What's in Your Camera Bag?

[hannahthiem]

<p>What do you carry around with you on general photo excursions?<br>

Name a list of your essential items you have at hand--even down to the camera bag, accessories, etc.</p>

[pjmeade]

<p><a title="Family portrait by Peter Meade, on Flickr" href=" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3068/2752735879_fcbaffdd5b.jpg" alt="Family portrait" width="500" height="289" /></a><br>

I'll take a selection from this lot (and more recent additions). It really depends on what I'm going to photograph.<br>

For cricket shot from a single angle, I could get away with 40D+300/4 IS +/-1.4x, for a horse show or polo tournament, everything I've got.<br>

In addition to these Items, I've usually got a couple of flash extension cables, a fibre towel, note pad and pen, business cards, CF cards and batteries.</p>

[luis_g]

<p> I have a closetful of camera bags in various sizes/designs, but currently, I am using an M-Classic bag which I fit with Domke inserts.</p>

<p>http://www.mclassics.com/</p>

<p> What goes in the bag varies. In general, for a day-long outing, usually one DSLR (or film SLR or RF) with a short zoom, a 50/1.8, /1.4 or /1.2 and a spare camera in the form of a P&S. I carry enough batteries for the memory cards aboard (8-12 gigs for the SLR), 6 gigs for the P&S. The OEM lens shade(s) for the glass that goes along installed on the lenses. Flash sometimes, either the dedicated pro unit or more often a small, older, non-dedicated flash/cord which are tiny, lightweight, and if you know what you're doing, capable. I carry one polarizer screen, no other filters, rocket blower, lens tissue, small writing pad, pen, aspirin, small locking knife, Kleenex, reading glasses, 3-5 thick rubber bands, small Sigg aluminum waterbottle that fits snugly in front pocket, a neatly folded trash bag, 3 days' worth of meds, a few loose Band-Aids, 2 safety pins, small carabiner clip (for my umbrella if it looks rainy), tiny AM/FM radio & ear buds, spare AAA's for it, tiny 1AAA Maglite, 5x$10 bills, phone card in case I lose my phone, and 2 Energy Bars. Sometimes a Leitz table tripod, or the lighter Polaroid copy with the Leitz small ballhead. Sometimes I'll throw in a magazine or paperback I'm reading, and/or a small sketch pad & mechanical pencil, or watercolor kit. If the weather looks iffy, I'll throw in a technical shell that folds into its own pocket, and a windproof, lightweight, foldable cap. If the situation looks iffy, like there could be an unexpected overnighter, I fold a technical cloth t-shirt, one pair of undies and socks along the bottom of the bag. It's tall enough.</p>

<p> If I carry any more weight, or intend to travel in long hikes in nature, I carry a backpack, but that's usually not a "general" excursion.</p>

<p> </p>

[fullmetalphotograper]

<p><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3589/3666876333_57d53642b8_o.jpg" alt="" /><br>

<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3655/3667681764_ec59d07228_o.jpg" alt="" width="396" height="241" /><br>

<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3307/3274089120_1d61932357_m.jpg" alt="" width="240" height="160" /></p>

<p>Film 2 Nikon F5 cameras, 1 N09s Camera<br>

Main Camera Nikon D3<br>

Backup Cameras Nikon D70s, Nikon D2X<br>

(2) SB-800s<br>

Tokina 300mm f/2.8<br>

Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR<br>

Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8<br>

Tokina 28-70mm f/2.8<br>

Nikon 18-70mm f3.5-4.5<br>

Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8<br>

Nikon 12-24mm f/4<br>

2 Norman ML600R<br>

Alien Bee RingFlash<br>

Smith Victor FL160, One Monolight Hair Lighting Kit</p>

<p>2 Botero Super Collapsible Background - 8x16' backdrops<br>

A couple of Joseph M. Proscia backgrounds with autopoles.<br>

I also have several manual focus lenses and film cameras and several gadgets.<br>

Not to forget 2 Canon XL-1S video cameras. My work tends to be more location driven so when I need studio set ups i bring them with me.</p>

 

[piotr_smolanski]

<p>Mamiya Rz Pro II with 110mm f2.8<br>

100-200mm f5.2 Zoom<br>

A few rolls of Astia or Provia<br>

Kenko 2100 light meter<br>

Some filters.</p>

[kris-bochenek]

