{"id":2784,"date":"2020-12-25T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-12-25T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/equipment-2020-kamera-drohne-zubehoer\/"},"modified":"2026-04-09T17:16:16","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T17:16:16","slug":"equipment-2020-kamera-drohne-zubehoer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/en\/equipment-2020-camera-drone-accessories\/","title":{"rendered":"Travel Creator Equipment 2026: My complete setup"},"content":{"rendered":"

My Equipment 2024 \u2014 Camera, Drone & Accessories for Professional Travel Photography<\/h2>\n

The question I get asked most often is: "Max, which camera do you use?" Answer: It's not just one camera. It's a system of camera, drone, action cam, and accessories that I've perfected over years. After more than 82 countries, hundreds of thousands of photos, and thousands of drone flights, I know exactly what works\u2014and what's unnecessary.<\/p>\n

In this guide, I present my complete equipment: what I use, why I use it, and what you really need (spoiler: less than you think).<\/p>\n

Main camera \u2014 Sony A7 IV<\/h2>\n

The Sony A7 IV has been my main camera since 2022 and will remain so in 2025. Full-frame sensor, 33 megapixels, excellent autofocus with real-time tracking, 4K 60fps video, and a dynamic range that delivers clean results even in difficult lighting conditions (sunrise\/sunset, backlighting).<\/p>\n

Why not the Sony A7R V (61 MP) or the A1 (50 MP)? Because 33 megapixels are perfectly adequate for Instagram, the web, and even print posters. The A7R V has larger files (more storage, slower workflow), and the A1 costs almost three times as much. The A7 IV is the sweet spot between resolution, speed, and price.<\/p>\n

My Sony A7 IV in numbers (2024)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Metric<\/th>\nValue<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Triggers 2024<\/td>\n~42.000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Total triggers<\/td>\n~180.000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
countries travelled to<\/td>\n24<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Repairs needed<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Battery life (realistic)<\/td>\n~600 photos<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Price:<\/strong> ~\u20ac2,500 (body only) \u2014 an investment that pays off over the years.<\/p>\n

Lenses \u2014 Less is more<\/h2>\n

Sony 16-35mm f\/2.8 GM II \u2014 My main lens<\/h3>\n

80%. My photos are taken with this lens. Wide-angle for landscapes, f\/2.8 for starry skies and low light, and the optical quality is on par with Sony GM (meaning: sharp to the corners, virtually no distortion). Whether it's a mountain panorama in the Alps, a street scene in Porto, or the Northern Lights in Iceland\u2014this lens can handle it all.<\/p>\n

Price:<\/strong> ~2.200\u20ac
\nWeight:<\/strong> 547g<\/p>\n

Sony 70-200mm f\/4 G OSS II \u2014 For detail and compression<\/h3>\n

My go-to telephoto zoom for safaris, capturing landscape details, and portraits with background blur. It's not as fast as the f\/2.8 (which also weighs almost twice as much), but it's lighter and more compact. This 90% lens was my go-to lens on my Kenya safari.<\/p>\n

Price:<\/strong> ~1.800\u20ac
\nWeight:<\/strong> 794g<\/p>\n

Sony 50mm f\/1.4 GM \u2014 For Available Light<\/h3>\n

The perfect prime lens for low-light situations: restaurants, night markets, interiors. The f\/1.4 aperture means I can take sharp photos even by candlelight without having to increase the ISO. Also indispensable for portraits with extremely creamy bokeh.<\/p>\n

Price:<\/strong> ~1.500\u20ac
\nWeight:<\/strong> 516g<\/p>\n

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Drone \u2014 DJI Mini 5 Pro<\/h2>\n

The DJI Mini 5 Pro is the reason I've been photographing in a completely different league since 2023. It weighs under 249g (meaning no drone license is required in most EU countries), offers 4K 60fps video, 48MP photos, obstacle avoidance in all directions, and a real-world flight time of 32-35 minutes per battery.<\/p>\n

40% of my best Instagram posts are drone shots. The perspective from above changes everything\u2014a coastline that looks beautiful from the ground becomes breathtaking from above. A mountain lake that's pleasant from the shore becomes surreal from 100 meters up. The drone is my most important creative tool.<\/p>\n

