My Outdoor Photography System

By Christian Jensen - 01.02.2026

My photography setup has evolved through years of riding, hiking and exploring landscapes where weight, weather and reliability matter just as much as image quality. The system I use today is built around tools that perform consistently in real outdoor conditions, whether I am moving fast on the bike, climbing towards a ridge or documenting a long day in the mountains. Each camera body, lens and drone has a specific role, and together they form a kit that supports the way I travel through the terrain rather than slowing me down.

Camera Bodies

Fujifilm X‑T4

The Fujifilm X‑T4 is the main camera in my system and the one I rely on when I want full control and the best possible image quality. Its APS‑C sensor delivers excellent dynamic range, and the in‑body image stabilization has changed the way I work. I can shoot handheld in situations where I previously needed a tripod, even in low light or in windy conditions on exposed terrain. The camera is weather‑sealed and built to handle long days in the mountains, and it strikes a balance between performance and portability that suits the way I move. It is the camera I bring when the goal is to come home with images that represent the full experience of the trip.

Fujifilm X‑E3

The Fujifilm X‑E3 serves as a compact and lightweight companion to the X‑T4. I bought it used with the intention of having a camera that I did not need to worry too much about, yet one that still produced files consistent with my main system. It shares the same sensor size as the X‑T4, which means the images match well, but the body is smaller and easier to carry on days when I want something better than a phone without committing to a full kit. Paired with a small prime lens, the X‑E3 becomes a discreet and highly portable setup that fits naturally into shorter rides, quick hikes or situations where minimal weight is essential.

iPhone 15 Pro Max

For the lightest outings, or when I am simply riding through the local trails, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is the camera that makes the most sense. It delivers impressive detail and dynamic range for its size, and because it is always with me, it captures moments that would otherwise disappear. It is ideal for scouting, documenting conditions or taking quick reference shots, and it performs far better than its weight suggests. While it will never replace a dedicated camera in demanding conditions, it fills an important role in my overall workflow.

DJI Osmo Action 3 and 4

I do a lot of filming and these to action cameras does this very well. I bought them second hand and payed a fraction of what they originally costed. The image quality is good and they produce films that is easy combined with the output from my drones.

Lenses

Fujinon XF23mm F2 R WR

The XF23mm F2 is the lens I reach for when I want a simple, lightweight setup. It is compact, weather‑sealed and fast to focus, and it pairs naturally with the X‑E3 for days when I want to travel light. The 35mm equivalent field of view feels natural in most environments, and the lens produces clean, sharp images without adding unnecessary weight. It is the lens that turns the X‑E3 into a pocketable travel companion.

Fujinon XF10‑24mm F4 R OIS WR

The XF10‑24mm F4 is my primary landscape lens. It covers everything from wide to ultra‑wide perspectives and handles mountain scenes, forests and open terrain with ease. The optical stabilization works together with the X‑T4’s IBIS, which makes handheld landscape photography entirely feasible even in low light. This lens is the one I bring when the landscape itself is the subject and I want to capture the scale and depth of the terrain.

Fujinon XF16‑80mm F4 R OIS WR

The XF16‑80mm F4 is the most versatile lens in my system. It covers a broad focal range and handles most situations without requiring lens changes. It is weather‑sealed, stabilized and well balanced on the X‑T4, and it has become the lens I bring when I do not know what conditions to expect. It performs reliably in everything from forest trails to open mountain plateaus and is often the lens that stays on the camera throughout an entire trip.

Fujinon XF100‑400mm F4.5‑5.6 R LM OIS WR

The XF100‑400mm completes the system by giving me reach for distant subjects, compressed landscapes and wildlife. Despite its long focal range, it remains significantly lighter than full‑frame equivalents, and the stabilization makes it possible to shoot handheld even at the long end. It is the lens I use when I want to isolate distant peaks, capture movement on the trail or explore the landscape in a more abstract way.

Drones

DJI Mini 3 Pro

The DJI Mini 3 Pro was my primary drone for a long time, and its low weight made it ideal for ultralight trips. It delivers good image quality for its size and has a flight time that suits long days outdoors. It is the drone I bring when every gram matters and when I want aerial footage without committing to a heavier setup.

DJI Neo 2

The DJI Neo 2 has gradually taken over as my main aerial tool. It offers better stability, improved sensor performance and more reliable handling in challenging conditions. When I am in exposed terrain or dealing with wind, the Neo 2 gives me the confidence to capture aerial footage without worrying about the drone being pushed off course. It has become the drone I trust the most, especially on longer trips where conditions can change quickly. All this might sound weird, but being more compact than the DJI Mini 3 Pro it tags along more often.

Conclusion

The system I use today is the result of years spent moving through landscapes where weight, weather and reliability matter more than theoretical performance. Every camera body, lens and drone has earned its place by proving itself in real conditions. On long climbs, in shifting light, in cold wind and on days when the weather changes faster than the trail beneath the wheels. What I carry now is not the most powerful equipment available, but it is the equipment that consistently comes with me, and that makes all the difference.

Photography in the outdoors is always a balance between ambition and practicality. The best images rarely come from the heaviest gear, but from the tools that allow you to stay present, move freely and respond to the landscape as it unfolds. This setup lets me do exactly that. It supports the way I travel, the way I explore and the way I document the places that matter to me. And as Forest2Peak continues to grow, this is the foundation I will build on. A system shaped by experience, refined by necessity and carried because it works.