From Kit Lens to Wildlife Dreams: My Camera & Creator Gear Setup

August 1, 2025

Whether I’m hiking solo through alpine trails or filming wildlife in remote spots, my camera setup has evolved into a flexible and powerful kit. I didn’t build it overnight — it’s the result of years of experimenting, upgrading, forgetting SD cards (oops), and slowly figuring out what works best for both photography and video.

Before the pandemic, most of my travel content was shot with a GoPro — just quick clips with friends or solo trips. I wasn’t thinking about sharpness or settings, just memories. Over time, as I got more into photography and video, my gear grew with me.

Here’s the full breakdown of what I use today, and how I got here.

📸 My Camera Journey: From Canon Beginner to Sony Enthusiast

I started with a Canon Rebel T5 and the basic kit lens. It was my introduction to photography, and it taught me the basics while exploring local trails and family trips.

During the pandemic, a friend recommended switching to Sony, especially since I wanted better video quality. In 2020, I bought the Sony Alpha a7C, and it felt like leveling up. I paired it with a Tamron 24–70mm — affordable and versatile.

Then came a moment of spontaneity: I forgot my SD card on a trip to Portland, Oregon with my sister. We found a local camera shop, and I walked out with my first G Master — the Sony 14mm f/1.8. It was love at first wide shot: perfect for astro, tight cityscapes, and dramatic nature scenes.

Over time, my lens lineup grew:

Sony 70-200mm f/4 G (gen 1) for distant detail
Sony 50mm f/1.2 G Master for creamy portraits and cinematic videos (I sold my Tamron to fund this)
Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II as my daily driver
And finally… the beast: Sony 200-600mm f/5.6–6.3 G OSS, when I fell in love with wildlife photography

Now I shoot with two bodies:

Sony Alpha a7C – compact and reliable
Sony Alpha R V – high-resolution, wildlife-ready

🚁 My Drones: From OG Mavic to Mini Pro

I used to fly the DJI Mavic Pro (1st gen), but I eventually gifted it to a friend back in Mexico. These days I travel with the DJI Mini 3 Pro — compact, super portable, and perfect for capturing aerial views without the bulk or stress. It’s especially great for hiking and quick deployments when I want to shoot mountain ranges or waterfalls from above.

🎥 Action Cams & Specialty Video Gear

Before the pandemic, most of my travel memories were captured on GoPros. Whether I was solo or with friends, I’d always have one in my backpack to film fun moments — nothing pro, just raw clips of hikes, swims, campfires, and road trips. I wasn’t thinking about cinematic quality — I just wanted to capture good memories.

Over the years I’ve used:

Hero 3+ Silver – cool camera for the time, but it needed a case to go underwater which was a bummer
Hero 4 – my first waterproof camera
Hero Fusion (1st gen) – cool concept, but honestly not great results
Hero 10 Black – this one finally stuck. It’s sharp, fast, and still my go-to for casual shooting or bad-weather conditions

As I got more into video, I also added:

DJI Osmo Pocket 3 – smooth stabilized footage in a pocket-size device
Insta360 X3 – for creative 360° content, transitions, and immersive shots
DJI Ronin RS2 – I bought this gimbal a while back but haven’t used it much… planning to finally give it some love for cinematic hikes and b-roll soon

Even now, I still love capturing casual clips with my GoPro — not everything has to be perfect to be meaningful.

🧭 Accessories I Swear By (Especially for Hikers & Travelers)

Peak Design is my go-to brand for camera accessories. I use:

Multiple Capture Clips — game-changer for hiking! I clip my camera to my backpack strap and it’s ready to shoot in seconds
Their phone mount system in my car (also magnetic for their tripod!)
Their 1st gen Travel Tripod, which is sleek, lightweight, and connects with their ecosystem

These small upgrades make a big difference when I’m out on the trail or shooting solo. No more digging through a backpack or fumbling with straps.

🎒 Final Thoughts: Building a Setup That Grows With You

My current setup reflects how my interests have evolved — from casual travel videos with a GoPro to portraits, cinematic hikes, and now wildlife photography. I didn’t rush it. Every piece I’ve added has a story, a purpose, or at least a funny memory behind it (thanks, Portland camera guy).

If you’re building your own kit, my advice is:
📷 Start with what you have.
🎥 Upgrade when you feel limited.
🧭 And don’t be afraid to splurge when something truly inspires you to go shoot.

Let me know if you want a breakdown post for any specific gear — or what I’d pack on a hike!