<p>D300 with grip, D200<br>

Tamron 17-50 f2.8 welded to my D300 Sigma 10-20 Nikon 50mm f1.8 Sigma 70-200 f2.8<br>

2 SB600 flashes<br>

2 sets of Cactus V2s triggers with Anthena mod<br>

4 Nikon batteries<br>

2 8Gb cards<br>

cleaning fluid, microfiber cloth, air blower, pen, notepad, bouce card I made myself, stofen omnibounce, Nikon MC-30 cable release, few rubber bands, plastic bag, some AA batteries, battery charger, and the last but one of the most important my Tripod and Cullman ballhead that supports 60lbs.<br>

I think that's all.</p>

[kfoster70]

<p>Nikon D300 and D200, both with grips<br>

Nikon 70-200mm AFS VR<br>

Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8<br>

Nikon 12-24mm f/4<br>

Nikon 60mm f/2.8 Micro<br>

Nikon SB-800<br>

Sigma 150mm f/2.8 Macro<br>

Nikon 50mm f/1.4<br>

Nikon MC-30 remote<br>

5 2gb CF cards<br>

60gb Photo Bank to back up CF cards<br>

Tamrac Explorer 5 backpack, Manfortto 3221 tripod with 488cr2 Head, lens wipes, handi wipes, lots of batteries, Cokin Filters, and bean bags. This is what I normally grab for just everyday shooting.<br>

If Im doing some more specialized I may add some other gear.<br>

Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 2 ring<br>

Nikon 300mm f/4 D<br>

Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 HSM<br>

Nikon 105mm f/2.8 micro<br>

Nikon 35mm f/2<br>

Nikon 85mm f/1.8<br>

Nikon 35-70mm f/2.8<br>

2 Nikon SB-600's<br>

Nikon R1C1 macro flash<br>

Sigma Ring flash EM-140DG<br>

Nikon MC-36 remote<br>

Lowepro Magnum AW bag<br>

2 manforotto 3001 tripods with heads<br>

I also have but rarely use Nikon F100 and N90s.</p>

<p> </p>

[leo_papandreou1]

<p>Spare batteries.<br /> Spare memory card or film, as warranted.<br /> Microfiber cloth.<br /> Swiss army knife.<br /> Allen key.<br /> Maglite.<br /> Pen & pad.<br /> Tiny tape measure.<br /> 10x folding loupe.<br /> 2 small pony clamps.<br /> Cord.<br /> Deet.<br /> After Bite applicator pen.<br /> Moist towelettes.<br /> GPS on a carabiner clip.<br /> A Canon P&S in my clothing.<br /> Mid or wide zoom mounted on a (D)SLR.<br /> Short tele zoom.<br /> Closeup filter.<br /> Circular polarizer.<br /> A book.<br /> This summer, a small umbrella velcro-strapped to the bag.</p>

[mark_drutz]

<p>For a general photo shoot I carry as little as possible. Usually:</p>

<p>Nikon D60<br>

Nikon 10.5mm FF fisheye<br>

Sigma 10-20<br>

Nikon 18-200 VR<br>

Nikon 70-300 VR (sometimes)<br>

Usually one memory card and battery is/are (choose one) enough. A lens pen, microfiber cloth, eyeglass cleaning cloth (the viewfinder smudges my glasses). A Hoya S-HMC 1B filter on each lens. Hoods for each lens. Usually a Lowepro Nova 3 AW bag.</p>

[jpo3136b]

<p>http://www.agxphoto.com/2009/05/whats-actually-in-bag.html</p>

[Charles_Webster]

<p>Only what I need for the shoot I'm doing. I have way too much gear to lug it all around "just in case" so I have to think through what I'm shooting and where, and pack accordingly.<br>

For a casual "scenery and landscape" shooting day, it looks like this:<br>

Canon 50D<br>

Canon 17-40 f/4L<br>

Canon 60mm f/2.8 macro<br>

Tamron 70-200 f/4-5.6<br>

Two spare batteries<br>

Two spare 4GB memory cards<br>

ND and CPL filters for each lens<br>

Usually in a Lowepro Slingshot 200 bag</p>

<p><Chas><br /></p>

[lex_jenkins]

