, mountain bike, travel and just being outdoors. This setup will allow you to go farther without the burden of a bunch of bulky heavy gear.

© Ryan Thompson

My camera gear setup is pretty simple. I have learned that the gear I do purchase I usually don’t really use. Yes, you can find things that you think will help you take better pictures and all of these things can start to add up to a big expense. I also think that these little gizmos and gadgets will help me to take better photos and in the end, I don’t use these different things at all. The only thing that helps me take better pictures is actually going out and taking pictures. These things adding up will also affect how long I can stay out for so I also like to keep that in the back of my mind while packing my camera bag. Being an avid backpacker, biker, and all-around outdoorsman, I try to use the least amount of gear possible because everything adds up to a greater base weight. The greater my base weight effects how long and how far I can go for the day. So all of these things adding up will severely limit my performance for the adventure I’m going on.

Canon EOS77D


This is an inexpensive mid-level camera that is a step above your entry-level canon models. This camera is great for enthusiasts that want a camera that can be a great photography camera but also a great camera for video as well. This camera has a 24.2mp crop sensor with built-in Wifi/ Bluetooth capability. The dual pixel AF allows for super-fast autofocusing and the DIGIC 7 image [processor allows for high image quality with fast operation, even in low light. At 1.2 lbs this camera is perfect for backpacking and other travel adventures.

PROS

  • • Very lightweight
  • • Wireless capabilities
  • • Fast & accurate auto-focus
  • • Touchscreen allows for easy access to buttons

CONS

  • • No weatherproofing
  • • Not a full-frame camera
  • • Video options in 1080p only

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II


This lens is an all-around great lense to have in your camera gear bag. I use this lens the most just because of the versatility of the lense. Whether its landscapes or portraits of people and animals this lens creates images that are above par. With focal length as 24-70mm and maximum aperture f/2.8, this lens will be able to do most of the work you need to be done. The closest focal distance is 1.25 feet which will allow you very close macro photography. This lens can be at the top of your price range but this lens is a must-have in all professional photographer's gear bag.

PROS

  • • Very versatile lens
  • • Built-in image stabilization
  • • Maximum aperture allows for lots of bokeh and astrophotography
  • • Focal length allows for a lot of choices

CONS

  • • A bit on the heavy side (but still worth carrying)
  • • Can be a bit price new

Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6


This lens is a great lens for all-around wide-angle shots. Most of my ultra-wide angle shots are done with this lens and only being $300.00 this is the most inexpensive wide-angle lens you can buy. Whether its shooting landscapes or super-wide macro shots this lens will deliver. The stepping motor allows for super smooth video focusing. With the built-in image stabilization and focal length being so small this is a perfect lens for vlogging as well, allowing for the maximum background to be in the frame. This lens is super light so even if I know I am not going to use it, I will always pack it in my camera bag.

PROS

  • • Lightweight
  • • .72 ft allows for macro shots
  • • Built-in Image stabilization
  • • 10-18mm focal range allows for ultra-wide shots
  • • Inexpensive ultra-wide lens

CONS

  • • Will cut out on Full Frame Canon cameras
  • • Little difficult to manual focus

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8


This camera lens is a really inexpensive way to upgrade from just a regular kit lens. Only coming in at $125.00 it's an upgrade that also won’t break the bank. I fell in love with this lens in college because of the compact design and weight, only coming in at 5.6 ounces its light enough to throw in your bag without the thought of it breaking your back with extra weight. It has a maximum aperture of f/1.8 making this a great lens for action and nighttime photography. The 50mm focal length is also almost exact to what the human eye sees in giving the photos a real-life perspective. This little lens has given me some of my best photos.

PROS

  • • Lightweight
  • • BOKEH!!!
  • • Great for portraits
    • Inexpensive for the quality

CONS

  • • I find it hard to focus manually
    • No stabilization

Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8


This lens is a workhorse for a very inexpensive price. This is a big heavy piece of equipment but captures shot that have great effects. This 70-200mm f/2.8 camera is quick reliable and sharp. It's able to reach incredible lengths. The large aperture allows fast shutter speeds in low light allowing for shallow depth of field for dramatic pictorial effects.

