How to carry it all?

[Belmondo]

I've been accumulating gear at a frightening pace, and I really haven't figured out a good way to carry it all conveniently.

Life was simple when all I had was the 10D body and the 28-135 zoom. My garden-variety camera bag served very adequately. Then, I started picking up more and more lenses and accessories, and suddenly I now have in addition to the original camera bag, two Halliburton cases, a tripod, and another canvas bag.

I'd be interested in hearing how some of you---particularly those who also have a lot of equipment---handle it all when you leave the house. I'm fortunate in one respect: I have a pickup truck, so I have no concerns about getting everything from Point A to Point B, but it's pretty overwhelming once I get to my destination.

Also, do you let bellmen handle your equipment in hotels? I don't, and this greatly complicates the process of checking in at hotels.

This is a problem entirely of my own making, but I know some of you must have come up with elegant solutions. Thanks in advance for your helpful suggestions.

[Belmondo]

Incidentally, the Pentaxes stay home. They're just decoration at this point.

[CyberDyneSystems]

The gear on your list looks to be about the same "weight" that I have.

10D,. 17-40mm f/4, 70-200mm f/2.8, 50-500mm Sigma,. 28-300mm Sigma,. 50mm f/1.8, batery grip,. batteries charger X-drive,. filters etc....

...this all fits into one big black bag ($89.00 ritz quantaray)
BUT it remains in my trunk when I'm out shooting,. I can't possibly hike with this. So I am thinking very seriously about one of these backpacks. I won't get one to house all the gear,. (the big black bag will continue to that) but it wil give me an "excursion bag" for the hikes. So if I am out looking for herons with the 500mm wish I had the 17mm for a setting sun landscape,. I will be good to go.

Sorry none of this is an answer for you,. more of an "Yeah,. me too, how do they do it?"

[RichardtheSane]

My most elegant solution is don't carry all your equipment everywhere.
I always take what I need, and very little more - I understand that can be difficult but the biggest mistake I used to make was dithering over which lens to use etc and I would end up with a less than satisfactory shot.
Now I take my 100-400L (everywhere), and my wide angle zoom, plus a flash and a 'pod' beanbag. Enought o leave space in a lowepro nova 4 and be light enough to lug around over a long period of time.
It really depends on your photography style, I changed mine to cut doen on equipment weight :)

[Swat2]

On a smaller scale, I had the same problem with my G2, with 420ex, Tele, batteries, cards, etc, but the real problem was all those dam wires!! Recharger, TV connector, etc... I was always guessing wrong on waht to leave home. And then a new S50 was just the last straw!

So I got a LowePro Orion Trekker Backpack. For me it is perfect!! Has a nice carrying handle as well. All the nice little compartments in the bottom for the neat cameras, lenses, etc, and a BIG compartment at the top for all the random wires and other crap. (tabletop tripod!)

Worth a look............Don

[Vegas Poboy]

I have just recently sorted out the same problem as you and my solution was to have more than one bag.
My Ftb setup stays packed away in a Lowepro Trekker the big one, it only comes out for shoots that I have time to baby sit with or homework plus it has enough room to add more when traveling by car.
Second I have a Tamrac Velocity 7 I use for light tourist travel it works great for 2 lens & a flash.
For everyday, ot sure what I may run into I use a Domke original f-2 it's avery good multipurpose bag. This was an upgrade from Tamrac 603 I out grew it in 3 months. I carry the 10D and the Elan II as backup.
Overall working with local instructors it is hard to have one do it all bag. The more toys the more room you need & it gets heavy.

I keep all my equipment with me when I travel that way if something bad happens it's own me.

Have fun

[toddb]

I just got this back back from tamrac (purchased through B&H)

Digital Backpack (http://www.tamrac.com/5259.htm)

I like it allot and is pretty roomy. I like it because it has lots of integrated places to organize your stuff. It has a place specific for you laptop as well.

[PacAce]

toddb wrote:
I just got this back back from tamrac (purchased through B&H)

Digital Backpack (http://www.tamrac.com/5259.htm)

I like it allot and is pretty roomy. I like it because it has lots of integrated places to organize your stuff. It has a place specific for you laptop as well.

I once contemplated getting that exact same bag but I was a little concerned about the overall depth of the backpack getting too thick with the laptop compartment added in. How do you find this backpack in terms of overall size?

