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Ten items you should have in your camera bag

Oct 4, 2013 at 18:02:41 GMT

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Ten items you should have in your camera bag

What's in your camera bag? A camera (hopefully) and maybe a lens or two, but that's probably not everything that you need. In this article we're looking at ten items that deserve a place in every photographer's kit bag, whatever sort of photography you enjoy doing. If you think we've missed anything, let us know in the comments.

Let's get started!

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Comments

Total comments: 243

The comments below are much more interesting than the article itself. :)

0 upvotes

EXPODISC,

Comment edited 44 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

Paracetamol. Never go on assignment without it! Ditto my Fisher Space Pen.

0 upvotes

On a hunch, I just bought a Travalo travel perfume atomizer (~$10) for lens solution - was a great idea! Perfect size, fits in pocket, airplane proof and no problem with security (women use it for perfume) - use it for eyeglasses, sunglasses, as well as SLR monitor and lenses. Have a refillable master container at home (unlimited lifetime supply of lens cleaner solution) which I use as as reservoir to fill up the Travalo.

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I would also that small tool like a pen, with a retractable brush on one side and a lens cleaner on the other.

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11. Gaffer's tape, I.e. A photographic McGyver's do it all

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Depending on a bag and camera Joby tripods may be of more value than mini tripods.

1 upvote

+small tube sunscreen

Essential in Aus...

1 upvote

I'd pop Schrödinger's cat in the bag too......it would help me see the scene from a different perspective....... :)

3 upvotes

Aside camera, lens(es), flash, spare batteries/flash cards, I carry a lenspen, a polarizer filter and a 3-stops ND filter. That's it. Other accessories, like trigger/tripod/filters/covers or anything else, are temporary guests in my bag - I take only if I think I may need them.

0 upvotes

continue...
My back told me that being paranoid of what I bring is not as good as planning a head. I have 3-4 camera bags too, so how much I need, will determine the size of the bag I take that day. I did the 2 DSLRs on the blackrapid strap 2-3x this year, but most of the time my mirrorless is fine. I do bring two bags sometimes, leave the extras in the car trunk.

Comment edited 17 seconds after posting

1 upvote

Less is more. I used to try to carry all the things, but it just get too big and heavy. For a pro you got to have everything ready, but for a weekend photostroll, just a camera is fine. Since I am more of the weekend photographer, if I need a ND filter I will bring it only if I need too. Dust blower? This is done at home if need be, heck Lightroom spot removal is easy. Trigger cord, how about the camera timer? Tripod is a planed thing too, if you don't plan on it, don't bring it. Heavy to carry around if you don't plan on using it. As for a the mini tripod, they aren't very good. I find a ledge or some object on the fly. I use my smartphone for calling not photo related, you must be showing off your webpage with a tiny screen? I have a tablet too, used to carry it, but that was extra weight also.

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The ultimate multi-use item is a SPACE BLANKET:

- A gear separator more useful than the foam things
- Biggest reflector you can get
- Save your life if trapped in the cold
- Waterproof as poncho or cover

1 upvote

Woohoo, all I need is an air blower.

0 upvotes

What about a machete and fire-starter equipment?

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Do people seriously carry all this kit around?

Maybe there should be a Canikon mule to carry it all

1 upvote

You forgot the two P's a poncho and a PanoFix Panorama head.

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Leatherman tool or Swiss (Victorinox) army knife.

3 upvotes

screwdriver and allen wrench that fit your tripod. you just never know when something is going to loosen up.

2 upvotes

If you carry everything suggested, probably a small van to move it around :)

0 upvotes

Massive yawn - can DPReview's articles get any less inspired?

Honestly - this has to be absolutely the lamest front page article I've ever seen.

7 upvotes

Really? I thought there were some good points in here - a few things my camera bag needs before my next trip.

2 upvotes

...and a bottled drinking water!
It always saves me during and after shooting especially when I'm on assignment and/or hiking...

