In the modern world, travel vlogging is the perfect combination of adventure and content creation. It allows you to go on a trip and share it with the rest of the world. But when producing excellent, exciting content, it is essential to maintain a specific level of mobility, which can be accomplished by carefully selecting the right gear. In this article, I will discuss a kit of essential equipment that will help novice and professional travel vloggers pull off a successful trip.
Camera
The first essential component of vlogging is a camera. Getting high-quality footage is necessary; however, lugging around big, bulky cameras can be troublesome. It is recommended to grab a lightweight, portable camera with a couple of the following features:
- Mirrorless Cameras: Devices such as the mirrorless Sony A7C or the Canon EOS M50 mirrorless cameras make for a great purchase as they provide DSLR quality while being significantly lighter. A couple of features that you should look out for are 4k video and decent autofocus.
- Point-and-Shoot Cameras: For rookie vloggers or people looking to shoot quick videos, cameras such as the Sony ZV-1 and Canon G7X Mark III are highly recommended as they are lightweight, portable, and have impressive image quality.
- Action Cameras: Whether you’re biking, snorkeling, or hiking, you can use action cameras like the GoPro HERO11 or DJI Osmo Action while engaging in any activity. They are lightweight, waterproof, and rugged.
- Smartphone: Purchasing an expensive smartphone such as an iPhone 15 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is a great investment, as these have amazing cameras with advanced image stabilization. If you are in a rush or do not have access to any other gadgets, a smartphone will work just fine.
Versatile and Wider-angle lenses
If your camera allows you to use interchangeable lenses, then use this lens:
- Wide-Angle Lens: If you are traveling or going somewhere where you expect to see beautiful landscapes or want to capture distant objects, a long-focal wide-angle 16-35mm lens would be appropriate.
- Prime Lens: A 35mm or a 50mm lens would easily provide great illumination while taking portrait shots and utilizing the bokeh effects.
- Zoom Lens: To make up for the distance when you cannot get close enough to your subject, using a zoom lens like 24-70mm works best for situations where traveling is involved.
Gimbal Stabilizer or Portable Tripod
If you want your content to appear professional, the best idea would be to consider what needs to be considered to stabilize the shots. These are:
- Mini Tripod: A Joby GorillaPod or Manfrotto Pixi would work as a compact and lightweight tripod that can be attached to surfaces, making it easy to obtain handheld shots and small time-lapses.
- Travel Tripod: You can find them in the Peak Design Tripod, which gives far-away light stable shots and makes landscapes and long-exposure shots easy to take. It is ideal to choose something that is light but strong.
- Gimbal Stabilizer: Gimbal stabilizers help with shooting videos with cinematographic tendencies. In simple terms, gimbals ease the footage even if the person is moving, which is great for walk-and-talk shots or when the surroundings are action-packed.
Microphone for Clear Audio
Clear audio is a game-changer for making vlogs. Quite frankly, it is best to stay away from the camera’s built-in audio as it is pretty rubbish, which is why a microphone comes in handy:
- On-Camera Shotgun Microphone: These directional microphones, such as the Rode Video Micro or Deity V-Mic D3 Pro, are perfect for gaming. Their hot shoe pin connectors allow easy plugging through the camera. They work phenomenally to capture good-quality audio while taking into account and suppressing the background noise.
- Wireless Lavalier Microphone: If you are going to be recording a vlog, a wireless microphone would be best. These clip-on microphones are great for hands-free use while still capturing good-quality voice recordings.
- Handheld recorder: For example, if you are recording background noises or doing interviews, you can record high-quality sounds separately with a handheld audio recorder such as the Zoom H1n, which you can later synchronize with the video using video editing programs.
Lighting Equipment Suitable for Dark Environments
No matter whether you are filming indoors or in the evenings, good lighting remains vital:
- Small light units: Devices such as the Aputure MC or those powered by batteries, Lume Cube, can be attached to cameras or held in hand. They are best suited for filling in shadows or making dull scenes bright.
