What's In My Camera Bag 2023

A new year brings new gear, and some significant changes to my street photography setup. My main camera, main lens, and filters have been upgraded and should keep me going for a good few years. That being said, let’s look at what’s new in my camera bag going into 2023, and why they are there.

Canon R7

For 2023 I am excited to start using a Canon R7 instead of my Canon RP. Although I love the full frame capabilities of the RP, the new R7 has In Built Image Stabilisation (IBIS), and so is more suited to longer exposures without the need for a tripod or wheelchair attachment. I didn’t expect to go back to a crop sensor anytime soon, but the pros certainly outweigh the cons for what I need in a camera.

Canon RF-s 18-150 f3.5-6.3 IS STM

My new ‘do it all’ lens for stabilised long exposures and intentional camera movement. The small size and weight, incredible super zoom focal range, combined with 4.5 stops of stabilisation, makes this a great consideration for my style of photography.
For the latter end of 2022 I used a RF 24-105 f4-7.1 IS STM and that served me really well. The 18-150 is a slight upgrade in portability, focal range and aperture - making it more versatile, at the price of losing half a stop of stabilisation and no IS on/off switch. Combined with the IBIS in the R7, I can still achieve up to 7.5 stops of stabilisation.

Canon RF 50mm f1.8

Who doesn’t need a small prime in their bag? The RF mount successor of the legendary ‘nifty fifty’ is perfect for low light and when I want out of focus backgrounds in some everyday street photography shots. This lens isn’t a new addition to my camera bag, it was my favourite lens to use on the full frame Canon RP. Going back to a crop sensor with this lens and the R7 will feel strange at first, but I loved using the EF 50mm on my old Canon crop sensor DSLR so I’m sure it’s something I will learn to embrace again.

ND Filters

I have always used Tide Optics Variable ND filters on my lenses, which do a great job as long as you don’t set it to maximum - whereby you will experience the dreaded ‘X’ shaped cast in your images.
For 2023, I will be experimenting with a set of Gobe ND 4/16/32 filters to see if set strength filters work for me. Having a set strength filter means a more even exposure across the frame, but might not be suitable for the many different shutter speeds I use. Time will tell, and at least I can stack the filters if the exposure can’t be controlled with aperture and ISO.

One other major advantage to these filters is the lens cap is more securely attached when the camera is not in use, and that’s always been a problem with my variable filters. I can’t tell you how many times my lens cap has popped off while getting the camera out of my bag.

Tablet

My Samsung S6 tablet doesn’t always go out with me, but it does just about squeeze into my camera bag and is great for editing photos, reading and writing on a coffee break or in a hotel.

Headphones

My current headphones are the Google Pixel Buds A-Series in green. Listening to music while doing street photography enhances the experience for me, and sometimes helps get me ‘into the zone’. These headphones are small and light, with great features like telling me who messages are from, without having to get my phone out.

GoPro

I’ve been testing a GoPro Hero Session 5 for POV work, with its 4K resolution and compact form factor being its selling points. I does have image stabilisation but it doesn’t seem enough, all my videos from the GoPro have more vibration than I’m comfortable with. Maybe that’s down to outdated technology with it being an older model.

At some point in the coming months, I plant to upgrade to the GoPro 11 Mini, which has much better stabilisation and video quality in pretty much the same size body as the Session 5.

Power Bank

An essential travel companion. It charges my camera batteries, GoPro, headphones, phone and tablet. If I’m going anywhere for a full day, I’m taking my power bank. I find a 10000mAh power bank to be a good compromise between size, weight and power. I can fully charge a device or two in a pinch while out during a long day, then recharge it at night.

Peak Design 5l Everyday Sling

All this gear needs to live somewhere, and this shoulder bag by Peak Design is easily my favourite camera bag I’ve ever owned (and I’ve owned a lot). Its a great size with top notch build quality. It’s a snug fit to get everything in, but at least I don’t have to carry a bulky backpack. It’s secure and easy to carry around all day on the streets while also looking the part.