En estos días, puede obtener un control extraordinario, un zoom óptico y una calidad de imagen, todo en una cámara que tiene aproximadamente el tamaño de una baraja de cartas.

Por supuesto, el tamaño del sensor no se parecerá en nada al de una cámara más grande, pero la compensación entre tamaño y peso a veces vale la pena.

Si todo lo que trae es una cámara compacta y desea imágenes de primera línea, la Sony RX100 vii tiene un desempeño increíble. La desventaja es que es particularmente caro.

Para aquellos de nosotros con un presupuesto más ajustado, la Canon PowerShot SX720 y la anterior Sony RX100 son opciones perfectamente viables. (Todavía llevo una PowerShot SX230 de segunda mano...)

Para aquellos que necesitan algo resistente al agua, la Olympus Tough TG-5 es asequible y tiene mucho de excelentes críticas.

Si bien no he probado este modelo en particular, puedo decir que fue una Olympus point-and-shoot lo que me metió en la fotografía. Tomé el C-740 en un par de caminatas y quedé tan impresionado con la calidad de imagen que me enganché de inmediato.

Obviamente, hay muchas otras excelentes opciones de cámaras compactas y sin espejo. Estos son solo los que conozco y he sacado en el campo.

Consulte la guía Shotkit de las mejores cámaras compactas para obtener más opciones.

Lentes

Una lente de 50 mm puede lograr algunas tomas excelentes. | Nikon D7000 + 50mm f/1.8 | 50 mm | 1/10 | f/8 | ISO 200

Como ávido excursionista, probablemente esté interesado principalmente en los paisajes y/o la vida silvestre. Eso es algo bueno, ya que limita el tipo y la cantidad de lentes que necesitará.

Si eres tú, probablemente puedas dejar tus lentes para retratos, arte y macro en casa.

Tiendo a caminar con 2 o 3 lentes:mi gran angular (Sony FE 16-35 mm f/4), mi ingenioso cincuenta (Sony FE 50 mm f/1.8) y ocasionalmente un teleobjetivo para tomas de vida salvaje (Sony FE 70-200 mm f /4).

[Relacionado:Los mejores lentes de Sony]

Más de dos tercios del tiempo uso mi gran angular y eso es lo que permanece en el cuerpo de mi cámara.

El teleobjetivo es el que menos uso y es más probable que deje en casa. (Obviamente, si su enfoque principal es la vida silvestre, esto se invertirá para usted).

Lo mismo ocurre cuando estaba disparando con mi Nikon D7000. Llevaba un Tamron 10-24 mm f/3.5-4.5, un Nikon 50 mm f1.8 y un Nikkor 55-200 mm.

Cuando planeo hacer una serie de fotos o una historia fotográfica sobre un viaje, necesito una variedad de tomas, no solo gran angular. Ahí es donde entra en juego tener múltiples lentes. | Olympus E-520 + Olympus 14-42 mm | 42mm | 1/60 | f/5.6 | ISO100

De vez en cuando crearé una serie que necesite una variedad de tomas, no solo paisajes amplios. En esas tomas, mi lente de 50 mm estará en el cuerpo de mi cámara aproximadamente el 50 % del tiempo.

Otra opción es simplemente viajar con dos zooms:uno de gran angular a rango medio y otro de rango medio a teleobjetivo. Eso es lo que hice cuando tuve mi Olympus E-520. Solo tenía los dos lentes del kit y funcionaron lo suficientemente bien para mi nivel de habilidad en ese momento.

En lo que respecta a los ángulos amplios, sigo usando un zoom. Si bien valoro la nitidez y la compacidad de los lentes fijos, tiendo a usar todo el rango focal y, a menudo, no estoy en una posición en la que pueda "hacer zoom con los pies".

Aún así, si puedes acostumbrarte a usar lentes de contacto, te ahorrarás unas pocas onzas más.

¿Al trípode o no al trípode?

