Now that I'm past 60 with knees and feet that ache if I carry too much weight too far, I've been on a large format field kit weight reduction plan.
Below are photos of my current field kit. It can be configured for either 4x5 or 5x7, the only difference being the camera, lenses, and film holders. Total weight of each kit (either 4x5 or 5x7) including the tripod is a bit less than 15 pounds (6.8 kg).
Show us yours!
The backpack is a Lowepro Flipside 300. I have bigger bags, but what happens when we have a big bag? We tend to fill it, which is counter-productive to saving weight. The ounces add up fast!
Tripod is an aluminum Gitzo 2220 with the column removed and a small pan-only head in its place. Tripod and head together weigh 4.5 pounds (2 kg). I could probably save a pound or so going with a carbon fiber tripod, but this one is pretty light as it is, and CF is more likely to blow over in the wind. The 2220 model is easy to level because the legs are infinitely adjustable.
Pack by Marco Wikstrom, on Flickr
Backpack open with the 4x5 kit inside. The 5x7 kit fits almost the same way, except only half the film holders will fit. For 4x5 I take between 4 and 6, 5x7 2 to 3.
open pack by Marco Wikstrom, on Flickr
4x5 kit. Tachihara camera with a 135mm Caltar II N f5.6, and a Fujinon A 240mm f9. The rest is the same as the 5x7 kit except of course the film holders. I use the same set of 52mm filters for the lenses in both 2-lens kits.
4x5 by Marco Wikstrom, on Flickr
5x7 kit. Current model Intrepid camera with a Fujinon A 180mm f9, and a Nikkor Q 300mm f9.
5x7 by Marco Wikstrom, on Flickr
Some extra lenses that stay in the car unless they're really needed. For the 4x5 I bring a 65, 90, and 400 telephoto, and for the 5x7 I bring a 125 and sometimes also the 400 telephoto.
lenses by Marco Wikstrom, on Flickr
Below are photos of my current field kit. It can be configured for either 4x5 or 5x7, the only difference being the camera, lenses, and film holders. Total weight of each kit (either 4x5 or 5x7) including the tripod is a bit less than 15 pounds (6.8 kg).
Show us yours!
The backpack is a Lowepro Flipside 300. I have bigger bags, but what happens when we have a big bag? We tend to fill it, which is counter-productive to saving weight. The ounces add up fast!
Tripod is an aluminum Gitzo 2220 with the column removed and a small pan-only head in its place. Tripod and head together weigh 4.5 pounds (2 kg). I could probably save a pound or so going with a carbon fiber tripod, but this one is pretty light as it is, and CF is more likely to blow over in the wind. The 2220 model is easy to level because the legs are infinitely adjustable.
Pack by Marco Wikstrom, on FlickrBackpack open with the 4x5 kit inside. The 5x7 kit fits almost the same way, except only half the film holders will fit. For 4x5 I take between 4 and 6, 5x7 2 to 3.
open pack by Marco Wikstrom, on Flickr4x5 kit. Tachihara camera with a 135mm Caltar II N f5.6, and a Fujinon A 240mm f9. The rest is the same as the 5x7 kit except of course the film holders. I use the same set of 52mm filters for the lenses in both 2-lens kits.
4x5 by Marco Wikstrom, on Flickr5x7 kit. Current model Intrepid camera with a Fujinon A 180mm f9, and a Nikkor Q 300mm f9.
5x7 by Marco Wikstrom, on FlickrSome extra lenses that stay in the car unless they're really needed. For the 4x5 I bring a 65, 90, and 400 telephoto, and for the 5x7 I bring a 125 and sometimes also the 400 telephoto.
lenses by Marco Wikstrom, on Flickr
