How much gear do you take?

[RichardtheSane]

OK, I am asking this more for an interesting discussion rather than gain advice, but here goes :D

How much of your camera gear do you take with you when you go out to dome some photography?

I know it is a very broad question. I try to take as few lenses as I can, and make sure I take all of my batteries and CF cards - and usually my flashgun. I find that I end up being more creative with just 1 lens because I have to think about my shots more, but always go through the age old dilemma of 'what if I miss a shot because I left that bit of kit at home'.....

[DaveG]

RichardtheSane wrote:
OK, I am asking this more for an interesting discussion rather than gain advice, but here goes :D

How much of your camera gear do you take with you when you go out to dome some photography?

I know it is a very broad question. I try to take as few lenses as I can, and make sure I take all of my batteries and CF cards - and usually my flashgun. I find that I end up being more creative with just 1 lens because I have to think about my shots more, but always go through the age old dilemma of 'what if I miss a shot because I left that bit of kit at home'.....

Last October I found myself going on a 10K hike in a National Park in Nova Scotia. I
didn't want to go that far with my regular Domke F1X bag over my shoulder. Rain was
coming and that factor, along with the "one shoulder weight" made me grab my 10D and
the 24-85.

I didn’t have any camera support and just chose a “one lens” package. Of course I passed
up many shots along the way and was only vaguely happy with the results.

But as of today I have a LowePro Nature Trekker AW backpack and I wanted it just to solve
this "walk in the woods" situation.

I want to bring with me anything that I think that I might need - as long as I can carry it.
If I could do that 10K hike again, I'd bring the 10D, my 100 mm macro, 16-35, and
70-200 f2.8L. I'd probably leave the 24-85 and my 50 f1.4 at the base camp. I'd bring my
Gitzo 1225 tripod with the Gitzo magnesium ball head, for camera support. I'd also bring
a small Minolta table top tripod in case I wanted to lie flat on the ground to do some very
close macro work.

I have a small twist up reflector that fit nicely in the LowePro as well. I think that I’d also
bring a 420EX flash along for fill purposes. Normally the 10D’s built in flash would do
but it won’t clear the lens hood of the 16-35.

It's important for me to bring a small folding tripod chair as well. I started doing that
when I was using a 4x5 field camera and had to look through the upside down and
reversed groundglass. It just made so much sense to be comfortable and not have to
kneel on a pebble. Subsequently I've found that it's improved my photography in all case
since you lose that "Let's just get this done." result when you are uncomfortable.

To continue on the comfort front I always bring water and bug repellent, and it should be self evident
why I’d do this.

I do like the other person’s idea of bringing one lens. You do
concentrate more if you just have that one viewpoint, and you just figure out a way to
make it work. But you do have to leave some shots undone and if the work is for stock
you really need the “right golf club” for the shot.

[arthurb]

It depends on what I am intending to Photograph.

I basicly have 4 photo "Modes"

1 - A party or place where the SLR may be out of place, I carry the S30 . It takes failry good pictures.

2 - A situation where I know I won't need a long zoom, I take the Digital Rebel with the kit lens. Usually this will be an event where I can carry the camera, but taking the bag is jus too much.

3 - Average shooting, I have a bag that holds the camera and my telephoto lens, and straps around my waist. (I can also carry my external flash if I think I'll need it, The bag protects the camera, and has a couple of small pockets for the extra batteries.

4 - Full Creative, or not sure what I need mode. My larger camera bag holds my filters, a table tripod, remote, and all of my other accessories, except for my larger tripod. A variation of this mode uses my photo vest, which with my waist bag, I can carry everything I own, including the large tripod. (I can't sit down very well with the tripod in the back pocket, but it does work...)

The reactions with the various modes are interesting. Modes 1 and 2 I am never mistaken for a pro.

Mode 3 many people ask if I'm a pro.

With the vest, they don't even ask, they just assume I'm a pro.

[CyberDyneSystems]

I have photo modes too...

1. Point and shoot mode used to be the 10D with the 28-300mm Sigma... But I now have an s400 for that is with me allways. I have given up the 28-300mm all together.

2. Party mode, family gathering where I want quality images: Just the 10D and 17-40mm and at least one spare battery (no Big-Ed) and sure.. both CF cards.

3. I'm going out shooting mode: Evrything! It ALL goes in the trunk (all of it fits in one big bag except for tripod/monopod and 500mm f/4.5 which has it's own case.... but them when the actual mature hike starts,. I pick what I can carry WITHOUT a bag. CF cards and batteries in pockets. 10D mounted to 500mm on tripod over shoulder, and usually a 1.4X t-con and the 17-40mm in the 17-40mm's little leather bag slung from the tripod.