Como quería trabajar con exposición prolongada, cargué mi trípode de viaje Zomei Z699c a lo largo del río Dungeness en el Parque Nacional Olympic. Sobre todo quería jugar con la velocidad de obturación y el agua. | Nikon D7000 + Nikon 50mm f/1.8 | 50 mm | 1/2 | f/10 | ISO100

Esta es una pregunta que nos atormenta a muchos de nosotros, los fotógrafos viajeros. Para un fotógrafo de paisajes que dispara en las horas doradas y azules, trabaja con HDR o realiza cualquier otra fotografía de larga exposición, un trípode es casi siempre una necesidad.

Al mismo tiempo, incluso los trípodes de viaje más livianos agregarán un volumen y un peso considerables a su configuración:consulte los mejores trípodes de viaje para ver más de cerca lo que está disponible.

De ahí la pregunta del millón:¿al trípode o no al trípode?

Como me encanta tanto el HDR como la fotografía de larga exposición, tiendo a tener un trípode de viaje por defecto, especialmente si voy a un lugar en el que nunca he estado antes.

Si conozco muy bien el área y he visto que las vistas no se prestan para HDR o fotografía de larga exposición, podría conformarme con un mini trípode (utilizo el Ultrapod II) o simplemente confiar en la estabilización de imagen interna de mi cámara.

Obviamente, es importante elegir el trípode de viaje más ligero y estable que pueda pagar. Para mí, ese es el Zomei Z699c:un buen trípode de viaje de rango medio que no es exactamente liviano, pero tampoco rompe el banco.

[Relacionado:Revisión de Zomei Z699c]

Hay muchas opciones más ligeras (léase:más caras). Si el dinero no fuera un problema, elegiría el nuevo trípode de viaje de Peak Design. Es liviano, pero tiene un gran alcance con un perfil sorprendentemente pequeño cuando se pliega.

Relacionado:Revisión del trípode de viaje Peak Design]

Algunas caminatas simplemente no me apetece llevar el peso extra de un trípode. Ahí es cuando meto un Ultrapod II en mi mochila. A Joby Gorillapod will also work, but the Ultrapod is both lighter and less expensive.

For a fair compromise between having a tripod and no tripod, mini tripods like the Ultrapod II or Joby Gorillapod are great options. They’re compact and light and can be placed in positions a normal tripod wouldn’t be able to match.

I prefer the Ultrapod over the Gorillapod because it’s lighter and far less bulky. It’s also less expensive.

[Related:Ultrapod II Review | Best Joby Gorillapod]

What Camera Gear to Bring on a Day Hike

Day hiking with the Mindshift Backlight 26L, Peak Design’s Capture Clip, and the Ultrapod II at the Alsea River in Oregon. The Backlight has more camera gear space than I need, so I modified the camera carry area for extra snacks and clothing. The front pockets I used to store a journal, another jacket, and a few other odds and ends. There was plenty of space to spare.

Day hikes can be anything from 15 miles in a day up a mountain and back to a simple walk in the woods. That means there’s a huge amount of diversity possible in what to bring, both in terms of hiking gear and camera gear.

My daypack set up varies depends on the purpose of my hike. When I’m looking to just get a hike in and not really focusing on photography, I’ll take a standard hiking daypack with hydration compatibility and throw in a camera insert or just my camera with a wide angle.

These days I’m using an Osprey Sirrus 24L and an Ape Case Cubeze 39 for the insert. It’s a small pack, but will hold a 2L water bladder, snacks, extra clothing, and of course, my camera insert.

For camera inserts, I actually prefer Tenba’s BYOB 9 (mirrorless) or BYOB 13 (small DSLR), but after mine went missing I thought I’d try the Cubeze system.

After about a year of using the Cubeze, though, I have to say Tenba’s inserts are worth the price.

When I’m out for a quick hike or want to travel light, I take my Osprey Sirrus 24L and use a camera insert. Here you see the Ape Case Cubeze 39.

Either way, both inserts allow me to bring 2-3 lenses easily. The Tenba inserts I’ve tried also have a few pockets for batteries, cards, and lens cloths as well. I also throw in my filters and my remote shutter.

