I keep my daily kit simple and ready to go. The iPhone 17 Mist Blue and my audio gear are the main pieces, and the hybrid camera setup lets me handle client work without weighing me down.
Who this is for: creators who bounce between paid shoots and travel days and want one bag that can do photo, video, and quick edits without feeling like a full rig.
Loadout snapshot
| Item | Why it’s in the bag | Budget swap |
|---|---|---|
| A7C II | Full-frame quality in a compact body for hybrid days | A6700 + Sigma 18-50 |
| RS4 + Tracker | Fast gimbal setup with mounting points | RS4 Mini |
| PolarPro VND 2-5 / 6-9 | Exposure control from noon sun to dusk | K&F or Freewell VND |
| Gazelle TC3B + Komodo K3 | Stable pans without a heavy tripod | Manfrotto Befree |
| Amaran Pano60C | Pocket RGB panel for fills/product shots | Aperture MC |
| NB Team Travel Backpack | One-bag carry with room for tripod + clothes | Any 30L travel pack |
| ONN Padded Camera Bag | Separate pouch for body + VND + batteries | Small Peak/Harbor freight pouch |
Carry list
- AirPods Max (or AirPods Pro 1st gen for lighter travel): noise control for plane edits and quick calls; Max when I need ANC, Pros when weight matters.
- iPhone 17 Mist Blue: quick scouting shots, notes, cloud backups, and a bright screen for reviewing clips on the move.
- Sony A7C II: compact full-frame that stays balanced on the RS4 without extra rigging; I keep zebras on and usually park ISO at base for clean S-Log3.
- IFOOTAGE Gazelle TC3B + Komodo K3 carbon tripod with fluid head: stable pans for client b-roll and interviews, but small enough to strap on a backpack.
- Amaran Pano60C kit with stand: fill light for hotel rooms and product shots; lives in the side pocket with the folding stand.
- PolarPro Peter McKinnon VND (2-5 stop and 6-9 stop): swap-free exposure control from noon sun to blue hour; stacks cleanly with the Tilta cage.
- DJI RS4 gimbal + Tilta T4 cage: run-and-gun moves with one hand; cage gives me cold shoes for mic/monitor without adding rails.
- Lenovo IdeaPad: offload + first-pass cull at night; USB-C transfers keep 50GB dumps fast enough to sleep.
- Movo WMX-1 Wireless Lavalier Mic: clips on and pairs with everything (A7C II, phone, laptop); zero cables, solid range for quick talking-heads.
- NB Team Travel Backpack: main carry for everything above; tripod straps externally and clothes fit with packing cubes. Link
- onn 11″ Padded Camera Bag: holds the A7C II, VNDs, extra battery, and mic inside the big pack?fast access without digging. Link
Why this loadout works
- The gear pulls the look together, and everything else stays neutral.
- The hybrid setup with the A7C II, RS4, and VNDs covers most lighting and movement needs, so I don’t carry heavy rigs.
- The carbon tripod keeps my shots steady and doesn’t add much weight to my bag.
- With one gimbal, one cage, and one light, I can switch between photos and video quickly without making it complicated.
Quick visuals
See the full kit
If you want the deeper dive (lenses, audio chain, lighting), check the full gear list here: Camera Gear & Workflow.
What I’d change next
- If I had to go lighter: drop the tripod and swap AirPods Max for Pros, keep the RS4 Mini + A7C II + one VND.
- If I had to upgrade: grab a second body for redundancy and a brighter on-camera light for outdoor interviews.
- Want presets/settings or to see this kit in action? Drop a comment or reach out—happy to share the exact S-Log3/LUT combo I’m using this month.