Previous news story    Next news story

Ten items you should have in your camera bag

Oct 4, 2013 at 18:02:41 GMT
Print view Email
Ten items you should have in your camera bag
1 2 3 4 5 11

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!

Comments

Total comments: 243
123
clifford37
By clifford37 (1 day ago)

I guess this was inevitable as Christmas draws near ???;)

1 upvote
hoosh
By hoosh (1 day ago)

Love the poncho idea!

0 upvotes
budi0251
By budi0251 (1 day ago)

let's start with the first and foremost important item you MUST have in your "camera" bag; the "CAMERA" itself, it's a camera bag for pete's sake.

0 upvotes
Takahashi
By Takahashi (1 day ago)

"What's in your camera bag? A camera (hopefully) and maybe a lens or two, but that's probably not everything that you need."

It's on the leader page, Pete.

2 upvotes
PatMann
By PatMann (1 day ago)

Camera is listed, but I'd never keep mine in my camera bag. How can you take pictures if your camera is in a bag?

1 upvote
thecameraeye
By thecameraeye (1 day ago)

Add in a Lenspen and some form of remote flash trigger. I love my optical slave.

2 upvotes
ngollan
By ngollan (1 day ago)

Yes, by all means, carry a Lenspen. It's still one of the most useful pieces of cleaning equipment.

1 upvote
jon404
By jon404 (1 day ago)

I'd add some gaffer tape, not a full roll, just a few pieces.

3 upvotes
evan47
By evan47 (1 day ago)

manfrotto 680b and rc 234 head, makes for a great weapon/walking pole. doubles up as a good steady monopod too!

0 upvotes
kixigvaq
By kixigvaq (1 day ago)

Most of that stuff I wouldn't carry, but I can see why somebody would. I have two chamois skins to wrap gear in. Very useful. I carry a spare set of car keys in a zipper pouch of my Domke satchel. Usually a Swiss Army knife or a Leatherman. A Spacepen and a few Band Aids. Now that I'm long in the tooth and can't workout without reading glasses I carry a spare pair.

0 upvotes
muhammad lal
By muhammad lal (1 day ago)

If required, the landscape pictures I like (If you do not have a built-in camera, electronic horizon level) circular polarization, besides the obvious, you can also spirit / bubble level is required. Anyway, so - I am no one, to save my life, I swear you can not get the horizon level.

You hot shoe (my Sony NEX-C3, etc.) If you own the camera without hot shoe is easy to find one, you can not cheap to get one mounted on a tripod. I'm in the part number joby.com get JB00124-CEN. Part number does not come up in the search, it "GorillaPod tripod, camera and accessories," then appeared in the call for some reason "GorillaPod Hybrid / SLR-ZOOM Ball Head for additional bubble level clip." It costs like $ 3 and $ 5 after delivery.
http://www.technologyexplores.com

Comment edited 36 seconds after posting
1 upvote
larrytusaz
By larrytusaz (1 day ago)

Did you see my post earlier? I said the same thing, how great someone else was thinking that.

Yes, I don't know what happened to me, for a long time my horizons were PERFECTLY level without the need for any tools. Somewhere along the line I started getting to where I couldn't take a level shot to save my life. This especially happens on hilly terrain where you yourself are not level & if you go by what feels level to you, you end up being way off.

That part number you mentioned is the exact same one I mentioned. I have 2--one in the camera bag, one in the closet so if I lose the 1st one there's no delay having one on-hand again (you don't exactly find them in "everyday" stores).

0 upvotes
sh10453
By sh10453 (1 day ago)

Generally this is a good list. I have all of the above packed, plus a couple more items:

- A graduated ND
- A couple of color filters
- A monopod. Cant trust a mini tripod with a Canon 5D and a 70-200mm L lens
- A small/medium flashlight if needed, or expected to be needed
- A spare camera body (depends on the occasion though)

Some people mentioned a note pad. I thought these have been obsolete for a long time. The cell phone's various writing / recording apps can do that job with ease.
In my case, I rely on OneNote (Windows phone), and I think it's the best little product Microsoft has ever made (shhhhh, don't tell MS, they'd eliminate OneNote if they saw this comment).

