I've got a problem...

Hinson

Here's my gear list... 5D, 17-40L 4.0, 50 1.4, 100 2.8 macro, 70-200L IS 2.8, 1.4x, 550EX, 540EZ, misc, batteries for camera and flash, light modifiers for flash, tripod, etc.

Now my problem is this. I feel like I've got to take it all with me any time I go out to shoot. I'm afraid that if I leave any of the stuff at home, that will be the piece of equipment that I need.

Does anyone else have this problem? To compound my problem, I ride a motorcycle so I can't leave anything behind once I get to where I'm going. I have to lug it all around while shooting.

I forced myself to go downtown last week with just the 70-200 on the camera which was nice but saw instances of where I wished I had the 17-40 with me. Arrrgggg.

What do you carry when you go out to shoot?

Hinson

claudermilk

It's just a matter of training yourself out of that frame of mind. I've drug the kitchen sink along so many times myself that I am consciously trying to think about what I'm doing before packing.

For example, just yesterday I went to the San Diego Wild Animal Park to test out a 100-400 I'm considering purchasing. I stopped my inital urge to bring everything along and really thought about what opportunites I'd have.

What got left behind:

• 70-200/2.8L: too short and I didn't need the speed. I was testing a longer lens to stand in for this one.
• 24-70/2.8L: again, wrong FL and I didn't need the f2.8 brick for the situation.
• 50/1.8: A mistake, see below.
• Mamiya rig: not doing that kind of shooting.
• Tripod: I wanted to travel a little light, so this was a bit overkill. I also mainly planned to use the rental lens primarily & it doesn't have the A-S plate on it.

What came along:

• 100-400: The lens I was testing--the main reason for the outing.
• 12-24/4: In case I had some nice vistas to shoot. In the end it should have stayed home, I never used it.
• 18-55 kit lens: I intended to bring the 50/1.8, but grabbed this by mistake. Grr. I did have at least a couple of situations I would have liked to use the prime, but had to use this instead. It did ok, but wasn't what I wanted.
• PSD: Giving me lots of space for images. In the end I didn't use up the CF cards along, so it should have stayed home as well.
• Monopod: Did it's job, but is showing its limitations. It's an old cheapie aluminum one with twist locks & no anti-twist on the leg sections. I have a Manfrotto 3232 head on it. The pod kept slipping & I couldn't lock it down enough (it was a sweat-fest & I couldn't get a good grip on the knurled aluminum collars); it als okept twisting on the lens mount--I need an RRS clamp on there for the heavy artillery I'm planning on using. In the end, I couldn't have accomplished much without it, even with the annoyances.

I'm getting better as there was really only a couple of items that really added weight & should have been left home.

Hinson

claudermilk wrote:

It's just a matter of training yourself out of that frame of mind. I've drug the kitchen sink along so many times myself that I am consciously trying to think about what I'm doing before packing.

Thanks Chris:
I think you hit it on the head with "that fram of mind." I can renenber the day when I did all my shooting with an SRT101 and 50mm and got some great shots. Of course back then, grain was a major problem if you cropped or enlarged too much but the lens still worked.

Hinson

kdog

I ride a bike too, but it's got a lockable trunk. Most people don't mess with bikes -- ever. I've left wallets, cell phones, sunglasses, etc, on my seat (yeah, I'm a space cadet sometimes), and they're still there when I get back. I can't imagine anybody rifling a soft case, although don't they lock as well?

That being said, you're still space limited, so there are tradeoffs. I'd say cover the range with your favorite lenses and reduce overlap. So for you, that means taking the 5D, 70-200, 17-40, and TC1.4. Leave everything else at home. You might want a small case for just those items as well.

I do something similar. I bring my 100-400 and either my 10-22 or my 17-85, or both. If I was to take just one lens to an unknown place, it would probably be the 100-400. It takes spectacular panos at 100mm if I need to go wide. And of course I'm prepared for the odd lucky wildlife opportunity, should it arise.

Cheers,
-joel :ian

Hinson

kdog wrote:

I ride a bike too, but it's got a lockable trunk. Most people don't mess with bikes -- ever.
-joel :ian

...you know, I've noticed that also. With rare exception, no biker will mess with another's bike or property. And non bikers have the misconception that all bikers are mean nere-do-wells who will fight or kill for the fun of it. Whatever! As a 65 year old with a bad heart I'll accept the persona if it will keep my bike and property safe...hehehe. However, I still ain't gonna leave my glass on the bike in DC.

Hinson.

kdog

DC? You ride a bike in DC? Man, that's your first problem. :crazy

Hinson

kdog wrote:

DC? You ride a bike in DC? Man, that's your first problem. :crazy

...it does get hairy at times. The worst is the tourists who are looking at the sites and not watching where they are driving. And then there's the cabbies who feel they own the road, and then... well, you know the story.

SloYerRoll

Does canon have an equivelant to the nikon 18-200 VR II lens?
If so, I'd say lock that thing on your body and keep the rest of you glass home.

-Jon