My Spring 2022 Landscape Photography Gear List
DOES YOUR GEAR MATTER?
It's an easy thing to claim. "Gear doesn't matter." But without reliable photography equipment, you might as well be attempting to take a photo with a toaster. In the field of landscape photography specifically, we require sturdy kit that can withstand the harshest elements. My personal landscape photography gear list is by no means budget friendly, but it has served me well and will continue to serve me well for many years to come.
Use the affiliate links below to purchase one of the items to support my adventures in landscape photography. Thanks!
The List
FUJIFILM GFX 50S II
Without my camera body, the entire system falls apart. I have spent time photographing with Canon, Sony, and now Fujifilm. In my gallery, you will see photos from all three camera systems, so this is by no means a bash on Canon or Sony, but I chose Fujifilm as my camera system of choice for three primary reasons.
Sensor Size - for me, the sensor's size is more important than the megapixel count. Cramming as many megapixels as possible is all well and good, but if you really want a clean image with lots of dynamic range to work with, get the largest sensor you can, in my opinion.
Weight and Feel - I am a 6' 185 lb dude that loves lifting weights at the gym and climbing mountains. I prefer the feel of the larger camera body in my large to extra-large hand.
Build Quality - There's no denying that this is a pro-level camera. It's price, material, customizability, etc. all scream at you that you've "made it" to the top. Now whether or not your images reflect this will be completely determined by your skill and photographer's eye, but you can no longer blame your equipment.
Some of you might be yelling at the screen, "Why didn't you get the 100 megapixel version?!"
To which I would respond, "Because it's an extra $2000! That's practically a new lens or a backup camera body!"
Unless I start photographing portraits for billboards or magazine covers, there's no real need for 100 megapixels in my experience. I am so satisfied with my 50 megapixel sensor that I can't even imagine a situation where I would need to upgrade.
But time will tell...
FUJIFILM GF LENS
Along with a camera body, a lens is also a necessity. Unfortunately, there are, so far, no acceptable third-party GF-mount lenses, so going name-brand is my only option. They are not cheap. I literally took a job as a janitor to pay them off. My two lenses of choice are:
Fujifilm GF 32-64mm f4
Fujifilm GF 100-200mm f5.6
We have to do a little math here since 32-64mm and 100-200mm in the GF line is not equivalent to the same full frame focal length. Because of the larger sensor in the GFX, any focal length is 0.79x its full frame counterpart. In the same way that a crop factor in an APS-C camera crops in our focal length (increasing the number), the “larger than full frame” format sensor widens our view causing a decrease in focal length value.
My 32-64mm lens is equivalent to a 25.28-50.56mm in full frame format, and my 100-200mm is equivalent to a FF 79-158mm.
Yes, this limits my wide end and telephoto end, but so far, I have only run into a situation once where I wished I had something wider (like in the FF teens) and because of the larger sensor, it is easy to crop an image a bit without any major loss in quality.
For now, I am all set for any landscape photography adventure!
FUJFILM GF X1.4 TC WR TELECONVERTER
For a mere $850, you can take your 100-200mm (which we've already seen is actually more like a 79-158mm by full frame standards) and extend it an extra 1.4x! Is this a necessary piece of equipment? No way! Is it worth the price tag? Probably not! Did I really need it? 1000%, yes!
Fujifilm has only a couple options when it comes to the telephoto side of their GF lenses. There is the 100-200mm or their 250mm prime. With the 250mm a whopping $3300, there was absolutely no way in this lifetime that I would be purchasing it, which is why (as you've seen above), I purchased the 100-200mm. It saved me money and is more versatile for landscape photography.
So, why the teleconverter?
With this teleconverter, I have the ability to extend my furthest 200mm all the way to 280mm! This may not seem like much, but any photographer will tell you that on the telephoto end, that amount can make a huge difference in the reach of your lens and background compression.
While it does cause a loss in a stop of light, there is no image quality loss like you would be getting if you simply cropped into an image during your editing process. Don't crop if you can zoom.
Expensive? Yes. Necessary? No. A vital part of my kit? Absolutely!
