What's in your bag

RalphLambrecht · Jan 10, 2018

What's in your camera bag but unlikely n others.what special gadget do you carry around just in case because you find it useful or handy mohave and others should consider it for their bag. I tart:
I hate to take notes in the field but find them useful; to make that easier, I carry a small voice recorder(dictaphone) the I can pull out and record what I would otherwise write down; much easier to do and can still write it down when I get home or back to the hotel.
for long exposure, I also carry a battery-independent mechanical stop watch.

Hatchetman · Jan 10, 2018

A two gallon Zip Lock bag that I can use as a camera cover in the rain.

chriscrawfordphoto · Jan 10, 2018

When I shoot digital, I carry a Sekonic C-700 Color Temperature Meter.

eddie · Jan 10, 2018

Hatchetman said:
A two gallon Zip Lock bag that I can use as a camera cover in the rain.

I take hotel shower caps for covering my 4x5 field camera in the rain.

removed account4 · Jan 10, 2018

hi ralph

i dont' carry much ...
my bag ( or box ) usually only has a camera body and lenses
but for the pouring rain i hace this weird thing ( for 35, )
like a small tarp with a window to shoot out of
IDK its like 15 years old and have used it a few times
other than that its just me, a camera, and thats it

Cholentpot · Jan 10, 2018

I have a hotshoe bubble level thingy I got for a buck on on fleabay.

Eric Rose · Jan 10, 2018

I carry:
1. poncho
2. stopwatch
3. flashlight
4. multitool
5. hat
6. notepad/pencil ( I like to draw pictures of the scene and put EV's on where I measure them, plus my ideas of how I want to print it)
7. model releases
8. business cards

This is when I'm out doing serious photography. When I'm just on a wander then it's just me and my camera. Generally with only one lens.

David A. Goldfarb · Jan 11, 2018

For digital, I often have my Zacuto finder in the bag. I find it necessary for video (because the LCD resolution is less than the sensor resolution, and can produce focus errors without a good magnifier or large external viewing monitor), but also handy for low light situations when shooting stills, when it can get tricky to focus through the viewfinder.

juan · Jan 11, 2018

My iPad. I use the BTZS system and downloaded the app to my iPad rather than a phone. I’ve found the iPad good for making additional notes such as camera movements and for taking a photo of the wider scene with the camera in it.

David Brown · Jan 11, 2018

One of those "old lady" eyeglass neck straps!

I wear glasses every waking moment, except when looking through a viewfinder. After years of laying them down haphazardly (and almost losing them or sitting on them) or holding them in my teeth, I bought one of those straps. Now have have multiples.

benjiboy · Jan 11, 2018

I carry a digital voice recorder, a Lastolite reflector, a Gary Fong Light Sphere, and a Vivitar 285 flash.

Ai Print · Feb 27, 2018

All my primary bags and packs have the following:

1. Two lens cleaning cloths.
2. Nikon cable release.
3. Thin rubber jar lid opener for jammed filters.
4. 3 band-aids.
5. Imodium AD, Ibuprofen, Zantac and aspirin.
6. Spare CR2032 meter battery.

David T T · Feb 27, 2018

I carry for every camera shoot involving a model:
- a mechanical timed release mechanism in case I need to hold a light/prop up away from my RB67 (never used it so far)
- gaffer tape...the duct tape of photography
- clips of various sizes for clothes
- rubber bands, zip ties, Velcro straps
- lightweight tent stakes and nylon rope (for light stands outside, natch)
- bicycle headlight for a focusing aid (I use speedlight, not strobes)
- backup PC cords and hot shoes
- model release forms
- slips for my lab prefilled with "TIFF" in the format field so I can't forget
- electrical tape
- all of my filters so I can't forget when shooting outside
- 2 flash mounts to attach to my L grip so I can't forget them if I need them
- and finally, 762,195 lens cloths

guangong · Feb 27, 2018

Depends on which camera. For 35mm long ago I used to lug a lot of stuff as others mentioned above. Nowadays one camera ( or two with films of different speed）and an additional lens and one or two filters and light meter, and spare battery if needed. Also a sketchbook as well as sometimes a miniature dry pan watercolor set. If using a folder, just camera and one filter.
On the other hand, if carrying Hassy in car, everything but kitchen sink. Ditto 4x5.
Oh, and in my pockets one or two Minox with accessories scattered in various pockets.

Army35mm · Feb 27, 2018

for street/shows/whatever I usually go pretty light.
2-3 rolls of HP5
maybe a roll of Agfa vista 400
Olympus XA if I need to use flash
Leica M3 with my super hazy canon serenar 50mm 1.8.
My bag is a lowepro event messenger 150 that is soon to be replaced(I may or may not have melted it a little bit by mistake)

When I was in korea, I would've added about 2-3 power banks for phone charging, my tablet, a set of headphones, 2-3 tall cans of Fight-Life(filite) beer. Extra shirt, underwear, socks. I usually stayed out Friday through sunday when I would go to seoul on the weekends, so I had to be ready, and I hate backpacks.

jim10219 · Feb 27, 2018

David Brown said:
One of those "old lady" eyeglass neck straps!

I wear glasses every waking moment, except when looking through a viewfinder. After years of laying them down haphazardly (and almost losing them or sitting on them) or holding them in my teeth, I bought one of those straps. Now have have multiples.

So do I. For several of my 35mm cameras, I use a diopter so I usually pull of my glasses before taking a shot. With the neck strap, I just have to drop them down without having to find a place to safely put them. For my large format cameras, I find it easier to see close up and compose under the hood without my glasses getting in the way. For waste level viewfinders on medium format cameras, my glasses are fine.

I also use a hat for large format photography. I find the dark cloth messes up my hair, which is kind long on top (but no where near long enough for a pony tail) and can get in my eyes, causing frustration. The hat keeps it out of the way. It also works as a lens shade, should I need one.

faberryman · Feb 27, 2018

I keep things simple and light. My digital kit includes cameras, lenses, batteries, cable release, ND filters, memory cards, and lens wipes. For my film kit, delete the batteries, substitute film for memory cards, and add red and yellow filters.

RalphLambrecht · Mar 1, 2018

Ai Print said:
All my primary bags and packs have the following:

1. Two lens cleaning cloths.
2. Nikon cable release.
3. Thin rubber jar lid opener for jammed filters.
4. 3 band-aids.
5. Imodium AD, Ibuprofen, Zantac and aspirin.
6. Spare CR2032 meter battery.

what does the Zantac do?

nmp · Mar 1, 2018

RalphLambrecht said:
what does the Zantac do?

Zantac is used to treat the heartburn when you have just spent 6 hours hiking with all your gear trying to shoot something but came back empty-handed.

PerTulip · Mar 3, 2018

- pen and notebook
- small bag with cleaning essentials (lens!)
- allen wrench
- multitool
- garbage bag
- flashlight
- ...and a ton of other stuff, depending on what I am doing (wildlife, city, sports,...)

What's in your bag

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