What’s in My Camera Bag – 2 Weeks in Seoul and Osaka
Before every trip, I go through the same ritual: I sit down with my gear and ask myself, “What will I actually use?” For this two-week adventure through Osakas's neon-soaked nights and Seoul's textured street, I wanted to travel light(ish) but ready for anything—from street photography to quiet portraits.
Now, this wasn’t a photography trip. I was on holiday with my wife, and that played a big role in deciding what to bring and what to leave behind. When I travel like this, I like to document the places I visit—and more importantly, the people who live there. So my gear was chosen with that mindset: street photography, everyday life, and capturing those unplanned moments that make a city feel alive.
I also planned a lifestyle stock photoshoot with a few models on the streets of Seoul, so that shaped a few of my decisions too. I’ll share more about that session—and the whole process—in a separate post soon.
With that said, the goal was clear: everything in the bag had to be useful and compact. Most days I walked 20k+ steps. Here’s what ended up in my bag—and how it worked out.
1. The Backpack: Eastpak Getter, Not a Camera Bag
My everyday Eastpak Getter backpack, adapted with a padded insert for camera gear.
Since this was a holiday, I didn’t use a traditional camera backpack for this trip. Instead, I went with an Eastpak Getter backpack. It’s not designed specifically for photographers, but it gave me the freedom to carry both photo and non-photo essentials.
Inside, I used a padded camera insert—a kind of "gear coffin"—to protect my lenses and camera. The flexibility of this setup was key. It kept my load compact, discreet, and street-friendly. Bonus: it doesn’t scream “I’m carrying expensive gear.”
2. The Camera: Compact but Powerful
Sony A7C R: my main camera for this trip—compact and incredibly capable.
Sony A7C R
This little beast is the perfect travel companion. Compact, discreet, and packed with quality. It allowed me to stay light on my feet without compromising on performance. Ideal for street photography, especially in busy cities like Seoul and Osaka.
Special Mention: iPhone 15 Pro
Your phone can be a great ally when it comes to capturing more personal content during your travels.
One of my goals for this trip was to shoot a lot of video, with the idea of eventually putting together a sort of travel documentary for my wife and me. For that, in addition to the Sony, I brought my iPhone 15 Pro—an absolute beast for video.
Having a phone ready in your pocket is incredibly helpful, especially in places where pulling out a bigger camera feels like too much—like cafés, restaurants, shops, or just casual moments on the street. It’s also way more discreet.
The only downside? Audio—especially if you're not close to the subject. That’s why I also brought a set of wireless microphones, which worked great. I’ll share more about those in the accessories section below.
3. The Lenses: A Versatile Trio (+1 I Barely Used)
From wide to tele: my full lens setup for the trip.
Sony 35mm f1.4 G Master
My everyday lens. Crisp, fast, and versatile. I used it for most of my street shots, portraits, and even food photography. I'm so used to this lens that I feel like a fish out of water without it. I actually have to push myself to switch to something else.
Sony 24–50mm f2.8
This lens is one of my recent acquisitions, and this trip was my first time using it—I’m really glad I brought it along.
This zoom lens is super compact and versatile, with surprisingly good quality. Great for moments when I needed more flexibility without swapping lenses constantly. 24mm for more architectural shots and 35mm and 50mm for regular street photos and portraits are a combo that work seamlessly with my photography style.
Viltrox 20mm f2.8
I picked this one up just before the trip—and I’m glad I did. Light, fast, and perfect for wide interior urban shots. I’m definitely going to keep it for my lens gear.
Yongnuo 85mm f1.8
I brought this thinking I might use it for some portrait sessions, but it ended up staying in the bag. With the 35mm and the 24-50mm I handled those needs better.
4. Accessories That Earned Their Spot
SD cards, LED light, tripod, cleaning tools—small things that make a big difference.
This section seems the most boring of all, but if you don't take it into account, it can ruin your trip.
Here’s what I carried alongside the core kit:
Lightweight tripod – Like the LED light, I brought a tripod even if I don’t end up using it. The one I have is the Ulanzi Zero F38. It’s not cheap but the value for the money. It weights a little over a kilo and it’s so compact that I can carry it inside the backpack.
Extra SD cards – obviously essential.
Neewer RGB Mini LED light – perfect for adding just a touch of fill in low-light situations. I didn’t end up using it, but it’s so small it barely adds any weight.
Polar Pro everyday filter: I really like this filter because it gives your photos a subtle, cinematic look. At first, I kept it on one of the lenses, but eventually I took it off. But since I only had one, swapping it every time I changed lenses got annoying. Plus, I wanted to keep a consistent look across all my shots to make editing easier later.
Camera straps: I’ve been using Peak Design straps for years and they’ve never let me down. What I love most is the flexibility—they’re easy to attach and remove whenever I need, which is super handy when switching setups or packing light.
Cleaning cloth & air blower – basic but vital to maintain your gear ready during the trip.
Special Mention: Hollyland Lark M2 Wireless Microphones
One of my latest purchases—and honestly, one of the best. These wireless mics are super easy to set up: once you plug the receiver into your phone or camera and power on the transmitters, they pair automatically and you’re ready to go.
They come in a compact case that doubles as a charger—perfect for travel. The microphones themselves are tiny and discreet, and they attach magnetically—so you can clip them close to your mouth without any hassle.
Since I got them, I’ve used them multiple times and the audio quality is more than good enough for 90% of situations. My wife also uses them to record her podcast, and they work great for that too.
If you want to seriously improve the audio in your videos without spending a fortune or getting into complicated gear, these are a no-brainer.
5. What I Left Behind (and Didn’t Miss)
Whenever I travel for pleasure (and not for work), I always go through the same doubts. But this was the first time I made a clear decision: if I’m not sure I’ll need it, I won’t take it.
There were three main things I chose to leave out this time: my Sigma 70–200mm, a variable ND filter, and a handheld flash. In a professional shoot, these would be essential—but based on past trips, I realized I almost never end up using them for the kind of photography I enjoy when I travel.
So I left them behind—and honestly? I didn’t regret it for a second.
Closing Thoughts
On this trip, I changed quite a few things compared to previous ones—and overall, the experience was really positive.
If I had to sum it up: the “just in case” gear almost never gets used. For this kind of travel, it’s better to stick to a minimalist kit and stay creative. You’ll thank yourself later when you're not carrying around a backpack full of gear you only touch once or twice in two weeks.
This kit helped me stay flexible, shoot comfortably, and still capture everything I wanted. It reminded me that the best gear isn’t the most expensive or the most feature-packed—it’s the gear that gets out of your way and helps you focus on what you see.
I’m leaving a small gallery of some of the photos I took during the trip, hope you like it. Have you ever struggled with what gear to take on a trip like this? Let me know what your go-to travel setup looks like—or what you’ve learned the hard way. I'd love to hear your thoughts.
