Travel kit for family trips
p.2 #1Travel kit for family trips
Family vacation is for the family. I'd bring a Sony body of choice, the 24-50/2.8, and perhaps a 85/1.8 or 1.4 if I wanted to be generous. Nothing else, barely a spare battery.
Dec 20, 2025 at 10:33 AM
p.2 #2Travel kit for family trips
In general the farther I travel the lighter my gear is.Yet it must be very decent optically,must contain two camera bodies and must cover the range from 14-16mm to 300-400mm,depending on the characteristic of the place I visit.Whether I take faster or slower lens also depends on what I'm going to photograph.
Dec 20, 2025 at 11:00 AM
p.2 #3Travel kit for family trips
Here’s my two cents. There are two camps of thought.
The minimalists, which is where I land. I’d show up with my A9 and 35 GM and be perfectly happy. I enjoy the simplicity. No stress. Maybe a second lens, but that’s about it.
Then there’s the other camp. The folks who don’t want to miss anything. They carry everything, all the time, and accept the weight and complexity as the cost of having it all with them.
Whatever works.
The minimalists, which is where I land. I’d show up with my A9 and 35 GM and be perfectly happy. I enjoy the simplicity. No stress. Maybe a second lens, but that’s about it.
Then there’s the other camp. The folks who don’t want to miss anything. They carry everything, all the time, and accept the weight and complexity as the cost of having it all with them.
Whatever works.
Dec 20, 2025 at 03:48 PM
p.2 #4Travel kit for family trips
Peire wrote:
In general the farther I travel the lighter my gear is.Yet it must be very decent optically,must contain two camera bodies and must cover the range from 14-16mm to 300-400mm,depending on the characteristic of the place I visit.Whether I take faster or slower lens also depends on what I'm going to photograph.
From my perspective it is not distance that determines what gear, but mode of transport. If I’m driving and staying in hotels, then I bring whatever is needed. If I’m flying ( no matter what distance ) and needing to carry my gear with me, then I’m very selective.
In both cases I always have a backup camera.
In general the farther I travel the lighter my gear is.Yet it must be very decent optically,must contain two camera bodies and must cover the range from 14-16mm to 300-400mm,depending on the characteristic of the place I visit.Whether I take faster or slower lens also depends on what I'm going to photograph.
From my perspective it is not distance that determines what gear, but mode of transport. If I’m driving and staying in hotels, then I bring whatever is needed. If I’m flying ( no matter what distance ) and needing to carry my gear with me, then I’m very selective.
In both cases I always have a backup camera.
Dec 20, 2025 at 04:46 PM
p.2 #5Travel kit for family trips
One Body and the Nokton 1.2/50 or, alternatively, perhaps even just the 2/50 air. Less is more.
Dec 20, 2025 at 05:22 PM
p.2 #6Travel kit for family trips
I would regularly bring 3 cameras and 5 lenses on family trips. It is a non issue. You don't carry it on you at all times. You pick what you want for the day. Can drop things off at the hotel, etc. And not everyone travels the same.
I never swap lenses unless back at the room. One lens per body. Travel is pretty ideal for photography. Going to the most beautiful place is the ideal time for your best gear.
And my type of travel is not just sitting in touristy megacities...
RustyRus wrote:
Sony A1 II X 2
Sony 16-35mm f2.8 GM2
Sony 50mm f1.2 GM (got gassed today)
Sony 50-150mm f2
Anyone else using a similar kit? If not what’s your carry?My family would kill me!
Its obviously a great kit but can you really carry all that crap on vacation? In restaurants, trains, tight spaces etc. Everyone has their own tolerance for kit size but traveling into Singapore, I would value compact over all else.
Leica M or Q3 for travel is what I tend to use. I have found I just don't enjoy swapping lenses or having bodies I can't use in all of the fun situations you get into. If you camera is in a bag, you shouldn't have it with you on travel (imo). It should be...Show more →
I never swap lenses unless back at the room. One lens per body. Travel is pretty ideal for photography. Going to the most beautiful place is the ideal time for your best gear.
