What Is in My Camera Bag — 2026

My camera bag is fairly simple. I would rather know a few tools well than carry equipment for every possible situation. In 2026, the core of it comes down to two cameras that encourage completely different ways of seeing.

Fujifilm X-T5

The X-T5 is the camera I reach for when I want to work quickly and intuitively. Paired with the Sigma 18–50mm f/2.8, it gives me a compact setup that can move from wider scenes to close details without interrupting the moment. It is light enough to keep with me, which matters—many of my photographs begin with something ordinary that I would otherwise have walked past.

Kiev 88 + 60mm

The Kiev 88 asks for the opposite approach. The medium-format camera is slower, heavier and more deliberate. With the 60mm lens, composing becomes an act of patience. I have to stop, look carefully and decide whether the image is worth a frame. That friction is part of what I enjoy about it.

One setup follows instinct; the other creates space for concentration. Between them, I have what I need: a camera for responding to the world as it moves, and another for when I want the world to slow down.