Travel is one of the big reasons why people buy a camera, so let’s take a look at what you need to take with you the next time you venture away from home
Going on vacation is one time when you really want to have your X Series camera by your side. You’ll be able to create better pictures than you ever could with your smartphone and produce a set of photos and movie clips that you and your friends and family will love for years to come. Let’s have a look at some essentials that should always be in your camera bag when you go away, whether it’s an overnight stay or a round-the-world trip.
Spare Batteries and Charger
There isn’t much in life more frustrating than seeing a superb opportunity for a photo when your camera batteries have died. It’s worth having a spare tucked away in your bag should the worst happen. And make sure you don’t forget to pack your battery charger, and a travel adapter if you’re going to a country where mains sockets are a different shape.
Some X Series cameras support USB charging, which is very useful when traveling. Connect your camera to a smartphone charger or USB power bank to top it up and give yourself a few more hours to create.
Spare Lenses
A standard zoom is a great all-round lens, able to tackle virtually every subject you’ll come across when you’re traveling, but there are some situations where an extra lens can expand your creative horizons.
If the great outdoors is going to be a big feature of your trip, then a telephoto zoom like FUJINON XC50-230mmF4.5-6.7 OIS II, XF55-200mmF3.5-4.8 R LM OIS or XF70-300mmF4-5.6 R LM OIS WR will get you closer to distant subjects, like wildlife or sports. They’re a great companion lens for a standard zoom, like XC15-45mmF3.5-5.6 OIS PZ or XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS, or XF16-80mmF4 R OIS WR and – because they’re X Series lenses – they won’t weigh you down. By the way, OIS means Optical Image Stabilization: a great attribute for zoom lenses that helps reduce camera shake.
© Justin Black
If you like the idea of getting closer to your subjects, but don’t want to have to physically swap between lenses, take a look at the XF18-135mmF3.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR or XF18-120mmF4 LM PZ WR ‘superzooms’. They cover focal lengths from wide angle, through standard, to telephoto in a single lens – a great option for travel photographers.
Memory Cards
Next to running out of battery, running out of storage space on your memory card is definitely one to avoid. Faced with having to delete pictures or buy a new memory card is really difficult if you’re in the wilderness.
The answer is to take plenty of spares with you. SD cards are cheap these days, so get a couple of spares and keep them safe in your bag.
Smartphone
We started off this article by saying the pictures you’ll make with your X Series camera will be lots better than what you can achieve with a smartphone, but that’s not to say that devices like this have no place on a trip. Pair your camera with your phone using the free FUJIFILM Camera Remote app and you’ll be able to share images with friends and family as you travel – kind of like a virtual postcard.
The app connects via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, which are built into X Series cameras, and create a direct connection, even in the wilderness. Try the app before you leave, so you know what to do when you are out and about.
Cleaning Gear
A clean camera is a happy camera, and clean lenses give the best image quality, so make sure you give your gear a good cleaning before you go away – it’s a good routine to get into.
A can of compressed air is good for getting rid of dust on the body, but avoid trying to clean the sensor yourself as it’s an extremely sensitive part of the camera and should be attended to by a professional. A microfiber cloth will clean the touchscreen without scratching it, but for the lens itself, a lens cleaning cloth is the best option. Start at the outside and work inwards to avoid pushing grease and grime into hard-to-reach areas at the edges.
Take all this with you so you can clean on the move – you’re likely to get your camera dirty when you’re visiting places like beaches and parks, where sand and dirt can cause problems.
And Finally…
You’ll need something to carry all of your gear in. A dual-purpose bag is good when you’re traveling – something that can hold your camera kit and other items, like food, water, and a raincoat. Bear in mind that a rucksack is more comfortable to carry for long distances, but harder to access when you want to make a picture.
© Bryan Minear
Your Next Steps
- CHALLENGE We want to see your top five photos from your next trip away – pictures that tell the story of your adventure and make us want to go there right now. Post them to social media with the hashtag #MyFujifilmLegacy. You can also submit your work here for a chance to be featured on our social media channels.
Header image © Afton Almaraz
