How do you guys carry stuff?

OK. So I've been doing this for a few years now. Every time I think I have a system down with regards to gear management and bags, something happens that forces me to re-think my strategy.

So just like my "what type of wedding photographer you think you are?" thread, I'd like to kind of pick your collective brains about how you "work" your gear with regards to carrying stuff around, lens selection, etc.

Here's my current "system".

Main Bags:

1. Think Tank Lens Changer 3.
   
2. Rolling luggage that almost holds everything...but not quite.
   
3. Bigger rolling luggage case that holds my lighting gear.

1. Getting Ready: 2 cameras + 2 lenses, typically the 50L and 85L. Lens Changer 3 with 3 lenses, typically the 24L, 45 TS-E, and 100L Macro. 600EX-RT on each camera.
   
2. Ceremony: Pretty much take everything inside the church, but essentially have the same amount of gear on me as #1, except the lenses would be different.
   
3. Formals/Group shots: Same as #1 with different lenses.
   
4. Reception: Same as #2. Plus my lighting gear.

I don't know how much help I will be since I don't have anywhere near that much gear, but, I have a 5d2 with a 70-200 on it almost exclusively until the reception. I keep the 50L and 17-40 in my think tank lens changer 3. My wife does the bride getting ready and has the 5d2 and 35L and 85 1.8 in her Kelly Moore bag. We each have a flash with us but it rarely gets used until the reception. We keep an umbrella softbox, reflective umbrella, few more speedlites, few stands in a cheap carry bag that moves from location to location and gets stored somewhere out of the way. Most times it doesnt get used but occasionally we break it out if needed. We havent gone to off camera flash at receptions yet but that will surely change when we do.

We keep macro tubes, backup equip, lens cleaning stuff backup batteries for the backup batteries (that are in our on person bags) in another bag that goes around with us to whatever location we're at, but gets set aside in a closet somewhere with the lighting gear.

I do envy all of the gear you have, but i'm not sure I would want to keep track of it all and carry it around. I'm sure once we get better we will want the creativity that the added gear allows but for now i'm very happy with our setup.

I do basically the same as you do Nick so I am going to wait for others to chime in.

Everything in a Think Tank Airport Security. I carry two cameras with two lenses (35L+85L or 35L+135L depending on how much room I have.)

I set up my quadra before the ceremony starts so after it I can just open the stand and shoot the formals quickly.

That's it. Keep it simple.

Think Tank something big and rolling. An assistant is invaluable.

tim wrote in post #14897596
An assistant is invaluable.

That's probably what it really boils down to.

I had a second shooter with me, but I don't ask second shooters to carry stuff around b/c I don't want the same thing asked of me when I second shoot.

So honestly, there's really only so much I can do when shooting by myself.

This weekend, I did have my "strobist" OCF stuff (compact lightstand, compact umbrella, triggers) ready to go...well not ready to go, but I could have assembled it in like 2 minutes, but that was going to be 2 minutes too long because I had only about 30-40 minutes to get all the formals and groups out of the way. So it was move to one location, shoot, then move to another, then shoot, etc.

If I had an assistant with me, that would have been a game changer.

So again, time to re-think strategy.

So I guess the more appropriate question would be, if you were in the situation I was in where you knew you wouldn't be able to get to your main rolling-whatever bag before the ceremony, and you didn't have an assistant with you, what would you have done?

In retrospect, given that I didn't end up using the OCF stuff, I think I would have kept with just the Lens Changer 3, the 2 camera setup with 3 additional lenses in the Lens Changer 3. Or at least, put the OCF stuff in a separate bag that would be more manageable than the TT Antidote.

Because I'm thinking for the couple session, I like my 50L, 85L, and 70-200L. For the ceremony, I like my 24L, 70-200L, and maybe an ultra wide like the 8-15L(Use it at 15mm 99% of the time) or 16-35L. That's 5 lenses right there, 2 mounted on the cameras, and 3 in the Lens Changer 3. In fact, I can shoot the entire day with those lenses.

I've never found second shooters that helpful. An assistant that shoots a bit is far more valuable to me.

tim wrote in post #14897826
I've never found second shooters that helpful. An assistant that shoots a bit is far more valuable to me.

I guess that's where we differ. I appreciate a good second shooter. This past weekend, it was like have 2 primary shooters. We both got great stuff. Just more value to the client.

However, I agree that it's sounding like having an assistant there would also be invaluable in certain situations.

No disrespect intended with my comment and I don't know what your physical conditioning is. But consider your physical condition.
Start working out, get in better shape which would allow you to carry more stuff without the physical after effects.

Shootsac with 3 additional lenses, camera on hand. All I need really.

Here is how I roll Nick. I have an extra Hand Bag that I use, if you want it out, just shoot me your address and I will send 1 your way.

Gripped 5D2 (2 batteries) on me all day
50D (only for the Ceremony)

1. ThinkTank Belt & Pouches (on my waist all day)
a. 50mm
b. 17-35mm
c. 24-70mm
d. 70-200mm - too big & heavy but I can’t put it away
e. 580ex2
f. Extra CF card, 4AA, Flip-it, BC

2. Hand Bag
a. 50D – Backup and 2nd body during the Ceremony
b. 100 Macro - Only out for the ring then back in the bag
c. BlackRapid DR1 Double Strap
d. 3 Speedlites - 430ex2 backup and 560 x(2) for OCF
e. OCF Triggers, extra 12AA, extra CF cards, extra battery for 5D2 & 50D

3. Student Rolling Backpack
a. Lightstand (x2)
b. Tripod
c. Monopod
d. Umbrellas
e. Sandbags

All 1, 2 & 3 are ready the night before so in the morning I just throw them in the car and drive.
When I get on site what I bring with me is depending on packing distance and getting ready, ceremony & reception locations.
If I shoot getting ready at a Hotel or the Bride home then I only go in with Option 1 + Macro lens and 5D2. If all things are at 1 location then everything come with me.

Though I have all my gears with me but most of the time they are not that bad.
* 5D2 in one hand
* TT Belt on my waist
* Hand Bag on my shoulder
* Rolling Backpack on my other hand
I can walk somewhat comfortable for a couple hundred feet from point to point
I got my butt kick after every wedding though regardless of it is a big wedding or just a small one .

nicksan wrote in post #14897858
I guess that's where we differ. I appreciate a good second shooter. This past weekend, it was like have 2 primary shooters. We both got great stuff. Just more value to the client.

One day when you're as good as I am you won't need someone else covering your back

rob0225 wrote in post #14898025
No disrespect intended with my comment and I don't know what your physical conditioning is. But consider your physical condition.
Start working out, get in better shape which would allow you to carry more stuff without the physical after effects.

I admit, I'm waaaaay out of shape. That said, here's what I had.

Slung over my shoulders:
5D3 + 50L + 600-EX-RT
5D3 + 70-200 f2.8 IS MKII + 600-EX-RT

In my Lens Changer 3, slung over my right shoulder:
16-35L, 24L, and 85L

In my Antidote, on the ground when shooting, over my left shoulder when moving:
2 x YN-560 on a dual umbrella bracket
Compact light stand
Compact umbrella
8-15L, 45 TS-E, 100L and 135L.

That's pretty much everything. Was it a good idea? Heck no. Do I feel I can carry lots of stuff? Sure. I used to own a 200L f2 IS. Carried that thing to a trip to Japan a few years ago, along with a few lenses.

But this time, it proved to be a pain in the neck...literally. You think you can carry all that stuff and not have neck pain? More power to you man!

tim wrote in post #14898062
One day when you're as good as I am you won't need someone else covering your back

Oh snap! I guess I had that one coming!