I have the non-laptop carrying version of it, the 5274. In it I can carry my 10D with the battery grip and the 100-400L attached, the 420Ex flash, the Sigma 17-35, and the Canon 28-135 along with the filters, CF cards, remote release, etc. in the zippered pouch in the main compartment and an assortment of other accessories, such as battery charger, cleaning kit, etc., in the outside pouch. Right now, it's just perfect since everything fits in one bag. Hope I don't ruin things by, heaven forbid, going out and getting another lens or two! :)

[toddb]

It's pretty thick, it kind of surprised me when I first got it. I really wanted the extra spot for a laptop because I didn't want to have to carry a second bag just for that. The camera compartment is very deep, much deeper then I expected it to be. I had so much extra room with the gear I had, I also put my video camera and accessories in with my D10. I even carry my battery charger for my rechargeable batteries for the 550 flash.

I'll be taking it on a hiking trip in a couple weeks, I'll see how it pans out there, but on several shorter trips it's been great. Very well made.

I really don't want to take more anywhere I go then what this bag will carry, but I'm just an enthusiast and not a professional by any means.

[PacAce]

toddb wrote:
It's pretty thick, it kind of surprised me when I first got it. I really wanted the extra spot for a laptop because I didn't want to have to carry a second bag just for that. The camera compartment is very deep, much deeper then I expected it to be. I had so much extra room with the gear I had, I also put my video camera and accessories in with my D10. I even carry my battery charger for my rechargeable batteries for the 550 flash.

I'll be taking it on a hiking trip in a couple weeks, I'll see how it pans out there, but on several shorter trips it's been great. Very well made.

I really don't want to take more anywhere I go then what this bag will carry, but I'm just an enthusiast and not a professional by any means.

toddb,

When you DO get your backpack fully loaded with your laptop, 10D and accessories and the camcorder and accessories, don't forget to pack some extra lead shots and tie them to your front to counter balance the backpack. Otherwise you'll fall over backwards and never be able to get up again! :D

[robertwgross]

When I head out to shoot, normally I load my car trunk with several items. The big one is the LowePro backpack. The second one is a LowePro shoulder bag. Then there will be a couple of tripods in cases. One Canon film camera and one Canon digital camera will be hidden in there someplace. Then I take a small cooler for the film and the various battery recharging systems for the digital camera.

If I am going to shoot inside a building, like for a wedding, then everything gets carried inside and parked. But more typically, I am heading out on a nature trail, and I can't carry everything. If it is an overnight backpacking trip, then 15-20 pounds of the above items get carried. If it just a shorter day trip, then more or less camera gear is carried, and I can choose among the bags and cases. If it is a winter overnight trip, then it gets a bit complicated. I will get the shoulder bag packed with one camera and it packs along with all of the other overnight gear before I step on my skis.

---Bob Gross---

[deztoys]

I also have a Lowepro pack. My wife and I each carry a Mini Trekker. So far in mine I carry:

10D with BGED
35-350 L
28-70 L
20-35 USM
550EX
5 Batteries
Monopod
AC/DC charger
CF card wallet with 4 extra cards
assorted cables for USB, TV projection etc
Remote release/timer
flash diffuser
and a couple misc little things..

Her's is pretty much the same but with the 70-200 2.8L instead of the 35-350.

We used shoulder bags for a bit, but just got too worn out hauling that stuff around. Also with this pack there is a good tripod/monopod attachment point.

I think there is probably enough room, that I could squeeze a smaller additional lens in if needed (short time only).

Scott

[toddb]

toddb,

When you DO get your backpack fully loaded with your laptop, 10D and accessories and the camcorder and accessories, don't forget to pack some extra lead shots and tie them to your front to counter balance the backpack. Otherwise you'll fall over backwards and never be able to get up again! :D


LOL, I've been in training with this pack, 35+ pounds. After training with this for a while, the Tamrac backpack seems pretty light.

http://www.toddburke.net/post/izzy_pack.jpg

[BearSummer]

Hi belmondo,

you could do a lot worse than looking at lowepro bags, both my wife and I use them and they are excellent. My main bag is a lowepro trekker AW which carries most of my gear (not the 65mpe, or flash), however if we are doing a small shoot or just taking it easy then I have a light pack which is the lowepro mini trekker (1Ds, 14, 15, 16-35, 24-70, 50, 70-200, 2*550ex, seconic 608 lightmeter). I started of using a shoulder bag, but this became painful if I wanted any lens flexibility. I also use a benbo Mk2 and an acratech head but that gets slung over the shoulder as it makes the big bag to heavy to put on easily.

Have a look at www.lowepro.com for more details on their products

Best regards

BearSummer

[PacAce]

toddb wrote:

toddb,

When you DO get your backpack fully loaded with your laptop, 10D and accessories and the camcorder and accessories, don't forget to pack some extra lead shots and tie them to your front to counter balance the backpack. Otherwise you'll fall over backwards and never be able to get up again! :D


LOL, I've been in training with this pack, 35+ pounds. After training with this for a while, the Tamrac backpack seems pretty light.



toddb, that was a great idea using a training backpack which automatically increases the training weight over time (to increase your strength). The great thing about this one is that it's very cute and I'm sure a LOT of fun to play when it's not on your back. :D

[Mark Kemp]

I also use Lowepro packs.