[Scottes]

I rarely seem to make it out without everything. Luckily I don't own much. :-) About the only things I think that I can manage without (sometimes) are the 420EX and the 50mm. Since that saves less than a pound, I take them. Besides, I might need the flash for a macro pic or 2.

One of these days I'll learn. Then kick myself another day when I leave something behind.

[CoolToolGuy]

I have multiple modes as well:
1. My G3 is always in the car. If I go to a party or other event, it is there and I'm ready. It travels in a Tamrac Digital Series bag with a tabletop tripod, spare battery, spare CF cards, etc.
2. A Tamrac top loader normally has the Drebel with the 24-70 'L' on it, and a side pouch which holds a 75-300 IS. This is normally ready to go with a water bottle, tabletop tripod, chain pod, spare battery, spare CF cards, etc. I can pick this up and go at a moment's notice.
3. A Tamrac 5612 holds the rest - Elan 7 with 50mm 1.8, the Drebel kit lens, 28-135 IS, 85mm 1.8, 550EX, Quantum Compact battery, and all the other miscellaneous stuff. If I want to take it with me I can either load the Drebel and the 75-300 into the 5612 or take both bags.
Have Fun
Rick

[Belmondo]

What a great question! I actually hadn’t given any thought to the decision-making process that takes place when I prepare for a day’s shooting. The obvious answer is, “It all depends.”

I have the luxury of driving a crew-cab pickup truck, so there’s never a problem taking all my equipment with me in the back seat, although I rarely do. Because of certain physical limitations, I try not to go places where there’s a lot of walking involved, so I can have as much (or as little) gear near at hand as I see fit.

My basic ‘kit’ is a LowerPro backpack in which I carry one 10D with the Battery Grip, 24-70 f/2.8L, a 70-200 f/4, the 1.4X and 2.0X TC’s, a bunch of CF cards, extra batteries, and the 550EX flash, plus miscellaneous accessories for cleaning sensors, lenses, and so forth.. Being a creature of habit, I still carry my trusty old Pentax Spotmeter even though I hardly use it any more. I almost always take the 100-400 f/4-5.6L IS and the 70-200 f/2.8L IS with me, and they travel in the pouches that came with them. I haven’t found a more convenient way to carry them and still have them reasonably handy when I need them.

Then, if I think I’m going to need any additional equipment or a second body, I have a Halliburton aluminum case with my other 10D, the 50 f/1.4, 100 f/2.8 macro, and the 17-40 f/4-5.6L, and some more odds and ends. (I have two more Halliburton cases, one of which I use for ‘long term storage.’ It holds the 28-135 IS, and the 75-300 IS, neither of which have seen much use lately.)

Note: At times I will substitute the 50mm for the 2X TC.

Lastly, if I’m traveling and know I’m going to be taking a lot of pictures on the road, I have a plain old nondescript gadget bag in which I carry my FlashTrax drive, a battery charger, a CF card reader, and other bits and pieces I might need when away from home.

Then, I have ‘The Mother of All Tripods’ that I carry around in the back of the truck. It’s a Bogen 3051 (almost 15 lbs) with a 3047 3/way head. I also have a Bogen monopod that I usually end up using more as a walking stick than to support the camera.

Now that I reflect on it, I’d have to say I’m better organized than I would have claimed before. I have things set up so that there is a progression of bags/cases I take depending on what I plan on doing. I guess I’m smarter than I look.

[defordphoto]

Hehe...That's funny Tom.

My wife and I usually shoot together so we each haul stuff. Like most everyone else, it depends on what we're shooting as to what we bring.

I am starting to collect alot more equpment so will probably start using my big LowePro bag to haul everything. and then dole it out to the Mini and Micro Trekker backpacks as needed. We then use the vehicle we're in as 'basecamp' if we need anything else: 12v power, laptop, more lenses etc.

One (more) thing I do need to get is a decent tripod, but I'm still collecting lenses and flashes and stuff before I get into tripod mode.

And then I'll need the LowePro Two Bedroom Photo Trailer to haul it all in.

[Belmondo]

Jim.
Please don't read too much into what I'm about to say, but I'd really like to borrow your wife for a couple weeks. Having a spouse that shares a common interest is a luxury I can't even imagine.

My wife's favorite pasttime is to drag me off to see sappy love stories at the movies.