<p>I don't have a current photo of my Domke F6B and usual Nikon gear. But here's an old pic of my Olympus OM kit, all of which fit inside a little Beseler Lifestyle canteen bag.</p>

<p>Kinda looks like a clown car.</p><div></div>

[dan_mcenrue]

<p>Canon EOS 40D<br>

w/ the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L<br>

Generally use that combination as that lens can handle basically anything...<br>

For sports (mostly indoor) I use the EF 135mm f/2L.<br>

I keep the 50mm f/1.8 II in my bag for kicks.<br>

Beginning to use the 430EX II for some Strobist work as well.</p>

[pheniks]

<p>I pretty much carry my entire DSLR kit with me wherever I go in a Tamrac Backpack:</p>

<ul>

<li>Canon Rebel XTi/400D w/Targus Battery Grip</li>

<li>Canon EF 50mm/1.8</li>

<li>Tamron 28-80mm/3.5-5.6 (China) </li>

<li>Tamron55-200mm/4-5.6 (Japan)</li>

<li>UV and Circular Polarizer Filters for the above lenses</li>

<li>4 x 4GB CF Cards</li>

<li>Spare Battery Grip AA Magazine Loaded and Spare AA's</li>

<li>PC to Hot-Shoe Adapter</li>

<li>PC to Phono Synch Cord</li>

<li>Canon Battery Charger</li>

<li>1/2" Black Gaffer's Tape</li>

<li>Microfibre Lens Cloth</li>

<li>Moleskin Notebook (2)</li>

</ul>

<p>Though I don't currently use it, I recently was given my father's film SLR (the one I used throughout junior high and high school. This consists of a Pentax K-1000, 50mm Pentax Lens, 70-200mm Sears Lens, & a Thyristor Flash Unit. I think the camera needs a CLA and the 50mm lens has some slop in the focus ring.</p>

 

[wpahnelas]

<ul>

<li>nikon D700 w/grip</li>

<li>nikon D300 w/grip</li>

<li>nikkor 24-70/2.8</li>

<li>nikkor 70-300 VR</li>

<li>nikkor 35/2 AIS</li>

<li>nikkor 50/1.4 AI</li>

<li>nikkor 105.2.5 AI</li>

<li>SB600 speedlight</li>

<li>extra batteries, memory cards, rocket blower, wireless release, CF card reader, huey densitomitor, lens pens and microfiber cloths, insect repellent, reading glasses, wifi handheld computer, bungee cords</li>

</ul>

<p>is that enough?<br>

all this stuff (except one of the cameras) fits into a lowepro slingshot 300 AW, which goes where i go. contents may vary -- this is just the standard configuration. i break it down into a smaller (i mean much smaller) bag when i set out any distance on foot. </p>

[machts gut]

<p>I'm going on holidays tomorrow and will carry only my Oly XA with some TMax 100. Can't be bothered with heavy SLR-gear.</p>

[tom_martinson]

<p>Nikon D80<br>

Sigma 10-20mm HSM<br>

Nikon 18-70mm<br>

Nikon 70-300mm VR<br>

Nikon 60mm AF/S Micro<br>

SB600 flash w. reflector, gels<br>

Cokin and assorted filters<br>

Manfrotto tripod w. pistol grip head, remote shutter release cable.<br>

All in a Lowepro Slingshot 200 AW. or satellite bags hung off my backpack.<br>

For casual skiing/hiking excursions - Nikon P6000.</p>

 

[cameravoyages]

<p>I have started using the Lowepro Slingbag 300, but I am not totally happy with it. My standard gear for a nature walk:</p>

<ul>

<li>Manfrotto 190 tripod with Manfrotto ballhead</li>

<li>Nikon D80</li>

<li>Nikon 80 - 400mm VR zoom lens</li>

<li>Nikon 18 - 70mm zoom lens</li>

<li>Tamron 90mm DI Macro lens</li>

<li>Nikon SB-600 Speedlight</li>

<li>Macro flash bracket</li>

<li>Nikon SB-R200 Speedlight</li>

<li>Kenko Pro 1.4x teleconverter</li>

<li>Kenko extension tube set</li>

<li>Polarizing filter</li>

<li>ND filter</li>

<li>Graduated ND filter with holder</li>

<li>Nikon ML-L3 remote release</li>

<li>Nikon right-angle viewfinder</li>

<li>Lumiquest Softbox</li>

<li>20" gold/white Lastolite reflector</li>

<li>38" Lastolite diffuser</li>

<li>Lenspen</li>

<li>microfibre cloth</li>

<li>spare batteries</li>

</ul>

<p>http://cameravoyages.wordpress.com/</p>

<p> </p>

[keith selmes]

