Over the past decade I have opened myself up to questions before and after backpacking trips and longer expeditions. And there is always one question that is asked the most: What do you bring for wildlife photography on a long backpacking trip? This question is second only to: And how do you pack and carry it all?
In this post I will take a deep dive into how exactly I approach backpacking with a very full-on photography set up. I don’t capture just wildlife photography. I’m always interested in capturing landscapes and macro and all the amazing things I experience. So if you like to capture all kinds of photos, you’ll find this especially interesting!
Photography Pack-List For Backpacking
2 camera bodies. I will admit to bringing three on a few adventures. It really depends on what my goals are. But two is the bare minimum. It means I can have one setup with my telephoto and one ready to rock out some landscapes. Wildlife moments and lighting moments happen quick and are fleeting. I like to be ready for either at all times. Having two camera bodies means that if one fails for some reason, you have a backup and are not just fucked. Having three camera bodies means you wouldn’t miss a beat. For my Sky Island Traverse I’ll have two camera bodies.
Telephoto lens. This is for 80% of my wildlife photography. I have typically always used a Nikon AF-S 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR. In 2024 I have switch to OM Systems and have a M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm F4.5 TC1.25X IS PRO.
Wide angle lens. I use a wide angle for some wildlife photography and many landscapes. I like a wide angle for camp-life photos and that sort of thing as well. My wide angle is the M.Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm F2.8 PRO, which gives me a great range of wide-angle possibility.
Macro lens. So in previous years, I have not brought a macro lens. I have brought the Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II lens, because my telephoto was a prime lens, fixed at 500mm. But since my M.Zuiko 150-400mm has a nice range and I am working with tiny animals like bugs, I am bringing the M.Zuiko Digital ED 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO.
2 batteries per camera. So four batteries most of the time. If I expect super, super high daily battery use, I will throw in an extra battery. With a great charging brick, it’s pointless to bring more than this.
Charging brick. I have reliably used this one from Anker and it lasts forever. Well, not forever. But it’s quick and can charge batteries, GoPros and my phone many times before it’s drained. It charges up quickly enough with solar (I do not need solar for my traverse) and super quick with electricity. On longer trips I do bring along a second charging brick. They’re really heavy so I try to avoid it :)
GoPro Hero 12. I always bring one or two GoPro cameras. I love to make easy videos and timelapse videos. I always have one attached to my backpack strap or in my pocket. If I bring two, it’s because I have something in my for why I would. I only bring two GoPro batteries per camera. I stick a big memory card in each and usually toss in one extra per camera. On my Sky Island Traverse, I’ll have one GoPro.
Air blaster. The only air blaster I love is Giottos large air blaster. An air blaster is especially important if you shoot mirrorless and need to clean off the eyepiece so the sensor works. I put a small carabiner on this so it can be outside my pack for easy use.
Memory cards. I bring a lot of memory cards. I use Lexar cards and prefer the 128GB/250mb/s variety. I bring basically what equates to one per two days per camera body, with each camera body having a backup card inserted at all times. So each camera body has a double recording of everything it does. I usually don’t use as many cards as I bring, but running out of memory cards sure would be a nightmare!
3 Legged Thing multitool. This is a handy dandy tool I clip on the outside of my pack.
Cotton Carrier G3 Harness. I have a love hate relationship with this item, but if you watch my stories and follow my adventures, you’ll know this is a piece of gear that I never don’t use. There is simply nothing else like it on the market. Period. I’ve used it for years and years. It’s not perfect. It can be squeaky. It can hurt my shoulders. It can sometimes make my boobs hurt. But it keeps my huge lens secure and ready for immediate use, even on the most technical terrain. I have few complaints after nearly 10 years of constant use. Every camera body (or the telephoto lens) I carry has a Cotton Carrier mount on it so I can swap out what I’m using if need be. This is the only product Cotton makes that I reccomend- I have tried everything they make.
Tripod. Ohhh how I have a love hate relationship with bringing a tripod backpacking. I generally hate it, don’t use it much, regret it. But in those times when I do bust it out, it’s invaluable. I use 3 Legged Thing Bucky Carbon Fiber Tripod with the Airhed Vu ball head. I will have this for some of my current backpacking trip. In Sky Islands where I plan to photograph nocturnal flying critters, mainly. I bring a tripod plate if I bring a tripod. Duh.
