I’m getting ready to be gone for a few weeks, part of the time with family in northern Maine, and part of the time backpacking in Nova Scotia. So not only am I taking camera and sound equipment, but I’ll also be taking my full wet weather camping kit. It’s a tricky balance planning for family outings, camping, and photography. Luckily there is some overlap in gear. Hiking shoes work in most settings, except those fancy restaurants. Jackets keep me warm, whether I am on a day hike or an extended tramp. I just choose some of my lighter gear in these cases, and don’t quite take my full array of lenses. I’d marvel at all the weight and space I save by not having to take all those rolls of film like in the olden days, except that they’ve been replaced by a plethora of chargers and a solar panel for fresh batteries on the trail.

If they didn’t make things like tents so light and compact these days, I wouldn’t even dream of taking this much stuff. Luckily can still have a little comfort without overloading myself… or at least not overloading myself by too much.

Just thought I would share the gear I take in this photograph (minus the main camera and lenses, which will attach to the front of my pack where I can access them on the trail), before it disappears into the pack-

The odds and ends, including passports to pass between the US and Canada. At least I don’t need power adapters on this trip

Vacation Gear

I’ve labeled a bit on this PDF for those that are curious, otherwise, you can just enjoy the photo and guess at the bits and pieces.

The camera gear is a little more straight forward. In addition to the GoPro with wi-fi, the 15mm rods for mounting to the pack and the shoulder mount support, the tripod, chargers, batteries, and the portable memory storage/viewer, I am just taking a single camera body with three lenses. 16-35mm f/2.8, 24-70mm f/2.8, and my trusty 300mm with image stabilization. I’ll also have some external microphones in case I decide to shoot some video. If I was headed out for longer, I would likely bring a spare body, but for now I am trying to cut at least a little weight, so that I can bring things like my dry bag, in case it rains (which it will likely do for at least two or three days).

It all adds up to a pretty fair amount. Likely I’ll leave a few items behind when I head out onto the trail. Also not shown are the trekking poles, which I find to be essential when carrying this much weight on the trail (30-40 lbs with the cameras added in). The trekking poles can also help to steady the camera during quick shots when the tripod is stashed away.

I’ll try and share some of the adventure along the way, but I’m not sure where I’ll be finding internet along the way, once I head into the wilds.

P.S. I’ll also be visiting the Bay of Fundy along the way- some of the largest tidal changes in the world. It can be over 10 meters height difference between high and low tide. Should make for some great tide pooling and exploring, as long as I can race the tide back to the shore.