Travel Camera Gear Made Simple: What to Bring & What to Rent
- renticuloussg
- Jan 2
- 5 min read
Don’t let camera gear decisions slow you down. In this guide, we’ll show you the essential gear to bring for travel — and how renting the rest can save you time, money, and hassle.
One of our crew recently had the chance to take some of our gear on a trip to Finland and Norway. While it’s always tempting to overpack for a long journey—just in case a specific lens or accessory might be needed—we’ve broken down the gear he brought along and explained how each piece was used in different situations.
Sony A7RV – Chosen for its excellent autofocus and high-resolution sensor, making it versatile for almost any situation.
14mm f/1.8 GM lens – Perfect for landscape photography, including the Northern Lights and fjords.
35mm f/1.4 GM lens – Great for close-ups, street photography, and portraits.
Sony E 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 G OSS lens – Although it crops slightly due to being an APS-C lens, it’s highly versatile for long-range shots, like the planned whale-watching cruise.
Peak Design Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod – Compact yet sturdy, essential for long exposures when capturing the Northern Lights or any low-light scene requiring a slow shutter.
Sony GP-VPT3 Wireless Shooting Grip with Detachable Remote – Ideal for remotely triggering the A7RV, especially during long exposures or when you need to take a shot without assistance.
Fujifilm X100VI – Lightweight and perfect for city explorations. While it doesn’t have interchangeable lenses, the 23mm fixed lens is versatile for street photography and casual shots without the bulk of a larger camera.
Capturing the Northern Lights in Norway ✨
Our crew was lucky enough to capture some amazing shots of the Northern Lights in Norway! The sky was on our side, and the experience was truly magical.
Camera gear used for the shots:
Sony A7RV
14mm f/1.8 GM lens
Peak Design Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod
Sony GP-VPT3 Wireless Shooting Grip with Detachable Remote
This setup leans toward the higher end, but for aurora photography, a few key factors make all the difference:
A camera capable of long exposure – essential for capturing the light trails of the aurora.
A wide-angle lens with a low aperture – allows more light in, which is critical for night skies.
A sturdy tripod – keeps your camera stable during long exposures.
A remote or controller – prevents accidental camera shake, ensuring sharp images.
Tips for capturing the Northern Lights:
Use manual mode: Control both aperture and shutter speed for optimal exposure.
Set a wide aperture: f/2.8 or lower is ideal to let in as much light as possible.
Keep ISO moderate: Start around 800–1600 to balance light capture and minimize noise.
Experiment with shutter speed: Typically 10–25 seconds, depending on aurora movement.
Focus manually: Autofocus struggles in low light, so pre-focus on a distant light or the horizon.
Use a tripod on solid ground: Even slight movement can blur long exposures.
Avoid touching the camera: Use a remote, timer, or wireless grip to trigger the shot.
Dress warmly and be patient: Auroras are unpredictable — layer up and enjoy the show!
Whale Watching 🐋
Camera gear used for the shots:
Sony A7RV
While a higher-end telephoto lens like the 100–400mm GM or 400–800mm might provide sharper images and full-frame coverage, our crew member only had one day for whale watching, so bringing a large, heavy lens wasn’t practical. The Sony 70–350mm on the A7RV (APS-C crop mode) gives an effective focal length of approximately 105–525mm, which is still excellent for capturing distant whales.
The only minor regret was not using a tripod, as long-range lenses are harder to stabilise, especially in low-light conditions.
Key takeaway: Always bring gear that matches your activity. If you anticipate using telephoto lenses frequently, investing in a higher-end lens may be worthwhile. Otherwise, a versatile zoom lens like the 70–350mm strikes a good balance between reach, portability, and convenience.
Wildlife Shooting Tips
Use a telephoto lens: Long lenses allow you to capture distant animals without disturbing them. If you don’t own one, consider renting — it’s a cost-effective way to get professional results.
Stabilise your shots: Even slight camera shake is noticeable with long lenses. A tripod or monopod helps keep your shots sharp.
Adjust shutter speed: Faster shutter speeds (1/500s or higher) are key for moving wildlife, especially on a boat or in windy conditions.
Use continuous shooting mode: Capture multiple frames quickly to increase your chances of getting the perfect shot.
Mind the light: Early morning or late afternoon provides the best natural lighting for wildlife photography.
Pre-focus if possible: Autofocus can struggle with fast-moving animals or low light, so pre-focusing on an area can help.
Street Photography 🏙️
Between all the adventures, there were days where our crew explored towns and cities.
Camera gear used for the shots:
Sony GP-VPT3 Wireless Shooting Grip with Detachable Remote
While the A7RV with interchangeable lenses provides a more professional feel and a wider selection of focal lengths, lugging around a heavy and bulky setup isn’t ideal when casually exploring a city — especially if you’re shopping or walking through crowded streets and malls. That’s where the X100VI comes in handy!
With its compact body and fixed 23mm lens, it easily fits into any bag without adding weight. Don’t underestimate it — the X100VI packs a 40MP sensor with in-body stabilisation, and when paired with Fuji’s film simulation recipes, it can deliver beautiful photos straight out of the camera (all the photos shown are unedited).
A quick mention of the Sony GP-VPT3 Wireless Shooting Grip with Detachable Remote: it allows us to place the camera in tricky spots and trigger shots remotely, eliminating the need to ask strangers for help — perfect for city and street photography.
Street Photography Tips 🏙️📸
Go lightweight: Compact cameras like the Fujifilm X100VI are easier to carry and less intimidating in public spaces.
Use natural light: Early mornings or late afternoons give soft, flattering light for street scenes.
Shoot from the hip: Experiment with different angles and perspectives without always raising the camera to your eye.
Mind your background: Look for lines, patterns, and elements that add context to your shots.
Blend in: A smaller camera setup draws less attention, making candid shots easier.
Use a remote or timer: Tools like the Sony GP-VPT3 Wireless Shooting Grip let you trigger shots discreetly, or capture creative compositions without needing help from strangers.
Experiment with Fuji film simulations: Capture vibrant or moody tones straight out of the camera — minimal post-processing required.
Choosing the Right Gear for the Right Moment
Travel photography isn’t about carrying the lightest setup or owning the most gear — it’s about using the right equipment for the right purpose. Every shooting scenario is different, and understanding that is what separates frustration from great results.
For night landscapes and the Northern Lights, a camera that supports long exposure, paired with a fast wide-angle lens and proper stabilisation, is essential. These setups may be more advanced, but they’re necessary to capture scenes that simply aren’t possible with basic gear.
For wildlife experiences like whale watching, focal length and stability matter most. Longer lenses allow you to photograph distant subjects clearly, and choosing the right telephoto — whether compact or high-end — depends on how often you’ll actually use it during the trip.
For street and city photography, flexibility becomes key. A compact camera makes it easier to move around comfortably while still delivering high-quality images, especially for casual shooting and everyday moments.
This is exactly how we approach gear at Renticulous — by focusing on what you actually need for each situation, instead of encouraging you to buy everything “just in case.” Whether it’s a wide lens for night skies, a telephoto for wildlife, or a lightweight camera for city walks, renting allows you to match your gear to your experience without compromise.
At the end of the day, better photos come from better decisions, and the right gear — used with the right intent — makes all the difference.
