Last month, I gave you 11 tips for travel photography. Well, I took my own advice and did those things, and more, on a 10-day trip to Italy with my wife.
First off: CAN I TELL YOU HOW MUCH I LOVE THE PANASONIC GH3???? 🙂 Seriously – traveling with something so light and so good, made all the difference in the world. We were tourists! We must’ve walked 15 miles a day in Rome and Florence – but I never felt bogged down for a minute. Carrying the micro 4/3s camera and a couple of extra lenses was a joy. With focal lengths from 14mm to 200mm, my total weight was about 3.5lbs – this would have been nearly triple the weight if I’d had brought my Nikon D800 and the same lenses. Is there a sacrifice? You tell me.
I think I was able to enjoy this trip so much because I was able to carry my gear so easily – I had the GH3 on a Black Rapid Metro strap, over my shoulder, and then two lenses and a few other odds and ends in a messenger-type bag. Super easy to walk with and carry all day long. I carried and used a Gorillapod and also a Really Right Stuff 1-series Versa tripod, also super-lightweight. I love the ability to compose with the articulating screen, and also the super quality at ISO 3200 and 6400 (comes in handy for dimly lit food shots in the amazing restaurants of Italy!
It’s time to start thinking out of the box. Sure, our Canons and Nikons have their place when we’re going on photography trips – but if you want light, nimble, quick, and great quality, take a look at the mirrorless ILC cameras out there, now. You’ll be glad you did.
Enjoy (travel) photography,