Travel Packing List for Your Camera and Photography Gear

It is time to pack for your upcoming trip or vacation, you might be looking for a packing list for your camera gear, as you love travel photography. Today I will bring to you my ultimate packing guide for travel photography. This packing list will be great for if you are hiking while using you camera, in popular big cities, and if just needing some advice on keeping your camera gear safe from the rain. This photographers packing list will include everything from, bags, protection, electronics and more.

Camera Body

Nikon:

I currently have Nikon D5600. I have used Nikon camera bodies since high school. I have no strong feelings over camera bodies besides the fact that it is what I learned on. I makes sense to me to be able to keep learning and growing on a camera programs I know.

Waterproof:

Sometimes I feel a little weary of taking a bulky expensive camera with me on some of our adventures. Such as these via ferratas here, here and here, and then places with water such as the Blue Lagoon, hot spring hikes in Iceland, zip lining in Costa Rica, and the Narrows in Zion National Park. My Fujifilm Waterproof Camera gets the job done when I need something to withstand rain or water and the occasional bump while on a hike. This has lasted me many years and takes pretty great photos as well. These seem like some newer models that are great options as well (here and here).

Cords for Cameras:

Don’t forget to bring your charging cords! Check out below how I love to store mine and keep them organized for trips and adventures!

Extra Batteries:

Especially if planning on long hikes, camping trips, or full day activities it is always smart to bring an extra set of batteries for your camera. For mine I found this off brand set that works great, and it came in a pack of two for a better deal but now I have three! I carry mine in this little case that came with my filters, It also fits my extra memory cards and filters. Here is another one that looks like it would pack small and do the job!

Camera Lens

To keep my luggage and backpack on the lighter side I stick with two lens.

Kit Lens:

Being a newer camera I only have two lens, one is the kit lens that came with the camera, which is great for a little more closer up shots.

Wide Angle:

But most of the time I will be traveling with my wide angle lens. This wide angle lens has been one of my favorite purchases. Not only is it a steal it captures great photos. I love using this for anything from landscape pictures to city streets. It is overall a great lens.

Batteries and Chargers

Universal Adapters:

Don’t forget is you are travelling abroad to make sure you come equipped with some universal adapters. I use this bulk pack that I found on Amazon for my European adventures, but if travelling to multiple places with different adapters this universal adapter is pretty cool, it has over 150 different outlets that it would work in.

Electronic Cord Organizer:

My husband bought one of these electronic cord organizers and I instantly knew I had to have one as well. These go everywhere with me, camping, a weekend trip or a multiple week trip abroad. This works wonders for keeping your charging plugs, adapters, cords and more all in one place and most of all keeps them from getting tangled. I like the smaller one linked above, but we always sometimes use a bigger one for longer travels.

Power Strip:

When you are traveling with multiple cameras, cell phones, GPSs etc you may find yourself running out of outlets in your AirBnB or hotel. This power strip is perfect for charging multiple things at once, while over night or at an airport.

Cases

For Camera:

I try to stay on the lighter side and I use this soft body case to protect my camera. I never put my camera in my luggage and always keep it with me on my backpack or carry-on while on a flight. I sometimes ever wrap a scarf or such around it before putting in my back pack to give it a little extra protection.

For Lens:

I use this type of lens case for my extra lens, I like that is zippers. It fits both lens, which ever one is not in use, and is small enough to fit in a bag. But these seem to be two great affordable options, here and here.

Waterproof Bag:

If planning on hiking long hikes regardless of the weather I highly suggest purchasing a waterproof bag. This 5L waterproof bag is a good size to fit my camera and lens, and even throw in my cell phone. I first purchased this when hiking the Narrows in Zion National Park, a river hike where our bags would be completely submerged in water during the hike. For the Narrows we borrowed a waterproof backpack as well, such as this one. It worked great! For rainy hikes I used these backpack rain covers for even more protection of my gear.

Tripods

I only use tripods occasionally, when I know I want to get some landscape shots.

Mini:

This is a great mini one if wanting something small to pack. But not great in high winds and uneven ground. I haven’t tried these but the flexible ones look fun!

Sturdy:

This compact tripod is much more sturdier, and pack-able as well. It held up during Iceland winds. It wasn’t the greatest for long hikes as the size didn’t fit in my backpack but perfect for shorter walks, stops or hikes.

Memory Cards

Cards:

Always good to have some extras on hand.

Plastic Cases:

Usually memory cards will come with these cases but I try to have an extra one or two of these in case one breaks. I don’t own of these cases but they look like a smart ideas, might be on the gift list this year. 🙂

Carrying Case:

For my memory cards I use this cute little case that came with my filters to carry them in, It also will fit a filter or two and a backup battery. I love that it is small so it ever fits in my purse! This case looks like a small sturdier options as well, a long with this one that looks like it would fit all my needs while fitting in a small purse as well.

Card Reader:

If going on a longer trip, for multiple weeks I like to be able to back up our photos and videos. If your laptop doesn’t come with a card reader make sure you have one. This is the laptop was have for travel, it had a card reader built in it and is a small pack-able device that works perfectly for what we need while on the road.

Hard Drive:

The laptop we use doesn’t have much space so we always have this small hard drive if wanting to back up photos and videos. It packs up in our electronic cord case easily and is durable.

Accessories

Lens Protectors & Filters:

I don’t use filters much but love these clear ones to protect my lens. While hiking or out and about there is a chance your lens could get scratch by a stick or rock. I much rather replace one of these at a low cost rather than my lens! These Polaroid sets are a great prints and have always worked well for me.

Lens Cap Holder:

I have been known to lose track of my lens caps, they used to go in my back pocket and slide out, or I would totally forget where I stashed it. So I like this nifty little device that goes on my camera strap. It is two sided so it fits multiple different lens cap sizes.

Strap:

I always recommend replacing the strap that comes with your camera, it usually has the brand written all over it. It screams tourist and it makes you more noticeable for a thief. I like simple ones like this one and this one.

Lens Wipe:

When hiking or in the cities your camera is exposed to dust, sand and rain. This small lens wipe hooks on to your strap and has a cute little compartment to get it from getting dirty.

Raincovers:

I don’t use a rain cover for my camera, if it is raining too hard then I will switch to my waterproof camera. But many people use these types of covers that pack up easily for travel.

As I mentioned before I do use waterproof bags and backpack rain covers for when my camera is stored in my backpack and it is raining hard.

Apps:

Make sure before you leave that you have your camera apps downloaded and know how to use them. My Nikon Camera used the Snapbridge app. Which lets you use the app as a shutter press button for remote photography, but even with a few tries at home I was slow and remembering how to set it up. Take the time to learn the apps and features so you don’t waste precious time on your trip!