Selects: Top 3 Camera Gear for Adventure Photography

With so many possibilities in outdoor and adventure photography, photographers are spoilt for choice when it comes to camera equipment. Your setup shouldn't be too heavy, especially for longer trips. But you wouldn’t want to miss that once-in-a-lifetime shot because you didn’t bring the right gear. 

Whether you're hiking the Laugavegur trail in Iceland or kayaking through the fjords of Norway, your setup’s size and weight can have a huge impact on the trip itself. Chances are, you won’t end up using all of your prime lenses and your 'Holy Trinity' of zoom lenses. When every kilo counts, that 150-600mm telephoto could probably stay at home. 

Over the years, adventure photographer and outdoor enthusiast Jonas Hanspach has certainly packed a few waterproof kitbags. Part of the adventure starts with writing up your kit list and deciding what to bring with you—while reducing the risk of being left up the creek without a paddle. In this guide, Jonas talks about his recommended slimmed-down setup for adventure photography. Over to you, Jonas. 

Not bringing too much or too little is a fine balance. And although I've been doing this for some time, I don't always get it right. There have been times when I've carried my Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM EF, which weighs about two kilos, up a mountain just in case I came across some wildlife. As you can imagine, I could have done without it. But there were also times when I left my tripod at home, on purpose, and then really wished I had taken it with me.

One thing I've learned over the years is that location research and detailed planning—in the form of a mood board, for example—is paramount. No two shoots are the same. So, ask yourself how long you will be out, how strenuous the activity will be, what you want to shoot and what the conditions will be like. High winds and pouring rain aren’t your friends. Then, adjust your kit accordingly. Over the years, I've noticed that I almost never leave this camera, lens and drone at home.

1. Canon EOS R6 

You need a good camera. And, if you’re like me, you want a camera that is capable of taking great stills and video. I don't like to carry two cameras that would significantly increase the overall weight and space needed in my backpack. 

The Canon EOS R6 is a really solid all-rounder, capable of capturing high-quality images and video with its 20-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor and 4K movie recording at 60 frames per second. Being a mirrorless camera, it is actually quite a bit smaller than, for example, the Canon EOS 6D or Canon EOS 5D Mark IV.

I bought the Canon EOS R6 used from MPB at the end of last year and it has been my faithful companion ever since. I bring it with me almost everywhere.

2. Canon EF 70-200mm f4L IS USM

The lens I almost never leave at home is my Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM. It's a bit lighter than the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L USM. And, depending on the focal length, you can still get decent background blur to isolate your subject. It's also lighter than a 150-600mm telephoto lens and, in some cases, will still allow you to take good wildlife photos—depending on how close the animal allows you to get.

The other reason I love this lens is that it pulls the background closer to your subject, making it appear much larger than it really is. This makes every image more dramatic, which is especially evident in mountainous environments.

I know this is an unusual choice as most outdoor photographers would probably choose something like a Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L II USM for their wider shots. I can understand the motivation behind it. It would probably be my second most important lens, but there is a relatively simple workaround if you really have to choose between the two. 

If your subject is too big to fit in the frame of your 70-200mm lens, you can always take multiple shots of part of the frame and stitch them together in post-production. This process has become incredibly easy with software like Adobe Lightroom and works really well.

3. DJI Mavic Air 2S

Yes, a drone. I love the flexibility you gain with a drone. Nothing in your kit offers as much flexibility or provides such unique perspectives as a drone. There have been instances where I have only brought a drone because I knew it was required for the location. 

Drone cameras tend to have very wide-angle lenses, so they're a great counterpart to the 70-200mm lens to make your subject look really small in a big landscape. It can be just as dramatic as compressing a telephoto lens. 

A drone is also great if you're going on an adventure alone. I do it all the time. And, with the drone, I can easily photograph myself instead of having to compose and take the picture separately with a camera and tripod over and over again.

In my opinion, the DJI Air 2S is the perfect blend of weight and quality. It can compete with the famous DJI Mavic 2 Pro and is around 300g lighter. That doesn't sound like much, but—trust me—when you're carrying your gear on your back all day and saving weight on several things, it adds up. Your back will thank you.

In summary, I can only emphasise how important it is to be aware of the conditions and what you want to photograph. Then, consider what equipment you might need to take those shots. 

My recommendation is to unpack and repack your camera backpack between adventures. This way, you force yourself to think about every item you bring. Making a checklist on your phone—or good old paper—can also help you not to forget anything crucial. 

Above all, think regularly about how you will use your kit. Have you often lugged something up a mountain but never used it? Then leave it at home next time. Or did you leave something at home, but then realise when you're shooting that you're missing something? It happens to all of us. The important thing is not to get upset about it at the moment. 

Think about how you could achieve a similar result with the equipment you did bring—this will improve your photography in general—and then make a note of the situation to learn from it for future similar scenarios. As with everything, it takes practice. 

If you’re thinking of adding a camera, lens or drone to your kit, then I recommend buying used equipment. Compared to smartphone technology, advancements in photography are relatively slow. The first version of the 70-200 f4 L IS USM was released in 1999 and it still takes great photos. Used kit is also more budget-friendly and sustainable. Enjoy your photography!

Thanks for your recommendations, Jonas.

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