On the road, professional photographers are known to overpack. It’s their job to be prepared to work at a moment’s notice, and sometimes that means loading every lens, flash, diffuser, memory card, and extra battery they own into a truck-sized shoulder-bag that makes TSA agents grumpy. If you’re not a professional, though, and your space is limited, you might be looking for gear that’s a little more practical. Here are six of our favorites.
Joby GorillaPod ($50)
Flat, even services are hard to come by. With , you can support the weight of a mirrorless or DSLR camera on almost any surface you encounter. Weighing less than a pound, the GorillaPod is incredibly compact, and durable enough to survive a long flight at the bottom of a heavy backpack—or a shorter flight down a tall flight of stairs.
Eyefi Mobi SD Card ($30)
ھ’s is incredibly useful for older digital capables that aren’t Wifi-ready. Load it onto your camera’s SD port, and you’ll have a quick and easy way to load photos onto a phone or computer, instead of juggling multiple SD cards that quickly run out of space.
Sony Vertical Battery Grip ($248)
Mirrorless cameras are ideal for when you’re low on space, but they often have a much shorter battery life than a DSLR. You can double your shooting time using a small battery grip like for Sony’s Alpha line.
BlackRapid Cross Shot Breathe Camera Strap ($55)
Leather straps look charming, but it takes only a few hours of collarbone friction to feel like an uncomfortable mistake. is comfortable for long periods of time and attaches securely to your camera’s tripod mount.
Hoya Ultraviolet Filter ($25)
Dzⲹ’s provides much-needed protection to lenses, which are particularly vulnerable when traveling.
Zeiss Pre-Moistened Lens Wipes ($11)
If you decide not to lug around a full lens cleaning kit, the best tool for keeping dust and grime out of your photos are wipes like . They’re individually wrapped, so it’s easy to keep one or two in your pocket or your wallet.