Capture Clip. This is made by Peak Design and I use it for my GoPro on the shoulder strap of my backpack. It’s also nice for my wide angle or macro if I am having a side-quest from a basecamp and can hand carry my telephoto setup.
Hyperlite Camera Pod. I usually have this strapped to the hipbelt of whatever backpack I’m using to carry a second camera body and whichever lens. That way I don’t miss a beat with anything. I find a camera pod on the hipbelt works for most backpacks and keeps my range of motion good- or good enough. This is also nice for stashing my camera bodies in my backpack if I need to do that. I use tiny carabiners and cordage to attach the pod.
Cold Case Gear Thermal Phone Case. I use this for my camera batteries. It keeps them temperature-stable in both hot and cold weather situations. It’s also completely waterproof.
Lens bag for telephoto lens. This is basically for if I need to pack up my telephoto into my backpack. I bring the fabric lens cap as well for this purpose.
Lens wraps. This is how I protect my other lenses when they aren’t in use. I bring the lens caps for each lens as well.
UV filters for each lens I bring. I’m rough on gear and will destroy the glass of a lens if they are not protected by more glass!
Microfiber cleaning cloths. I bring three small cloths usually. Two of which are unopened, in case I need a totally fresh one. If temperatures are going to be quite cold, I bring more because of condensation and also snotting all over my screens.
Ultralight drybags. I use these every time my cameras and lenses are stored inside my backpack in case I have a water bladder emergency. I also toss my cameras in them overnight if condensation in the tent will be heavy. These also make a good rain cover for the Cotton Carrier/telephoto set up while I’m hiking.
Spare parts. I bring an extra Cotton Carrier mount, a hex-L key of the right size, extra charging cables and an extra GoPro door. Probably some other spare parts I’m not thinking of.
Small gear bag. All the little bits and bobs I bring go into an ultralight zippered bag in a bright color so I can keep track of it easily.
I find that this backpacking photography setup changes very little from one adventure to the next. I may bring an extra camera body, bring a tripod or ditch a lens. Minor little adjustments based on the trip. But pretty much what you’ve read above is what I bring on every backpacking trip of any duration.
I suppose some of you might be left thinking what the actual fuck??? about my pack list, so I will just say, photography comes first for me. It’s pretty much the reason I backpack, have expeditions, etc. I love adventures deeply, but they’re how I create my art. I don’t have adventures and just happen to also make photos :) It’s super intentional. I create my art by backpacking and having type II fun.
This entire wildlife photography setup for backpacking, with a tripod, is roughly 22ish pounds. And that’s largely thanks to my new OM System kit- my Nikon setup was much, much heavier.
How I Pack The Wildlife Photography Setup While Backpacking
This section is much more simple!
I wear my telephoto and a body on my Cotton Carrier basically at all times. My second camera body with a lens (macro or wide) is usually on the hip belt of my backpack by way of Ultralight camera pod. My air blaster is on the outside of my pack. My Cold Case of batteries and a few memory cards is kept in a side pocket of my backpack. Everything else? It gets tossed in the front stretch pocket of my backpack, or somewhere inside. Most of it is organized in a little ultralight pouch. My big lens bag is crammed at the bottom of my pack.
If terrain calls for me to pack up every single piece of photography gear into my backpack, I can do that. Depending on how full my backpack is, I may strap a big item or two to the outside of my pack to make room inside of it for my photo gear. It’s usually not a problem to pull out my food bag or clothing bag in these instances. When this happens, if it’s raining, I put my backpack’s XL rain cover on over everything and it’s no big deal.
I really dislike having my cameras packed away though, so this really only happens when terrain is an issue. Whether that means crazy steep and loose, an actual sketchy climb or extended water time… it doesn’t come up too terribly often.
This is a general idea of what I pack, outside of the photography gear. Food and clothing are not in the shot; most of my little bits and bobs are not pictured either. Just the things I call “the bones” of adventure. Note that I do not bring a stove or cook system. I hate cooking food. I either cold soak or eat things like nutrition bars.
And there you have it!
I’m happy to answer questions here in the comments if you’ve got them. Backpacking setups are really personal things and there really is not right way to do it. We all have different bodies and different gear. Different goals, different motivations. Do what works for you! If you find this post helpful, fantastic :)
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