1 upvote
justinwonnacott
By justinwonnacott (2 days ago)

A sandwich?

4 upvotes
yabokkie
By yabokkie (1 day ago)

glucose, caffeine, and nitroglycerin

2 upvotes
gerard boulanger
By gerard boulanger (2 days ago)

More ads....

0 upvotes
Barney Britton
By Barney Britton (1 day ago)

Where, exactly?

1 upvote
gerard boulanger
By gerard boulanger (1 day ago)

I guess my level of being able to absorb direct or indirect ads to push me to buy stuff is saturated.
A list of equipment without picture would have been as good, but as soon as a the picture shows a brand name and a model, it's natural for some of us to think its another disguised ad.
No big deal in a way, too much for me sometimes, that's all.

0 upvotes
Barney Britton
By Barney Britton (1 day ago)

So there are as many ads as there are recognizable 'things' on our site ;)

0 upvotes
george4908
By george4908 (2 days ago)

A nickel to unscrew the battery cover. Oh wait, that was a while ago, wasn't it?

9 upvotes
Kriekira
By Kriekira (2 days ago)

@Offshore: I use a Manfrotto mini-tripod with my gripped Sony a850 (FF) with the Sony 70-400G. Granted, a small ball-head is useless with 5 kg of camera, but the mini-tripod is very useful. Even a small ball-head will keep the camera steady with a medium- or light-weight lens attached. I keep a mini-pod (as well as a "The Pod") in every camera bag I carry.

0 upvotes
kodachromeguy
By kodachromeguy (2 days ago)

Old-fashioned small notebook so that you can write notes on where you took photographs. This is useful for filling out the EXIF fields later.

2 upvotes
InTheMist
By InTheMist (1 day ago)

I just snap a pic with my iphone. GPS location included.

2 upvotes
offshore13
By offshore13 (2 days ago)

Mini tripod? really? can it hold a mid-sized dSLR? Sorry but I don't think so. P&S yes, entry-level maybe if with a pancake, but if you start talking about a 100, 70-200's?

Let me add: hand gloves for seaty hands

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 3 minutes after posting
1 upvote
Richard Murdey
By Richard Murdey (1 day ago)

The good ones like the Manfrotto 209 are rigid enough, but for larger dSLR rigs you should probably do what I do and switch the ballhead out for something more substantial.

0 upvotes
Mark Thornton
By Mark Thornton (1 day ago)

The Leitz mini tripod would hold a LARGE DSLR or medium format camera, if fitted with a suitable head.

2 upvotes
Gesture
By Gesture (2 days ago)

Good thoughts, also 25 centers for the phone booth ... oh, scratch that.

Small LED flashlight?

1 upvote
jon404
By jon404 (1 day ago)

Absolutely the LED flashlight! They are getting very powerful, last forever, and you can put an orange gel over them to warm up the light.

3 upvotes
yabokkie
By yabokkie (1 day ago)

search: high CRI flashlight

Comment edited 1 minute after posting
2 upvotes
G Davidson
By G Davidson (1 day ago)

Re. High CRI flashlight, thanks for the suggestion, I could see this replacing a small flash in many situations.

0 upvotes
bcalkins
By bcalkins (2 days ago)

My little Crumpler travel camera bag has:

Memory cards
Spare batteries
ND filter, Polarizer
10mm extension tube if I don't pack a macro lens
Microfiber cloth
Pen (not the Olympus type!)
OMD camera, two or three small primes

The remote trigger and tripod are not high on my list. The first I deal with using the self timer and/or anti-shock setting on the OMD. The tripod I make do with physical structures or IBIS. I find the mini tripods are almost always not big enough, when i really want one it is because there is nothing tall to rest my camera on or against. But I'm not much of a night shooter, so low on my list.

I almost never travel with a flash. I carried one with me on multiple trips and never use it... When I want it, would be to do fill flash on a bright day, and unless I choose a more advanced model, I'm then stuck at 1/250s and smaller apertures only.

Despite these items being small (except for the tablet/computer) I still want to minimize what I carry. All adds up!

1 upvote
EduardoJB
By EduardoJB (2 days ago)

and... your medicine

1 upvote
57even
By 57even (2 days ago)

I find with my CSC that a Gorillapod makes an excellent mini tripod because you can normally find something at eye level to wrap it around.

