Violetta Scott (@violetslens) says her photography journey began about 10 years ago when I picked up her dad's camera and fell in love with the very first shot. “What started as a hobby quickly became my passport to adventure, taking me from the remote wilderness of Kamchatka where I grew up to hitchhiking across continents,” she says. “Now I call Utah's desert peaks home, where I spend time exploring the landscapes hiking, backpacking, and occasionally splitboarding. On most day adventures I bring the same camera bag: WANDRD's PRVKE 31L – it allows me to pack all my gear plus extra items like snacks, water and some extra layers. It also looks great in photos!” We caught up with Violet to learn more about her kit for all things adventure. Keep reading as she shares what’s in her bag.
Product Preview – In This Article You'll Find:
–Sony Alpha 7R V
–Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II
–Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II
Camera
Sony Alpha 7R V: I've only recently switched to Sony cameras and once I shot the first shot with the Alpha 7R V there was no going back. The A7R V has completely transformed my low-light photography. Paired with my 16-35mm GM II, the autofocus speed and accuracy are game-changers when I'm shooting in challenging conditions - whether it's Milky Way shots or blue hour landscapes with dramatic shadows.
Photo by Violetta Scott. Sony Alpha 7R V. Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II. 5-sec., f/2.8, ISO 3200
What I appreciate most is the incredible dynamic range. Even when a scene appears too dark in-camera, I know I can pull incredible detail from the shadows in Lightroom without introducing noise. The 61-megapixel sensor gives me tremendous flexibility in post-processing, allowing me to crop significantly while maintaining the resolution I need for large prints.
Photo by Violetta Scott. Sony Alpha 7R V. Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/2500-sec., f/8, ISO 500
Despite its impressive capabilities, the body remains surprisingly lightweight, making it ideal for long backcountry adventures when every ounce matters.
Photo by Violetta Scott. Sony Alpha 7R V. Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/160-sec., f/4, ISO 500
Lenses
Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II: This is my favorite and most used lens - I love wide angle for everything from low light landscapes to portraits to action shots. The versatility is unmatched when I'm hiking to remote locations and can only bring one lens. It's light, fast, and captures every bit of light there is. Also, really great to use for self-portraits or video - the focus follows you around no matter what. This lens consistently delivers the results I need.
Photo by Violetta Scott. Sony Alpha 7R V. Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II. 30-sec., f/2.8, ISO 500
Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II: As a landscape photographer having a tele-zoom is a must. While I am not ready to commit to a 400mm beast (well, more importantly to carry it around), I find that 70-200 is always enough for me. And with the camera being 61mp, I can also crop even tighter shots without sacrificing much quality. Mountain peaks - incredible details, desert landscapes – the compression gives you this epic look that's just hard to achieve with a wide angle. The optical stabilization is a game-changer when shooting handheld in changing light conditions (and I almost always shoot handheld as long as there is any light), and the focus speed means I never miss those fleeting moments when perfect light hits the landscape. Despite its professional capabilities, it remains manageable on long hikes.
Photo by Violetta Scott. Sony Alpha 7R V. Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/1000-sec., f/4, ISO 640
Accessories
Benro CyanBird Carbon Fiber tripod: The lightest thing in the universe + so easy to use (can also be used for video) + looks pretty (very important).
Extra Batteries + Phone Power Bank: Even if I'm hiking for just four miles, I always bring extra batteries because low temperatures affect battery life and you don't want to find out on the trail.
WANDRD Lens Filter Case: I have about 6-8 PolarPro filters, and it's just not feasible to have them all in separate cases.
Photo by Violetta Scott. Sony Alpha 7R V. Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/2000-sec., f/2.8, ISO 800
WANDRD Memory Card Case: Another piece of gear that keeps me organized and gives me peace of mind that I did in fact bring extra SD cards.
Drone + RC + Batteries: I never plan specific drone shots, and since it doesn't weigh much, I pretty much always bring it on trails.
Peak Design Capture Clip: A lot of trails are sketchy (especially during winter), so you need both hands, but at the same time you want your camera to be very close. This clip is really a game changer.
Photo by Violetta Scott. Sony Alpha 7R V. Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II. 30-sec., f/3.2, ISO 200
Headlamp & Torch Light: I recently invested in a torch light powerful enough to see a couple miles around you (and find out if those coyotes are actually as close as they sound).
Hiking Poles: For those icy hikes (plus spikes), or if the elevation gain is brutal.
Snacks, Water: I rarely carry a lot of snacks, this is where I cut corners to be able to bring more gear.
Sea To Summit Sleeping Bag Liner: a recent addition after witnessing a woman who fell on an icy trail and was freezing while waiting for Search & Rescue. Even if it's not for you, it might help somebody on the trail.
Photo by Violetta Scott. Sony Alpha 7R V. Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/8000-sec., f/2.8, ISO 160
See more of Violetta Scott’s work on Instagram @violetslens and at violetslens.com.