A 50:50 camera bag/ordinary backpack called the Rover most of the time.

A smaller pack for when I can get away with it.

I try to load this sensibly when I go out photographing, i.e. I leave out the wide angle if I am going to photograph motor racing (especially if I am not going to the pits). Similarly the long telephoto stays at home if I am going to shoot landscapes.

At home everything lives in a couple of very large camera bags and if I HAVE to take everything or go quickly then I can just grab them. Even then I will also take a smaller pack and try to go back and forth to the car and change kit from time to time if I can.

Of course there is one final answer - does anybody have the address of a body building gym? I reckon you need to be about the size of Arnie to carry a 35mm SLR kit these days.

[dbarthel]

I use a Lowepro roller for most of my stuff. I have an old believe it or not Eddie Bower that holds my 300f28 and a ton of junk in the pockets. For supertele's Lowepro has a dedicated 500-600mm bag that holds the lens and body. But the bottom line is, not everything goes. Pack for the project.

Dan

[charr5]

Belmondo,
I am in a similar situation as you with the growing amount of gear.
I bought a large promaster back pack years ago and it stores all of my stuff.
The only issue I have with the back pack is if you are just going out for a casual shoot, you must put the bag down to open them up due to the position of the zipper. They are not top loading and do not allow for quick access to your gear.
I am looking at the tamerac velocity 7 or 9 now for these kind of trips.
When I have a planned shoot and don't know what I will need, then I just bring my backpack full of everything, and work out of it.
Not an easy decision you have.
CH

[lightandlife]

The first thing to determine is the purpose. Outdoor (such as football games, graduation, etc. ) or indoor events? Once the shooting goal is fixed, I would take two cameras with only two lenses. To minimize the dust bunny problem, minimize the number of times one changes lenses. Bunnies get in there every time we change lenses. (Someone should invent a device to eliminate static electricity from the sensor) Lenses must be changed in a dust free environment. Not in a carpeted room. 10D collects, I hear, dust like a magnet.

If it is an outdoor event, for instance, 100-400mm L would be good, but not for indoors. For indoors, I used to carry only one, 28-70mm, then only 70-200mm. Now I decided to carry two, depending on the purpose. If I were to carry one, it is 85mm L. If I am in the right place, it always catches a perfect picture, and I love this lens indoors.

[flyfishnj]

I struggled with the same question. In addition to my digital and 35mm stuff, I also wanted to carry my Digital Camcorder, manuals, chargers, cables, etc. I was looking for 1 bag to carry it all. Keep the stuff away from the kids when at home and be able to grab one bag for an outing. I use a Promaster Gear 2020 IV XL Back Pack (http://www.promaster.com/bags.html). It weighs a ton with it packed with 6 lenses, converters, 3 bodes, etc.

I plan on adding a satellite bag to carry a SLR and a lens safely. I've been looking at the Lowepro.

[Longwatcher]

I now have my stuff in two bags.

The first is my studio bag
A Tamrac 612 shoulder bag with the heavy stuff in it
10D wBG-ED3 and 28-70L, D60 w/50/1.4, 16-35, 70-200L, 100-400L, 2x550EX, 2x and 1.4X extenders, Angle Finder C, Picture Pad, 10D recharger (or D60 rechanger/adapter), Batteries, CF cards, remote switch and some other stuff, still has room for small laptop computer (which I don't bother with having the Picture Pad).

All that and it fits in the airline overhead.

Bag 2 is my light travel backpack
A lowepro minitrekker 200: Normally my 75-300 IS and 28-135 IS stay in this bag now, I swap the 10D, the 16-35L, 50/1.4, extenders, picture pad, batteries CF cards and filters to the back pack when ready to travel.

[Trivia: right now though the 70-200L IS is in the backbag instead of the 75-300, because I am trying out the lens and the back pack]

[Trivia cont: there is a 5,000 gram (about 11lbs) weight difference between the bags in lenses alone, not counting that I don't carry most of the accessories in the backpack, I am guessing 8lbs versus 30lbs carrying weight]

I have considered permantly leaving the D60 with the 75-300 IS attached in the backpack so I will have more room in the Tamrac 612 and because if something happens to it, the insurance should get me a 10D for a replacement.

And then tripod, lights and backdrops are seperately carried. I take my heavy tripod when weight is not a problem and my 'Kodak" tripod/monopod when I want a light weight alternative.

All that is my current solution. When traveling light, my motto will be if it doen't fit in the backpack, I obviously don't need it.

[MDJAK]

And then tripod, lights and backdrops are seperately carried. I take my heavy tripod when weight is not a problem and my 'Kodak" tripod/monopod when I want a light weight alternative.

