One month in Scandinavia - must have items in my backpack

One Month in Scandinavia - Must Have Items in My Backpack

I'm planning a larger trip to Scandinavia, primarily focusing on Sweden and Norway. The last time I visited was around six years ago with my friend Chris Kaa. I'm eager to return and in this article, I want to discuss the essential gear I'll be bringing along. You can see some cameras and lenses here, but I'll also talk about other essentials like microphones, power supplies, storage solutions, and protective gear for the cameras. This is just a brief overview of my packing list as I haven't booked any accommodations yet. The trip’s specifics will depend largely on the weather and wildlife. Stay tuned for more updates!

Photography Gear

Camera and Lenses

The most expensive and critical part of the trip is certainly the photography gear. Here’s a breakdown of what I’ll be carrying:

• RF 600mm F4 Lens

  • Essential for capturing smaller birds and distant wildlife like moose and musk oxen. I'll also bring the 1.4x and 2x extenders for additional focal length when needed.

• Canon EOS R5

  • My primary camera, which will be used with the 600mm lens.

• Canon EOS R5 (Second Unit)

  • Paired with the RF 100-300mm lens for capturing environments up close. This lens helps include more natural surroundings, potentially adding depth to the photos.

• Other Lenses

  • RF 35mm 1.8 Macro: Useful for filming myself.
  • 14-35mm F4: Great for landscape photography and videos.
  • Canon EOS R10: My third camera for backup and additional angles.

Storage and Transport

Backpacks

I’m taking two backpacks to manage and transport all this equipment:

• F-Stop Shinn

  • Large enough to carry almost all my gear, plus a laptop and hard drives. Handy if I need to leave everything in one place and travel light.

• Nya Evo 60L

  • Ideal for carrying the R5 with the 600mm lens attached. It also breaks down to fit airline hand luggage requirements.

Internal Organization

I'll use removable camera units (RCUs) for better organization:

• XL RCU

  • Fits the 600mm F4 with the R5 attached.

• Large RCU

  • Keeps additional gear organized and protected, especially useful for car storage.

Storage and Power Solutions

• SSDs and HDDs

  • SSDs for primary storage and a slower HDD for backups.

• Memory Cards

  • A variety of CF Express, SD, and microSD cards stored in a compact, multi-functional card reader.

• Power Solutions

  • A 20,000mAh power bank with power delivery for charging laptops, cameras, and other electronics.

Video and Audio Equipment

• Ninja Atomos 5

  • For screen recording.

• DJI Mic

  • A wireless mic for recording high-quality audio.

• Rode Microphone

  • For capturing environmental sound.

• Portable Light

  • A small, attachable light for improved video lighting.

Miscellaneous Accessories

• Cable Release

  • For remote triggering the camera.

• Filters

  • Neutral density and polarizing filters.

• Lens Carrier

  • Convenient for longer walks and hikes.

• Tripods

  • A large Gitzo tripod and a smaller tripod for various shooting conditions.

• Binoculars

  • For scouting and wildlife observation.

• Extras

  • Camouflage gear, GoPro, tent for camping, extra clothing, and rain protection.

Keywords

• Photography Gear
• RF Lenses
• Canon EOS R5
• Storage Solutions
• Backpacks
• Power Bank
• Microphones
• Atomos Ninja

FAQ

Q1: What camera and lenses are you bringing for wildlife photography?

• I’m bringing the Canon EOS R5 with an RF 600mm F4 lens, along with 1.4x and 2x extenders for additional focal length.

Q2: How are you transporting your photography gear?

• I’m using two backpacks: the F-Stop Shinn for general storage and the Nya Evo 60L for smaller excursions and flights.

Q3: What storage solutions do you have for your photos and videos?

• I’ll be using SSDs for primary storage and slower HDDs for backups, along with a variety of memory cards.

Q4: How will you ensure your electronics stay charged during the trip?

• I’m bringing a 20,000mAh power bank with power delivery, along with dedicated chargers for my primary cameras.

Q5: What additional video and audio equipment are you taking?

• I’ll have a Ninja Atomos 5 for screen recording, a DJI Mic for wireless audio, and a Rode microphone for capturing environmental sound.