Last updated on January 17th, 2016 at 03:09 pm
Announcing the Jeffsetter Photo Store. Use code blogreader at checkout and receive 30% off your entire purchase through 8/9/2015.
Photography is a passion of mine that grows every single day. As we travel full time, it has become important for me to capture our memories in the most beautiful and artistic way possible. We do this by learning great techniques for our craft of photography, while also purchasing the most modern and capable photography equipment.
Here is a list of our current photography and video equipment. If you are interested in learning more, please leave a comment. If you would like to purchase any of this gear, please use the affiliate links below and we will receive a small credit.
If you want to become a better travel photographer, this equipment will definitely help. You should also read 14 practical tips for becoming a better travel photographer.
Aerial Photography
All aerial photos are shot with the DJI Phantom 3 Professional Quadcopter. This is one of the best machines I have ever purchased. It can fly over a mile and record great photos and video at supreme 4k resolution. Just plug it into your iPad and you can watch video, check battery status and do much more
DJI Phantom 3 Professional Purchase Link
Sample photograph:
Still Photography
My current camera body of choice is the Sony Alpha 7R series camera. This camera sports a tremendous pixel resolution and shoots as a “full frame” image. The build of the camera and quality is amazing. It also weighs about 1/3 as much as a similar Canon or Nikon model. This is ideal for our world travels, and makes photography easy while on tour internationally.
Sony A7R Camera Purchase Link
These cameras are expensive for amateur photographers, but the image quality is tremendous. This lens allows you to take landscape photos with ease.
Sample Photographs
Action Video
We purchased the most recent version of the GoPro camera in April of 2015 and are using it to document our road trips, hikes and scuba expeditions. At the moment I don’t have any video to share, but that will change soon hopefully.
GoPro Hero4 Silver Purchase Link
Tripod
My tripod is especially designed for travel. The MeFoto Aluminium Globetrotter Travel Tripod Kit has been a workhorse for me. It attaches to my backpack and goes with me nearly everywhere I visit.
A good tripod is essential for night and low-light photography. This is also the best time to take photos! That means that a tripod is essential for great photos!
Mefoto Aluminium Globetrotter Tripod Purchase link
Accessories
Remote Shutter Release
I have a shutter release for my
Batteries
Always carry extra batteries for all cameras!
I have 2 DJI Phantom batteries, 3 batteries for the Sony A7R and 4 batteries for the GoPro!
There is also a car charger for the GoPro, which doubles as a USB charger for any device. Never leave home without it!
Filters
Polarizer
Tiffen 67MM Polarizer – This thing is like sun glasses for your camera.
Neutral Density Filters
Important for long-exposure photography.
Camera Bag
This thing is an absolute beast!
Case Logic SLRC-206 SLR Camera Bag
Purchase Prints of Photos from Jeffsetter
When I first started getting serious about taking better photos, I was doing it for myself. Looking at photos from others, I knew that I could do better with my own photography. Over the past two years I have been reading several articles a day on how to become a better photographer and also shooting my own photos 3-5 times a week.
I never imagined that others would like the photos enough to want to purchase them to use as art in their homes, but this is exactly what has happened. Several friends have printed my photos for their home and used them as artwork hanging on the walls. One friend even has a 3-piece canvas of my photos in their San Francisco apartment.
Because of this popularity, I am now offering photos for purchase on the Jeffsetter photo store. You can view photo selections here:
Because I am just getting started, I am going to provide a limited time offer to readers: Use code blogreader at checkout and receive 30% off your entire purchase of Jeffsetter photos through this Sunday, August 9th.
Let me know if you have photography questions
There you have it. A little background in how I have been able to take great photos. Do you have any questions about your own photography?
Let me know in the comments!
Good for you Jeff! I wish you luck.
I downgraded from a 5D MKIII due to weight, expense etc to a Fuji XT1 which I hated. Now settled back to Canon in the middle with a much lighter/ cheaper full frame 6D which I hope to be the best compromise.
