This is a work in progress. That being said, see below:
One of the wonderful things about photography for the gear-obsessed among us is that we can encumber ourselves with every conceivable piece of gear to be prepared for every photographic situation (there’s a reason that several dozen camera bag producers are thriving), or we can keep things simple and walk out the door with a single camera and not fuss over any of the details. I’m not one for either extreme, so instead I’d like to focus on a few carefully curated “load outs” (borrowing some terminology from the EDC community here) that combine simplicity with versatility.
One Camera / One Lens
I did this in Pakistan and Kazakhstan. I was fresh off of a years-long hiatus from photography (work and life got busy), but I was traveling to exciting locations with beautiful mountain scenery for a few work assignments, so I wanted to bring a system that I could use effortlessly without exceeding my carry-on baggage allowance. In both countries, I brought along my Contax G1, the 45mm f/2 Planar, and a few rolls of Fuji Velvia and Fuji Neopan SS to capture landscapes and city scenes in my free time outside of work.
There are a few different ways that you can do this. The absolute simplest option is the fixed-lens route. The Fuji X100 and Leica Q systems immediately pop into mind, as do premium film point-and-shoot cameras like the Contax T2/T3, Minolta TC-1, Fuji Klasse, or Ricoh GR series. No choices to make each day, just a commitment to a single focal length and a commitment to get out into the world and start making photos. Kicking things up a notch, several excellent medium format cameras exist in this realm as well. Several folding rangefinders like the Zeiss Super Ikonta series, Fuji GS645 series, Plaubel Makina 67, and Fuji GF670 are excellent options that still fit nicely in a large jacket pocket or tucked away in a backpack while offering a massive negative.
Finally, interchangeable lens cameras come into play. Sometimes, there’s just a specific lens that you want to use to achieve the perspective you’re seeking, and it’s not an option on any fixed lens camera. In my case, I love the sharpness and character of the Zeiss 45mm f/2 Planar (so much so that I have its optical schematic tattooed on my right arm) combined with the automation and compact size of the Contax G1 body. Others may make similar prime lens choices, such as a Leica M6 and a 35mm Summicron, or a Nikon F3 and a 50mm f/1.4 AIS.
For those who want to pair minimum complexity with maximum versatility, a modern autofocus body and a single zoom lens with a wide range is best. When I wanted to keep things simple on a family cruise in the Caribbean where childcare would be hectic and bright sunlight would be plentiful, I opted for a Nikon F100 and 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 AF-D. Everything from wide landscapes to tight portraits came easily. One of my friends uses a similarly versatile setup — a Canon full-frame mirrorless camera with the 28-70mm f/2 L USM.
One great thing about the one body / one lens kit is that it frees up room for extra film, or simply a smaller bag. Either one of those things makes it easier to stay in the moment and keep moving and making photographs rather than fussing with equipment.
One Camera / Two Lenses
Sometimes it’s just hard to limit yourself to one option, especially when it comes to prime lenses. In this case, a relatively straightforward approach is to pair two complementary lenses with one camera body. One of my personal favorites is pairing my Nikon FA with a 28mm f/2 AIS and 50mm f/1.2 AIS. This gives me two lenses with generous low light and close focus ability, with the former working well enough for street, architecture, and landscapes, while the latter is a strong performer for portraits, general purpose photography, and subject isolation.