<p>A Ricoh Gx100 and a microfibre cloth</p>

[marco_gonzalez1]

<p>Nikon D1h<br>

Nikon D40 (Back Up)<br>

Nikon 50mm 1.8 Lens AF<br>

Nikon 18mm-55mm 3.5-5.6<br>

Nikon SB600 Flash<br>

Extra Batteries (D1h, AA)<br>

Battery Chargers<br>

1 Lens/Body Cap each<br>

4 CF/SD Cards for each body<br>

Tripod (Always have one in the car)<br>

Generic Shoulder Camera Bag</p>

<p> </p>

[jennifer_spencer]

<p>For general outing:<br>

35mm bag (medium sized Nikon bag):<br>

Nikon F100 or D200 body, depending on my preference<br>

18-35mm Nikon f3.5 DX lens<br>

105mm macro Nikkor lens<br>

55mm macro Nikkor f2.8 lens<br>

50mm f1.4 Zeiss F-mount lens<br>

28-85mm f3.5 Nikon lens<br>

cleaning cloth<br>

extra batteries<br>

pc cord, cable release<br>

a pen, a coin for my tripod head & a tripod mount plate<br>

extra roll of film or an extra memory card, depending on whether I use a separate film bag.<br>

Circular polarizer filter, light rose warming filter and ring adapters.<br>

Kleenex in case of allergies & my car key tucked away so I won't scratch those filters I always manage to put in my pockets.</p>

<p>For specific needs, I have other kits in bags (Rollei TLR, my Noblex 135U) and cases (my graphic view 4x5). Each auxilliary camera has its own bag and case, with its own accessories if they are cheap enough or may be needed by more than one camera at a time, such as the tripod plate or cable release. I try to keep the bags as small and complete as possible. That way, when I am wondering "gee, should I really bring a camera? I am already late...", it's no effort. I can pick one up, grab a couple rolls of film from my film drawer, and know that I'll be able to shoot something if I want to.</p>

[nhut-nguyen]

<p>Canon EOS 40D + BG-E2N and Canon EF 400mm f/5.6 L USM. Two 4-gb CF cards, three BP-511 batteries and a Giotios Rocket Blower.</p>

[ram_prasad3]

<p>Canon PowerShot A710 IS<br /><strong>Nikon D80</strong><br />Nikon ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control<br />Nikon Backpack for DSLR, Lenses, and Laptop (Compaq V6000)<br>

Lowpro TLZ2 V Pouch<br>

<strong>Various Lenses</strong><br />Nikkor Prime 50mm f/1.8D AF;<br>

Nikon AF Nikkor 24-85mm f/2.8-4D IF<br />Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom Lens; <br />Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED (4.3x) AF-S VR Zoom <br />Cosina 70-210mm f/4.5-5.6 MACRO AF Wide Angle Telephoto Lens;<br>

Nikon SB-400 Speedlight<br>

<strong>Giottos VT808</strong> - Tripod<br>

<strong>Manfrotto 676B</strong> - Monopod</p>

<p> </p>

[robert f]

<p>Leica M6<br>

Voitlander 28mm, f1.9 lens<br>

Canon 30D<br>

Canon 28mm - 135mm, f3.5, image stabalizer<br>

small hand tripod<br>

Domke bag</p>

[davefultzjr]

<p>In a Tamrac Shoulder bag:<br>

Canon T1i<br /> Canon EF 28mm f1/2.8 Mark I<br /> Canon EF 50mm f1.1.8 Mark I<br /> Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS<br /> Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS<br /> IR remote control<br /> cables - USB & TV<br /> spare mem cards<br /> small table tripod<br /> couple of haze filters<br /> circular polarizer<br /> 3 batteries<br /> lightweight beanbag<br /></p>

<p> </p>