Whats in your camera bag

[antarcticbeech]

Well, one thing is photography for fun and another different story for work.

For sure. I have the luxury of just playing in my little sandpit.

[Shaktipalooza]

Just for the sake of argument, how much does all that weight?

If I have my largest pack with nearly all my lenses it's probably over 40lbs. Most of the time I'm carrying a little over half that weight. My latest camera pack is ultra lightweight Kata Bumblebee 222 at 2.3kg. It's best feature is non-absorbant shoulder straps that won't rot in the jungle (I've learned from experience).

If studio lighting gear is involved, bring a truck.

Yeah I really don't see any enjoyment in carrying a lot of gear.

You are preaching to the choir. Every lens I own for a reason. Low light, depth of field, stealth, sharpness, compression, composition, perspective, are among some of the factors to be considered. One thing I do find pointless when traveling is a battery grip, it's dead weight and IMHO has nothing to do with the oft quoted 'balance' of the camera/lens setup.

That is quite the selection of L glass. The 300mm 2.8...... thats a big chunk of glass. I am sure you are excited about the 5Dmk3 announcement.

I'm sure the 5DmkIII will be great but I'll probably wait a few months. I don't need more pixels, would rather have better high ISO and autofocus.

[urodacus]

I don't know how you guys do it, economically or physically. Well, I do know: You spend a shitload of money and carry very heavy things. But still, I'm glad I'm not a professional photographer.

relax, you're better than most professional photographers. keep carrying nearly nothing.

[Abacus]

I'll try to take a photo of my gear sometime but it's pretty compact compared to the awesome but heavy kits above. I do a lot of hiking and I've optimized (as far as DSLR's go) for that. I usually have a fairly light daypack with various stuff (raincoat, snacks, drinks, umbrella, keys, wallet, etc...) included. I'm definitely not a pro though. I just enjoy taking cityscapes/landscapes along with trying new things.

Pentax K200D - 630 gm - to be replaced this summer by a K-5 or the new mirrorless K-01

I only use primes currently although I'll probably buy a zoom or two in the future. I also typically use old manual focus lenses (dozens I think...) except for one wide (15mm) and one normal (40mm). Each of my MF lenses cost $40-$80.
typical kit:
Pentax DA15f4 - 212gm
Pentax 28f2.8 - 156gm
Pentax DA40f2.8 - 90gm and/or Pentax 50f1.7 - 185gm
Pentax 135f3.5 - 270gm

49mm filter kit and wallet - 3 stop ND, 9 stop ND and CPL
Cleaning kit - blower, lenspen and pentax lollipop (sensor cleaner)
tiny remote
1 kg tripod - full height if extended all the way but usually I work lower
maybe a lens hood
maybe a camera body case
spare batteries and SD card

[antarcticbeech]

I don't know how you guys do it, economically or physically. Well, I do know: You spend a shitload of money and carry very heavy things. But still, I'm glad I'm not a professional photographer.

relax, you're better than most professional photographers. keep carrying nearly nothing.

Fuck yeah. What a beautiful documentation of Taiwanese street life.

[Super Hans]

relax, you're better than most professional photographers. keep carrying nearly nothing.

+1

Lots of kit is usually for non-professionals to hide behind in many professions.

[cfimages]

I don't know how you guys do it, economically or physically. Well, I do know: You spend a shitload of money and carry very heavy things. But still, I'm glad I'm not a professional photographer.

Economically it's not a big deal because it pays for itself fairly quickly. My last major purchase was the 5DII and that was paid for by one job. A lot of the other gear I have is stuff I receive through sponsorships from a couple of photography companies so I get the gear for free. The only reason for upgrades is because clients require it or because of something game-changing between introduced (eg video on the 5DII) or something breaks.

As for weight, that's also not a big deal. If I need a lot of gear for the job, then I'll likely have an assistant who can help with the carrying, and only need to actually carry it from taxi to office or airplane to taxi. No one's carting all that shit around all on their backs all day.

If I'm just out photographing on my own, I'll normally be working out of a shoulder bag with one body and 1-2 lenses, plus maybe a tripod (which is carbon fiber and weighs next to nothing). If it's a fast moving event, then I'll have a second body on the go as well.

[Icon]

Well, one thing is photography for fun and another different story for work. I get the riot act read by the art department people everytime I use any of the "lesser" cameras -the semi or full zakua or not DSLR cameras- for our pictures. And I actually do not take anything particularly difficult, but rather what I call "school prom like" pics, mostly. And objects in exhibits. Groups of people. Conferences and exhibition events. Seems nothing out of the extraordinary but the camera lens rules in definition and color. Heck, even my coworkers Canon 600D image sometimes falters comares to the full Canon mamooth we sometimes use. So, yes, sometimes the load is necessary.

I totally get this. Especially in taiwan were everyone owns a DSLR

Tell me about it. I drool over the stuff most kids carry around their necks, the latest gear. And you can't go on a hike without hitting a tripod and it's owner, both loaded with that awesome but incredibly expensive arm lenght telephoto lenses.

[Poagao]

I don't know how you guys do it, economically or physically. Well, I do know: You spend a shitload of money and carry very heavy things. But still, I'm glad I'm not a professional photographer.

relax, you're better than most professional photographers. keep carrying nearly nothing.

Fuck yeah. What a beautiful documentation of Taiwanese street life.

Thanks!

[bitcrusher]

Well, one thing is photography for fun and another different story for work. I get the riot act read by the art department people everytime I use any of the "lesser" cameras -the semi or full zakua or not DSLR cameras- for our pictures. And I actually do not take anything particularly difficult, but rather what I call "school prom like" pics, mostly. And objects in exhibits. Groups of people. Conferences and exhibition events. Seems nothing out of the extraordinary but the camera lens rules in definition and color. Heck, even my coworkers Canon 600D image sometimes falters comares to the full Canon mamooth we sometimes use. So, yes, sometimes the load is necessary.

I totally get this. Especially in taiwan were everyone owns a DSLR

Tell me about it. I drool over the stuff most kids carry around their necks, the latest gear. And you can't go on a hike without hitting a tripod and it's owner, both loaded with that awesome but incredibly expensive arm lenght telephoto lenses.

I know, I like to take pictures of pepole taking pictures of things My last project that is pretty much what I did . http://vimeo.com/37587145