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Heading for a getaway and my chosen companion is this $660 weather-resistant camera, stowed away in my luggage

Affordable and functional camera gear assembled for my vacation, featuring a compact design for portability.

Preparing for a holiday - the $660 weather-resistant camera I've chosen to carry in my luggage
Preparing for a holiday - the $660 weather-resistant camera I've chosen to carry in my luggage

Heading for a getaway and my chosen companion is this $660 weather-resistant camera, stowed away in my luggage

Preparing for a Vacation: Travel Photography Gear with James Artaius

James Artaius, a seasoned journalist with 25 years of experience and the former head of Digital Camera World, is sharing his travel photography gear choices for an upcoming vacation.

His primary camera for this trip is the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III, a Micro Four Thirds camera that offers weather sealing, 6.5 stops of in-body image stabilization, phase detect autofocus, 30fps burst shooting, 4K 30p video, in-camera focus stacking, and Pro Capture.

For landscapes and all-weather shooting, Artaius recommends the OM System M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro II lens. This standard trinity lens is compact and offers an equivalent 24-80mm range, fast f/2.8 aperture, weather sealing, and manual focus clutch.

He also carries the Olympus M.Zuiko 17mm f/1.8 lens for street and reportage, which has a manual focus clutch for quick zone focusing. If a weather-sealed version of this lens is preferred, the author suggests the Olympus M.Zuiko 17mm f/1.8 II. However, it lacks the focus clutch.

For close-up shots, Artaius uses the Olympus M.Zuiko 45mm f/1.8 lens. The author's choice for ultra-wide landscapes and selfies is the surprising yet compact Olympus Fisheye Body Cap 9mm f/8 lens, which offers an ultra-wide 18mm equivalent angle of view.

To capture those candid moments, Artaius suggests considering a waterproof camera, such as the OM System Tough TG-7, for travel. For those seeking a more advanced camera, the OM System OM-5, a replacement for the E-M5 Mark III, is currently available for $899 at BHPhoto, offering features like software-based ND filters and up to 7.5 stops of stabilization.

When it comes to carrying his camera and lenses, Artaius opts for the PeakDesign Everyday Sling 3L bag. This bag is suitable for compact kits and is also weather-sealed. One of his lenses, the Olympus M.Zuiko 75mm f/1.8, is also weather-sealed.

In terms of purchasing these items, well-established online retailers like Amazon US offer competitive prices, authenticity guarantees, and reliable shipping. Other reputable camera retailers that stock Olympus gear include specialized photography stores like Roberts Camera / UsedPhotoPro, which often carry both new and used Olympus cameras and lenses, providing a wide selection. For travel photographers looking for the best deals or refurbished units, buying used or certified pre-owned from specialist retailers like UsedPhotoPro is a smart choice.

When buying, ensure the retailer is authorized to guarantee warranty and genuine products, especially for Olympus camera gear. For the best bundle deal or customer support, consider visiting a local pro camera store if available, or highly rated online stores specializing in photography equipment. Amazon remains a convenient and reliable choice for all three items.

  1. James Artaius, a seasoned journalist, is using the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III, a mirrorless camera, for his upcoming vacation.
  2. For landscapes and all-weather shooting, Artaius chose the OM System M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro II lens.
  3. He carries the Olympus M.Zuiko 17mm f/1.8 lens for street and reportage, which offers a manual focus clutch for quick zone focusing.
  4. For close-up shots, Artaius uses the Olympus M.Zuiko 45mm f/1.8 lens.
  5. The author's choice for ultra-wide landscapes and selfies is the Olympus Fisheye Body Cap 9mm f/8 lens.
  6. To capture candid moments, Artaius suggests the OM System Tough TG-7, a waterproof camera, for travel.
  7. Artaius uses the PeakDesign Everyday Sling 3L bag to carry his camera and lenses, a bag that is suitable for compact kits and weather-sealed.
  8. When buying these items, consider well-established online retailers like Amazon US, known for competitive prices, authenticity guarantees, and reliable shipping, or specialized photography stores like Roberts Camera / UsedPhotoPro that offer both new and used Olympus cameras and lenses.

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