I'm Going on a Trip and I'm Taking

Sunday 10 April 2022, 21:42 by Nando Harmsen | 4,252 views | 2 comments

This article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.

When I go travelling, I have to take camera equipment with me. What I take naturally depends on the kind of trip I'm taking. Is it a photography trip, or a trip to relax? I just have to be careful that the latter does not turn into a photography trip after all. In this article, I explain what I take with me when I travel.

In my experience, there are two types of trips. Maybe even three, although the third might come under the second heading. The first is a trip to relax, or a holiday. The second is a proper photography trip, specifically to go taking photographs. The third is a photography trip where I am the tour leader or photography leader.

I'm going on a trip and I'm taking... It all depends, of course, on what you're going to do, where you're going and what the purpose is. (photo by Hetwie)

What do I take with me on these three types of trips? Is there a difference, and if so, why? I enjoy sharing this information, and perhaps it will give you ideas or inspiration for your own trips.

A holiday

A holiday means getting away for a while, away from work. It is a chance to relax for a week or a few weeks in a place where nothing is compulsory and anything goes. Often, this is a lovely location for us, with things to see. Places where you can enjoy walking the dog.

Going on holiday means you don't have to head out at the crack of dawn. Just photograph the things you see, wherever you are. But through the photographer's eye, of course.

I simply love taking photographs. To capture things and have memories in pictures. So I also want to take photographs during a holiday, although there is no pressure to perform.

I often have a choice between my Fujfifilm X100t compact camera and my Canon EOS R5 with a 24-70mm or 24-105mm lens. Sometimes I take a travel tripod, because it is small enough to fit in my small 20-litre hiking backpack.

On an adventurous walk in Saxon Switzerland. The camera, a Fujifilm X100t, on the strap and a backpack with a gilet, waterproof jacket and a bottle of water. (photo by Hetwie)

That backpack contains a jacket or gilet, lunch and a water bottle. There is actually nothing else in it, apart from the travel tripod that sometimes comes along. That is so we can take a photo of the two of us and the dog at a beautiful location.

Taking photographs with the Fujifilm X100t is also a fun creative challenge because of its fixed focal length. That makes it even more enjoyable to take photographs, capture memories and make beautiful photos of the landscape. Or of our dog, who always enjoys the outing just as much.

Enjoying a holiday together goes perfectly with taking beautiful photos. You don't need all your equipment in a huge backpack for that, though. (photo by Hetwie)

A photography trip for taking photographs

Things are different when you go on a proper photography trip. Then I take more equipment, although this naturally also depends on where we are going and what we are going to photograph. Usually, the subject is landscape and nature.

Of course I take my Canon EOS R5, a 15-35mm wide-angle zoom lens, a 100-400mm or 70-200mm telephoto zoom lens, and sometimes a 24-70mm zoom lens. There is a chance my drone will come along too, or an ultra-wide-angle 12mm lens when I want to capture a starry sky.

Taking long-exposure photographs on the Opal Coast. A special photography trip to photograph beautiful landscapes means taking the right equipment. Camera, lenses, tripod, filters... you name it.

A tripod comes along, as does a set of filters. The latter especially when we are going somewhere with lots of water. Rivers, streams, waterfalls or the sea all call for the use of filters.

Usually, all of this remains portable in my large Shimoda X50 action backpack. There is still enough room for a waterproof jacket, a gilet or jacket, lunch and water. If the dog comes along, there is also some food for him.

A large camera backpack full of equipment. The filters are in the top compartment, next to the jumper, waterproof jacket and lunch.

On flights, the weight of the backpack with equipment is right at, or just over, the maximum permitted weight for carry-on luggage. Fortunately, that always goes without any problems. If necessary, I hang the camera around my neck so the camera bag becomes one and a half kilos lighter.

A photography trip as a leader

It is different again when I travel as a photography tour leader. Of course I want to take photographs myself too, otherwise the trip would not offer any added value for me. Naturally, the participants come first. After that, I have time to take photographs myself.

This is how I travelled to Lofoten as a photography tour leader. The bag contains the equipment suited to the purpose of the trip.

In principle, I take the same equipment as when I go on a photography trip myself, but sometimes I want to tailor it more closely to a specific purpose. The reason is simple: I have been there before, I know what to expect, and I no longer need to photograph everything that moves. I can afford to be selective.

That means my Canon EOS R5, a 24-70mm zoom and a 100-400mm telephoto zoom. Sometimes I add the 15-35mm wide-angle zoom, or swap it for the 24-70mm. A drone comes along if I know it will add value, otherwise it stays at home. Of course, filters must not be left out.

You know where you are going, so you tailor your equipment to it. A wildlife photography trip requires different choices from a landscape trip.

I try to match the tripod to the conditions I expect. Strong winds and rough conditions mean a heavy tripod. Otherwise, I would rather take the lightweight travel tripod. I often take the laptop with me, which is usually useful on trips like these.

I try to be critical about what I take with me

My intention is always to be critical about what I take with me. I don't always manage that, but I do my best. I simply think photography is fantastic and it is always a challenge to photograph things.

Even if I only have a compact camera with me, it is wonderful to make beautiful photos with that camera in particular. The Fujifilm X100t is a fantastic camera in that respect, precisely because of its fixed lens with just one focal length.

It is not just photography that determines what you need to take with you. The trip itself can also place demands on what you can bring.

Perhaps one day I will genuinely want to travel light, but that time has not yet arrived. In that case, I would probably choose a Fujifilm camera, such as the X-T4, together with a few small lenses. Because it can be very practical, a lightweight camera with lenses like that.

What is your favourite camera and lens set for your trips? Do you choose deliberately, or do you simply take as much as possible? Tell us in a comment below this post.

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