SHIMODA ACTION X50 BACKPACK
This part of someone's kit is often overlooked until they have their first real trek into the backcountry. We are often scrambling up a hillside in the dawn light or traversing miles down a rugged trail, and with cameras, lenses, filters, batteries, tripod, water bottle, extra layers (you get the idea) - having the right backpack on your back is a must.
For me, the right backpack is either the Shimoda Action X50 or the now discontinued Shimoda Explore 60.
They are back access camera backs with an optional side access point. I have plenty of extra room for any other pieces of kit I might need for a longer hike or even an overnight. And it rides more comfortably than any backpack that I've ever had! And I basically collect camping and hiking backpacks!
After just a couple hikes wearing one, you will quickly realize they are well worth the price tag. Honestly, I cannot recommend them enough.
POLARPRO SUMMIT LANDSCAPE FILTER SYSTEM
When I was shopping around for filter systems, I had very simple parameters. It had to be a durable drop-in filter system that would not discolor my image. I had struggled with cheaper variable ND filters that would turn the image green or yellow any time they were set to max.
PolarPro is a great name in the filter world. With quartz glass instead of plastic or regular glass, they are more durable and scratch resistant. Each filter has an aluminum border that prevents fingerprints on the actual filter surface, which is also amazing.
Filters may not seem like an important part of your kit, but I never leave home without them. In future posts, I will prove definitively why every landscape photographer needs some filter system - even a basic one.
There are four primary scenarios where I find myself reaching for them.
sky is too bright
water has too much glare
leaves are reflective
long exposures in daylight
Obviously, there are so many artistic situations where a filter system can be used, but these four are probably your more standard reasons to have them.
My only complaint with my PolarPro system is that I had to figure out a way to sew a little pouch to store them since their padded carrying cases are just way too bulky to realistically carry in a backpack.
IFOOTAGE GAZELLE FASTBOWL TC7 TRIPOD
My wife will tell you I have a bad habit of buying cheap tripods, breaking them (or losing a part of it) and then purchasing an equally cheap tripod.
Not so with the iFootage Gazelle. I picked mine up used from B&H, and rely on it so heavily as I am out photographing the landscapes. I first saw Thomas Heaton from the UK using one on YouTube and knew I eventually had to have one.
It is carbon fiber, super sturdy, and very simple to level with its "Fastbowl." The negative most see is that a tripod head is not included, but there are plenty of pan and tilt options out there. I would avoid a ball head since the Fastbowl already acts like one.
There are many tripods on the market, and there are probably some that are nicer and more compact than this one, but I am completely satisfied with it, especially since I am not gentle with it, and so far, it's holding up great!
SANDISK EXTREME PRO SDXC UHS-II MEMORY CARD
This should have been higher up on the list of priorities since without it, you won't be capturing any images. This particular card is the fastest available, which will prevent any lag in camera function as it is writing data. It can also double as a 4K video card if I run out of space in the middle of filming a YouTube video. I generally have at least 3 or 4 in my camera bag.
The file size of your RAW image should determine the memory card capacity. I've shot with a Sony A7RIV in the past that had RAW files sizes that averages 128MB! My current Fujifilm GFX 50S II has RAW files sizes that are well over 100MB! That calculates to a little over 9 images per GB!
I recommend carrying more cards of lower capacity so if one of them goes bad, you don't lose all your images from that trip, but that's just this photographer's opinion.
CONCLUSION
It's taken me years and lots of money to get to where I am, and I do not expect anyone to jump in where I am instantly. If you're a beginner, all you really need is a camera with a lens, a way to carry your camera, a tripod, and maybe a filter or two. Everything else can be saved up and purchased or upgraded in the future. For my first almost two years of landscape photography, I had an Amazon's Basics tripod, a APS-C DSLR kit that I got at Costco, and one of my old hiking backpacks (not even a camera backpack). I learned so much of what I liked, disliked, needed, and didn't need with my basic kit so that when I was ready to take the plunge into a pro setup, I didn't waste time or money.
If you have an interest in purchasing any of the equipment I've come to trust, please use affiliate the links provided to help support me and my family!
-Jude