If I’m hiking with the Osprey Sirrus 24L, I won’t be bringing a tripod. Sometimes I might throw my Ultrapod II in just in case, but that’s about it. (The Ultrapod II takes up next to no room and fits easily in a side pocket.)

For camera access, I use the Peak Design Capture Clip. As long as I’m not needing to change lenses a lot, this works quite well for me.

[Related:Peak Design Capture Clip Review]

Sometimes I’ll even forgo the camera insert, wrap my 50mm in a sock, and leave it on top of my clothes for easy access. (My wide angle will be on the camera body.)

I love working with the Peak Design Capture Clip when on the trail. It keeps my camera at the ready without putting any extra strain on my neck or shoulders. I also appreciate having my camera off to the side and attached to my backpack strap instead of hanging in front of my chest.

If my focus is photography, I’m more likely to settle on a camera backpack made for hiking – check out the best camera backpacks to see some great options.

It’s been hard to find one that really works for me, as most have far more camera gear space than I need. I’m rarely looking to bring that many lenses and multiple camera bodies on my backcountry trips, and I certainly don’t need my laptop.

Another issue with most hiking camera daypacks is that they don’t make space for hydration systems. That’s a real issue for me, as hiking with water bottles doesn’t work well for me.

Luckily there are now a few out there designed for those of us who know we can’t eat or wear our cameras.

Right now, I’m really enjoying the Mindshift Backlight 26L. Like other camera backpacks, it has far more camera equipment room than I need, but other than that it’s an excellent pack for me. The overall size is just right, and it has a sizable amount of room for hiking gear.

It also has a number of different ways of carrying a tripod.

All the gear is stowed in the back panel, but the pack is designed to spin around and give you access without taking the pack off.

I also appreciate that the Backlight comes with ice axe loops and numerous ways to strap extra gear to the outside of the pack as well. All in all, a sturdy, well-built pack.

The Backlight is considerably bigger and heavier than the Sirrus 24L, but it sits comfortably on the back and for longer hikes I do need to carry the extra gear.

Here you see the Mindshift Backlight 26L camera backpack compared with my Sirrus 24L. The Backlight is considerably bigger, but provides easy access to all my camera gear, not just what’s on the Capture Clip.

Unfortunately, the Mindshift Backlight 26L has no hydration compatibility – a serious bummer for me on longer hikes.

I also don’t tend to use the flip-around option much. The Capture Clip is much faster for me unless I need to change lenses, and for that it’s often more comfortable for me to put the pack down.

Still, it’s an excellent pack and can carry an incredible amount of gear.

Other Day-Hike Camera Gear Essentials

Depending on the hike and the type of photography I’m doing, there are a number of other things I might need. Most I also bring on backpacking trips, so I’ll save a list of these until the end of the article.

What Camera Gear to Bring on a Backpacking Trip

For backpacking trips, I take my Osprey Ariel 65L and a camera insert. (Here the Cubeze 39.) I make sure to take the Capture Clip with me for easy camera access.

Since I frequently go on multi-day backpacking trips, figuring out my camera setup is a pretty big priority. I need it to be light and to take up as little room in the pack as possible.

While I’ve looked at a few backpacking camera backpacks, none of them had the room I needed for backpacking gear (think 4-10 day trips) and the access didn’t beat that of the Capture Clip. As a result, I went back to using a camera insert + the Capture Clip.

Currently, I’m using Osprey’s Ariel 65 AG as my main backpacking pack. It fits me well and is super comfortable.

The tripod gets attached over the sleeping bag compartment or along the side if I’m not bringing stove fuel.

If the Cubeze 39 isn’t large enough to carry my other camera essentials, I’ll bring a separate dry bag to stow them in. That’s listed in the “other essential gear section” below.

Skiing and Snowboarding

Skiing along the Kenai River in Alaska. I’d never been on this route before, but chose to take a tripod since we’d be hitting both the golden and blue hour. | Sony A7iii + Sony FE 16-35mm f/4 | 26mm | 1/2 | f/8 | ISO 400

For skiing and snowboarding, what pack I take will often have to do with both the weather and whether I’ll need to strap my skis or board onto the pack.

