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What's in my camera bag? An artist's vision is the most important component of creating images. A photographer's eye is their most important tool. But one of the most common questions I hear is, "What kind of camera do you have?" Well, I've used many different kinds of cameras and equipment over the last 25 years. And I've made nice images with all of them. I've found that no single camera is best for every situation. Each has pros and cons, depending on the particular photographic situation. The equipment I choose to use is highly dependent on the what, where and how of making images. But people ask, so here you go... Current equipment...
So, how do you pack your gear? Because I really enjoy hiking and photographing (sometimes all day and/or overnight), my needs may differ somewhat from yours. But here is what I've found works for me.
Overnight Backpacking: Staying in the backcountry is one of my very favorite things to do. It provides solitude and access to areas that few others get to see and photograph. When backpacking, I really try to reduce the amount of photo gear I take. This is much easier, now that I am shooting primarily with a DSLR. I currently use an R.E.I. Mars backpack. It has two methods of access - the standard top-load, and a 3/4 U-zip panel. This makes access easy and convenient. It is large enough to carry tent, sleeping bag, pad, stove, food, bear vault/bag, clothes, and other miscellaneous gear, along with my photo gear packed in the Lowepro Omni Sport or Omni Traveler. And the R.E.I. Mars pack cinches down very well. Compression straps can reduce the size of the pack small enough to be used with just camera equipment and daily essentials. So once I establish a base camp in the backcountry, it can easily be used as a day-pack. The tripod straps to one side with the feet resting in the water bottle holder-pocket. I carry my DSLR in a Think Tank Photo Digital Holster 20 clipped to rings on the backpack shoulder straps. This provides easy access while hiking along the trail.
Large Format 4x5 Field Camera System
Packing my Large Format System: I use a Lowepro Omni Traveler which, in turn, fits into a Pelican 1550 hard-shell case. Included in the pack: Wista DX, Rodenstock Sironar N 135mm f/5.6 folded into the camera, Rodenstock Grandagon N 75mm f/6.8, Rodenstock Geronar MC 210mm f/6.8, Rodenstock APO-Ronar MC 300mm f/9, Wista 4x loupe and Sekonic L-508 light meter with quick-clips for attaching to a modified neckstrap, home-made dark cloth (thanks to my wonderful wife), Lens Pen, Microfiber Cleaning Cloth; Cokin P Filter Holder, 49 and 58mm Cokin Adapter Rings, Singh-Ray 2 and 3 Stop Soft-Step Graduated Neutral Density Filters, Cokin Polarizer, and Hi-Tech 81A and 81B Filters. There is extra room in the Pelican case for 5-10 traditional film holders with half slide for panoramic images, 3 Graphlex 6-Sheet Grafmatic film holders, and/or Gnass Gear Quickload/Readyload Film File containing Kodak Readyload single sheet holder, Kodak Readyload film, Fuji Quickload film, gray card, and "Exposed" stickers. Other gear includes Litedisc gold reflector and translucent discs; Eagle Creek travel pouch containing lens wrench, screw drivers, small wrench, hex wrench, bubble level, small tape measure for bellows extension compensation, extra AA battery, and permanent pen; and small elastic stopwatch for second counting long exposures. I can sling the Omni Traveler and SLR over my shoulder, hand carry the tripod and utilize a Columbia travel vest to carry equipment short distances.
Day-Hikes: All the above equipment, plus a survival kit, food, water and extra day gear pack into the R.E.I. Talus 30 technical daypack. The Talus is a panel-loader with almost a full 3/4 zipper, so it also opens (almost) like a suitcase and offers fairly quick and convenient access to gear. The pack carries close to the body and is comfortable for all-day hiking and technical scrambling. An R.E.I. side pocket pack accessory is strapped to one side, which is the perfect size for the Justin Gnass Quickload/Readyload Film File, Graphlex 6 Sheet Grafmatics and/or traditional film holders. The Gitzo tripod straps to the other side. I store DSLR in a LowePro Topload Zoom (TLZ) pack. I thread the chest strap of the backpack through the belt loop of the TLZ, so the digital camera is carried in front, on my chest and is easily accessible for snapshots along the trail. The Talus has convenient attachment points for other miscellaneous gear such as rain jackets, snowshoes, hiking poles, etc. The shoulder strap and waist-belt suspension system is highly adjustable and adequate to comfortably carry 30-40 lbs. for a day of hiking. This is my most frequently used method of packing my large format system.
Other equipment I've used in the past...
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My
primary camera is now the Canon EOS 5D Mark II, a high resolution Digital SLR. I'm
very pleased with the
versatility and feature set of
this camera and the image quality is simply outstanding. For most situations, this has replaced the large format
system I used for over 10 years. Interestingly enough, I still find
myself working with the same deliberate, contemplative style I used with
my 4x5 field camera. For me, this is a good thing. It makes photography
enjoyable and, luckily, sometimes results in images that are worth
printing and hanging on a wall.
Day-hiking
and
Travel: I
struggled for many years (without success) to find a photo backpack well
suited for the rigors of hiking. Some of my qualifications for a good
photo backpack are: Lightweight,
easy access to camera for trail snapshots, room for food, extra
clothing, survival kit, etc., water storage, and a method for carrying a
tripod. I've tried many, many packs from multiple manufacturers over the
years and I've never been quite satisfied... Until now!! The Lowepro
Primus series has answers for most of my needs/wants. I used the
original Primus for about 18 months and was very satisfied. Now
I've moved to the larger CompuPrimus, and I'm quite happy - the first time I've truly been
able to say that about a photo-dedicated backpack. This is a very
comfortable pack that I can wear all day on the trail. It easily carries
my DSLR with zoom lens attached, plus 2-3 other lenses and the usual
compliment of accessories. I use the top compartment for other trail
gear, which varies depending on the weather/season. The side access
works quite well, with a little practice. And the back pocket/flap is
well-suited for carrying a water bladder while hiking or a laptop
computer while traveling. I like the fact that access to
the interior is behind the harness. This keeps the harness off the
ground when the backpack is set down to get to other lenses or hiking
gear - nice in muddy/snowy conditions. I've even packed a small 4x5 kit
in the top compartment and digital in the bottom compartment for a
day-hike where I just couldn't leave my 4x5 behind. This pack looks to
be a keeper!
I
used large format for most of my landscape work more than 10 years. The 4x5 originals
contain incredible detail and sharpness. And I really enjoy the slow and meditative process of using a
large format field camera. It fits well with my photographic style.
I used the Canon 300D for travel, on-the-go,
and family
photos for over 2 1/2 years. It's light, easy to use, and a reliable
camera. And produces very good image quality.
For
several years, I used this medium format rangefinder for travel
photography. I decided to move to digital mostly for the
convenience. This camera produced excellent results and was extremely
compact!
For
almost a decade I used Canon EOS 35mm equipment, exclusively, for
all of my photography. The EOS line have always been excellent,
durable cameras with a large selection of some of the finest
lenses ever made. But as my photography progressed and evolved, I
found that other cameras were better suited to my style and
subject matter.