- Ring light: Mini ring lights are portable and are used to even out facial lights while shooting talking-head interviews or video vlogs. Small ring lights are designed for smartphones to shoot and even light out on the face.
- DVD Cover or DVD Box: They are small and allow for softness or redirecting light, which can improve the general quality of your video, mainly when using purely natural lighting.
Drones for Photography and Blogging Purposes
Whenever you need to capture rolling views and distant perspectives, drones are a fantastic addition to your travel vlogging gear:
- Mini Drones: The DJI Mini 3 Pro or DJI Air2S are excellent for providing rich-quality videos while still being foldable, lightweight, and portable. Boots designed for weight should be sought after because many states have regulations concerning drone usage.
- Batteries: Spire batteries should be used alongside a drone as they are drainer-heavy.
- Transformers and Batteries: While using and operating a drone, in addition to working on the master essentials, you should never forget to carry spare batteries along with a solid carrying case for protection.
Get Wireless Chargers And Multiple Power Banks Along With You
You’ll be requiring a lot of battery backup as travel vlogging requires one to travel and work for longer hours:
- Batteries For Cameras: It will be of optimal use to carry more than one camera battery because some travel vlogging cameras now support battery packs through USB C ports.
- Extra Charger: The Anker PowerCore and other Portable Cores are great investments in case you are traveling, as they can keep multiple devices charged.
- Power Bank: When selecting a portable charger, always try to go for one with multiple USB ports. This will allow you to charge multiple devices in one shot.
Memory Cards & Storage Options
No one can capture excellent video clips without having enough space available in the first place. Hence, be sure to come prepared:
- Big Size and Fast SD Cards: If you want to record 4K content without interruption, you should purchase SD cards with a fast transfer speed, such as the UHS-I/ UHS-II. For 64 and 128, go to the vlogging section.
- Portable SSD: When you have a Samsung T7 or an Extreme SanDisk on hand, you have no problems with storage or transferring data because they are solid and portable. It is preferable to have an SSD every time you go to bed at night so that all of your recordings are secure and updated.
- Cloud Backup: If you have an internet connection, you can also save files to the cloud, such as Google Drive or Dropbox—another option to secure your videos.
Weather Protection & Accessories
When going out and shooting, the weather is something against which precautions have to be taken because it can be unpredictable:
- Rain Covers: Rain covers for your camera and bags are easy to find and can be helpful in case a sudden rainstorm interrupts your outdoor shoot.
- Microfiber Cloths: Dust, fingerprints, and smudges can easily affect video quality, and cleaning tools such as microfiber clothes can be handy when lenses and screens are clean.
- Lens Filters: There’s a reason why there’s a UV filter and an ND filter. The ND filter is a must-have accessory when shooting in bright sunshine, providing a smooth motion.
Editing Software and Accessories
Even though the editing is done after the trip, there are some basics worth mentioning that would make the end product pop:
- Laptop or Tablet: If you are traveling and editing, getting a fast laptop is necessary. An iPad or tablet works with Adobe Premiere Rush or LumaFusion for simple mobile editing.
- External Hard Drive: If you are shooting a lot of footage, an external hard drive will provide added space and allow you to transfer off videos to refresh your camera memory card space.
- Editing Software: Regarding advanced video editing, Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or DaVinci Resolve are some great resources to use. There are excellent resources like InShot or Adobe Premiere Rush for some more basic edits on the go.
Final Thoughts: How To Make Your Kit Functional While Keeping Its Weight Down
Essential Gear for Travel Vlogging can quickly add up, so it’s crucial to remember that not all vlogging equipment can be carried around, so choose accordingly and strike the right balance. Look for devices that are suitable for your particular vlogging technique. It is also important to keep in mind that you don’t require every device to produce great content. The optimal balance should be maintained to cover and record all relevant aspects and experiences of your travels.