And my type of travel is not just sitting in touristy megacities...
RustyRus wrote:
sandy27000 wrote
So it’s that time of the year again, and for me, one year in Sony world. I have finally settled for the following travel kit for family trips, that’s the kit I’m taking to Singapore for a family trip next week.Sony A1 II X 2
Sony 16-35mm f2.8 GM2
Sony 50mm f1.2 GM (got gassed today)
Sony 50-150mm f2
Anyone else using a similar kit? If not what’s your carry?
Its obviously a great kit but can you really carry all that crap on vacation? In restaurants, trains, tight spaces etc. Everyone has their own tolerance for kit size but traveling into Singapore, I would value compact over all else.
Leica M or Q3 for travel is what I tend to use. I have found I just don't enjoy swapping lenses or having bodies I can't use in all of the fun situations you get into. If you camera is in a bag, you shouldn't have it with you on travel (imo). It should be...Show more →
Dec 20, 2025 at 06:48 PM
p.2 #7Travel kit for family trips
If I had the money and enough Gas maybe a a7c9 and 3 small primes. Like 21, 35 and 85. 60mp to crop. Possibly a small flash.
Dec 20, 2025 at 07:03 PM
p.2 #8Travel kit for family trips
I imagine they enjoy photography as a hobby and want to actually participate in that hobby while seeing exotic new things that they can't normally see.
There is a reeeeally odd perception of what a family trip means to people. You aren't forced to walk 20 miles in a megacity in the middle of summer and go to museums because it is a "family trip."
gdanmitchell wrote:
Sony A1 II X 2
Sony 16-35mm f2.8 GM2
Sony 50mm f1.2 GM (got gassed today)
Sony 50-150mm f2
Anyone else using a similar kit? If not what’s your carry?Is photography your primary reason for travel? That's a lot of gear (and weight and bulk) for a family trip! Unless you are producing the family photos for some professional output (and even then...) you could consider something quite a bit smaller and lighter.
There is a reeeeally odd perception of what a family trip means to people. You aren't forced to walk 20 miles in a megacity in the middle of summer and go to museums because it is a "family trip."
gdanmitchell wrote:
sandy27000 wrote
So it’s that time of the year again, and for me, one year in Sony world. I have finally settled for the following travel kit for family trips, that’s the kit I’m taking to Singapore for a family trip next week.Sony A1 II X 2
Sony 16-35mm f2.8 GM2
Sony 50mm f1.2 GM (got gassed today)
Sony 50-150mm f2
Anyone else using a similar kit? If not what’s your carry?
Dec 20, 2025 at 07:10 PM
p.2 #9Travel kit for family trips
Family.. make sure to take all of them. Cameras and lenses.. not so many.
Dec 20, 2025 at 08:30 PM
p.2 #10Travel kit for family trips
My next trip: a7c2 w/ 16-25, a7v w/ 35-150, and 35gm. Primarily those two bodies with those two lenses in a backpack (wotancraft pilot, dual side access), leave the 35gm with the luggage. When i want to go out lighter for whatever reason and don't want to bring the backpack, bringing the 16-25 and 35gm in a sling bag mounted on either body. Or just the 35-150 in the sling.
Last trip to Asia, a7c2 w/ 20-40, a7rv w/ 35-150 in backpack. When i wanted to go light, I just brought out the a7c2 w/ 20-40. Worked well too but trying something different this time...
I'm traveling with 3 small kids so I enjoy the versatility of zooms.
Last trip to Asia, a7c2 w/ 20-40, a7rv w/ 35-150 in backpack. When i wanted to go light, I just brought out the a7c2 w/ 20-40. Worked well too but trying something different this time...
I'm traveling with 3 small kids so I enjoy the versatility of zooms.
Dec 20, 2025 at 10:14 PM
|
p.2 #11Travel kit for family trips
I switch things up all the time on different trips. For instance, we just got home from a week in Hawaii. I brought a small, manual focus 35/1.4 (which I used about 70% of the time), a very small 14/4, 21/1.4, 75/2, and the big Sony 70-200 GM II. The zoom got used once on a whale watching tour (the only reason I brought it). I carried one to three lenses in my sling bag everywhere we went, usually taking the 35/1.4, 14mm, and 75mm.
