As I get older, I CANNOT carry the weight I used to in high school and college. So I have to compromise.
One body, one lens (a mid-range zoom).
- Nikon F2 or F3 with a 35-105 zoom.
I used a 43-86 in the old days, and it worked just fine as a general purpose lens. The 35-105 gives me wider and longer, for more flexibility, with very little additional weight.
If I want a lighter kit than the Nikon:
- Olympus OM1 or 3, or OM2 or 4, with a mid-range zoom.
If I want to do something different:
- A TLR.
Also:
- Film; 100 and/or 400 speed film, depending on the weather and where I am shooting. Color or B&W, planned in advance. Though I may carry a roll of the other type of film...just in case.
- Polarizing filter.
- Small, light tripod, with a LIGHT head. Again weight is a major factor, so compromise is part of the selection process.
- Cable release.
- Lens cleaning kit. Murphey will make sure that the filter will get dirty when you don't have a cleaning kit on you. Besides the cleaning kit is small and light.
- Hand held light meter, if the meter in the old camera does not work.