LIGHT Discussion: Gear

schmoo

[imgr]http://davidrosenthal.smugmug.com/photos/71890202_nga2Q-M-1.jpg[/imgr]
Your Bag: What's in it for you?

Photo by DavidTO

Landscape photographers (often) have the liberty of time. Unlike a sports game or fleeting human expressions, natural light, weather and the clock move at a (slightly) slower pace than the split second happenings in many other types of photography.

Through this, how do you prepare? Even with the added benefit of time, landscapists often have to hike through difficult terrain to reach the best locations, or camp and scout for days in the middle of nowhere.

Would you rather tote as much gear as you think you'll need? Or do you bring your favorites and shoot around any limitations? What experiences have shaped your decisions and how you choose your setup? Have there been times when you sorely missed something when trapped in the wilderness? Or did the handicap help you improve your flexibility as a photographer?

Talk about it here. Given the incredible images you all post on Dgrin, I know there are scores of stories waiting to be shared! :thumb

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JimKarczewski

I'd rather pack less than more. Carrying around a full pack is nothing less than hell when you are going up and down trails all day plus carrying camping supplies. I could easily get away with 2 lenses, my 50/1.4 and 16-35. 50 for stitched multi-row panos, 16-35 for single-row panos. Perfectly happy with that setup and I used it yesterday just discovering downtown Chicago. Though, I'll say my 50 multi-row pano (68 images) came out much better than my 16-35, but when you have a specific lighting condition and need to get a shot immediately, rather than over time, it's very helpful.

coscorrosa

I pack everything.

With tripod and bag that's around 35 lbs. of gear.

I'd rather pack something and not use it then need something and not have it. Not having a lens I want isn't an exercise in creativity, it's an exercise in frustration, and I'd rather get my exercise packing extra stuff that I might not use! Physical discomfort is temporary but missed opportunities are permanent.

Also - and this is my opinion and I know I'm probably in the minority - I don't think limiting your choices is a good way to improve your photography. I know some people feel that carrying around only a 50mm prime will "force" them into thinking in new ways or get them out of a rut. I disagree. To me that's like saying shooting with a P&S camera that doesn't allow you to choose the aperture or shutter speed will lead to more creative photographs. Limiting your choices is truly liberating - but only because it's one less thing you have to think about. But thinking is exactly what you should be doing when taking a photograph. You have to make a creative decision when you choose aperture and shutter speed, focal length is just another dimension but equally if not more important because it's what affects your composition the most.

Limiting your gear also gives you an excuse when the photos don't turn out. This is why I buy expensive gear and have the full spectrum of focal lengths available to me, so that when (not if!) things don't turn out, I can place the blame exactly where it belongs: Mother Nature

When shooting landscapes I think it's important to have a combination of lenses that cover 16-200mm (on a full frame body). For me that's a 16-35, 24-105, and 70-200. I don't care about IS on any lens I use for landscapes, and only care about large apertures for some isolated cases (such as shooting static star shots). I'll often flip between all three lenses within a single outing, usually I'll stuff the two extra lenses in my jacket so I can switch between them more quickly.

In addition to those landscape lenses, I'll usually pack a 100mm macro lens too (that I usually shoot at a large aperture). If there's any chance of wildlife, or I know there will be some opportunities for compressed landscape shots, I'll throw a 100-400mm in my bag as well. Both of these lenses I shoot hand-held most of the time.

I'm also paranoid, if I'm going on a long hike and don't expect or think there will be any wildlife, I'll still leave the 100-400 in my bag so that it's with me and not in my car where it can get stolen.

chrisdg

I'm with Ron. I tend to pack a lot into my Tamrac Adventure 9 backpack. Although, I will usually leave my backup camera in the car.

50D
10-22
24-105
70-200
tripod
shutter release cable
various Singh-Ray Graduated ND filters & holder
CP filters
2-3 batteries
bunch of memory cards
lens cleaning stuff
extra cold weather gear if needed (hat, gloves, etc)

pathfinder

I keep trying to lighten my load, but find when I do that I miss something.

I usually carry a 21 Distagon which I use a lot lately, 24 T&S, 16-35, 24-105, 200. I usually end up using all of them at one time or another. Sometimes I even use a 300 as well. What would I leave behind for landscapes. For wildlife I would add longer, heavier glass of some sort.

I carry graduated NDs, but find myself using HDR more and more, and not the Grad NDs, although sometimes I use both at the same time. Polarizing and neutral density filters of course.

A flash with an off camera cord. 50f2.5 macro with extension tubes.

A good, heavy tripod that is a joy to work with with a good self leveling pano head.