By any chance, is that one of the eight tripods Belmondo has forgotten around town?:lol:

[august23]

Way to bring up a 4 year old thread JAK. :D

Wow...belmondo asking questions about gear?! :shock:

[Accentor]

Wish I hadn't looked at this - that avatar gives me nightmares!!:)

[Tapeman]

This must be "old Belmondo threads" day.

[steved110]

I saw Belmondo's name on the thread and looked , before i realised how old the thread was...

how the gear lists have changed in 4 years!

[rhys]

You obviously need a few Sherpas - there. Problem solved!

[JohnJ80]

Photographers are gadget freaks and pack rats - and I'm no exception. I have a frightening collection of black bags - my wife is threatening to give them out as party favors.

What I now do is have one large bag to store it all in. When I shoot, I take a smaller bag or backpack to transport it all. Once there, it is a think tank belt system with two lens cases (one empy - lens on camera) and one with my other chosen lens (for the day) in it. That makes changes fast, I travel light. Works great.

J.

[Technological]

I just picked up a Lowepro Stealth Reporter 500AW.

It's big.. it's burly..

and it'll hold everything i can throw at it.

I went out today and had this in it.

20d, spare battery (left the grip at home)
17-40 f4L
50 f1.8
70-200 f4L
400 f5.6L
Ipod, headphones, charger, small pair of binoc's
Manfrotto Monopod externally on the bag.

The 400 f5.6L is too big for this bag. The removeable lens pouches aren't deep enough for it. For now i moved everything around and pulled one of the dividers out and made the bag have 2 layers. The 400mm on the bottom layer in it's OEM case laying sideways. With the divider horizontally above it. Everything else fits up top with the 70-200 f4L fitting the depth of the bag in the corner that the 400 isn't taking up.

I'm going to have to order the external bag for the 400, but after this expensive pay period, i'm on hold for a couple weeks!!

[irish1]

I do the same as John---keep all my stuff (though nothing like your incredible list!) in one backpack---the Tamrac Expedition 5---and when I go out for a shoot, I put what I'm going to use in a Tamrac belt system. Not nearly as heavy, and my hands are free.

[Rudy M.]

Why carry all the stuff with you on a shoot? I can see having to pack the kitchen sink if you are travelling to some distant vacation place, but why carry battery chargers and all sort of extra batteries and other stuff for a day's photo trek? Lighten the load and leave the junk in the trunk!

One fully charged 511 battery will power my 20D longer than I usually shoot. I carry two fully charged 511's in the grip. More than enough even with 500 on-board fill flashes.
Why carry a battery charger? Like I'm going to run into an outlet in the woods! Same for AA cells. 4 fully charged in the 580EX, and 8 more fully charged in the battery pack for the flash. I guess if I were to shoot a 1,000 flash shots at a wedding, I'd take another set or two.

Lenses are the major weight. Why be redundant? I see many of you carry lenses that overlap in focal lengths. I don't have as many lenses as most of you--I don't need them (but would like to have them!). So why bother carrying say a 28-70, a 28-105 and a 28-135? You say because the 28-70 is an f/2.8 lens and the 28-135 is only an f/4. So what, make a choice or carry the weight. You can't use both at the same time and both likely won't get used. If you also are carrying a 70-200 f/2.8, what do you need the 28-105 and 28-135 for? My stuff is listed below, and if I'm out during the day, I leave my Sigma 30mm f/1.4 behind especially if I know I will be zooming a lot. My 70-200 f/2.8 would be on the camrea, and the 17-85 would be in bag just in case I want wide coverage. With a couple of small, light weight teleconverters I get a pretty wide range of coverage from 17mm all the way up to 400mm (crop factors aside). My next lens will likely be a 50-500 so then I would carry my 30mm with that, and maybe just the 1.4x TC. Often I just head out with just the camera, grip attached, 70-200 mounted, and a 1.4x in my pocket with a couple CF cards, and the 30mm in my other pocket. No cases or packs. What else goes in my pack? A small "pack towel" and a Better Beamer; a Pocket Bouncer; a Mini Soft Box; and lens pen and a lens cloth; a pen and pad and some cards, and my off-camera shoe cord. Lowepro Slingshot 300 AW has room for other stuff such as an Epson P2000 viewer/storage, and a water bottle in a lens pouch on the waist belt.

Bottom line--I get more and better images when I carry less and lighter amount of gear. I find I think about what I want to shoot with what I have in my hand, and don't hesitate thinking about which lens in my pack could be a better lens than the one out and on my camera.

My grab and go set up: Olympus C5050.

[JohnJ80]

Good post, Rudy. I agree with everything you say except about the Oly. ;)

J