I’m writing this as I relax in the United Airlines Lounge prior to the first leg of our 4th Around the World Adventure. It has been a really hectic run up to this trip, there was just so much to do to prepare this time. I wrote a post a few weeks back that went through some of the thought processes and checklists for Around the World Travel that have to be gone through in advance and I keep an additional “To Do” list in my notebook and was relieved each time an item was checked off. Finally we’re here. The Uber ride from the house was just lovely and we breezed through all the preliminaries. Dinner was Tofu Soba and Seaweed Salad at a little Ramen stand just past security. It was really good “oishii desu”
For those of you who are interested, here is the camera gear I’ve brought with me:
- The Fuji X-T3. This newest Fuji X series camera replaces my X-Pro2 on this trip. It features a higher resolution back side illuminated sensor with arguably better dynamic range at base and lower ISO and vastly improved autofocus. From what I’ve seen in my images so far, the quality and rendering is a step up with the new camera. Since I am taking a large zoom lens for wildlife photography, I feel that the X-T3 will balance and function better on safari than the X-Pro2.
- Metal hand grip for the X-T3. The addition of the metal hand grip will help with balance, hand hold-ability and provide a platform to secure the camera to a tripod.
- Fujinon XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR
- Fujinon XF 23mm f/2.0 R WR
- Fujinon XF 50mm f/2.0 R WR
- Fujinon XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR. I’m taking this for wildlife photography and leaving the 50-140mm at home. I need to travel light and don’t want to take both lenses and the extra reach of the 100-400mm will be vital in Africa. The 50-140mm, while a superb lens, just doesn’t have the necessary range.
- B+W XS-PRO Polarizing filter. I use B+W XS-PRO clear UV filters on all my lenses to keep the creeping crud at bay.
- Gitzo carbon fiber travel tripod and Kirk BH-3 Arca Swiss style ball head.
- Threaded cable release.
- Sandisk ExtremePRO SD cards
- Several batteries and charger with car adapter.
- Extension cord and wall outlet adapter.
- Mucho batteries.
- Macbook Pro
- LaCie 4TB Rugged RAID external hard drive.
- Cleaning supplies and tools.
- Think Tank Streetwalker Hard Drive photo backpack.
We’re going to be spending a couple of days in Houston, Texas for some family time and while there roam the streets a bit and spend an afternoon at the Johnson Space Center. I’ll be writing a complete field review of the Fujifilm X-T3 when I return, it will be put through some hard and challenging use.
