Updated 12/20/2025

In order to capture the beauty of the scenic places that I hike to, camera gear is one of the few items that I’m willing to carry extra weight for.

Camera body and lenses

I’ve been shooting with Sony mirrorless cameras for about a decade, starting with the compact a6000. After an unfortunate mishap on trail that ended with my camera in a creek, I decided it was time to upgrade to a full-frame Sony. I wanted higher-resolution images without sacrificing portability, and staying within the Sony system made sense since I’m already familiar with its layout, settings, and controls.

When I pack camera gear for trips, my goal is always to keep things as light as possible and bring only what I truly need. I usually stick to a single lens per outing rather than carrying multiple options. This approach keeps the camera sensor cleaner since I’m not changing lens in the field, reducing the risk of dust or debris getting inside the camera body and lenses.

• camera: Sony a7RII Mirrorless Digital Camera Body (22 oz)
  This is a full frame mirrorless camera with a 42 megapixel sensor, so it’s capable of taking high quality images in varying conditions, including night sky photography. This model has been updated several times since I purchased it, but it’s still working great after more than five years of heavy use.
• camera lens: Sony FE 28mm f/2 lens (7 oz) This wide angle lens is what I use the most often. It’s compact and lightweight, so it’s easy to carry, and the image quality is very good.
• camera lens: Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 (18 oz)
  This is a high-quality lens with moderate zoom, ranging from a 28mm wide angle to 75mm. For me, it’s a bit heavy and bulky to carry on my backpack strap so I typically only use it when I’m not hiking.
• camera lens: Sony FE 28-60mm f/4-5.6 Lens (6 oz)
  A super light pancake-style lens with zoom capability, this lens is a lot smaller and lighter to carry than the Tamron listed above, although the image quality isn’t as good, it works for what I need when I’m hiking and backpacking and want some zoom capabilities.
• camera lens: Samyang AF/FE 18mm f/2.8 lens (5 oz) This is an ultra-wide lens that I mainly use for night sky and star photography. For most landscapes, I prefer a lens with less distortion than what this super wide angle produces.

Camera accessories

• camera strap: PeakDesign Slide Lite Camera Strap (2 oz)
  This strap is more comfortable than standard camera straps and is easily adjustable with quick-adjustor handles. I don’t keep this on my camera when I’m hiking, and instead use it when I’m walking around without my pack on.
• extra camera batteries: Sony NP-FW50 battery (2 oz)
  I always take at least one extra camera battery with me, two if the trip is longer than three days.
• waterproof camera cover: PeakDesign Shell, small (2.4 oz)
  While this cover can be left on the camera when carrying it on a backpack strap, I find it cumbersome for taking photos. I mainly use it to protect my camera while it’s stored in my tent.

Carrying a camera while hiking

Over the years, I’ve tried several ways to carry my camera while hiking — from neck straps to various camera bags on my hip belt. My favorite is a clip that attaches directly to a backpack strap.

• camera attachment: PeakDesign Capture 3.0 Camera Clip (3 oz)
  This clip attaches to your backpack strap, keeping your camera easily accessible. Utilizing an ARCA plate on the camera, it also works seamlessly with compatible tripods.

Tripods

Most of my photos are taken handheld since I’m usually hiking while shooting. A tripod can be handy at times, but a full-size tripod is too heavy for me to carry on most trips. Instead, I rely on an ultralight tripod that weighs just 4 ounces. The trade-off is that it only stands about 6″ high, so I have to get creative with compositions, often placing it on rocks or downed trees to raise it above the ground.

• tripod: Pedco Ultrapod II with an Arca plate add-on (4.2 oz)
  Ultralight and easy to use, this tripod comfortably supports my camera and sits low to the ground. It’s not as versatile as a full-size tripod, but at just four ounces, it’s my go-to for backpacking — definitely better than going without. This tripod comes with a Velcro strap for attaching it to objects like tree limbs, but I found it wasn’t sturdy enough to support a heavier full-frame camera, so I removed the strap.

Sometimes a larger tripod is necessary, and these are the ones I rely on. I have a full-size tripod as well as a smaller ultralight option. Both are especially useful for group shots or night sky photography.

• tripod: AKOA 28' Compact Carbon Fiber Tripod (1.1 lbs)
  This ultralight tripod is compact and easy to carry on shorter hikes. The ball head uses an Arca plate that works seamlessly with the Peak Design clip I use on my camera. The kit also includes a smartphone adapter and a hook for hanging a backpack to stabilize the tripod in windy conditions.
• tripod: Sirui T-024SK Carbon Fiber Tripod (2.2 lbs)
  My highest-quality tripod is a full-size model that’s ideal for night photography, especially in windy conditions. Because of its weight, I usually reserve it for home shoots or camping trips rather than backpacking.

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