What HDR software do you use please?
Hope to cross paths one day on your never ending one way!
As I mentioned before on your comments, my family and I have “ending trips” coming up ;-) both RTW.
Cheers! Andy
Weight becomes a big factor if you’re traveling a lot, so sounds like you made a good choice.
For HDR software, I have started moving to Lightroom HDR merge for exposure merging. Their alignment for photos is so awesome that it’s seamless to merge. If I want something crazy, I will then run that through Photomatix to create lighting and color effects. Depending on that, I may merge them back together using layers in photoshop.
I also created lightroom actions for my most common adjustments and that has been a huge time saver. One click and a photo looks pretty great, then I can adjust the best ones.
Thanks for sharing that Jeff! The DJI Phantom is tempting! But isn’t it big to carry around?
I love your processing of the Austria picture!
It is a little bit of a burden to carry with the size. It would take up most of a carry-on alone. Or you can get a carrying case and use as your personal item. We put it in a checked bag, which works for our current needs, since we are slow traveling.
Is that Hallstadt Austria?
Yes, Hallstatt Austria is the cover photo. The most beautiful place I have ever been “pound for pound” – there is only amazing in that city, no filler.
caught my eye as I am going there next year. Great photo!
Love my mefoto Globetrotter! Great kit, when are you getting the a7rii?
Sincerely,
A new a7rii owner
I want the A7R II yesterday. Just need consistent shipping, since I’m changing countries every few weeks. Once I can get a guaranteed delivery date, I am thinking of pulling the trigger.
Do you just love it or what? I’m jealous!
I’ve been dynamic ranging all over the place, it’s awesome! Looks like I’m saying goodbye to editing on my Macbook Air though.
Color me jealous. And the Macbook Pro is not nearly powerful enough either… but it’s all we’ve got I guess.
gorgeous photos. Beginner’s question: what is a mirrorless camera. I see that this is one, and I saw another Sony yesterday that was also one.
Good question. Basically a mirror was the only way to get a high resolution image in a digital camera for a long time. The sensor (which captures the image) would receive an image that was reflected by a mirror to make it a higher resolution. The mirrors are nice, but heavy and clunky. Sony has been a pioneer in cameras that have huge sensors to capture the image. It doesn’t need amplification at all, it’s just that good. This makes the camera price go down (for the most part) and makes it a ton lighter. It’s the future of cameras, but Sony is 3-5 years ahead of canon and Nikon. There are other mirror less cameras too, but Sony is getting the most buzz.
Huh! Thank you for such an easy to understand answer. I have to replace my 30x zoom Kodak (I know) which got full of dust in Myanmar and no longer functions well. Have only been looking at Canon and Nikon. Now I’ll include Sony. Prefer one with a viewfinder. Those are getting harder to find in a non-SLR. Thanks again. Any ideas?
All of the Sony Alpha Mirrorless cameras should have viewfinders. They are digital viewfinders, which is really cool. Another advantage of Sony mirrorless is that you can see exactly what the camera will shoot, not just what the eye sees. Doesn’t sound like much, but it’s amazing.
There will be a lot of used/refurb Sony A7 or A7Rs (my camera) on the market, since they just released a new line. Might be worth checking out, but it’ll be more expensive than point and shoot.
But then again, I recommend the Sony A7 series to people moving over from point and shoot… it’s far less confusing.
You are so sweet to give me some ideas. We leave in two months for next trip. I’d better get busy with the research so I can get a camera in hand to practice before departure.
Glad to help. Definitely recommend getting camera before your trip. Also watch videos. I have learned so much by watching videos of good photographers. More than anything else. Check out Anaya travel blog on BA for some good videos.
Your photography is as professional as they come, its fun to look at. Makes me want to pick my camera up and go sooting somewhere exotic!
Do it! Maybe you can do some fun stuff in Florida