Whether you're planning day hike or an off-the-grid adventure, having the right photo gear in your pack can save you headaches while out on the trails and ensure you come home with images and videos you’re proud to share. And just as there are different strokes for different folks, there are different kits for different creators. Every photographer and videographer has their own specific set of needs and values when it comes to their gear. Below we take a look at 10 different kits from creators who hike. See what they bring along and gain inspiration on what to include in your own pack for any hiking adventures you have in store for this year. Get even more "kit-spiration" at alphauniverse.com/wimb.
Hit the trails this spring with the right gear and get inspiration from these photographers and vloggers whose studio is the great outdoors.
The Backcountry Kit
Travel and landscape photographer Naomi Atherton (@naomijaneatherton) is based in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. She’s often hiking in the backcountry, and so a lightweight and efficient system is important to her. She typically packs the Sony Alpha 7 IV as her primary camera body and the Sony Alpha 7R III as her high-res backup. She packs three super-sharp f/1.4 primes – the Sony 24mm f/1.4 G Master, Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master and Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master. Then for the extra reach to capture the true magnitude of the Rockies, she packs her Sony 24-105mm f/4 G and Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 G Master. Read more about her gear and see some of the pictures she’s created on her backcountry hikes in What’s In My Bag: A Complete Backcountry Kit For Landscape Photography & More.
The Minimalist Kit
Photographer Carolyn Ferreira (@go.out.in.joy) is based in Bend, Oregon and was blown away by the landscapes she located there from the East Coast. She likes to keep it minimalistic, with a single camera and lens kit made up of the Sony Alpha 7 III and Sony 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6. This kit helps her easily capture a variety of imagery during her hikes through the PNW. See what else is in her kit and some of her imagery in What’s In My Bag: A Minimalist Camera & Lens Combo For Hiking Adventures.
The Hybrid Kit
Several years ago documentary filmmaker and photographer Titouan Le Roux (@titooo_lr) discovered the world of hiking. He’s developed a love of deep wilderness treks, and his gear helps him showcase the breathtaking scenes many others don’t get to see firsthand. As a thru-hiker, every ounce counts, and the Sony Alpha 7S III is the camera body you’ll find in his bag. In addition to that he has two zooms, the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master and Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II, along with one prime, the Sony 14mm f/1.8 G Master. See what else he packs in What’s In My Bag: A Lightweight Kit For A Thru-Hiking Photographer & Filmmaker.
The Zoom & Prime Kit
When Susan Brudd (@hike4beauty) moved to Arizona from Chicago in 2016, her love for photography was rekindled after spending so much time outdoors. She uses a single high-res camera, one zoom and one prime to photograph landscapes, astroscapes, wildlife and other parts of nature. You’ll find the Sony Alpha 7R IV, Sony 24mm f/1.4 G Master and Sony 70-200mm f/4 G in her kit – see what else in What's In My Bag: A Zoom & A Prime For Travel, Wildlife, Landscape & Astrophotography.
The Overlanding Kit
Nomadic adventure landscape and travel content creator Rohit Gomashe (@gomzzzzzzzzzz) lives and works out of his modified overlanding Jeep. He likes to capture lesser-known locations from unique perspectives, and to cover both photo and video he packs his Sony Alpha 7R III and Sony FX3. He also brings two zooms, the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master and Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 G Master, and single sharp prime, the Sony 24mm f/1.4 G Master. There’s plenty more in his kit, see the full deal in What’s In My Jeep: See This Travel, Adventure & Landscape Photographer's Off-The-Road Kit.
The OG G Master Trinity Kit
Australia-based landscape, adventure and travel photographer Benjamin Trickey (@benjamin.trickey) creates imagery inspired by nature and the beauty of our planet. With a goal to highlight the immense grandeur of our beautiful world, he packs the Sony Alpha 7R IV and the classic G Master “holy trinity” of zooms – the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master, Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master and Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master. See what else he carries in What’s In My Bag: A Sony Alpha + Classic G Master Zoom Trinity For Landscape, Adventure & Travel.
The Rugged Wilderness Kit
Landscape photographer Oliver Whone (@oliver.whone) is based in Australia’s southern island state of Tasmania. Through his photography he aims to capture natural moments of wonder in our world, and his entire pack, including two cameras and three lenses, comes to a mere 2.7kg (or just under 6 pounds). He has the Sony Alpha 7R IV, which he uses for landscapes, and the Sony Alpha 7 III, which is his go-to for astrophotography and vlogging. As for lenses, he packs the versatile Sony 24-105mm f/4 G, the lightweight Sony 16-35mm f/4 G PZ and his newest lens – the compact Sony 20mm f/1.8 G. See more of what’s in his pack in What’s In My Bag: 2 Cameras & 3 Lenses For Rugged Wilderness Landscape Photography.
The Thru-Hiking Vlogger's Kit
Hiker, vlogger and nature photographer Jeff Oliver (@savedbymtns) who has spent a lot of time hiking his way through America and beyond. He likes to pack the Sony Alpha 7 IV to use for both photography and for recording vlogs for his YouTube Channel. He also brings along two zooms and a prime – the Sony 16-35mm f/4, Sony 70-200mm f/4 G and Sony 20mm f/1.8 G. Read more about everything in his pack and see more of his work in What’s In My Bag: A Lightweight Full-Frame Kit For A Thru-Hiking Vlogger & Nature Photographer.
The Adventure Wedding Photographer’s Kit
Maria Hildebrand (@born.wild.photography) is an outdoor wedding and elopement photographer based in Northern Norway. She’s known to hike up mountains for those beautiful shots of couples, and lightweight and reliable gear is what she needs for her work. She carries two Sony Alpha 7 IV cameras with her because she likes how lightweight and compact they are while still delivering those high-quality wedding images. As for lenses, she relies on three G Master lenses – the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II, Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master and Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master. See the other items she brings along and some of the stunning wedding images she’s taken in What’s In My Bag: The Complete Kit For Adventure Wedding Photography.
The Lightweight & Long-Reach Kit
Outdoor photographer Julia Jakovleva (@jzeppelina) likes to travel to remote corners of the world to capture the beauty of lesser-known places. She keeps her kit light, packing just a single camera, the Sony Alpha 7 III, and two zoom lenses, the Sony 24-105mm f/4 G and Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master. And to extend her range and creative possibilities without adding bulk and weight she always has the Sony 2.0x Teleconverter in her bag on her adventures. See her full pack and some of her work in What’s In My Bag: A Lightweight Travel Kit For Maximum Reach & Versatility.
Get even more "kit-spiration" at alphauniverse.com/wimb.