What’s In My Camera Bag? My Elopement Photography Gear
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Are you interested in knowing what gear I use as an adventure elopement photographer? In this post, I’ll share with you everything I bring with me on adventure elopements and go through what’s in my camera bag.
Switching From Canon to Fujifilm
When I was new to the industry, it was drilled into me that you weren’t to be taken seriously as a professional photographer if you didn’t shoot with a full-frame camera. And of course, there are benefits to full frame: more megapixels, higher resolution images, better low-light performance. So naturally, I upgraded my kit to full-frame cameras (I was shooting on the 5D Mark IV).
However, as I started doing more adventurous elopements, I felt the weight of the Canon kit and the impacts that it had on my body. I started looking for something lighter, and a friend suggested I try Fujifilm. Initially, I picked up a Fujifilm X-T2 to use as a personal/travel camera, to get more comfortable with the Fuji system before making the leap across from Canon. I fell in love with the Fuji system and the Fuji colours, and never looked back.
While I did have some hesitation about “downgrading” from full-frame back to an APS-C sensor (since Fujifilm doesn’t make a full-frame camera), I spoke with some other Fujifilm photographers, and they made me realize that you could produce world-class work (including a Times Square billboard) with an APS-C camera.
Camera Bodies
I always take two camera bodies to an elopement, just as I used to for a wedding. Because I always need to have redundancy, i.e. if one stops working, I’ve still got a second as a backup.
I also still have a couple of my older cameras (that have been retired from shooting elopements) that I keep for backups and for personal travel and adventures.
Lenses
Zoom Lenses:
- Fujinon XF 16-55mm f/2.8 (24-70 equivalent)
Check price: Park (UK) | B&H (USA) | Amazon (USA) | mpb (Worldwide) - Fujinon XF 50-140mm f/2.8 (70-200 equivalent)
Check price: Park (UK) | B&H (USA) | Amazon (USA) | mpb (Worldwide)
Prime Lenses
- Fujinon 16mm f/1.4 (24mm equiv.)
Check price: Park (UK) | B&H (USA) | Amazon (USA) | mpb (Worldwide) - Fujinon 23mm f/1.4 (35mm equiv.)
Check price: Park (UK) | B&H (USA) | Amazon (USA) | mpb (Worldwide) - Fujinon 35mm f/2 (50mm equiv.)
Check price: Park (UK) | B&H (USA) | Amazon (USA) | mpb (Worldwide) - Fujinon 56mm f/1.2 (85mm equiv.)
Check price: Park (UK) | B&H (USA) | Amazon (USA) | mpb (Worldwide)
Prime or Zoom lenses?
When I was shooting mainly traditional weddings, I used to shoot predominantly with prime lenses, and I do still shoot with them a lot. But for a lot of my really adventurous elopements, I prefer having the flexibility of a zoom lens. In situations where I can’t physically move my body, or I don’t want to be changing lenses, having the flexibility of a zoom can allow me to get a range of different shots.
Accessories
Depending on the location and schedule, I have a number of other items that I may take with me to elopements, as just like a wedding, I want to be prepared for any situation that might arise:
- Holdfast Camera Swag Dual Camera Harness
- Godox V860ii Flashes & Trigger
- Manfrotto video light (use code WGM5 for 5% discount)
- Peak Design Camera Clip (Use code WILDCONNECTIONS10 for 10% off)
- Peak Design Strap (Use code WILDCONNECTIONS10 for 10% off)
- Peak Design Travel Tripod (WILDCONNECTIONS10 for 10% off)
- Joby Gorillapod (use code WG5 for 5% on Joby Website)
- Waterproof SD Card Case
- San-Disk Extreme Pro 128GB Memory Cards
- Two-Way Radios
- Headlamp
- Patagonia Black Hole Cube
- Patagonia Mini Waist Pack (I use this for keeping memory cards & batteries on my body)
- Adventure First Aid Kit
Want to buy or sell camera gear? Remember that buying used or refurbished is better for the planet. I recommend mpb which is a worldwide platform where you can buy and sell used equipment. All equipment is checked my mpb and come with a limited warranty.