I also have a waterproof cycling cape. If you are at an event like an airshow and can't find shelter in a hurry, one of these can cover you and your bag in one go. No need for a bag cover. And they wrap up very small and fit easily in an outside pocket. You don't even have to put your camera away.

2 upvotes
awoz
By awoz (2 days ago)

#11 Those lenses in the bag (slide #1) should have a lens cap.

Comment edited 1 minute after posting
0 upvotes
Takahashi
By Takahashi (1 day ago)

*sigh*

0 upvotes
Akpinxit
By Akpinxit (2 days ago)

One more item : camera body cap - if , for any reason you going to remove the lens for more than ten sec. period , you should first screw in the cap to prevent the particles fly in .

2 upvotes
izdatu
By izdatu (2 days ago)

Only carry a Ape Case that can be connected to my belt if needed to keep it from moving around. Items in bag: camera, 1-2 lenses including the one on the camera, spare battery, lens cover and card, lens pen, filter of choice and plastic dog poop bags from my local dog park for rain protection (sometimes they get used for poop because my dog is usually with me). Rain cover for bag is built into bag. Other items simply go in my pockets-jacket and/or water proof cargo pants that convert into shorts (priceless)

0 upvotes
aerorail
By aerorail (2 days ago)

what camera bag?

sony rx100/m2

no bag needed, travel light.... it's 2013

Comment edited 2 minutes after posting
12 upvotes
Richard Murdey
By Richard Murdey (1 day ago)

Meh, if you are being that stingy just use your iphone.

0 upvotes
yabokkie
By yabokkie (1 day ago)

maybe Xperia Z1 (IQ non-issue/don't care)

0 upvotes
tbnl
By tbnl (2 days ago)

Additional items to add:

- hockey tape: sticks to everything, and makes for quick bandaids too.
- permanent marker: sometimes you may need to make notes on your forearm.
- carabiners: necessary for rock climbing, and just as useful to attach water bottles, coffee mugs and whatever else you can clip on.
- corkscrew/bottle opener: never know when a party breaks out.
- bug spray: no one likes bugs.
- pair of shoe laces: tie your tripod to your bag or attach your camera to a tree.
- spare change: sometimes you need that extra coffee.

0 upvotes
Kodachrome200
By Kodachrome200 (2 days ago)

i dont think a rain poncho is needed with pro dslr gear its all very weather resistant to begin with

0 upvotes
Peter KT Lim
By Peter KT Lim (2 days ago)

Wrong, our gears are water resistance not water prof. A rain poncho will help you to combat the bad weather.

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 4 minutes after posting
2 upvotes
Kodachrome200
By Kodachrome200 (22 hours ago)

sorry depends on the camera but the top end canon and nikon stuff is designed to go to hell and back

0 upvotes
Graham Meale
By Graham Meale (2 days ago)

I always carry in my bag (with camera and lenses) a cloth, spare battery and memory cards, lens pen, polarising filter, GPS unit and humidity sensor. That's all.

Comment edited 5 minutes after posting
1 upvote
CameraLabTester
By CameraLabTester (2 days ago)

11. Cash - thieves will find it, and leave the rest of the bag alone, their mission done. Applicable to most situations, but not guaranteed. Batteries not included.

12. CB radio / Walkie Talkie - do not venture out alone in remote areas. Some valleys have no signal. If indeed alone, be linked to a base camp.

.

1 upvote
Kodachrome200
By Kodachrome200 (2 days ago)

thieves know how much camera gear costs and how ebay works

3 upvotes
CameraLabTester
By CameraLabTester (2 days ago)

Who said there's camera gear in the bag of 1-10?

They are just bricks for exercise... :)

(and some protein pills when you put your helmet on...)

.

1 upvote
larrytusaz
By larrytusaz (2 days ago)

An essential item if you do landscape photography as I do: besides the obvious circular polarizer, you also need a spirit/bubble level (unless the camera has a built-in electronic horizon level). I do, anyway--I swear that without one, I can't get the horizons level to save my life.