Other trips I’ll take a 14mm, 24-70/2.8, and the 70-200/2.8, using the 24-70 90% of the time.
I don’t mind carrying gear on big vacations because I get most of my most satisfying images while on vacation with family. The weight and inconvenience is a small price to pay (in my opinion) for superb images of people and places I may only see once.
Other trips I’ll take a 14mm, 24-70/2.8, and the 70-200/2.8, using the 24-70 90% of the time.
I don’t mind carrying gear on big vacations because I get most of my most satisfying images while on vacation with family. The weight and inconvenience is a small price to pay (in my opinion) for superb images of people and places I may only see once.
Dec 20, 2025 at 10:23 PM
p.2 #12Travel kit for family trips
chez wrote:
From my perspective it is not distance that determines what gear, but mode of transport. If I’m driving and staying in hotels, then I bring whatever is needed. If I’m flying ( no matter what distance ) and needing to carry my gear with me, then I’m very selective.
In both cases I always have a backup camera.
Yes.By further range I ment traveling by plane and using other means of transport with unpredictable places to stay overnight,when dragging lots of heavy equipment is cumbersome.Driving a car and staying in hotels I take whatever I fancy.
Peire wrote
In general the farther I travel the lighter my gear is.Yet it must be very decent optically,must contain two camera bodies and must cover the range from 14-16mm to 300-400mm,depending on the characteristic of the place I visit.Whether I take faster or slower lens also depends on what I'm going to photograph.In both cases I always have a backup camera.
Yes.By further range I ment traveling by plane and using other means of transport with unpredictable places to stay overnight,when dragging lots of heavy equipment is cumbersome.Driving a car and staying in hotels I take whatever I fancy.
Dec 21, 2025 at 03:31 AM
p.2 #13Travel kit for family trips
I'm going to Japan next spring for cherry blossom season I plan on bringing what is listed below. All will fit an a Wotancraft 7L sling bag and/or with Pacsafe 200 waist pack. I won't carry it all, just choose per outing. For me this is a small light kit.
Sony a7CII (with battery and card) 1.1 lb / 514 g
14mm f4 Viltrox 58mm 6 oz / 170 g
40mm 2.5 Sony 49mm 6.1 oz / 173 g
85mm f2 Viltrox 58mm 12oz/340g
Fuji X100VI 49mm (with battery and card) 1.1 lb / 521 g
Panasonic SZ99 pocket camera (24-720mm eq)
Insta 360 Ace Pro2 (14mm equivalent) for video and hard rain
A few filters mist and ND 49mm and 58mm
Leofoto MT-03 mini tripod 162g/.035 lb.
Sony a7CII (with battery and card) 1.1 lb / 514 g
14mm f4 Viltrox 58mm 6 oz / 170 g
40mm 2.5 Sony 49mm 6.1 oz / 173 g
85mm f2 Viltrox 58mm 12oz/340g
Fuji X100VI 49mm (with battery and card) 1.1 lb / 521 g
Panasonic SZ99 pocket camera (24-720mm eq)
Insta 360 Ace Pro2 (14mm equivalent) for video and hard rain
A few filters mist and ND 49mm and 58mm
Leofoto MT-03 mini tripod 162g/.035 lb.
Dec 21, 2025 at 07:08 PM
p.2 #14Travel kit for family trips
For travel, unless i'm going somewhere to shoot something specific and far away (like Mt. Fuji or something), it would be a small, single body and 2 primes at most. Probably a 24 or 35 and a 50. Fitting in tight places with a small bag is important to me.
Dec 23, 2025 at 01:44 PM
p.2 #15Travel kit for family trips
Something else to consider:
https://petapixel.com/2025/12/23/if-youre-traveling-to-mexico-beware-of-the-camera-tax-at-the-border/
https://petapixel.com/2025/12/23/if-youre-traveling-to-mexico-beware-of-the-camera-tax-at-the-border/
Dec 23, 2025 at 02:31 PM
p.2 #16Travel kit for family trips
sandy27000 wrote:
So it’s that time of the year again, and for me, one year in Sony world. I have finally settled for the following travel kit for family trips, that’s the kit I’m taking to Singapore for a family trip next week.
