Beginner Camera

Canon EOS Rebel T7 – This APS-C DSLR is not a Full Frame sensor but is a budget way to get the job done. We did not want to invest too much upfront when we were first starting. We wanted a camera that could be very versatile and excel in both photography and video. I did a lot of research from different companies and decided this was the best bang for our buck for beginners. It excels in video, Image Stabilization, and is lightweight, but the downside is that it is not a full frame sensor.

Action Camera

GoPro HERO 10 Black – This is our budget underwater camera. We all know that GoPro can take a beating, and we have put this one to the test. It is a great adventure camera that we can strap to a helmet or a snowboard and get a different perspective. We also love that it is waterproof and can get creative without having to worry about our camera getting wet. The good things about a GoPro is that it is super lightweight, high resolution images and video, versatility and creativity with shots, and the image stabilization is insane! The only downside is that it is a fish eye lens, so that it is limited to the type of photos and videos that are capable with zoom effects.

Professional Camera

Canon EOS R5 – This Full Frame Mirrorless Camera is the top of the line Canon Camera. It has a 45MP camera, can shoot up to 8k 120FPS, internal image stabilization, and more. We have shot with this in the snow, rain, wind, dirt, and everything in between, and it still runs like it is new. We highly recommend if you have a bigger budget and want something that is going to take professional level photos. This camera excels in all levels including astrophotography, touchscreen, video, high resolution images, and more.

Vlogging Camera

Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III  – This is our small camera we use for behind the scenes footage. It shoots in 4K, can fit in a pocket, has a flip LCD screen, and is a bargain when compared to the 80D. This is a perfect entry level camera that is not as expensive as the DSLR. We have used it for a long time, and it is very reliable and perfectly capable of taking great pictures and videos. This would be our top pick if you are looking for a jump start into YouTube video creation, or if you like to take pictures of the landscape, rather than be in all of your photos.

Crop Frame (Canon EOS Rebel)

Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM – This is our most used lens in our camera bag and I think it is one of the best camera gear for couples who want to vlog! This lens is WIDE and can capture amazing landscapes, two people in a handheld vlog, beautiful fast autofocus, and is very quiet. This was our first lens and is still our go to adventure lens because it is so lightweight.

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM – This is our go to portrait lens. It is super fast meaning that it is a 1.8 aperture and can capture low light images. Anytime we want to shoot portraits, low light, product images, or want to film a video we use this to shoot it. The fast autofocus with the beautiful 1.8 bokeh, plus the lightweight plastic design is why we never forget this lens.

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM – this is our newest addition to our best camera gear for couples recommendations and we LOVE it. The lens is so crisp it almost feels like an L series canon lens. The 2.8 aperture is great for low light, the range is perfect and works as a great zoom lens, the build is sturdy. The only bad part is how heavy it is! We would not bring it backpacking but it is our walk around lens now.

Full Frame (Canon EOS R5)

RF 15-35mm f/2.8 Lens – This lens is the best wide landscape Low Light Lens on the market. It is our most used lens when it comes to wanting to capture big scenes, and the f/2.8 has amazing low light capabilities. We were deciding between the f/4 or f/2.8 version of this lens but decided that this was the better long term investment for the highest quality images. Add this to your wishlist if you like landscapes.

Canon EF 35mm f/1.4 II USM – This is the professional portrait lens that we use when shooting products, weddings, and other portrait sessions. The speed that this lens can shoot at in all settings is what makes it our go to portrait lens. Highly recommend using this for any type of professional headshot and love how fast the autofocus is! This is our favorite prime lens when it comes to couples photography.

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 – This is our best all around travel lens. This is what we have on our camera 99% of time and our recommendation if you only want 1 lens. This Zoom Lens gives you a nice variety of wide to zoom, where you have the best focal lengths for everyday life. it is a great travel lens that is a must for every day to day photographer.

Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM – This is our go to zoom lens if we are trying to do a shot with a lot of compression. This lens is PRICEY to say the least, but offers the ability to photograph animals, people, and landscapes no matter how far it is. We chose this over the 70-200mm because of the extra zoom that it has.

Beginner Drone

DJI Mavic Air 2 – This drone is DJI’s newest release in the Mavic series. It is the perfect entry level camera because it is lighter than the Mavic Pro and Zoom models, it has more wind stability than the Mavic Mini models, and it has the longest flight time they have ever released. The Camera is great, including that it can shoot 240fps in slow motion. We recommend this model for new users looking to put video first and photos 2nd because the MegaPixel Count is still low when taking photos compared to the Mavic Pro 2.

Professional Drone

DJI Mavic Pro 2 – This thing is a beast to say the least. The Mavic Pro 2 is a professional drone that can withstand the wind, and has a long battery life in comparison to other drones. The 1-inch sensor on this is what makes it so appealing with the 20MP camera. This is the flagship Mavic Series Model, hence the name Pro. This drone is very expensive, but it is worth the investment if you plan on taking high resolution images from an aerial perspective.

