My Summer Daily Carry

I don’t know about you, but I love reading blogs and watching videos about people’s daily carry. I find myself immensely curious about what others use and why, so for that reason I’m making my own version of my summer EDC that accompanies me on most of my days out in London.

Bag - Peak Design Outdoor Sling

My bag of choice is the Peak Design Outdoor Sling in the 4L size. As someone who owns all three sizes, I find this middle one to be the best balance for summer in the city. It’s not the most stylish sling, and I certainly wouldn’t wear it with any kind of smart casual clothing, but it’s the most practical one I’ve used.

The one negative is the strap that it comes with. The shoulder pad is fixed, meaning there’s a lot of messing around readjusting it if you change how you wear it. The buckle is also extremely easy to unclip and makes a rattling sound when walking. To get around these issues, I swapped the strap out for a Peak Design camera strap I had lying around, specifically the thicker Camera Slide model. I find it more comfortable, more secure, and much easier to adjust.

Camera - Sony A1 II

There will be more detailed blogs about the A1 II in the future, but to keep it short, it’s the most no compromise camera I have ever used. The only real compromise is the cost, but when you compare it to Leica cameras, it seems like insane value for money. The A1 II is the most complete camera I have used and has the lowest level of resistance between me seeing a shot and taking it. There are many other reasons why I picked such a niche camera, but I’ll save those for an upcoming blog.

Main Lens - Sony 24-50mm f/2.8

This has been my go to Sony lens ever since I switched to the system two years ago. It’s a reversed design, meaning it’s at 50mm in its most compact state, and the barrel extends as you zoom out to 24mm. The extension between 50mm and 35mm is negligible, and since most of my work is between those two focal lengths, this lens is ideal for me.

Tele Lens - Sigma 90mm f/2.8

The 24-50mm covers 95% of my photography, however there are the odd occasions when I need to punch in a little closer. Whether that’s for an abstract shot, to highlight a detail, compress a long road, or simply reach a subject I can’t get closer to. The 90mm is very small and light, meaning you don’t even feel it in the sling. So while I might not use it all that often, it’s still a critical part of my daily kit.

Filter - Urth Magnetic ND8

My most used filter is the ND8. I use it for video and slow shutter speed photography during the day when the light can be overpowering. I also have a CPL, but I seldom bring it unless I know I need to cut reflections or glare.

Camera Strap - Cord Weaver

The camera strap is a handmade one I bought from a small business here in the UK many years ago. It’s a standard rope strap with Peak Design Anchor Links. I prefer this style because it’s easy to wrap around my wrist when needed.

Battery Bank - Anker Nano

This has been one of the best little battery banks I have used to date. The built in extra long cable is so helpful, and for the size it packs a serious punch.

Thunderbolt 4 Cable - Anker

I use this cable to connect the A1 II to my iPhone and back up footage for extra safety. You can use a normal USB C data cable, however a Thunderbolt cable is much faster.

Notebook and Pen

This is the newest addition to my daily carry and only something I’ve been using for a few months. Despite that, it has had a profound impact on me. I’m generally quite introspective and spend a lot of time thinking about things, whether that’s video ideas, potential blogs, photography projects, future travels, or personal life. When my head is full of thoughts, it can become overwhelming, so having a piece of paper to empty my mind onto has proven invaluable.

Sunglasses - Zoff

Zoff is a Japanese glasses brand with stores in most major towns across Japan. They’re very good quality, the service is outstanding, you get a free eye test, and you can customise the lenses however you like. They’re also around one sixth of the price of a similar pair in the UK.

Umbrella - Montbell

Living in London, rain is always around the corner, so on days where it looks a little wet, an umbrella is essential. This one from Montbell is unique because it folds twice and becomes extremely portable. It’s not cheap, but so far it has withstood torrential rain, heavy winds, and frequent use over the last two years without any problems.

iPhone 17 Pro Max

I love my iPhone 17 Pro Max. It’s a fully fledged computer, an extremely capable camera, a personal assistant, a diary, and about a hundred other things. With this specific model, there is one feature that is expensive but absolutely worth it for me. It’s the 2TB of internal storage.

This allows me to use the iPhone as a backup SSD while travelling by plugging in the A1 II and offloading all my footage into the Files app. This saves me from buying various “smart” backup SSDs or simply risking it. If I’m shooting something important, I make sure to stop regularly and back up the footage to my phone.

Apple Watch Ultra

When I’m out and about I hate being on my phone, even when it’s for genuinely useful tasks like checking maps or replying to messages. There are also many places where I simply wouldn’t want to have my phone out for safety reasons. This is especially true when travelling, considering how critical our phones have become.

For that reason I wear the Apple Watch Ultra. It allows me to do all the basic things I could possibly need while I’m out on the street. It’s also a good way to make sure I don’t miss an important message, and it serves as a useful backup should something happen to my phone.

AirPods 3

I think these days a good pair of headphones is essential. Whether it’s watching your favourite YouTube videos on the train, taking calls, or listening to music while you shoot. I prefer these over the Pro versions because they don’t seal your ears shut. On long summer walks I find the Pro versions can lead to sweat building up, which is both uncomfortable and a bit gross. I also find these let in much more ambient sound, making them a better choice for cities.

Other

• Apple AirTag – Thankfully I’ve never had to use it, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

• Spare Sony battery – Essential for a full day of shooting. I always carry at least one, and often a second.

• Lens cloth and wipes – Essential.

• Humantra electrolytes – To help stay hydrated during the summer.

• Boots blister plasters – An essential part of the kit that can save the day when the step count starts climbing.

• Bellroy Card Pocket – A great little wallet that zips up, giving you room for coins or even a small set of keys.

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