How do you carry your stuff?

[tony fanning]

To those of you who work alone (no assistances), how do you carry about, and look after your gear when you are working? I have a large shoulder bag but I`m thinking of getting a backpack style bag- Lowepro or something similar. I hate putting my bag down but sometimes it can`t be helped.

[mizuno]

You can get wheelie bags with security cords - you can lock them to something if you need to leave them for a short time.

[wilky95]

I have a back pack that stays on my back or at my feet then reception time its in the car or the wife has it as she helps then. I never put it down and leave it as it has to have $2500 of your money in it at any one time.



Martin


To those of you who work alone (no assistances), how do you carry about, and look after your gear when you are working? I have a large shoulder bag but I`m thinking of getting a backpack style bag- Lowepro or something similar. I hate putting my bag down but sometimes it can`t be helped.

[coreypolis]

combo of bags. the wife looks after the big ones, the little one stays on me


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/viperx27/IMG_3528.jpg

[Rellik]

I'm currently using lowepro's street and field gear. It's modular so you can adapt it to what your needs are. I only carry the essential, and what I have on it is a case for 70-200 and another one that is used to hold film from lowepro, but works great since it has dividers and can hold a lens, flash, and all cf cards. Plus I have the CP-E3 on it. I got the idea for this setup from another pro. Goes on and off pretty fast and doesn't get in the way when shooting.

[DocFrankenstein]

I use lowepro street and field harness and belt. It's really nice if you want to run around with all the lenses you have and not put down anything.

You just add a bunch of pouches for lenses and accessories and it all is hanging on you quite comfortably. The weight is disributed nicely on your hips and back.

After carrying 15 pounds of gear for 15 hours, I did get a bit tired, but didn't feel any strain. Very comfortable, but bulky and attracts attention.

[tony fanning]

Cheers guys, I`ll check out those ideas.

[sapearl]

Check out the Airport Security rolling bag made by ThinktankPhoto - just got one last week. They make a whole like of rollers, backpacks, belts, packs.... very high quality material. - Stu

[picturecrazy]

Check out the Airport Security rolling bag made by ThinktankPhoto - just got one last week. They make a whole like of rollers, backpacks, belts, packs.... very high quality material. - Stu


ZING!!!
LOVE that bag. It's designed specially for photographers. Here is mine, as you can see you can shove a LOT of stuff in it!

http://www.nightanddayphoto.ca/misc/gearbag.jpg


Key features of this bag:

-The two main zipper handles lock into a built-in combo lock. Nobody can easily get into your main compartment with these done up.

-Security cable built into the back (and hidden nicely when not used) so you can lock your bag to a post or something so nobody can take off with the whole bag without some good tools

-Size qualifies as carry-on with most major airlines.

-Double front opening so you can pull gear out without laying it flat down.

-Tripod and lightstand holder on the side

-Backpack straps... if you encounter a path the roller wheels just can't handle.

-Laptop pouch

-A ton of flat compartments to hold all the little, flatter stuff. (like cards, gels, etc...)

-Fully customizable interior, of course.

-Rollerblade bearings and wheels, so easy to find replacements... and it rolls REALLY REALLY smoothly

-Handle on top and on the side

-Rain cover included

-Tough, rigid construction. Can take a few tumbles and I probably wouldn't have to worry about gear damage.


This thing is AWESOME, holds a ton, and you can tell it is purely designed for photographers like US who are constantly on the go. I'd highly recommend it to EVERYBODY on this wedding forum!

[sapearl]

Picture, I knew you were a wise man of taste, but now I see it extends to style ;) .

Yes, it seems to be a wonderful bag. It was on back order for me so I had to patiently wait. But it's allowed me to consolidate all my gear down to a single bag. My Bogen tripod though is a bit to large for that side pouch, so I'll still sling it on my shoulder in the old cotton Domke case.

[tazzman270]

ZING!!!
LOVE that bag...you can shove a LOT of stuff in it!...Key features ...
holds a ton..

And weighs in at ? ? ? ... oh man! can't even pick it up to weigh it..just a sec (as he unloads some batteries and gagets) it's not all that heavy...honestly. :lol:

Very nice kit!

[liza]

Wheelie bag. And I paid my teenage son 50 bucks to be my assistant for the day. It was well worth the money. :)

[CyberPet]

Lloyd, thanks for that image. I've been thinking of that bag for a while, as I do have to travel a bit this year with full gear. So there's no problems using that bag as a carryon?

[picturecrazy]

Lloyd, thanks for that image. I've been thinking of that bag for a while, as I do have to travel a bit this year with full gear. So there's no problems using that bag as a carryon?

Well, it usually goes over the weight restriction, but it hasn't been a problem for me yet. If you want to bring tripods and lightstands, you may have to check those. But I usually don't bring those when I fly. I put my clothes in my second carryon so I never have to worry or wait for checked baggage. It's awesome!

I'd definitly recommend it. Yes, it may be heavy, but splitting it up into two bags isn't much lighter, and MUCH less convenient.