Marc Muench

Having both good and bad experiences with heavy camera bags I can vouch for a good assistant
Having my face drilled into the snow by 35lbs of glass on my back while descending a mountain on skis helps with the decision to become very cleaver about what to bring when and where. I have more different packs than my wife has shoes, which is why I dont complain about her shoes. Each pack has a specific weight limit including my larger overnight packs which I also have several of. My most used pack is the one I use in and out of the car and can comfortably hike several miles in. The point is, I have finally come to the stage in my life where I know what to bring when. However, I'm a bit embarrassed to admit it took this long and really dont understand why I still question myself every time

anwmn1

For me it depends on each shoot. I try to plan ahead and research locations as well as consider how far I am hiking and any other limitations. I have several different packs but on most landscape shoots I usually have my Dryzone 200 loaded with Olympus E-3, 7-14mm, 14-54mm, 50-200mm, several filters, cleaning supplies, extra batteries, memory cards, and of course water, snacks, and survival needs. I carry my tripod and ball head as I do not like having them strapped to my pack.

Depending on the location I may also have a 2nd body, 2x teleconverter, 24mm prime, 50mm prime, and even a flash or three (including wireless triggers). I will also occasionally throw in a film camera and a few lenses if I think the location/time will suffice for b&w film and if I think I can handle the extra weight.

Joashots

Lots of good practical advice in this thread
After trying a couple of backpacks and shoulder bags, both of which were either too cumbersome or inconvenient for quick access to gear while taking pictures outdoors, I finally settled on a Think Tank belt pack.
I also tend to want to pack more than I probably need- I really like the Speed Demon as it's the perfect size for longer hikes. It is extremely rugged and very well constructed- I can carry a body with my three landscape lenses- 17-40mm, 70-200mm f4 and a 100 macro along with three 4X6 ND filters, dust blower, lens cloth extra battery, and a Lee filter holder for when it's too cold to hand hold the grads

Plus some additional room for waterbottle, snack bars and lens caps

Typically carry or sling the tripod

I attach a small lens changing pouch for quick changes- these are very handy. Shown here with a smaller belt pack. (web photos)

TreyHoff

When I opened this thread I was surprised to see only a few posts all within a couple days from the start of the thread. Since I just got back from my first overnighter I thought I'd try and revive this thread and spark some more interest as I like to read how others prepare for overnight backpacking and how you carry your equipment.

Since I was going for an overnighter I needed a backpacking pack large enough for a sleeping bag, inflatable mattress, tent, clothing, water and the usual misc camping items.....not to mention my camera gear. No cooking gear for this trip, but it needs to be considered for longer trips. After scrutinizing over half a dozen backpacks that I thought were suitable for my photo gear, I settled on a <a href="http://www.rei.com/product/795605">Deuter ACT Lite 65 + 10</a>. The "10" is an expandable 10 liter compartment on top (which I used )

For the best distributed load, the sleeping bag goes in the bottom compartment. Then heavier items like tent and mattress. Next in went my clothing, insulated jacket and shell and gloves. Last was my camera gear.

I keep my camera in a Kinesis Holster Case so I can do short hikes from base without the backpack. The Holster case holds my D200 w/lens attached and my Tokina 11-16 in the side pouch. (these are the only lenses I own, so I guess I didn't have to worry about what lenses to take.) The other side pouch has my wireless trigger, reading glasses and a small leatherman type tool. The front pouch contains extra batteries, cleaning cloth, polarizer, warming filter, and misc. items. The inside top flap contains my ND grad filters. I placed the Kenisis case with tucked in hip belt at the top of the backpack so I could access it. Just place the backpack upright against a large rock or tree, undo the cinch cord and the Holster case is easily accessible. I don't remove the case....just open the flap and pull out the camera!

On the outside side of the pack (and part of the reason I selected this pack) is a pocket to place 2 legs of my tripod and cinch straps to keep it place. The other side are my tent poles. I thought there would be an imbalance with the tripod on the side but the pack was very stable. On the hike out, I switched the tripod to the other side to see if it made a difference...it didn't. I tried to carry the tripod, but it was cumbersome during some of the technical parts of the hike....crawling over and under fallen trees and scrambling boulder fields. Of course, for shots near base, I carry it with camera mounted...yeah, I know.

The extra 10 liter compartment on the top of the pack included first aid kit, headlamp, extra flashlight, lightweight towel, sundries, power bars, etc. The stretchable netted pouch on the back of the backpack carried 2-2 liter water bottles.

I also carried a Lumix for photos of the hike. It was attached to the belt of the Backpack for on-the-fly use. Total weight was 45lbs and it was a load!

My hike was 7 miles roundtrip with 2000ft vert. gain, considered expert....the last mile was the "expert" part and it was steeeeep and technical! I really picked a strenuous hike for my first overnighter. <img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/emoji/eek7.gif&quot; border="0" alt="" > I Hope this is of good value to others. Please post your experiences.

This what I got the next morning for my efforts. Can you guess where this is?

JSPhotography

I'm goping to throw this in the mix. I have my one true camera bag. Crammed full it will hold most of what I want to carry, 40D, 18-35, 50, 70 - 200, 100-400, 2X, flash, doo dads, strap the tripod or monopod on the side, you get the picture. My problem is that it does not carry well for a long haul. Too heavy, bad straps, no belt, etc. I have a bunch of true backpacks from hiking and camping. How can I use these other packs for my gear? I would like to be able to go down in size or up in size as the excursion dictates?