Beginner Tripod

Joby Gorillapod Tripod – This was our first tripod and it is a great beginner tripod. It is lightweight, very easy to use, and can attach to just about everything! If you are on a budget out of the two tripods I would pick this one as a great grab and go tripod.

Manfrotto Aluminum Light Tripod – this is our pick for a hobbyist photographer that is looking for something affordable and lightweight. We love it because it can extend to 5ft tall, is lightweight, and it is very budget compared to other similar specs and models. This tripod will not stand up well in the wind or with a very heavy camera depending on what you are using. Check out Manfrotto’s other models for budget friendly options as well.

Professional Tripod

Peak Design Travel Tripod – This tripod has CHANGED THE GAME! It is lightweight, small, sturdy, and easy to use. The moment that I picked it up it felt bulletproof. This tripod extends over 5ft tall for its size, can shoot straight down in low pro mode, and has so many features I could go on for days. I would go as far to say that this might be the most important piece of our Adventure Photography Gear in 2021.

We have left our camera sitting on this tripod in a river, on the side of a cliff, in winds up to 25 mph, and in the rain and had no problems at all. When we leave our camera we want to trust that the tripod will not move and hold our expensive gear well and this piece of gear is the best in the game. I was hesitant at first, but it is worth every penny.

Peak Design Capture Camera Clip – This is the best way to hold your camera. We love to climb rocks, use our hands for drinking water, and of course holding hands 😉 and do not want to have to hold a camera the whole time. This allows us to be hands free but always have the camera ready to go. I used to use a strap but would always irritate my neck. This is a game changing piece of gear!

Beginner Remote

Aodelan Wireless Remote – This is our backup remote that we bring on every adventure! We have broken a few before, so we always try to bring 2 remotes every trip. This remote does not have a 350 ft reach but is still very handy and easy to use. We love this remote for beginners because it is compatible with all camera types and has one function. It is very easy to use compared to the Pixel Wirless Remote.

Rocket Blower – Bringing cleaning tools is a very important part of photography. There is nothing worse then seeing dust or water spots in all your videos and pictures. We use this multiple times a day to make sure that we get the clearest pictures possible.

Professional Remote

Pixel TV-283 Wireless Remote – this is our new favorite remote! We have been loving it because of how functional it is and all the features. Our previous remote is very straightforward and has one function to take pictures and hit the shutter, whereas this remote has interval timer, time-lapse mode, remote shutter, timer, intervelometer, bulb shooting, and more! We would recommend that you get this remote if you have your eyes on astrophotography, time lapses, and any function besides a simple Bluetooth remote.

Travel Photography Bag

NOMATIC McKinnon Camera Pack – These pack is our new carry on. It holds 3-4 days worth of clothing, water bottle, laptop, keys, passport, 3 lens, drone, gimbal, 3 cameras, and much more. It is the perfect walk around backpack for any adventure and is extremely comfortable. The whole pack is customizable as well making it ready for every adventure.

Giselle’s Day Pack

Peak Design Everyday Backpack 20L – this is Giselle’s favorite photography backpack for day adventures. She loves the day pack because of how small it is and how it fits her shoulders and waist. The backpack is tiny, so it only can fit around 1 camera, 2 lenses, remote, and tripod, but the design is flawless. The backpack is very customizable and perfect for quick trips where you do not need a lot to get the job done.

Stephens Day Pack

NOMATIC McKinnon Camera Cube Pack – This is what we use on our smaller adventures. This pack actually fits inside our bigger Travel Backpack above. It can hold a jacket, snacks, full camera with 1 lens, and a drone. This pack has seen the tops of many mountains and has held up considerably well for its lightweight design. The accessibility of being able to fold it up and put it in our bigger backpack is our favorite part.

Mic

Rode Video Mic Pro – We have always been told that a Mic is what makes or breaks a video. We love this Mic because it is easy to use and gives us professional grade sound. It sits on top of our camera when adventuring and just plugs directly into the port. It is lightweight and will not break the bank. I think if you plan on making videos, then this is a MUST add to the Best Camera Gear for Couples.

ND Filter

82mm Variable ND Filter – Any videographer will tell you that an ND Filter will change the game! This lets you shoot at 50 FPS while staying at a low Aperture of 2.8 without overexposing the video. We have tried out a lot of ND Filters and the one from moment is our favorite because of the bang for your buck. It is not as expensive as the Polar Pro Filters, but is much higher quality then all the other cheap ND filters. This is perfect for all levels of photography.

Gimbal

DJI RS 2 – this gimbal is an all-in-one. DJI came out with this, and it has changed the game yet again. We do not use a gimbals too often because we are more run and gun photographers but if you want the top of the line image stabilizer then this is the piece of gear you need.