Hot shoe ones are easy to find, if you own a camera without a hot shoe (like my Sony NEX-C3), you get can a tripod-mounted one for cheap. I get part number JB00124-CEN from joby.com. For some reason that part number doesn't come up under a search, but it comes up under "GorillaPod Tripod Cameras, Accessories" and then it's called "Extra Bubble Level Clip for GorillaPod Hybrid/SLR-Zoom Ballhead." It costs like $5 and then $3 shipping.

0 upvotes
WarrenKK
By WarrenKK (2 days ago)

1. magnesium fire starter, 2. sturdy garbage bag, 3. fishing line and 4. hook, 5. water purification tablets, Air Force signaling mirror, 6. Leatherman tool (in checked baggage in case I fly), 7. Spectra cord, 8. duct tape, 9. compass, 10. Ruger LCP (not if I fly). Some of this stuff would work in the city too.

0 upvotes
Riquez
By Riquez (2 days ago)

Are you expecting a Zombie apocalypse?

1 upvote
Kodachrome200
By Kodachrome200 (2 days ago)

not every one shoots in the boonies

1 upvote
wazu
By wazu (2 days ago)

I can agree with the duct tape.
Everybody knows if it can't be fixed with duct tape, then you're not using enough duct tape.

3 upvotes
NancyP
By NancyP (1 day ago)

Another TEN ESSENTIALS person, I see.

0 upvotes
Rally Man
By Rally Man (2 days ago)

I've got all those items for my G1X, except for the air blower, don't need that.

1 upvote
arhmatic
By arhmatic (2 days ago)

What about *balls?

- to sleep in the thunderstorm alone on the mountain, surrounded by wolves, just to take the perfect shot the following morning? --- and such...

2 upvotes
larrytusaz
By larrytusaz (2 days ago)

Why do most articles have you click each picture to read each item on the list? Why not make it one long page so you can click it once & just read, not "next, next, next, next, next, next, nex....."

3 upvotes
Barney Britton
By Barney Britton (2 days ago)

This is actually the first article we've ever published in this 'flippable' format.

1 upvote
larrytusaz
By larrytusaz (2 days ago)

(Barney) I know, not trying to gripe at you guys personally, so much as that style is one I see a lot of places & I don't like it. I hate clicking next 8011 times like that. I would really like it if in such cases a "view all" option was available.

3 upvotes
Simon Joinson
By Simon Joinson (2 days ago)

I'm not sure 'most' means what you think it does

1 upvote
Barney Britton
By Barney Britton (2 days ago)

No problem, feedback is good. We're experimenting with all this, so I'll pass it on.

1 upvote
digitall
By digitall (2 days ago)

I agree (even if this is the only case in which dpreview have used it). The format is irritating and pointless. Indeed, less attractive. The internet should be quick to use. For a relatively simple article one should be able to review the whole at a glance, perhaps with items set out in tabular form. The BBC News website takes the annoyance one step further by overlaying captions on top of pictures instead of underneath. One has to click a button to see images without overlaid semi-transparent captions.

1 upvote
berni29
By berni29 (2 days ago)

I agree, ditch this one. All on 1 or 2 pages for this.

0 upvotes
offshore13
By offshore13 (2 days ago)

+1, agree on a single page presentation as much as possible

0 upvotes
HelloToe
By HelloToe (2 days ago)

Another vote for all on one page.

For that matter, I wouldn't mind it if you dumped thumbnails entirely. They're a good idea for really huge galleries, but for most things, it's just put them all on one page. Every time I check out one of the photo features on http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/ I wonder "Why can't they all just do this?"

0 upvotes
white shadow
By white shadow (2 days ago)

Agree with above.

Just put everything in one page. Most irritating to have to go on clicking to read small pieces of information.

0 upvotes
larrytusaz
By larrytusaz (1 day ago)

I'm pleased that so many people agree with me. Heck call me crazy (I'm not complaining, just observing) I wouldn't even mind the option for the camera reviews being on 1 page, the whole 25-30 pages all of it, like how DcResource used to do it. (And everyone is going "what are you nuts," ha ha ha.)

Regardless, though, yes the main thing is that a LOT of articles I read do this multi-page layout, especially ones like "10 best ways to lose weight" etc, why do I have to click 10 photos? I just want to know the "top 10", just give it to me already. Quit with the "next, next, next, next" bunch of nonsense.

