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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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Circular polarizer

Some people think that when shooting digitally you don't need to use filters, but that's not true. While there's perhaps not much point using old-style warm-up and cooling filters anymore, polarizing filters remain indispensable if you're capturing landscapes. Polarizing filters make the colors in blue skies and foliage more intense, increase contrast in clouds and reduce reflections on water and glass. Good-quality polarizers aren't cheap, and you might only use one a handful of times every year, but having one tucked away in your camera bag ensures that when you really need it, it's right there.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 :)

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 ... :)

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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.

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@ 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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