PROS

  • • Works with full-frame and ASP-C cameras
  • • Large aperture
  • • A quick switch from manual to autofocus
  • • Versatile

CONS

  • • On the heavier side
  • • Takes up a lot of space
  • • No image stabilization

Vanguard VEO 2GO 265CB Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod


The VEO 2GO is an ultra-portable lightweight. Coming in at 2.68lbs and holding up to 13lbs, this tripod is a great tripod for the photographer that loves to bring a tripod but does not want to be carrying a lot of extra weight. The ball head that comes with the tripod is excellent with two independent knobs for lock and pan.

PROS

  • • Lightweight
  • • Easy to set up
  • • Portable
  • • Versatile
  • • Retractable hook allows extra weight

CONS

  • • Lightweight makes tripod a little flimsy

Peak Design Ash Slide Camera Strap


Peak Design has made a strap that I really have come to love. This camera strap is super lightweight only .16 ounces. It can hold weights up to 200lbs which gives me security that nothing can break the strap. It has two sliding adjusters that allow instant and easy reconfiguration. These allow you to use it as a sling, neck, or shoulder strap. What I love most about this strap are the anchors that allow an almost instant way to remove and add the strap. This is very helpful when I’m using my tripod and don’t need the straps getting in the way.

PROS

  • • Lightweight
  • • Easy to use
  • • Versatile
  • • Simple to remove quickly

CONS

  • • Strap can be a bit slick on some surfaces

3 Legged Thing QR11-LB Universal L Bracket with Quick Release


This piece of equipment has made my shooting a much more pleasant experience when using my tripod. It allows me to use my Arca Swiss mount for a quick sturdy release vertically and horizontally without having to move my ball head. This leaves the mount still level when switching back and forth. The L mount also allows the ability of multi-shot panoramas in a vertical shooting position. This mount is very helpful because it keeps the camera on the same plain throughout your shots, which is a major problem when shooting on a regular mount on the bottom of the camera.

PROS

  • • Makes shooting portraits easier on tripod
  • • Easy to mount with arca-swiss mount
  • • Very sturdy
  • • Removes quickly

CONS

  • • Makes camera heavier
  • • Useless if you don't shoot portrait

Mammut Trion Pro 50+7L Backpack


I like this backpack because the back opens up allowing me to lay my bag down quick and get my camera out without having to worry about my bag falling over. This bag allows me to just place it down and grab my camera without disturbing the rest of my gear as well. I use a padded camera separator which keeps all my gear safe and sounds in one place so I am not digging around my bag to find my camera or another lens. The Mammut bag is very sturdy and will have no problem holding up to anything you throw at it. The 50L body with another 7L of storage up top will allow you to get all of your camera gear in it with a lot more space for camping, hiking, or biking gear. This has been the bag I never used and became a bag that I use on all of my trips just because of how well it works with my camera gear setup.

PROS

  • • Very lightweight• Opens up in the Back
  • • Lots of extra space for other outdoor gear
  • • Holds tripod well
  • • Sturdy

CONS

  • • A little heavy
  • • Only comes in grey

Sony Alpha a6400 Mirrorless

PROS

  • • Lightweight
  • • Versatile
  • • Great for Vlogging

CONS

  • • Not a full frame

Transcend 2TB External Hard Drive


This piece of equipment goes with you wherever. As a photographer and videographer, I use a lot of memory. I have already filled up two of there over the years and working on my third. You don't want your computer to get filled up with thousands of pictures so this is a necessity for someone taking a lot of photos.

PROS

  • • Lightweight
  • • Rugged
  • • Inexpensive
  • • Fast transfer speeds w/ USB3

CONS

  • • None

Wacom Intuos Pro Drawing Tablet


As a graphic artist, this drawing tablet is a good thing to have. Whether its editing photos or drawing illustrations in Illustrator, this thing has come in handy and made my life a lot easier. This tablet can be used as a trackpad and a drawing tablet making it easy to navigate through different programs a lot easier. The pressure-sensitive pen allows multiple features for brushes and other tools in Adobe Softwares.

PROS

  • • Trackpad and pen capabilities
  • • Pressure-sensitive pen
  • • Different sizes (12",14",18")
  • • Multi-touch and button shortcuts
  • • Wireless for cord-free work

CONS

  • • Wacom's support is not so great
  • • Worthless software ad-ons

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