0 upvotes
straylightrun
By straylightrun (1 day ago)

They do multiple pages for more ads. Websites don't host themselves for free. Unless you're paying for this service (which you're not) stop complaining.

0 upvotes
larrytusaz
By larrytusaz (1 day ago)

I don't care about that. Ads may pay for the site to some extent, but I don't come to the site to read the ads, I come to read the CONTENT. Otherwise you might as well have nothing but the ads on the page period. Regardless of my not being the one to pay for it, I STILL think it should be done for what's best for the readers, not the ad companies. Otherwise, there will be no readers, and thus no one to read the stinking ads in the first place.

Comment edited 27 seconds after posting
0 upvotes
Barney Britton
By Barney Britton (1 day ago)

If we did all content in single pages, (putting aside the fact that I really don't think anyone would enjoy reading content like that) our traffic would drop like a stone, we'd lose a huge chunk of our revenue as a consequence, and we'd have to close the site ;) Sad but true!

0 upvotes
larrytusaz
By larrytusaz (1 day ago)

(Barney) With regards to REVIEWS, I am fine with that, I was "reaching for perfection" as it were. My MAIN point was this article & ones like it where you are barely getting started when suddenly you're nagged to click "next" already. The reviews, you actually get quite a bit of reading in before having to "next," so it's fine really.

The realities of how things are paid for notwithstanding, I don't visit sites to read the ads & don't like excellence tainted out of concessions made for advertising. I like things "pure" that way, such is why I also don't like watermarked images or when sports stadiums are named the "AT&T Comcast Center" or whatever & logos are all over everywhere on the playing floor. What next, superimposed ads on bald player's heads?

Regardless, as I said earlier I thought it would be NICE for the reviews to have single-page as an OPTION, I was just being overly ambitious, dreaming etc. It's ones like this where it's taken to an extreme that I'm talking about.

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 6 minutes after posting
0 upvotes
Barney Britton
By Barney Britton (1 day ago)

I sympathise, but when you say "Ads may pay for the site to some extent" the reality is that for now, almost all of our revenue comes from advertising because we don't charge for access to our content. Projects like GearShop will help in the long run, but for now, that's the reality (and all of our free-to-read competitors are in the same boat).

0 upvotes
Antsl
By Antsl (2 days ago)

What about rewriting this story with consideration to different genres of photography... not the generic "one bag fits all" mindset that this author has used. Seriously... how many people would get much use out of a tripod that is 6-inches tall... or a flash unit that can only be used on camera in TTL mode. And adding a smart phone or tablet to the bag!? Seriously! Start over please!

1 upvote
Barney Britton
By Barney Britton (2 days ago)

The article is about drawing attention to small, useful items that every now and again could get you out of a jam. None of these things will take up much space - that's the point.

5 upvotes
David Hart
By David Hart (2 days ago)

Any camera bag list that does not include a Lenspen is severely lacking. They are 1000x better than microfiber cloth in my opinion. Every time I've use microfiber cloth it just smudges the glass, while the Lenspen gets it clean!!!

9 upvotes
Yukon Photog
By Yukon Photog (1 day ago)

100% agree, there is never a time I have my camera that I do not have a Lenspen with me.

0 upvotes
DotCom Editor
By DotCom Editor (2 days ago)

I'm excited to learn from this piece that I need neither camera nor lenses in my camera bag. It really lightens the load.

1 upvote
Barney Britton
By Barney Britton (2 days ago)

First line of first paragraph of first slide:

"What's in your camera bag? A camera (hopefully) and maybe a lens or two, but that's probably not everything that you need"

6 upvotes
DotCom Editor
By DotCom Editor (2 days ago)

Yeah, I read that, of course. The slide show should stand on its own, however. That's just a pure editorial oversight.

0 upvotes
Scott Everett
By Scott Everett (2 days ago)

I think you are confused. The first slide of the slideshow contains the editorial text you have stated should exist in the slideshow.

2 upvotes
Takahashi
By Takahashi (1 day ago)

DotCom Editor, you're being ridiculous.

