What's In My Bag: A Travel Photographer & Filmmaker's Kit For Trekking Nepal

Reading Time 3 min.

Author Hilary Lex

Date 2022.12.26

Hilary Lex (@hilarylextreks) is a travel photographer and filmmaker driven by taking adventurous risks to experience the world, learn more about humanity and tell stories that need to be told. She’s especially passionate and focused on projects centered on women’s equality, conservation and experiencing the outdoors. She's been certified through Photographers Without Borders storytelling school after completing a project in Jodhpur, India with the women's empowerment center, Sambhali Trust. She's traveled to 21 countries and completed photography projects for nonprofits such as the Northern Jaguar Project in Sahuaripa, Mexico. Having trekked Nepal several times, below she shares her gear for documenting another upcoming trek. Keep reading as Lex explains what's in her bag.

Hilary Lex's photo and video kit

Driven by taking adventurous risks to experience the world, travel photographer and filmmaker Hilary Lex uses this gear to tell the stories that need to be told.

I’m headed to Nepal for the fourth time in March and over the years I’ve refined my kit realizing how much more I enjoy my trekking when I’m able to stay as light as possible on the trail. When in the Himalaya, you’ll find yourself trekking upwards of six hours a day, sometimes longer going from mountain village to mountain village. You move from dense Rhododendron forest to above tree line where those sweeping Himalayan views are on full display and instantly take your breath away.

Camera

Sony Alpha 7R III: This has been my primary camera body for four years now and it’s served me incredibly well. It’s fast and the 42 MP high resolution sensor has proved reliable when printing client work whether for walls or in books. Another major reason I love this camera so much is that one battery will last me an entire day (sometimes two!) when trekking. It allows me to keep things lighter. And as a videographer, the 4K resolution has also been very important for me when switching modes in the middle of a trek. For the same reason, I just purchased the Alpha 7R V and I’m so excited for it to arrive to utilize 8K on the go!

Photo by Hilary Lex. Sony Alpha 7R III. Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/200-sec., f/5.6, ISO 125

Lenses

Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master: I love the 24-70mm for all travel situations. It’s fast, diverse and can confirm it’s the lens that stays on my camera most often. At 24mm, I’m able to be wide enough while trekking to allow me to create some fun, contextual angles, but tight enough for some good action shots. It also allows me to see stunning vertical landscapes that encompass valleys plus mountain tops. I’d argue I use it for 85% of what I shoot in the Himalaya.

Photo by Hilary Lex. Sony Alpha 7R III. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/250-sec., f/5, ISO 100

Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master: The other 15% of the time I bust out my 70-200mm. It’s my go to for compressing the background in and for mountain top shots. My clients love having tight sharp mountain top images from their trip… it reminds them of what their eyes saw while trekking. I’m eyeing Version 2 of this lens as the weight reduction would have a big impact on my comfort on the trail. Every ounce counts!

Photo by Hilary Lex. Sony Alpha 7R III. Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/400-sec., f/3.5, ISO 640

Accessories

Sony 2x Teleconverter: If I really need more zoom, I bring the teleconverter with me instead of a 3rd lens. It keeps my system light, but still gives me the range I need if necessary.

Peak Design Carbon Travel Tripod: I love this tripod for how compact it packs down and the ultralight kit makes it even lighter!

Hyperlite Camera Pod: I LOVE THIS THING! It clips right onto the chest straps of my backpack, is lightweight, waterproof AND padded so keeps my camera protected. I slipped and fell HARD straight on my chest in Nepal and my camera was fully cushioned and protected. It’s why I opt for something like this over the capture clip system.

Breakthrough Photography X4 Circular Polarizer: I’ve enjoyed the quality of this CPL and it really helps intensify the colors on super bright, sunny Himalayan days.

Photo by Hilary Lex. Sony Alpha 7R III. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/250-sec., f/6.3, ISO 100

Sony ECM-B1M Shotgun Microphone: I never go anywhere without this! As a videographer, it’s important I capture quality sound while on any adventure. This does the trick in any scenario while not adding weight to my system.

Drone: I always travel with one; though depending on the day, it won’t always end up in my daypack. I’m thankful the DJI system is so compact!

1TB Sandisk External SSD: My external drive of choice! It’s lightweight, super compact and has plenty of storage space for both video and photo on a single trip (or two!).

Mindfulness: I verbally remind myself many times a day to set the camera down, be present and really feel the moment moving through me. It allows me to photograph the essence of the entire experience better when I’m able to feel, hear and see what’s happening around me and what others are noticing or paying attention to as well.

See more of Hilary Lex's work on Instagram @hilarylextreks.

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