Hiking trip gear tips

[FearTheXNoob]

Hi all,

 

once a year I'm going on a multiple day hiking trip with some friends. I always take my camera with me and last year I had my X-T1 with me. Since it is a multiple day trip I'm trying to keep the gear to a minimum. Other than enough batteries and cards I had the 8 fisheye (see profile picture ), 18-55 (allround) and the 56 (portraits) with me last summer. 

 

This year I'm thinking about using the 10-24 for more dramatic angles. I'm usually not a wide angle shooter, but I'm willing to challenge myself and learn. However, the 10-24 is problably not enough, since I'd also like to have the option to shoot some portraits of my friends. Another option would be the 16-55 (but I'd need to buy that one), with its slightly wider angle and has 2.8@55 for portraits.

 

What do you guys use for hiking, especially on multiple day tours? Do you limit yourself to one lens and try to make do with it, or do you pack two or more and just don't care about the weight?

[Watcher24]

I go hiking very rarely ... however, in that case i really limit the gear. I prefer X100(t) for such a case. For me 23mm (35mm@KB) generally is the most versatile focal length and also fits well in the mountains, for the landscape as well as for group portraits. If it's not dramatic enough i can take a panorama shot too.

 

If i had to choose an interchangeable prime lens for the mountains, it would be the XF27 (which i don't have).

I also have the XF23, but probably it is too bulky for the backpack.

[Trenton Talbot]

For ultralight backpacking trips I take 14 and 35mm primes, complete with a 10-stop ND filter and a decent tripod. A set of extension tubes completes the kit.

 

For extended trips I throw in a few extra batteries, solar charger and 1 or 2 additional primes (usually 56 and 23mm), as well as a flashgun or two.

[Nero]

I usually take either my 10-24 or 23 as a primary lens depending on the location and the 27 purely as a backup. If I'm going to shoot mostly landscape, it's the 10-24. If I'm hiking with people and taking photos of them, I tend to use the 23. If weather is a potential issue I sometimes consider the 18-135 for its WR, which in your case could be a consideration for the 16-55.

 

Overall, the 10-24 has never let me down and the size/weight doesn't bother me at all because of the versatility. It's an acceptable trade off for me.

[Dis]

For a long walking trip I take 18-135, filters, superlight tripod and spot torch. For not too long walk I add 10-24.

[AlanH]

Hi There,

For week-long trips in the mountains, in addition to camping gear etc, I carry a Fuji X-E1 plus 16-55 f2.8 and 55-200 zoom lenses plus a light carbon fibre tripod.

I got the 16-55 f2.8 zoom to replace the 14 + 35 + 18-55 zoom and haven't regretted it. The 16-55 zoom is very good and for me avoids the need for too many lens changes, always a pain on the trail.

I carry the X-E1 + 16-55 zoom in a LowePro case suspended from the pack straps, so it is good to go whilst walking.

Alan

[MTX]

I go hiking quite often, usually I take the 10-24 and the 35 with me. That works perfectly fine and is super light. Especially on a multiple day trip you should try to save weight as much as possible. The 10-24 is good for landscapes and with the 35 you can shoot some details or maybe some portraits of your fellow friends. Skip the big lenses. Bring a decent tripod and a remote control if you want to shoot in the night.

Never missed a big lens like the 50-140 when beeing out there, I mean for wildlife it's too short and carrying it up there just to take 5-10 pictures.. won't be worth it.

[Guest]

The last time I went hiking (however 1 day Trip) I took my XT1 with Samyang 12, Fuji 35 and Samyang 85 with a 10 stop ND filter, a 2 stop ND grad and a circular polarizer. Spare batteries, filter holder and rings completed the (small) package. And a tripod, obviously!