Get Ready for Summertime Travel Photography With This Crucial Gear
- Get a Rock-Solid Camera & Lens Combination for Travel Photography
- Ditch the Big Tripod for a Handy Tripod Alternative
- Give Yourself Shelter From Summer Storms
- Invest in a Do-Anything Backpack for Travel Photography
- More Travel Photography Gear for Summer
- Wrap It All Up in a Beautiful Print
- Camera Type: Mirrorless
- Sensor: 42.4MP Full-Frame BSI-CMOS Sensor
- ISO: 100 - 25,600 (expandable to 50 - 102,400)
- Lens Mount: Sony E Mount
- Speed: 5.0 fps
- Autofocus: 399 focus points
- Video: 4K/30p & 1080p/60p
- Size/Weight: 127 x 96 x 60 mm / 625 grams
- Battery Life: 290 shots
- Stabilization: Yes
- Touchscreen: Yes
- Pre-Owned Sony A7R II Price: $804 - $944
- Lens Type: Wide-Angle Zoom Lens
- Camera System: Full-Frame
- Lens Mount: Sony E Mount
- Focal Length: 16-35 mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
- Minimum Aperture: f/22
- Minimum Focusing Distance: 28 cm
- Filter Size: 82 mm
- Focusing system: Autofocus & Manual Focus
- Maximum Magnification: 0.19x
- Size/Weight: 89 x 122 mm / 680 grams
- Optical Image Stabilization: No
- Used Lens Price: $1,389 - $1,549
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- One or two spare lenses
- An action camera or drone (or both!)
- A camera cleaning kit
- Lens filters
- Extra memory cards and batteries
- A portable SSD hard drive
- Peak Design Camera Clip
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Photo by wildart via iStock
With summer right around the corner, it’s that time of year when people start getting antsy for their upcoming summertime travels. For photographers especially, summertime offers endless opportunities to capture stunning images in new and exciting locations.
With that said, to make the most of your summer travel photography adventures, having the right gear is crucial. And in this article, we'll delve into some of the essential gear you should invest in if you hope to improve the quality of your travel photography content.
We'll share the importance of owning the right travel photography gear, such as a good camera and lens combo, a lightweight and versatile tripod, a durable and comfortable photography backpack, rain gear, and more! That way, you can ensure you're prepared and well-equipped to capture breathtaking images this summer.
Whether you're planning to explore vibrant cityscapes, relax on sun-drenched beaches, or embark on thrilling outdoor adventures, every piece of gear covered in this gear will help you get the job done. Now, without further ado, let’s dive in and discover the must-own summertime travel photography gear all photographers should have in their kit!
Table of Contents
Get a Rock-Solid Camera & Lens Combination for Travel Photography
The first thing you need for travel photography is a rock-solid camera and lens combination. Thanks to their portable and compact sizes, the two best options for travel photography are mirrorless cameras and point-and-shoot cameras. However, mirrorless cameras are our top recommendation because of their ingenious interchangeable lens system.
With that in mind, a great mirrorless body for travel photography is the Sony Alpha A7R II. It features a high-resolution 42.4-megapixel full-frame sensor and a Bionz X image processing engine. The pair delivers unbelievably sharp images and helps make the autofocus fast, accurate, and responsive.
Other notable features of the A7R II include 4K video capabilities, in-body image stabilization (IBIS), and built-in Wi-Fi. 4K video is ideal for hybrid photographers/videographers. IBIS boosts both photo and video quality. And the Wi-Fi lets you instantly transfer files to your mobile devices. Now, here’s an in-depth look at the key features and specs of the Sony Alpha a7R II:
Once you have the A7R II body, our favorite lens for traveling is the Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM. Its versatile focal range can capture everything from dramatic landscapes to beautiful portraits and street photography.
On top of that, its constant f/2.8 max aperture will enhance your camera's low-light performance and create gorgeous bokeh effects. A weatherproof coating also makes the lens more durable and will help protect the lens when you are on the road. Here’s a closer look at the Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM specs:
Check out the video above by aows to learn why the Sony Alpha a7R II is still a great camera for travel photography in 2023.
Ditch the Big Tripod for a Handy Tripod Alternative
Another crucial piece of travel photography gear is a lightweight tripod, and one of the best of the bunch is the one-of-a-kind OctoPad. Its innovative and patented design allows it to stand stably anywhere, even on sloped, slippery, and uneven surfaces. Moreover, it’s compatible with cameras, phones, GoPros, and other travel photography equipment.
And with a small footprint and weighing less than two pounds, it takes up almost no space in a checked bag or carry-on. We also love how quick and simple it is to set up, making snapping spontaneous selfies or recording epic time-lapses super easy.
For more information about this nifty little travel tripod, check out our OctoPod Hands-On Review.
Learn More:
Give Yourself Shelter From Summer Storms
You must be prepared for bad weather when traveling, even during the sunny summer months. That’s because photography equipment and other electronics are expensive, and the last thing you want is for your gear to be damaged or destroyed when some rain rolls in.
While rain jackets and standard umbrellas will do the job in most situations, we prefer traveling with the hands-free umbrella by GoShelter whenever we have our cameras. It will keep you and your camera dry during rainstorms, and its hands-free design even allows you to keep shooting while it’s raining.
Furthermore, its adjustable and spacious make-up means you can wear it even if you already have on a backpack. To learn more about this fun and unique product, read our full GoShelter Review.
Invest in a Do-Anything Backpack for Travel Photography
Last but not least, investing in a good quality travel photography backpack is essential. And while a quick Google or Amazon search will yield hundreds of results, not all camera backpacks are created equally.
We have tested tons of different bags throughout the years, and the one company that continually impresses us with its products is Vanguard. Having said that, due to its comfortable design and carry-on-friendly size, we particularly like the Vanguard VEO Adaptor R48GY for travel photography.
The main compartment is 100% customizable and can safely store a camera body and up to eight lenses. Additionally, it boasts a protective laptop sleeve, multiple pockets for holding/organizing small gear, and an ergonomic harness system that helps evenly distribute weight across your back, shoulders, and hips.
For more information and photos about this backpack, watch my full video review above!
More Travel Photography Gear for Summer
Photo by EKKAPHAN CHIMPALEE via iStock
While those are a handful of the most crucial pieces of equipment for travel photography, they are far from the only things worth investing in. For more gear recommendations, check out the list below:
Wrap It All Up in a Beautiful Print
An acrylic print from Printique is a beautiful way to display your favorite summertime travel photo.
It's one thing to take fantastic summertime travel photos; it's another thing to edit them and turn them into beautiful prints!
Printing your images completes the deal. It gives you a way to enjoy your favorite memories over and over again and also gives you practice in fine-tuning your images so they look their best in print form.
When getting prints made, it's critical to partner with a trusted printing company so you get the best results. For that, Printique is one of my top choices.
A framed print from Printique is a tasteful option for displaying summer photo memories.
Printique - an Adorama company - has a long track record of success in the printing industry. They offer the finest quality materials and are known for their attention to detail and craftsmanship. What's more, Printique has a wide range of print options for your favorite summertime travel photos:
Whether you want to print a portrait, landscape, architectural photo, or something in between, these substrates will make your image shine and give you years of enjoyment as you see it hanging on your wall!