Sony A1 II X 2
Sony 16-35mm f2.8 GM2
Sony 50mm f1.2 GM (got gassed today)
Sony 50-150mm f2
Anyone else using a similar kit? If not what’s your carry?
A9iii
16-35G
70-200GMii
35GM or 24GM
I find 50mm to be too long as the low light lens. It’s ok if you like the 50mm fl though, use your most used f/l
Your kit sounds great, being your 50-150 to the zoo and bird park, and the 16-35 + 50mm to gardens by the bay for some portraits
I would add a 46RMA to your kit, gets rid of the shadows on the face
So it’s that time of the year again, and for me, one year in Sony world. I have finally settled for the following travel kit for family trips, that’s the kit I’m taking to Singapore for a family trip next week.
Sony A1 II X 2
Sony 16-35mm f2.8 GM2
Sony 50mm f1.2 GM (got gassed today)
Sony 50-150mm f2
Anyone else using a similar kit? If not what’s your carry?
A9iii
16-35G
70-200GMii
35GM or 24GM
I find 50mm to be too long as the low light lens. It’s ok if you like the 50mm fl though, use your most used f/l
Your kit sounds great, being your 50-150 to the zoo and bird park, and the 16-35 + 50mm to gardens by the bay for some portraits
I would add a 46RMA to your kit, gets rid of the shadows on the face
Dec 23, 2025 at 06:07 PM
p.2 #17Travel kit for family trips
I would downsize that and enjoy the trip and get some photos.
Go light and two lenses.
That is a LOT of gear to worry/think about too. Breakage, theft, carrying it all the time?
I would say go back for a dedicated photography trip. I have noticed when I carry that much gear I worry about photography too much and miss out on having fun and relaxing.
Go light and two lenses.
That is a LOT of gear to worry/think about too. Breakage, theft, carrying it all the time?
I would say go back for a dedicated photography trip. I have noticed when I carry that much gear I worry about photography too much and miss out on having fun and relaxing.
Dec 23, 2025 at 06:12 PM
p.2 #18Travel kit for family trips
sonofjesse2010 wrote:
I would downsize that and enjoy the trip and get some photos.
Go light and two lenses.
That is a LOT of gear to worry/think about too. Breakage, theft, carrying it all the time?
I would say go back for a dedicated photography trip. I have noticed when I carry that much gear I worry about photography too much and miss out on having fun and relaxing.
Photography should relax you…not stress you out.
I would downsize that and enjoy the trip and get some photos.
Go light and two lenses.
That is a LOT of gear to worry/think about too. Breakage, theft, carrying it all the time?
I would say go back for a dedicated photography trip. I have noticed when I carry that much gear I worry about photography too much and miss out on having fun and relaxing.
Photography should relax you…not stress you out.
Dec 23, 2025 at 07:23 PM
p.2 #19Travel kit for family trips
sonofjesse2010 wrote:
I would downsize that and enjoy the trip and get some photos.
Go light and two lenses.
That is a LOT of gear to worry/think about too. Breakage, theft, carrying it all the time?
I would say go back for a dedicated photography trip. I have noticed when I carry that much gear I worry about photography too much and miss out on having fun and relaxing.
It should be fine. Leave most of the kit in the hotel and bring one lens and one camera out depending on where you are going that day.
Dec 23, 2025 at 07:38 PM
p.2 #20Travel kit for family trips
Following a very good Mark Galer video on a lightweight travel kit I would take the 24-50 G, Sony 85/1.8 and Samyang 18/2.8. While the 24-50 has less of a range than the 20-70 I find f2.8 more versatile and add the 85 for portraits and a something like the Samyang 18 for ultra wide you have a great all purpose kit
Dec 24, 2025 at 03:20 AM