Outdoor and landscape photography can be one of the most rewarding and exciting types of photography to get into. The bad news is that shooting in the outdoors can mean constant exposure to weather, environments, and elements that make photography much more tricky. But if you are serious about outdoor photography and want to make the switch, then it may be time to invest in gear that is built for the field. Here is the top landscape photography equipment you need when creating and photographing in the great outdoors.
1. Weather-sealed camera bodies and lenses
If you are a photographer who plans to spend a lot of time outdoors, you need to invest in weather-sealed lenses and camera bodies. They’re an essential part of your landscape photography equipment.
Shooting in the outdoors means your camera gear is susceptible to changing weather conditions and difficult environments. These temperature changes and elements can easily compromise your camera or lenses if they aren’t weather-sealed. Weather like rain, sleet, and snow or elements like dust, sand, and dirt can easily ruin a lens or camera body. Even extreme temperatures can spell disaster for your camera, if it’s not well protected.
Not having weather-sealed bodies and lenses can also limit what you can shoot in the outdoors. For example, it’s impossible to shoot large waterfalls without proper sealing. Most waterfalls constantly kick up mist and water and soak everything and everyone in close proximity. If you try to shoot in these conditions, and your camera and lenses aren’t weather-sealed, your camera will stop working in a matter of minutes. Trust me, I’ve seen it happen in the field. Let’s just say, it was not a fun experience for the photographer involved.
Don’t assume that all camera bodies and lenses are sealed or protected in some way. Do your research if you plan to photograph primarily in the outdoors, and only buy cameras and lenses that are built for outdoor weather and conditions. The Canon EOS R5, for example, is a great and powerful and weather-sealed camera. So are the Nikon D850, Sony Alpha a9 II, and Olympus OM-D E-M1X, among others. Your camera bodies and lenses are your most valuable pieces of gear, so invest in the built-in protection that will make them last.
2. A weather-proof camera backpack
This goes hand-in-hand with weather-sealed gear. You need to invest in a camera bag or backpack that can handle the elements. Your packs should have intelligent design with features to keep your gear to stay safe and dry. Brands like LowePro, WANDRD, and Vanguard make awesome packs, designed with weather-resistant tarpaulin and nylon fabrics that keep you at ease if you get caught in a sudden downpour. Many packs have included waterproof rain covers that help insure your gear stays and dry.
Again, these bags are investments, and remember that you’re investing in housing that protects your most valuable camera gear. It’s absolutely worth it, especially if you plan to shoot outdoors.
3. A carbon fiber tripod
A sturdy, durable, lightweight tripod should be an essential part of any photographer’s landscape photography equipment kit. This is especially if you plan on shooting landscapes, astro, or in low-lighting conditions.
Generally, there are two main materials to look at when choosing a tripod: aluminum and carbon fiber. Aluminum is heavier but can hold much more camera weight on its own and is typically the less expensive of the two. Carbon fiber options, on the other hand, while more expensive, have several advantages for outdoor use. First, they are typically much lighter to carry, which is a plus if you plan on hiking or trekking with your camera gear. Second, they are much better for the varied weather conditions and elements you experience in the outdoors. Carbon fiber is more weather-, corrosion-, and scratch-resistant than aluminum. Finally, carbon fiber is much stiffer and stronger than aluminum. It will last longer and not bend or warp if dropped or used consistently.
Again, this is about investing in essential gear for the outdoors and for the long term. Carbon fiber tripods are the better choice for the outdoors. The lighter weight and increased durability and strength will pay off in the end, after constant use in the outdoors. Check out my travel and hands-on review of the newly-released Manfrotto Element MII Series carbon fiber tripods.
4. Back-up power banks
If you’re constantly shooting in the outdoors, it’s important to always carry a few back-up power banks. You want them to feature micro-USB and USB connections. You can charge phones, drones, and even cameras with these power banks. Many newer mirrorless cameras have USB charging capabilities, and there are several battery chargers that are USB powered as well.
Having back-up power banks not only allows for you to charge most or all of your devices when you’re away from electricity, but it gives you peace of mind knowing that you’ll always have power when you need it most.
Check out the best power bank options here.
5. Durable, portable SSD drives
Durable, portable, SSD drives that backups files while in the field are essential to your outdoor adventures.
Solid state drives — SSDs — are much better than standard drives that use mechanical and moving parts that can easily break or become compromised in the field. SSDs also typically provide faster read and write speeds. They’re more durable, with weather, shock and dust resistance built into the design. An even bigger bonus is that they are usually quite small and portable. Newer SSDs are so lightweight and small that they can fit a pocket or backpack with ease. This way, you can bring several, and they won’t even come close to weighing you down.
Durable, portable SSDs are a must when shooting in the outdoors. They are the best option for backing up your files, and should never leave your pack when you venture out on your next big adventure. Samsung, LaCie, G-Technology, and Seagate all offer great options. Just check out our list of the Top 4 Solid-State Drives (SSDs) for the Traveling Creative to get started.
6. Reliable, weather-sealed memory cards
Last, but certainly not least, you need reliable, weather-sealed memory cards. Like SSDs above, they’re an essential piece of your landscape photography equipment kit. While your memory cards need to be fast, they also need to withstand any accidental spills or drops along the way.
You don’t want to get back from a successful trip, go to backup your files, and realize that your memory card has been compromised due to the conditions. You need reliable, durable memory cards or you could be in for a rude awakening in the future.
Here are three that are recommend:
- SanDisk Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-II Memory Cards
- Sony SF-G Series TOUGH UHS-II Memory Cards
- Prograde Digital SDXC UHS-II Cobalt Memory Cards
All three of these memory cards have super fast read and write times and are built to handle the outdoors. For more options, check out our list of the Best SD Cards for Photography. You want to invest in highly-rated cards, and ones professionals trust.
Want more landscape photography must-haves? Check out our landscape photography tips from the pros to get started today!
Feature photo by Nathan Lee Allen
