Buying advice
Mountains and outdoors: light, tough, reliable
In the mountains, you want as little weight and as much reliability as possible – here’s how I’d choose a body and lenses, and what to check when buying used.
In the mountains, every gram counts and you need gear that won’t let you down in winter or in wet conditions. Fixing a problem or swapping gear is often impossible out there. So focus on what will actually help you capture the essence of a place, not on things that might come in handy “someday”.
How to choose a body
For the outdoors, the key is the balance between weight and performance. Ideally, you want a rugged body with good battery life that can handle moisture and knocks.
- Canon EOS R6 – a byword for reliability and fast autofocus.
- Sony A7 IV – for those who prefer Sony’s full-frame system; known for its great dynamic range and quiet operation.
- Canon EOS R7 (APS-C) or Nikon Z6 II – if you want excellent autofocus in a smaller body.
How to choose a lens
Pair the body with a versatile, fast lens that can handle low light in the forest or at sunset. I currently have several top-notch lenses in stock:
- Sony 24–70 mm f/2.8 GM – a great choice for landscapes and the outdoors, with excellent sharpness even in poor light.
- Sony 35 mm f/1.4 GM or 85 mm f/1.4 GM – for portraits and details, with beautiful bokeh.
- Sony 100 mm f/2.8 Macro GM – for close-up details of flowers or rock textures.
- Sony 50 mm f/1.4 GM – a versatile focal length with outstanding sharpness.
What to watch out for when buying used
When buying second-hand gear, always check the condition of both the body and the lens:
- On the body, look at the shutter count – it tells you whether the camera has been worked extremely hard.
- Check the sensor for dust and spots that would show up against a bright sky.
- On the lens, test the focusing and check that the glass is clean.
I don’t have every ideal combination in stock right now, but the items listed here are genuinely available. Pick what feels right in your hand and what you’ll enjoy even in the toughest conditions.
Let me know whether you mostly go hiking or ski touring in winter – I’ll fine-tune the kit and how to protect it.
