My Photography Equipment

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I fell in love with photography long before I had any talent or knowledge about it. I just liked documenting my life. People were kind enough to compliment my photos and that really encouraged me to continue taking them and then to improve them. Photography has become one of my favorite parts of travel and one of my main travel activities. I love how looking to create photos focuses my attention on details I might have missed. It helps me see colors and textures and light to deepen my appreciation of what's before me. I still have a lot to learn techinically about photography and editing, but after lots of years of practice and study, I've also learned a lot too.

Here's what I currently carry in my travel photography kit:

Fujifilm X-T30: I switched over to the Fuji camera system in 2019 after using a full frame Canon 6D for about six years. It was a tough decision, and I went through so many YouTube videos about different cameras. I knew I wanted something much smaller and lighter for travel. My very first digital camera (all the way back in 2004) was a Fuji, so I had a soft spot in my heart for the brand. I have loved the switch to a mirrorless camera and don't feel like I've sacrificed any quality for the smaller size. I'm getting to the point where I'm considering updating to Fuji X-T5, but I think my X-T30 has some great photos left in her.

Fujifilm XF18-55mmF2.8-4 Lens: Typically, this is the lens that will come with your Fuji, unless you buy the body only. Often the "kit lens" can have a bad reputation as a cheaper lens, but I've been very impressed with this one! It really is my go-to for travel photography because it's lightweight and very versatile. As much as I'd love to switch to the "right" lens for every situation, you often don't have time when you're walking around. This one works for 90% of the photos I want to make. 

Fujifilm XF56mmF1.2 R WR Lens: This is one of my favorite lenses for the Fuji! With the crop sense on the X-T30, this 56mm has an 85mm focal point, which is often used for portraits. I find that this lens has beautiful light and bokeh. You're able to achieve a lovely soft shallow depth of field with the wide aperture. The focal length isn't always ideal for city travel, but if you want to take some portraits while traveling, it's worth keeping this in your kit. 

Fujifilm XF55-200mmF3.5-4.8 Lens: I often felt like I was missing a zoom lens when I traveled, so I asked for this for Christmas one year as an affordable option. I do usually bring it with me on every trip, but it's not a frequent flyer. I really appreciated it when I was in Hallstatt and Salzburg to get views from across the lakes. This one is new to my kit, so I'm still figuring out how to get the most from it. 

Rokinon 12mmF2.0 Ultra Wide Angle Lens: Since a lot of my travel is in urban areas, I really wanted a wide angle lens to help capture the architecture and a fuller scene. This is my most recent purchase. It's a little tricky because it requires manual focus that takes getting used to, but it's been a great addition! It's also pretty light to carry, but solidly built. 

Brevite Jumper Camera Backpack: I am ALWAYS trying to find the perfect backpack or way to carry all of this camera equipment. This has been my favorite so far. It's not very large (although, they now have a large size on their website), but it fits everything I need and helps me keep my pack light goal. The bottom half is padded with dividers for my camera and lenses. Then the top has space for snacks, electronics, etc. It even has a spot for your laptop, and you can attach a tripod with the straps on the bottom.

Joby GorillaPod 3K Kit: I go back and forth all the time on whether to bring a tripod with me. I know it's super helpful for evening shots and landscapes, but that's not the type of photography I usually do. At the same time, I want to! But I don't want the hassle of bringing a tripod with me. On my most recent trip to Austria, I decided to give this GorillaPod a try. It was still bigger than expected, but fit well within my carry-on. It definitely came in handy for some sunrise and sunset photos, so I'll take it with me on my next vacation.