My Gear for the Year: 2016
Packing Light for a Packed Year
For the people who want to know what gear I bring for my photography and travel, it can change depending on the plans. Last year, I brought a lot more gear so I was ready for commercial work, personal work and a range of project mediums. This year, I decided to completely focus on personal work, mainly street and documentary related. 2016 will be the most packed year of travel and cities ever for me, so I wanted to focus on one medium, while being able to easily move around anywhere needed. This year’s gear for the year is all about packing light, without sacrificing what I need.
The Gear List in 2016
- Fujifilm X-Pro1
- Fujinon XF 18mm
- Fujinon XF 23mm
- Fuji EF-X20 Flash
- Vello Off-Camera Flash Cord
- Extra Fuji Battery
- Leica M4-2
- Leica 50mm summicron
- Ricoh GR Digital
- MacBook Pro 15″
- Portable Hard Drives (x2)
- Battery Chargers
- SD Memory Cards (ThinkTank SD Pixel Pocket Rocket Case)
- Kodak Portra 400 & Tri-X 400 Film (Japan Camera Hunter Film Cases)
- Notebooks & Pens
- Peak Design Everyday Messenger Bag
- Cosyspeed Camslinger 160
All of this gear easily fits into the Everyday Messenger Bag. I brought the Cosyspeed Camslinger 160 too because it’s much smaller for day/weekend trips when I’m only taking a camera. It’s also nice for some extra space on flights because it’s never noticed as another carry-on item :)
Clothes and normal travel items go in a backpack and I’m read to travel long term without a problem, or need to check any bags. After years of travel, and packing too much stuff and gear, I think I’ve finally found the right balance. I do have a suitcase for more living items when I have to completely move my base, but that always stays at my new home.
Last year, I brought way too many cameras and lenses, from my Canon 5D to my Pentax 6×7 medium format camera (which could fill a suitcase all by itself). This year, I wanted to travel as light as possible so I can move around freely and focus completely on photography and projects in many cities.
I also sold my Leica M9. It was sad, but the Xpro1 is more than enough for what I need this year and that extra money will be helpful. If someone wants to gift me a Leica Q, though, I’ll gladly switch back :) And even though I will be focusing on one medium, mainly with the Xpro1, I still brought my Leica film camera along.
So this is the gear packing list for 2016 and what I will be shooting with mostly. This year will be full of street photography in cities around the world, including a couple of photo projects. It’s all about light travel in 2016, but 2017 might bring some changes to the list. Maybe I’ll even put that Pentax 6×7 to real use one of these days…
If any of you have any questions about my packing list or gear, comment below!
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