The Ultimate Pro Camera Kit for Bikepacking (Video)

Adam Andres Pawlikiewicz Mesa is a photographer, documentary filmmaker, and ultra-endurance athlete. We’ve featured his work in The Bikepacking Journal and a number of times here on the site, including his recent Bikepacking the Estrada Real, Reroutes: In Search of the Qhapaq Nan, and others. Adam regularly finds himself on intrepid bike adventures with his trip partner, Leonardo Brasil, and the pair share videos under the name Chase Regrets.

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Adam’s latest video takes a detailed look at the full camera kit he uses for expedition-style bikepacking. It’s designed to be light enough to carry on the bike, strong enough to shoot pro-quality video, and built to handle any kind of terrain. Watch the video below, then scroll down to find a complete breakdown of Adam’s gear.

Adam’s Camera Kit for Bikepacking

1. Main Camera: Canon R6 Mark II + RF 24-70mm f/2.8

The Canon R6 Mark II is my go-to. Fast autofocus, amazing color science, IBIS for handheld shooting — it’s just built for creators on the move. With a 24.2 MP full-frame sensor, it can handle beautiful commercial and editorial images while also handling well in low light for all my filmmaking needs, shooting up to 4K 59.94p with C-Log 3. This fine balance is why I chose this camera, and “downgraded” to a lower MP camera. I pair it with only one lens: the RF 24-70mm f/2.8. It’s sharp, fast, and versatile enough for everything from portraits to wide panoramas.

Leo shoots with a Nikon Z8 and 24-70mm f/2.8 Tamron lens. His kit is more photo-driven with a 45.7MP full-frame sensor and up to 8.3K 60p N-RAW video, but as a result, memory often fills up quickly with video. Both cameras are workhorses and allow us to shoot pro photo and video anywhere in the world. I always have a Tiffen variable ND filter on my lens. It gives me full control over exposure even in harsh sun and lets us keep that cinematic depth of field (especially for video) no matter the conditions.

2. EVOC Hip Pack Capture 7L

When I’m riding or hike-a-biking, my Canon lives in the EVOC Hip Pack Capture 7L. It hugs close to the body, stays breathable, and gives me fast access to my main camera without digging into a pannier or frame bag. It also keeps my camera protected in case of inclement weather with a built-in rain fly.

3. Audio: DJI Mic + RØDE VideoMicro

Audio makes or breaks a film. For clean, wireless audio, I use the DJI Mic — perfect for interviews, voiceovers, or mic’ing myself up mid-ride. But when I want to move fast, capture ambient sound, or vlog while riding/hiking, I switch to the RØDE VideoMicro. It’s compact, durable, and great for natural sound when I don’t have time to mic up.

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4. Backup Camera: iPhone + Peak Design Ecosystem

My iPhone doubles as a second camera and my navigation hub. I keep it mounted on the bars using the Peak Design Out Front Bike Mount and protected with the Everyday Case. If I want to film quickly, this is the camera I reach for, or if I want to set up a low-angle shot, I’ll use the Peak Design Mobile Tripod — it’s great for mobile time-lapses or BTS content of the team.

5. Aerials: DJI Mini 3 Pro Drone + ND Filter

For cinematic aerials, I fly the DJI Mini 3 Pro. It’s under 250g, fits easily in a frame bag with the controller, and shoots 4K with vertical video options. I purchased the Fly More Combo that came with two extra batteries, a -three-port charging system, and controller. I also have a set of variable ND filters on the drone which allows for more dynamic shots even in mid-day sun.

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6. Power: Batteries + Anker 325 Power Bank

I bring at least three extra Canon LP-E6 batteries, all my charging cables, and most importantly — the Anker 325 Power Bank. It’s a 20,000mAh beast and can top up my camera, phone up to 10 times, DJI gear, and the drone controller. This is single-handedly one of the best investments you can make for a remote camera setup that keeps you shooting & navigating in the field.

7. Lens Cleaning Kit

No matter what, enough time outdoors your lens will take a beating out there. At the very least, I carry a microfiber cloth and a lens blower to keep the glass clean and clear.

8. Storage & Backups: Anker 341 USB-C Hub (7-in-1) + SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD + SD Cards

The Anker dongle allows us to back up all our SD cards, drone footage, iPhone, etc in the field. In a separate video, Leo will show you how you can do this without a laptop, just your phone, saving you a lot of anxiety while shooting on a multi-week or multi-month-long expedition. For memory, we each carry at least 1x 512 GB SD, 1×256 GB SD, and 3×128 GB SD cards with everything tucked away in a small carrying case. For my drone, I carry a 256 GB micro SD and 128 GB micro SD as a backup. For backups, we each carry a SanDisk 2TB Extreme SSD. It’s fast, weather-resistant, and super light.

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9. Mini Tripod

It’s small, it’s simple, and it gets the job done. Perfect for time-lapses, interviews, or setting the scene when we’re riding solo.

10. Carry Comfort: Peak Design Strap

When I’m off the bike or hiking with the camera, the Peak Design strap makes it way more comfortable — quick-release, low-profile, and it doesn’t get in the way when you’re scrambling. With the removable loops, it also doubles as a convenient strap for carrying bikepacking bags when you have a mechanical or need to resupply and take a trip back into a major city, something that happened twice during our Qhapaq Nan trip in Bolivia and Peru.

Further Reading

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