DJI Mini 5 Pro \u2014 My 2024 Statistics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Metric<\/th>\nValue<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Flights 2024<\/td>\n287<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Total flight time<\/td>\n48 hours<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
furthest distance<\/td>\n3.2 km<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Maximum height<\/td>\n300m (legal)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Crashes<\/td>\n0 (thanks to obstacle detection)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Price:<\/strong> ~1,100\u20ac (Fly More Combo with 3 batteries) \u2014 an absolute must-have investment for every travel photographer.<\/p>\n

Drone rules: What you need to know<\/h3>\n

In the EU, you don't need a drone pilot's license for drones under 249g, but you do need to register as an operator (which is free). The same applies in many countries outside the EU (Australia, New Zealand, USA). HOWEVER: In some countries, flying is completely prohibited or severely restricted\u2014Morocco, Kenya (without a permit), India. I check the local regulations before every trip using the EASA database and local drone forums.<\/p>\n

Action camera \u2014 DJI Action 6 Pro<\/h2>\n

For anything where the Sony is too big or too fragile: surfing, snorkeling, mountain biking, climbing. The DJI Action 6 Pro films 4K at 120fps, is waterproof up to 20m, and weighs only 135g. Its electronic image stabilizer ("RockSteady 3.0") makes even shaky handheld shots buttery smooth.<\/p>\n

I also use it as a B-cam for timelapses: Attached to a clamp, it films the sunset or starry sky for hours while I take the "hero shots" with the Sony.<\/p>\n

Price:<\/strong> ~400\u20ac
\nWeight:<\/strong> 135g<\/p>\n

Accessories \u2014 What I actually lug around<\/h2>\n

Tripod \u2014 Peak Design Travel Tripod<\/h3>\n

The most compact travel tripod I've ever owned. It folds down to just 39cm, extends to 152cm, and is stable enough for long exposures and night photography. It fits in any backpack. I use it for: Northern Lights, the Milky Way, waterfalls with long exposures, selfies, and group photos.<\/p>\n

Price:<\/strong> ~350\u20ac
\nWeight:<\/strong> 1.3kg<\/p>\n

Filter \u2014 K&F Concept ND & polarizing filter set<\/h3>\n

ND (Neutral Density) filters reduce the amount of light entering the camera, allowing for long exposures even in daylight\u2014perfect for capturing flowing water, drifting clouds, and empty spaces (because moving people "disappear"). Polarizing filters enhance colors and eliminate reflections on water. Two filters that make the difference between "pretty nice" and "wow.".<\/p>\n

Price:<\/strong> ~\u20ac80 for the set
\nMust-have:<\/strong> ND64 + CPL<\/p>\n

Memory cards \u2014 Sony Tough SF-G 128GB<\/h3>\n

I always carry four 128GB cards. The Sony Tough series is water-, dust-, and crush-resistant. I even dropped one card into a stream while using it on my E5\u2014it worked perfectly afterward. Cheap SD cards + professional photos = Russian roulette. Don't skimp.<\/p>\n

Price:<\/strong> ~\u20ac55 each<\/p>\n

Backpack \u2014 Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L<\/h3>\n

My daily companion. Camera equipment at the bottom (padded compartment), laptop\/tablet at the top, drone in the side pocket. Flexibly configurable, weatherproof, and doesn't look like a "camera backpack" (= less attention from thieves). I've had this backpack for 3 years and it still looks brand new.<\/p>\n

Price:<\/strong> ~280\u20ac
\nWeight:<\/strong> 1.5kg (empty)<\/p>\n

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Complete equipment list with prices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Device<\/th>\nPrice<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Sony A7 IV (Body)<\/td>\n2.500 \u20ac<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sony 16-35mm f\/2.8 GM II<\/td>\n2.200 \u20ac<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sony 70-200mm f\/4 G OSS II<\/td>\n1.800 \u20ac<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sony 50mm f\/1.4 GM<\/td>\n1.500 \u20ac<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo<\/td>\n1.100 \u20ac<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
DJI Action 6 Pro<\/td>\n400 \u20ac<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Peak Design Travel Tripod<\/td>\n350 \u20ac<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L<\/td>\n280 \u20ac<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
K&F Filter Set<\/td>\n80 \u20ac<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SD cards (4x 128GB)<\/td>\n220 \u20ac<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Batteries (3x camera, 3x drone)<\/td>\n350 \u20ac<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
In total<\/td>\n~10.780 \u20ac<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Sounds like a lot? Over three years, that's less than \u20ac300 per month for professional equipment that earns my living. It's an investment, not an expense.<\/p>\n

What you DON'T need<\/h2>\n