In a few days, I'm heading to Iceland in the dead of winter—a lifelong dream to experience the raw, unforgiving north and hopefully capture the Northern Lights. Because solar activity remains highly elevated in 2026, this is one of the best years in over a decade to see the aurora, and I am not taking any chances with my setup! In this video, I break down my complete, unapologetically heavy 2026 travel photography kit. From my trusty Fuji X-T5 run-and-gun setup to the weather-sealed Sony A7III that will be my dedicated astrophotography and whale-watching workhorse, I’m sharing exactly why I’ve chosen each camera, lens, and accessory to survive the snow, wind, and rain. Is it too much gear? Maybe. But Iceland doesn't forgive bad preparation. Join me for Chapter 1 of this multi-part adventure as we prep for the ultimate winter test!

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Would you travel this heavy for Iceland, or would you go minimal? Let's discuss it in the comments!

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⏱ Chapters
00:00 The Dream of Iceland
00:52 Why Preparation Matters
01:35 The Cameras
03:40 Action Cameras & Vlogging Setup
04:50 Choosing the Right Lenses
07:32 The Essentials (Tripod, Filters & Audio Gear etc)
10:39 Why This Isn’t About Minimalism
11:20 The Journey Begins

#IcelandInWinter #PhotographyGear #WinterPhotography