What’s in My Bag? |

What’s in My Bag?

Thursday 04 Jan 2007

I do a good bit of product photography as well as social event here and there, but most of what I shoot is just for me.

I’ve been fairly serious about photography for a few years now. I’ve always had a camera, but broke down and purchased my first film SLR about 8 years ago. Since then I’ve aquired a Holga medium format camera to mess around with, as well as a couple of old Kodak Brownies. I also got my wife a Canon SD550 that I try to steal whenever I can.

The move to digital was a no brainer. No longer to I have to wait for processing. I can shoot, process, proof and print in a matter of a few minutes.

When I go on a shoot, I get a lot of questions as to what all I carry. Honestly, it does tend to look like I’m carrying the kitchen sink on my back when I pack up and go, but then, I don’t want to miss anything while I’m out either! So whether I’m on a job or just out for fun, here’s what I grab for the trip…

Lowepro Computrekker Backpack - Love it, wouldn’t dream of carrying any equipment without it. I don’t always take my laptop along with me, but it’s nice to have the option if I need it. I love the adjustability of the pack, not to mention it’s extremely comfortable!

Nikon D70s- What good would it be to go shooting without a camera eh?

Sometimes if I’m shooting for fun I’ll take along my Holga and a couple of rolls of Illford 120 Color film. Despite thousands of dollars of digital equipment, sometimes nothing beats the beauty the soft focus of a plastic lens in a $12 camera.

As far as lenses go, I’m never without my Nikon primes. I always carry my 50mm f/1.4, 85mm f/1.8, and my 120mm f/2.8. Along with these I also carry diffusion, 81A warming, cirular polarizing and UV protection filters. I’m in the market for a couple of good wide angles as well… but until then, I make due with what I’ve got. As Ansel Adams once said “the best wide angle lens is taking two steps back and finding the ‘ah-ha.’”

Another lens I’ve come to love is my Lensbaby 2.0. At first I wasn’t all that impressed with it, but as I’ve learned how to use it better (or should I say, now that I know what I’m doing and can get predictable results…) I abolutely love the possibilities it gives me. I don’t think I’ve done a single portrait shoot without pulling this lens out at least twice!

In addition to the basics, I always keep a cleaning kit with me that includes lens solution and wipes, various types of Q-tips, and the ultimate must-haves: a Giotto Rocket Air - nothing gets rid of particle dust better than this thing!; and a Nikon Lens Pen.

I also bring my iPod along with me, both for tunes and storage if I need to dump some pictures on it to free up my cards.

I usually carry at least 8 gigs of 2gig compact flash cards. Many manufacturers are offering up to 16 gig cards, but honestly, I feel safer carrying multiple smaller size cards. I don’t ever want to get in a bind where a card goes bad and it has 3-4 jobs on it. 2 gig is really the maximum size card I want to deal with.

Depending on what type of shooting I’m planning on doing that day, I may or may not take a tripod, monopod, various cable releases, lights and umbrellas, reflectors etc.

But that’s about it for what’s in my bag, what’s in yours?

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