Genral Equipment for your bag

[H4V0C]

Apart from the obvious,camera and bag,and excluding your lenses.What would you guys have in your bag's? i mean filters,spare batts etc.

If anyone could help me build my bag up to near professional level,i would be gratefully apreciative.

John

[ether]

Originally Posted by H4V0C

Apart from the obvious,camera and bag,and excluding your lenses.What would you guys have in your bag's? i mean filters,spare batts etc.

If anyone could help me build my bag up to near professional level,i would be gratefully apreciative.

John

The thing that would surprise you is how little is in a professionals bag

the assistant's on the other hand

don't forget a professional knows what he is going to capture before he sets out its always good practice to have a plan and take just what you need for that session

Ed

[H4V0C]

Cheers Ed,its what ive been doing,instead of taking a whole lot of equipment in my massive bag just taking the camera,tripod/monopod,and a cleaning cloth and flash difuser.

But ive be photographing a few of my friends bands lately and talked to them on the shots they want to begin with.but theres allways a few ideas that pop up on set,that is more ideal to do there,then to come back another day(genrally because we can only do that day)which is the only reason im asking for abit of help

Cheers for all the info you can help me with.

John

[ether]

Originally Posted by H4V0C

Cheers Ed,its what ive been doing,instead of taking a whole lot of equipment in my massive bag just taking the camera,tripod/monopod,and a cleaning cloth and flash difuser.

But ive be photographing a few of my friends bands lately and talked to them on the shots they want to begin with.but theres allways a few ideas that pop up on set,that is more ideal to do there,then to come back another day(genrally because we can only do that day)which is the only reason im asking for abit of help

Cheers for all the info you can help me with.

John

Well aside from what you mention above leaving out the flash diffuser which is really a wast of space as its the size of the light source that creates the hard edges (but thats another story)

after a range of lenses: fisheye, wideangle, telephoto, and fast prime

every thing else is to do with lighting :reflector, flash head, remote flash trigger, light stands and then theres the brolly, softbox, not forgetting the assistants lunch all of which I leave in the back of the car and fetch when I need them

I think you will get the picture because some times it can get in the way of spontaneity

Ed

[chris-p]

In my shoulder bag is my camera body, 4 lenses (10-20, 18-105, 70-300 amd 35mm f/1.8 but mainly bevause they all fit in not a very big bag) which covers just about every possibility. I also carry memory cards, a lens pen, remote release and circular polarisers.

If I've got my backpack (which is slightly larger) I also carry my ND grads. I don't carry a spare battery as the grip on my D90 holds 2 already and I've never used up both batteries in one go - even on a weeks holiday!

[H4V0C]

Cheers Chris,
all the info's great.i know theres not been much posts,but what i seem to gather is every photographer is carrying different equipment for their type of style.but the basic gear(lenses,Filtters etc) is all the same.

So i gather im not really going to find out what i want to know(Not meaning to offend),but instead i should just build up my own kit?

John

[ether]

Originally Posted by H4V0C

Cheers Chris,
all the info's great.i know theres not been much posts,but what i seem to gather is every photographer is carrying different equipment for their type of style.but the basic gear(lenses,Filtters etc) is all the same.

So i gather im not really going to find out what i want to know(Not meaning to offend),but instead i should just build up my own kit?

John

That just about sums it up

when doing indoor shoots I don't even take a spare card as I shoot tethered to my laptop and download direct

but that said I always have stuff in the car so I can get it if I need

Ed

[chris-p]

The one thing I learned that I didn't consider when buying cameras (first an Olympus E-510, now my Nikon D90) was what I wanted to shoot.

I read all the reviews, knew all the tech sheets off the top of my head etc. but it's not until you go and take pictures that you learn how and what you want to shoot. My advice is always start off with something thats relatively good value with 1 or 2 decent all round lenses and use it for a year. Then sit down and think about what you shoot, where you shoot it, why you shoot it the way you do and what might help you get better or branch out.

[flake]

A few of the more unusual things I carry are:

Variable ND filter (only if I got the tripod)
Digital spirit level (because the 5D MkII doesn't have one built in)
close up filters (unless I have the macro lens)
Rubber lens hood (the only way to get a decent image when the subject is behind glass)
If I don't have a clear idea of what I'll be shooting the 28 - 300mm IS L is the lens of choice, otherwise lenses to suit.
Flash gun, because even in bright light subjects can be back lit.
Elinchrom skyports (remote flash triggers)
A few home made flash modifiers

Not an exhaustive list !

[creid]

Wow!! I tend to carry my camera, the right lens for the occassion, a spare battery and CF card and maybe a cloth and a filter or two if needed... I tend to plan my shoots around what limited equipment I have instead of dragging ALL my kit around with me. I used to lug my backpack of gear around when I first started out BUT it started to turn into a bit of a chore and I'd miss great shots because I was titting around in my bag... PLUS I found days out became less fun and were more about the photographic side of things and less about just getting out and enjoying myself....

Carl