Tips to Keep Your Gear Safe During Backcountry Photography

Keeping your gear safe and clean can be hard, even in normal settings and conditions. Keeping your gear safe and clean while backpacking is a whole other level of difficulty. That being said, there are tricks that can help you manage the weight of your gear while protecting them from the ever-changing conditions during backcountry photography.

How to Pack Light

Even when camera gear isn’t involved, being practical and minimal is a common practice of backpacking. Backcountry trips are often long and tiring. You will likely feel every ounce in your pack when hiking. 

Camera and Lenses

Think long and hard about what kind of shots you are hoping to take on this backcountry tip. Will you need two cameras? Most likely not. Will you need a telephoto lens or can you simply crop a photo in post? Try to be as skeptical as possible. If you can get away with one camera and two lenses, you will probably have more than enough to capture everything on the trail. The more gear you have with you, the more you can potentially damage on your trip. 

Tripods and Filters

Now, consider the accessories you might need for your camera gear specifically. If you are planning on photographing astrophotography or time lapse, you need a tripod. Consider purchasing a super cheap, lightweight tripod. You don’t need anything heavy or durable. You just need something to get the job done. If you are looking for something a bit tougher but in a tiny package, a Peak Design Tripod is my go-to for travel photography.

It might be tempting to bring filters on your trip, but I don’t recommend anything like a matte box or filter system. Instead, bring along a couple of circular filters. Whether you want a polarizer, or diffusion filter, there is a circular filter for just about anything these days. They are normally compact and lightweight and will easily fit in a side pocket of your pack. 

Memory

Lastly, how much memory do you think you will need? If you plan on doing timelapses, you might want to bring a couple of extra memory cards and batteries. The batteries will add a little weight overall, but you don’t want to take the chance of missing a photo opportunity. 

Backcountry Photography Checklist

The most important thing to remember is to keep your pack light. That means, aside from your camera gear, only bring necessary items for the backcountry. 

• Lightweight pack (does not have to be a camera bag)
• Camera cube system
• Rain cover
• Camera strap
• Camera shell
• Lightweight towel or microfiber cloth
• Camera Clip (Peak Design Capture Clip is a great option)
• Everything else should be camping necessities such as your tent, sleeping bag, cooking system, and food.

How to Protect Your Gear

There are a couple of ways to ensure your gear stays protected, even in the worst of conditions. First, find the bag within the bag. I’ve found that using a camera cube system within a backpack is the best way to keep your gear organized, as well as safe. Camera cubes are normally padded, and some are waterproof.

Conditions on the trail can be unpredictable. Rain is the arguably the biggest threat to your camera gear. Even humid conditions can be dangerous if your pack doesn’t have a realiable rain cover. On the off-chance that your gear does get wet, it is best to keep a lightweight towel with you to quickly dry your gear off before any damage is done. You can also purchase a camera shell which will keep moisture off your camera when you are using it. Most cameras are weather-sealed these days, but if the rain is really coming down, you can never be too safe. 

Lastly, having to take your pack off everytime you want to photograph a trail can be annoying and potentially hazardous to your camera gear. I tend to travel with the Peak Design Capture Clip which attaches my camera to my backpack shoulder strap. This give me quick and safe access to my camera at a moments notice, ensuring I never miss a shot. The clip doesn’t really add any weight to your pack as it attaches straight to the backpack strap.

Also, try to always have a camera strap on when shooting. There are plenty of hazards on and off the trail and the last thing you want is to drop your camera on a rock. 

Choosing a Backpack

Though it may be tempting, most backpacks designed specifically for cameras is a big no-no for backcountry photography, as they are usually not versatile enough to carry backcountry gear. Plus, there usually isn’t a suspension system to keep the weight off of your back and on your hips. So unless you plan on taking a lot of camera gear, I recommend sticking with backpacking bag. 

If you plan on having camera gear along with your backcountry gear, you will at least need a 35L pack. Consider anything up to 70L, depending on the amount of equipment you are packing.

Go to your nearby outdoor store and try on backpacks in person if you can. Some packs have different fittings and you want to make sure it’s comfortable. There is nothing worse than being miserable on a long trail. 

If you are really wanting a camera-specific backpack for your backcountry adventures, there are a couple of brands that make more outdoor-friendly packs, such as Shimoda. 

Conclusion

Nothing should stop you from pursuing backcountry photography. There are so many accessories that will allow you to safely and efficiently carry your gear just about anywhere. As long as you keep your pack light and covered, you shouldn’t have any problems — even in the toughest of conditions.