Curious what a macro and flower photographer carries on photo walks? In this post, I’ll share exactly what’s in my bag for macro photography — the camera, lenses, and accessories that help me capture vibrant, detailed close-ups of insects, flowers, and nature. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your own setup, here’s a full breakdown of my favorite gear and why I use it.
This setup covers everything I rely on for macro photography gear and the tools that make each photo walk more efficient.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Camera for Macro Photography: Sony a7 IV
The Sony a7 IV is my main camera body. It’s a powerful hybrid camera with a fully articulated screen, eye-AF, object tracking, and built-in focus bracketing – all features that make a huge difference in macro photography.
The articulating screen is a lifesaver when I’m shooting from low angles or awkward positions. Focus bracketing allows me to capture multiple shots with different focus points to later merge them into one perfectly sharp photo through focus stacking. The 33 megapixel sensor is more than enough for cropping my photos to get even closer to the small details.
Flower & Macro Photography Lenses
I own three lenses that I use for my flower and macro photos. Each has its own unique purpose.
These are the lenses that form the core of my macro photography bag, each serving a different purpose in the field.
Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS
The Sony 90mm 2.8 G OSS is my go-to lens for most macro scenarios. It allows me to get incredibly close to subjects while keeping a comfortable working distance. This lens produces beautiful, detailed images and smooth backgrounds, making it ideal for capturing the small world of flowers and insects.
If I had to choose just one lens for macro photography, it would be this one.
Sigma ART 50mm f/1.4
The Sigma ART 50mm 1.4 creates a soft, dreamy look with more context around the subject – perfect for blossoming trees, wider sceneries, or handheld photos where I hold flowers or leaves. It’s not a macro lens, but its wide aperture and sharp optics make it great for close-up compositions with shallow depth of field.
This lens helps me capture larger flowers while still keeping that delicate, isolated feel I love in my images.
Sony 135mm f/1.8 GM
The Sony 135mm 1.8 GM is my newest addition. Its dreamlike subject isolation and creamy bokeh make it one of the most unique portrait lenses, and surprisingly, it’s also beautiful for nature photography.
The longer focal length lets me create stunning separation between the subject and the background, especially when photographing flowers from a distance. It also works well with insects when cropping photos during editing. Having the longer focal length at hand is also helpful for more skittish insects.
Macro Photography Accessories
The right accessories make a big difference in macro photography, completing the essentials of what’s in my bag.
Camera Bag
It’s a no-brand bag, but it fits my Sony a7 IV and three lenses tightly yet securely. I mostly use it for transporting my gear in the car. When I go on photo walks, I switch to a regular backpack that fits my camera and up to two lenses – lighter and easier to carry while walking through forests or fields.
Charger: Nitecore USN4 PRO
The Nitecore USN4 PRO charger can power two batteries at once and displays detailed stats, including charge percentage. It’s fast, reliable, and can be plugged into a power bank or any USB port.
Batteries: Sony NP-FZ100
I always carry two Sony NP-FZ100 batteries. Having an extra battery is essential for every macro photographer – nothing’s worse than running out of power mid-shoot. These genuine Sony batteries last for multiple sessions before needing a recharge, even in colder weather.
Memory Cards
Main: Pergear 256GB CFexpress 4.0 Type A Memory Card
With improved read/write speeds, this card lets me shoot continuous RAW bursts without any slowdown. Even when photographing insects in motion, it handles multiple seconds of shooting with no lag – something my old card couldn’t manage after just 10 shots.
Backup: Samsung 512GB Pro Plus
My backup memory card automatically activates when the main card fills up. It’s my old card – it’s reliable and ensures I never miss a moment.
SSD: Samsung Portable SSD T9 (4TB)
The Samsung T9 4TB Portable SSD is my latest must-have addition for lightning-fast photo transfers. It reaches speeds of up to 600MB/s, compared to just 90MB/s on my old HDD — that’s almost 7 times faster. I can load all my photos in under a minute and start sorting immediately. The best thing is that it’s the size of a credit card, making it perfect when travelling.
After importing, I continue with my photo selection process.
👉 Learn How I Choose the Best Photos After a Long Photoshoot
LED Light: Soonpho RGB Video Light P10
The Soonpho RGB Video Light P10 is ideal for adding a soft glow to the background or foreground. I use it mostly during the darker months to add a touch of warmth or color to my scenes. While I use it rarely, it’s handy when I need to enhance the atmosphere without editing.
Air Blower: VSGO DKL-15
The VSGO DKL-15 is my go-to air blower for cleaning my camera sensor and lenses. It features a soft, flexible tip that prevents scratching the sensor or lens while removing dust. I use it after photo walks or lens changes to safely clear particles from the sensor area and keep my gear free of dust
Diffuser: Helios Folding Reflector
The Helios folding reflector serves as a diffuser to soften harsh sunlight. When there’s no one around to block the light or cast shade, it helps me create even lighting over delicate flowers. I use it rarely but appreciate having it for strong midday light.
Water Spray Bottle
A small water spray bottle is one of my favorite creative tools for macro photography. I use it to add a natural layer of detail to flowers by creating tiny droplets that catch the light beautifully. It’s perfect for simulating after-rain or early-morning dew effects, especially when the weather doesn’t cooperate. Just a few sprays can completely transform a plain flower into something magical and full of texture.
Microfiber Cloth
A microfiber cloth is always in my backpack and camera bag. It’s the safest and quickest way to clean my lens when dust, pollen, or water drops appear during outdoor shoots.
After the Macro Photography Shoot: Editing
Once all my photos are safely backed up and organized, I move to the editing phase, where the real creative work begins.
👉 Discover my editing steps, their order, and tips. Learn how I think!
This process includes color grading, selective adjustments, focus stacking, and final refinements that bring my macro scenes to life.
Final Thoughts on What’s in My Bag for Macro Photography
The contents of my macro photography bag are designed for flexibility, speed, and image quality. I keep things minimal yet effective — gear that allows me to capture the intricate beauty of nature without distractions. Each piece has its purpose, from lenses with a character to accessories that streamline my workflow.
If you’re building your own macro setup, focus on gear that helps you stay creative and efficient rather than just what’s popular. The best tools are the ones that make you want to go out and shoot.
That’s the complete overview of what’s in my bag for macro photography, a setup designed to stay light, practical, and ready for every shoot.