[picturecrazy]

My Bogen tripod though is a bit to large for that side pouch, so I'll still sling it on my shoulder in the old cotton Domke case.

Wow, that must be one heck of a tripod! I even find my tripod setup to be a little overkill!

[CyberPet]

Lloyd, I'm not too bothered about weight, I'm a good actress and can pretend it's light - I have yet have someone ask me to weigh the carryon. :D

Just found a retailer in Sweden, but they are out of stock. A hefty sum for the bag, but my Crumpler wasn't cheap either. I'll be packing stuff in my suitcase too, as I'll often use more than one tripod (as lightstands).

Oh, and you have no problems closing the bag with a laptop in it? I guess it's fairly high as you can have the flashes standing up. My Crumpler sux that way, not deep enough.

[sapearl]

Wow, that must be one heck of a tripod! I even find my tripod setup to be a little overkill!

Well, it's not the biggest of tripods - all collapsed with that 3047 head on it maybe it's about 34" long, and a little bulky. Perhaps there is some way to lash it to the bag with all they straps they include.... I just haven't had time to play with it yet. I guess I'm not too inclined since that heavy tripod would throw the weight off center when rolling.

Oh, and did I say straps and inserts? :D I can't tell you how many of those this thing came with. ThinkTank gives you more than enough well padded, nicely stitched inserts of varying sizes. Compartment configurations are extremely variable. I don't own one, put there is a very nice outside storage compartment for your laptop. - Stu

[CyberPet]

Gaaaaaaah! The Airport Security is out of stock in ALL Europe, and might not come in until June (I need one in mid May). Anyone know how the Airport International is? It's supposed to be smaller, but then i worry if I can't fit all the stuff in it. *sigh*

[picturecrazy]

Lloyd, I'm not too bothered about weight, I'm a good actress and can pretend it's light - I have yet have someone ask me to weigh the carryon. :grin:

Gaaaaaaah! The Airport Security is out of stock in ALL Europe, and might not come in until June (I need one in mid May). Anyone know how the Airport International is? It's supposed to be smaller, but then i worry if I can't fit all the stuff in it. *sigh*

Yeah, nobody has weighed my carryon either, so that's why I said it hasn't been a problem. But it's sturdy enough that if I HAD to check it, it would be reasonably protected, though I'd still be worried. (I've seen how baggage guys throw and drop stuff)

Out of stock huh? I had the same problem and had to wait for mine too! You might have to order one from the states!

And yeah, it closes with a laptop, though I'd suggest a smaller thinner laptop. I have a Dell 15.4" widescreen laptop that is really thick and big. My next one is going to be small, like a 12" screen.

[picturecrazy]

Well, it's not the biggest of tripods - all collapsed with that 3047 head on it maybe it's about 34" long,

holy smokes, that's huge. I rarely ever use mine, i'd be leaving that monster at home. :)


Oh, and did I say straps and inserts? :D I can't tell you how many of those this thing came with.

yes, I know. I didn't even use half of them. I used some of them as a 'floating floor' and cover for smaller lenses to give them even more impact protection. It's truly awesome.

[tony fanning]

I appreciate all your answers guys, I really only wanted to know about working a wedding and carrying all your gear around- surely you can`t carry that beast around with you all day. Do you lock it up somewhere and decant the bits you actually need at that moment into a more managable bag?

[Toogy]

Lloyd, where did you get that bag in Canada?

Tony, as for how I work during a wedding, I usually just have one camera around my neck with my 17-55 on it, an another on my shoulder with either the 70-200 or 85mm on it. Everything else currently stays in a lowepro magnum bag that I try and hide somewhere during the ceremony or put under the DJ's table during the reception.

[picturecrazy]

I appreciate all your answers guys, I really only wanted to know about working a wedding and carrying all your gear around- surely you can`t carry that beast around with you all day. Do you lock it up somewhere and decant the bits you actually need at that moment into a more managable bag?

I do have this around all day. It goes from site to site, and yeah, you can just lock it down once you get to each location. I just grab what I need and go... I don't carry other bags. I guess it also helps that I have an assistant.

[coreypolis]

THIS (http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&rls=GGLR,GGLR:2005-51,GGLR:en&sa=N&resnum=0&q=Lowepro%20Rolling%20CompuTrekker%20Plus%20AW%20&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&tab=wi) one impressed me, but I already have enough bags :o

[sapearl]

holy smokes, that's huge. I rarely ever use mine, i'd be leaving that monster at home. :).....

Well, I've owned it for over 20 years - a layover from my MF days... too good to junk or trade in ;) .

It usually stays in the back of the stationwagon except for the church service shots that I do from the back or balcony. The tripod is substantial, but it does hold that 5D/70-200 2.8 combo rock steady.

[picturecrazy]

Lloyd, where did you get that bag in Canada?


I went to The Camera Store in Calgary.


Tried henry's but they didn't have it. For some reason they had never heard of it, but that was over a year ago.

It was about $480. It's cheaper now:
http://www.thecamerastore.com/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=32001