Backcountry Photography: What Gear Should One Take Along?
Hello everyone and a special welcome to all the new “followers.” And thanks to WordPress for featuring the blog on their homepage – I appreciate the extra exposure!
Over the last few weeks I have been asked a few times about the gear I take along with me on backcountry trips. In an effort to make that info benefit more people I thought I would simply write a post about the subject.
As some of you may know I spend a considerable amount of time photographing trekking, mountaineering, camping and skiing outings which often take me high up or in the backcountry for extended periods of time. Once I leave the trailhead I don’t have the luxury of returning to my vehicle and I am committed to using only the gear I have on my back (and to carrying that gear!). Therefore it is imperative that I spend time thinking carefully about what to bring well before heading out.
“Passing Through”, Fay Glacier, Banff National Park, shot from summit of Mt Bowlen at 200 mm.
So what gear do I take along on backcountry trips? The short answer is “it depends.”
It depends on the duration of the trip, the location, how technical the terrain will be and on what I want to accomplish on that given trip.
Having said that, the following items always come along with me. I have become accustomed enough to carrying them around that I don’t think about the weight when I put them in the “definitely” pile:
- Canon 5D Mark II body (850 g)
- Canon 17-40 mm, f/4L USM lens (500 g)
This has been my workhorse lens since I started doing photography. I absolutely love its versatility. It is also quite sharp and relatively lightweight.
- Think Tank Skin belt and holster (800 g)
- Lenspen (10 g)
- Canon Zoom EF 70-200 mm, f/2.8L IS USM lens (1470 g)
- Think Tank pouch (200 g)
- Gitzo GT 1541 Tripod with GH1780 Quick Release Ballhead (1250 g)
- Singh-Ray LB Warming Polarizer (25 g)
- Genus Fader Filter (up to 10 stops)(100 g)
- Intervalometer (100 g)
- Transcend 32 GB CompactFlash Memory card (11 g)
- Dynamic Perception Stage One dolly (4300 g)
- Dynamic Perception MX2 Motion Controller (179 g)
- Dynamic Perception 2700mAh battery pack and cables (200 g)
- Up to two Induro Adventure AKB1 Tripod kits (1600 g each)
- GoalZero Sherpa 50 Adventure Kit (for recharging purposes)
- Sanho Hyperdrive (for storage/backup purposes)
So all in all my lightest setup amounts to just over 2 kilos (about 5 pounds). Typically an overnight trip will mean about 5 kgs of photo gear (about 11 pounds), with time-lapse-oriented outings adding a considerable amount of weight. I know that these figures probably lie at the “heavy end” of the adventure photographer’s spectrum, but that is what has worked for me.
Thanks for reading. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the subject and what has worked for you.
“The Mark of Winter,” Auyuittuq National Park, Nunavut.
Awesome post Paul! This is chock full of great info for people interesting in taking backcountry photos. Amazing photos as usual as well.
Thanks so much Matt – I appreciate that!
Great post again and loved your previous one, a well deserved spot on the freshly pressed page. Great that you share these practical things with us and I’m a big fan of your photos, good you! All the best. Cheers Carolinebakker.com
Thank you so much for your kind words Caroline! I look forward to following you on Twitter
Great timing, I’ve been doing a lot of research lately with the intent of updating and streamlining my hiking/photo gear. Funny enough, I was eyeing that same Gitzo tripod yesterday, trying to decide if I should try that over my 5 lb Manfrotto.
Hi Eric. I absolutely love that tripod. In my opinion unless the winds are wild it is truly suited to most weather conditions. I have had to hang a pack on it a handful of times but overall I am pleased with the stability.
I chose the Manfrotto because I do a lot of beach landscapes, which is windy and the tripod often gets hit with waves along the lower part, so I like the greater stability of a slightly heavier frame.
But I’m evaluating my gear and weight in preparation for my trip to your area in the fall, so I want to go as streamlined as possible
Makes sense. If you want to see the amazing locations well away from the road the Gitzo is a good compromise.
Thanks again for your input, I will have this on my list to buy!
Although, there’s something to be said about lugging the heavier gear….my biceps look like I’m a weight lifter haha
My pleasure Eric. Enjoy your stay in the mountain parks!
Great link to help our many summer and winter guests- GAH
Thanks John. Wishing you a great season ahead and looking forward to your tweets!
Stunning work! I will be heading into Assiniboine Park this July for 5 days of timelapse work. I am currently in my planning stages, and I have this question: Base camp will be at the Naiset Huts at Assiniboine Lodge. I will be doing day/night treks in and out. I can use a separate camera pack that holds my laptop, lenses etc but considering weather conditions, I can also lug along my 60L backpack for safety. How do you manage carrying your camping gear and photography gear together?
Once again, great work. Wonderful photography!
Hi Damon. Thanks for writing and for your kind words on what I do. Timelapse at Assiniboine eh? I like the sound of that!
What I have been doing in the backcountry is I’ve been using the ThinkTank products to carry the camera body (with lens attached) and a second lens around my waist (nice to have those accessible on the hike in), with other photo accessories (those that are rarely needed on the go) in my usual overnight pack. The tripod was strapped to the side of that same pack. If I plan on doing night work I put the 24mm f/1.4 in the pack (as I typically don’t need it until we reach camp).
Best of luck out there. Feel free to send your results my way – would love to have a look!
Paul