Today it was 'Cold Mountain,' a real groaner. I would have been much happier trudging around in the rain with my camera in tow, even if there wasn't anything to take pictures of.

:) Tom

[defordphoto]

:) I understand, Tom. Again, I am blessed. Probably more than I know as it does make it much easier to purchase gear.

"Honey, you know (we) I need the 550EX." "Yes, we(you) do. Go ahead and get it."

I'm already hitting her up for the Quantum battery pack. She's squenching her face when I say that still. I predict the Quantum in my bag by 01/15/04. Charging little AA's is so annoying...

[Belmondo]

My wife and I didn't exchange Christmas presents this year. I've been hitting the credit card pretty heavy with lens purchases recently, and she just bought some jewelry at Tiffany’s and had a fur coat ‘remodeled.’ (In retrospect, I could have bought a big L prime lens for what those two escapades cost.)

No matter. Our wedding anniversary is January 19, and in her mind, that’s a far bigger deal than Christmas. I’ll probably be able to work her for something ‘special’ between now and then. The hard part is deciding what I want next. I don’t use what I have, and I’m actually starting to run out of room in the home office where I store all this stuff. Maybe it’s time for a PC upgrade or a new printer or something.

Anyway, your wife sounds like a delight. You’re a lucky individual.

Thos.

[mebow]

Most of my photography centers around a road trip so the easy answer is “ I take it all !”.

I have a sherpa (http://home.earthlink.net/~mr1634) that allows me to take a ton of equipment from the car to most trails or other outdoor photo sites. The sherpa load is basically one Tamrac backpack, one large Canon Pro bag, one large lens case, one large tripod bag with tripods and monopods and heads inside, binocs and some water/food.

If, for whatever reason, I leave a piece of gear at home that will be the one I need in the field…

[KennyG]

RichardtheSane wrote: How much of your camera gear do you take with you when you go out to dome some photography?

I have to take too much unfortunately. This was taken by a friend when I was checking out my gear before heading off to shoot a rally.


http://www.stiuk.dial.pipex.com/kit-to-go-web.jpg

[boBquincy]

I take the minimum I can for the photographs I wish to take. My usual is:

10D
24-85
70-200
2 oz monopod
CF cards, batteries, etc.

Lately I have been carrying a lens case (for the 70-200) with a shoulder strap. I attach a tiny case to the strap for the CF cards and stuff, and I just hand-carry the 10D w 24-85.

If the weather is questionable this can change, I like the LowePro AW series of bags, with their 'raincoats'. The 'mini' fits the 10D w 24-85 and a 50mm f1.8.

If I want some low-light photographs I carry a 50mm f1.8, in a small pouch (designed for a tiny camping stove) usually attached to the strap or to my belt.

If I am *really* concerned about size/weight I substitute a 55-200 for the 70-200. It's not near the same quality but is a *lot* smaller & lighter.

I know this is not much but it's all I care to carry for a whole day, especially when hiking around theme parks in hot weather.


boB

[Vegas Poboy]

Purchase an SUV and carry everything that way you won't hate yourself for leaving gear behind. Unless it's a known job I carry it all and once I get to the site I sort things out from there including film equipment. As a photographer if you purchase it , carry it & use it.

[Scottes]

As a photographer if you purchase it , carry it & use it.

Your sig lists 2 cameras, 9 lenses, 3 flashes, and doo-dads. Do you really *carry* all that????

[Vegas Poboy]

Yes, with the exception of quick shoots (parties, direct assignments for class and air travel).
I have a Ford Explorer & my general bag is a Domke J2 which I carry the 10D and 4 lenses & 550 flash. One of the other bags is the Lowepro Pro Trekker which I carry all my other gear including my camcorder with. Tripod & Monopod stays in the car @ all times.
The Elan II is a great backup and the Ftb is great for E6, multiple exposures and landscape shots @ night.
I still like shooting B&W, E-6 and infrared films depending on the scene. As long as I attend classes I have full access to studio lighting & darkroom supplies, so I can reproduce true B&W and Infrared also when I can get my hands on a Mamiya 645 I carry it too.
Digital is great & I try to use it as much as possible, even when doing classwork but there is some things it can't match with film and when you go on a shoot and miss a shot due to the equipment you left behind it hurts. I also carry a laptop on weekend shoots for downloading of picks.
In general it all depends on what you want, I have the cargo space and when out for a day or more it's a lot of fun to capture images in mutliple formats and types of film I have mentors who still carry large format & @ the same time carrying digital.
Again why have it if you're not going to use it