The Ultimate Summer Packing List for Photographers
Summer is here and it’s time to make the most of the warmer months! Before you head out on your next shoot, whether it’s somewhere local or further afield, make sure you have the right gear on hand.
Whether you’re going to capture the 4th of July fireworks, fine tuning astrophotography, dialing in seascapes, or taking a trip with your family, being prepared is the first, essential step.
There’s nothing worse than arriving at your location and realizing you forgot a crucial piece of equipment. Whether it’s a battery, filter, tripod, or light, you want to have it with you when the moment arrives!
Read on for a checklist so you know you’re good to go on your next adventure.
Set Up Your Camera
A circular polarizing (CPL) filter is a great addition to your summer shoots. A CPL cuts down on glare and helps to control the amount of light reaching your camera’s sensor. This means the images you create have colors that appear more saturated, with better contrast. You’ll be able to control reflections and reduce glare on non-metallic surfaces, like water, glass, and glossy paint. The blue color of skies in your image may appear deeper and darker.
A Pure Light CPL is a CPL filter with high-transmission film, for an impressive average light transmittance of 42.9%! Constructed from polished Schott B270TM optical glass and multicoatings that provide remarkable performance along with oil and water resistance. Made in Japan, home to the very best polishing techniques, coating formulas, and unmatched attention to detail.
Our USB-C batteries are a convenient way to always have a charged battery on hand and ready to go! You can easily charge these batteries anywhere using the included USB-C to USB-A cord or your own USB-C to USB-C cable. Just connect the battery to a power source and wait for the battery's on-board LED light to change from red to green! Now available in 13 versions, with compatibility for the most popular camera bodies on the market. You’ll never have an excuse to be without a battery again!
Set Up Your Shot
The Chronicle is a multifunctional tripod in an innovative and integrated package. Each component of the Chronicle has been designed to maximize ease of use and offer as many choices as possible in one seamlessly integrated device. You don’t have to choose between using your phone or camera, or bringing along a tripod, stabilizer, tabletop or ground-level tripod, or monopod – the Chronicle does it all.
The Flexor is a completely new take on the center column. With a camera or phone attached to the head, turn the knob on the side of the Chronicle’s yoke and then pull up on the ball head to reveal a comfortable handheld stabilizer. Open the Flexor’s legs and the unit becomes a tabletop or ground level tripod!
Detach one of the tripod’s legs to form a traditional monopod by installing the upper portion of the Flexor, with the ball head still attached, to the top of the leg. Unscrew the standard rubber foot from the monopod leg and install the Flexor’s bottom section, and gain a monopod with a sturdy 3-leg base! This base has a built-in ball joint for smooth panning and tilting, as well as a locking collar on the ball joint for panning movements without tilt.
Whether you opt for the sturdy Aluminum Chronicle tripod or the lightweight Carbon Fiber Chronicle, you’ll be glad you brought this tripod.
Tube Lights are a great way to change up your image with creative effects. Our Chroma Tube Lights are available in a compact 9” version, or if you want even more impact, choose the 24” version! Both versions of the Chroma Tube Lights have three modes RGB, Bi-Color (CCT), and Special Effects. When set to RGB mode, the tube light has 360 colors (hues) as well as saturation control for each color with a range of 0 - 100%. Bi-Color mode has an extended color temperature range of 2,500K to 8,500K. Access 19 unique scenes in the Special Effects mode for videos that call for lightning, fire, TV, strobe, and more.
Both tube lights can be controlled through the Light Attendant mobile app. Be fully in control of the light in your shoot with Chroma Tube Lights, no matter the setting.
Bring along the Air Support Light Stand if you want additional stability for your Chroma Tube Light out in the field! This light stand is a great option for wherever your shoot takes you. It sets up and breaks down in 3 seconds. Insert the included ground stakes to the holes in all 3 legs to securely fasten the stand when used outdoors. Weighing just over 2 pounds, this light stand folds down to 31.25” so you can easily stow it in your bag between locations.
Protect Your Gear
Pack it all up in a Jasper 2.0 Backpack, newly designed to safely transport your gear in a stylish and comfortable silhouette. You’ll be ready for anything with 7.5 liters of storage space in the main camera compartment plus 9 more liters in the roll top. The 7.5L main compartment includes a removable storage compartment for customized camera storage only when you need it.
The Jasper 2.0 backpack features a redesigned shoulder harness system that puts comfort at the forefront. It evenly distributes the weight of your bag across your shoulders and the padded waist strap is designed to hold the weight of the bag on your hips. The bottom of the bag has tripod straps and anchors attached to the base for the most balanced way to carry your tripod.
Add some style to your shoot and comfortably carry your camera with an Adjustable Rope Strap. Available in four vibrant colors and classic black, you can adjust the length of the strap from 38” to 48” for the perfect fit. Connect it to your camera with split ring connectors, and you’ll be on your way!
Often overlooked, we recommend installing a Crystal Touch Screen Shield to the screen on your camera. The Screen Shield provides an additional layer of protection to your camera’s LCD, while preserving touch screen functions. This screen shield adheres through static, with no messy adhesives! Special multi-coatings make this shield highly resistant to water, oil, fingerprints, and nose prints. Constructed of hardened optical shatter-proof glass for maximum damage protection.