If there’s no precipitation in the forecast and I’m not planning on using cramp-ons (i.e. carrying my skis), I might just stick with the Mindshift Backlight.

On the other hand, if there’s a chance of crazy weather or I’ll be doing intense climbing or downhill action, I’ll go with the LowePro Whistler.

The LowePro Whistler is the ultimate bomb of a skier’s/snowboarder’s camera backpack. Take a fall? No worries – your gear is protected. Inclement weather? Everything stays dry. Freezing temperatures? Everything’s designed for mittened or gloved hands.

The only downside to the Whistler is that it’s a huge pack for a day trip. Be sure to get the 350 version if you have a mirrorless or just want a smaller pack.

Other Essential Camera Gear

Backpacking in the Joshua Tree National Park. | Nikon D7000 + Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 | 10mm |1/250 | f/8 | ISO 100

Okay, so you’re good on your camera, backpack, and tripod. Que más necesitas? Here’s a list of the gear that I find essential in the field.

• Extra batteries

If you’re shooting with a CMOS mirrorless camera, your battery life probably isn’t great. Even if it is, it’s always good practice to bring extra batteries. With my Sony A7iii, I generally only need 2-3 on medium-length trips, but I’m a pretty conservative shooter.

• Extra memory cards

For obvious reasons! You don’t want to run out of space or be stuck without cards if one has a problem.

• Camera jacket (for rainy or snowy weather)

Unless I’m on a day hike with clear weather, the Vortex Storm Jacket is always in my bag. Mountain weather is incredibly unpredictable and the Storm Jacket lets me continue shooting under almost any circumstances.

[Related:Vortex Storm Jacket Review]

If I’m taking a camera backpack like the Backlight or the LowePro Whistler, it fits nicely in the camera gear area. If not, I simply store it on its own (it comes in its own case) or stash it in my camera gear dry bag.

• Filters

I always keep a circular polarizer filter on my wide angle lens, except of course when I’m using a 10-Stop ND filter. At the moment I’m using a Hoya 72mm DMC PRO1 as my polarizer and a B+W 72mm for my 10-Stop ND filter.

The B+W is expensive, but has much less discoloration than the less expensive Ice or Hoya ones I’ve tried.

• Remote shutter

A remote shutter is needed for any kind of long exposure work, especially if you’re working in bulb mode. I use a Viltrox FSK. Make sure you check its batteries before leaving.

• Cleaning kit

For me this usually just means a bulb air blower and a few lens cloths that I keep in a clean place. I used to carry a more thorough kit but found that I never used it in the field.

• Power bank

If you’re going on a multi-day trip and/or are taking a lot of photos, it’s generally a good idea to bring a power bank or two with you. My favorite is the Anker PowerCore+. It’ll also charge your phone/GPS.

• Dry bags

Dry bags come in a number of different sizes. I keep a 3L, a 5L, and a 10L on hand for storing anything from cables, chargers, and extra batteries to clothing. All of my packs have rain protection as well, but I always feel better knowing my gear has this extra protection.

They’re also super handy when going out on kayaking or canoeing trips.

• Quick-release camera strap

Sometimes I need a camera strap on my camera, other times it just gets in the way. Since I’m often switching between tripod, my capture clip, and carrying around my camera by strap, I need something that will come on and off quickly.

I highly recommend the Peak Design Slide Lite. I’ve been using it just a few months but really love its versatility and ease of use.

[Related:Peak Design Slide Lite Review]

Palabras finales

Mt. Jefferson reflected. | Sony A7iii + Sony FE 16-35mm f/4 | 17mm | 1/10 | f/8 | ISO 1000

Photography in the wilderness comes with its own set of challenges, the biggest of which is how to pack in your camera gear comfortably while having room for everything else you’ll need and keeping your camera accessible.

¿Qué piensas? Do you have favorite gear you like to use on the trail? Do you have a setup that works especially well for you?

Let me know!