1 upvote

A few can of refreshing beer is better and some chocolate / energy bars for those long day trips.

1 upvote

Folded up trash bag large enough to place the entire backpack into. They take no space and can really make things easier when caught in a complete deluge.

-Suntan

5 upvotes

You forgot to mention variable ND and Q-tips...

1 upvote

that's funny because I carry neither :-)

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And in the US, some people never go anywhere without bringing a handgun along.

12 upvotes

This is a good point made by someone who obviously has street smarts. Thank God they are not needed elsewhere. :)

4 upvotes

Agreed, companies should came out with a gun compartment for times when someone tries and takes your gear.

2 upvotes

Good thought :)

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In the US, you will also need a bullet-proof vest instead of a photographers' vest.

3 upvotes

In the US, your risk isn't from criminals, it's from the authorities, who have gone bat-poo insane over the idea of people taking photos. Carry the list of photographer's rights, it'll do you a lot more good:

http://www.krages.com/phoright.htm

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Agree with most....
... but polythene bags big enough to contain camera & lens and elastic band to seal it, for those days when coming into a warm house from the cold outside. Minimises condensation until the gear has warmed up.

2 upvotes

Can someone recommend a decent rain poncho?

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a Mexican or a sears poncho?

1 upvote

I guess I am still an old school guy, I keep at min four rolls of film, two Fuji Provia 100, and two Kodak Ektar 100. These are for the two Nikon FEs, one with a 28f28AIS, and the other has a 50fi18D. I have a red led flashlight for the night shots. A compass, and notepad with pencil. Old time locking cable release for the bulb shots with the FEs. A MD-12 motor drive with tripod plate. My digital camera with multifunction remote timer. A charged spare battery for the camera. Most of the things in your list, plus a neutral density filter.

0 upvotes

I always got a P&S camera stuffed in the outer pocket of my bag for boosting creativity.

3 upvotes

I always have a small flask of bourbon in my bag. Let you get over a missed shot or dead battery so much easier.

11 upvotes

Don't forget a pack of condoms for those model shoots.

18 upvotes

giggity giggity, alright......

2 upvotes

Latest addition to my bag
- Expodisc Whitebalance filter

Comment edited 21 seconds after posting

1 upvote

would like the things be categorized into several groups,
(1) anything you can find in a (small) camera store,
(2) goods for travel, from raincoat to camelback,
(3) others,
I thought the "ten items" should mostly from (3).

0 upvotes

- No but good idea.
- Check.
- Check.
- Check.
- Check but don't use it for photo yet.
- Check.
- Nope.
- Nope.
- Nope.
- Check.

- Also do carry a WB card, cable to connect to PC.

0 upvotes

They missed:
-flash gells
-electric tape
-precision screwdriver set
-colorchecker passport or at least a grey/wb card
-Advil

1 upvote

don't even know what half those things are.

you're sure they're relevant?

3 upvotes

I like to keep Cheat Sheets with me for the options/settings that I use only every once in a while. For example, step by step instructions to ready the in-camera Wi-Fi, or step-by-step instructions to ready wireless flash, starting exposure settings for fireworks, etc.

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I also have my Whibal card and a lens pen.

1 upvote

I would hope most of the people reading this site would have those, for sure. I recently added one more: a bean-bag-mini-tripod. It is a beanbag with a tripod head and great when shooting in locations where the mini-tripo is too clumsy: for example, windowsills, held against a light post... the bean bag conforms to the surface really well.

3 upvotes

Haven't seen one of those yet so I'll check them out. Personnally, I like those mini flexible tripods (gorillapod). You can wrap them around tree branches, stand them on rocky/uneven surface, etc.

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I have one, a Gorilla tripod I picked up somehwere for like $14. Love it. I had a brainstorm today... I might clamp it to my shoulder during events for the flash, who know it might give my light a new angle?

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I did not consider a polarizer with outdoor photos...thanks for the gear list.

