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Pelican Case – $40-$60

Keeping your camera safe is crucial. Safety isn’t an issue when shooting, but what about the other 90% of the time your camera isn’t in your hand? A photographers worst nightmare is seeing their camera in pieces, neglected by a clumsy baggage handler, a dropped bag or soaking wet.  Pelican Cases are the way to go.

Pelican cases give you options. They have over 50 different hard shell cases in varying sizes, styles and colors. Pelican cases are water proof, crush proof and moisture proof. Pelican cases come with their patented Pick n Pluck™ foam, which allows you to design how your gear fits. There are two sizes I will recommend for the DSLR user which allow for two different set ups.

The first option you have is the Pelican 1150 Hard Case. This option isn’t big enough for you to leave your lens mounted on the camera body. This option offers great travel protection, but it’s slower to prepare your gear. With this model you must remove the lens from the body and place the camera in on it’s back with the lens next to it. I use this system because it’s smaller than the 1200 and every ounce counts. When I travel I always know my camera is safe and I have a day bag I put my camera in when I’m shooting. Inside the 1150 case I can fit my camera body, 18-70mm lens with lens hood, camera strap, 3x extra memory cards, and my camera remote. The dimensions of the 1150 case are 8.18″ x 5.68″ x 3.62″.

The Pelican 1200 is slightly larger and I recommend it for the photographer with full frame or medium format DSLR’S. The 1200 allows you to keep your lens mounted and have enough room for memory cards, card readers, camera remote and an extra battery or two. The drawback is that it’s slightly bigger, this means more space  and more weight. The 1200 spans 9.25″ x 7.12″ x 4.12″ and is a little tougher to put in your backpack if you are the minimalist traveler.

Either way you go, using a Pelican case lets you ditch your bulky camera bag and save space while you travel. Put the camera in your day bag when you go out and leave the Pelican case at the Hotel or Hostel; the saved weight will have your back and neck thanking you.

Having a tripod on the road seems like a luxury; but if you are planning on shooting in low light, doing long exposure or HDR work, a tripod is a must. If you’re looking to be ultra compact or don’t plan on using a tripod much, go for the Gorilla Pod. Gorilla Pods are basically just bendable wires with a 1/4″ or 3/8″ screw. Gorilla Pod’s are best for city travelers, where you’re granted more structures, poles, ledges and tabletops to put the Gorilla Pod on. The downside to the Gorilla Pod is that you have to find something to put it on, seeing as it’s legs only extend 6 inches. This doesn’t always work, especially when you’re in nature.

For you trekkers who need a fully functioning tripod, I would highly recommend the Manfrotto 785b Modo. The Modo is a fully functioning tripod that reaches 60 inches in height with a rotating head allowing you to take picture both vertical and horizontal. Oh, the best part? it weighs a mere 2lbs (.9kgs) and when folded up you’re looking at a tripod that’s only 15 inches long, including the head!

The Manfrotto head is easy to use with a quick release for your camera allowing you to grab and go. There are a few downsides to this tripod. It’s not a fully sized tripod, thus it’s not going to be as sturdy as your tripod from home. If you have a full frame DSLR, such as the Nikon D3, or any heavier DSLR, you would be best putting a sturdier head on the Modo. The head is solid for entry and mid sized DSLR’s but with your larger, bulkier and heavier DSLR’s you could face serious stability issues.

Price- $60 Online