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Toilet paper. Cannot count on public washroom to supply paper.

18 upvotes

Do your business before you leave. Lighter on your feet and no need to carry around a roll of paper.

Coffee works miracles.........

Comment edited 29 seconds after posting

1 upvote

or do the paperwork later

1 upvote

What about some soap and water to wash up if you doing it in the bush?

Keep your precious camera and lenses clean.

1 upvote

I do not really need a rain cover and the rocket blower is too weak in my opinion and I use small A6 sized notepad instead of tablet, but still find the list rather reasonable.

I have the previous version of the Manfrotto aluminum table to tripod - it is awesome. Small lightweight and very stable - best friend when traveling with a TLR (or a digital camera with swivel LCD). It even holds a normal sized DSLR with not too long lens perfectly stable.

And I keep telling myself to finally have those business cards made. One day I will ... :)

0 upvotes

If the pocket knife doesn't have something equivalent then a pair of small fine jeweller's screwdrivers [crosshead and flat] can be useful additions on longer trips. I once had to carry out emergency repairs to a Summicron lens after an idiot [me] dropped his Leica down a small cliff; was able to get the lens working again for the duration - although Leica told me that although I'd done quite well I really should try not do it again, once I got back home a few weeks later and sent it in for checking :-)

I also take spare lens and body caps on longer trips. Also on longer trips I now sometimes take a solar charger, which allows me to top up camera batteries and the tablet and/or smartphone.

1 upvote

Hmmm, you took a look in my bag? :-)
I think most of us carry these things with us by experience.

1 upvote

Spectacle wearers (and others): don't forget a small, watchmakers screwdriver to tighten those little screws that always seem to come loose at the worst possible times!

1 upvote

No point, airline security always confiscate those as soon as you try and go anywhere...

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That's news to me, I've been traveling with one on my bag and it's never been an issue... You can hardly wield it as a weapon tho, it's barely longer than a toothpick (unscrews in segments to reveal the various tips) and as thin as a ballpoint pen ink tube.

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TSA says screwdrivers less than 7" are OK these days. Scissors with blades under 4" OK. And snow globes with less than 3.4 OZ in them :)

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+ light rubber gloves. Might have to shake a politician's hand.

19 upvotes

Chuck in a fold up reflector as well

1 upvote

If you are camping, just add extra aluminium foil

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Condoms ??

16 upvotes

Someone has a sense of humor...or happens to work in the San Fernando Valley, California... :)

0 upvotes

This is why I bought the x100s. So I wouldn't need to carry around a camera bag or feel the need to buy all this tat to fill it!

7 upvotes

The list is a good start:
I usually carry also with me (which might be a tip for others)
- aspirin and several sticking plasters
- a note book and pencil (even in the digital age)
- small LED flashlight, using same batteries as my flashes
- sun or spare glasses

Depending on the event:
Presscard (usually connect it to my bag, important to not forget)
tiny folding chair
parts for a folding step ladder
gas mask
folding reflectors
specific flash diffusers
A small yellow (rain)coat/top with reflecting safety striping for in the dark

And I never ever carry my smartphone in my camera bag. I would advice no one to do. In case of loss/theft or confiscation of your camera bag you can contact those who you need to contact.

4 upvotes

Your list is a good one, but a gas mask? Do you live somewhere there are frequent riots? Is a lot of your work done in sewers?

And why no Geiger Counter?

7 upvotes

Folding chair? Why not bring a shopping bag and sit on the ground.

0 upvotes

@ BartyLobethal:
Hehehe LOL, no I'm not a paparazzi so I do not see so often sewers nor trash cans nor do I live in nations with a lot of violent riots, but I have been to several which ended violently
I only once forgot to bring my gas mask, that will remember me the rest of my life to bring always one to large protests, especially with students.

1 upvote

Only two ot those, maybe. Or none at all.

0 upvotes

Total comments: 243

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