2 upvotes
Englishman in France
By Englishman in France (2 days ago)

I usually have in my cupcake crumpler; x2 bottles of water, x2 apple purée, 2x3 pack of biscuits, wipes, x2 kiddies jumpers. Oh, almost forgot, an E-M5. I can't have anything bigger than micro four-thirds at the moment !

2 upvotes
FrankS009
By FrankS009 (2 days ago)

Makes sense to me. Happy stomach and happy brain make better photographs. Nice thing about m4/3rds is that you have room for all that in your bag. Maybe not the portable fridge...
F.

Comment edited 12 minutes after posting
1 upvote
pictureAngst
By pictureAngst (2 days ago)

Thank you, a really useful article

5 upvotes
Barney Britton
By Barney Britton (2 days ago)

:)

1 upvote
Takahashi
By Takahashi (1 day ago)

It is, and gave me a smug moment when I realised I already have everything listed in my bag, bar the small flash. :)

0 upvotes
Robert Schambach
By Robert Schambach (2 days ago)

Sorry but a really useless article.

3 upvotes
Barney Britton
By Barney Britton (2 days ago)

;(

2 upvotes
dholl
By dholl (2 days ago)

disagree. i've been out photographing for about 8 years now, but still there was something on this list which is a new idea (to me): namely bringing business cards not to promote yourself, but to assuage any potential issues with the more paranoid members of society (an issue which seems to be getting worse every year).

Comment edited 27 seconds after posting
2 upvotes
Takahashi
By Takahashi (1 day ago)

Robert, how, exactly is this a "useless" article? Seriously, don't just go lazily chucking such a comment out there, explain what you mean.

3 upvotes
Hugo808
By Hugo808 (1 day ago)

Takahashi & Barney

Don't feed the trolls!

0 upvotes
NancyP
By NancyP (2 days ago)

Phone: Photographers' Ephemeris; SkySafari; personal lists in Notes re: no-parallax-point for various lenses, best f/stop for astrophotography with various lenses, etc.

In camera bag: large plastic bag and tie for camera rain protection or condensation protection. 4 spare batteries if I am shooting with the Sigma DP2 Merrill ;) , 1 spare if I am shooting with the Canon. LENS HOODS - why oh why do people not use them? CPL in screw-in filter case, appropriate step-down rings. Rubber band to grab edge of filter. Intervalometer-style wired remote, "nodal slide", and weightlifters' fingerless gloves if carrying tripod. Microfiber cloth.

0 upvotes
AbrasiveReducer
By AbrasiveReducer (2 days ago)

Funny how complexity builds on complexity. You need a phone that can display your instruction manuals because feature creep has made it impossible to memorize everything in your camera's 350 page instruction manual.

Fair enough, but how about an article on the 10 things a photographer should never bring with them. I'll start. (1) A bag that could only be a camera bag (2) a camera strap that says NIKON or CANON in 2 inch high letters, (3) a 70-200/2.8 lens that's so heavy you can't walk, (4) a card or tag with your home address, (5) lens cleaners that prevent "fogging", (6) telextenders greater than 2X, (7) off-brand memory cards, (8) tripods & quick releases that use plastic at key points....

The advice about the business card is good. I've had to show mine to everyone from private security to federal marshals.

1 upvote
Akpinxit
By Akpinxit (2 days ago)

"(2) a camera strap that says NIKON or CANON in 2 inch high letters" - good one
I'm wearing mine inside-out

0 upvotes
offshore13
By offshore13 (2 days ago)

"2" mine also, never use as much as possible the canon strap. "3" I don't have it yet... "8" guilty am I, I just use a cheap tripod

Comment edited 2 minutes after posting
0 upvotes
Takahashi
By Takahashi (1 day ago)

"(3) a 70-200/2.8 lens that's so heavy you can't walk"

Exaggerate much? How does a 1.5KG weight constitute immobility? Where is the logic in suggesting people *shouldn't* carry what is arguably the most capable, versatile lens ever created?

1 upvote
GeorgeD200
By GeorgeD200 (2 days ago)

I would add headphones and an ipod. Sometimes I don't even turn it on, but it stops people walking up and talking to me. "My uncle has a nice camera like that!" or "Getting any good pictures today?" Ugg.

0 upvotes
larrytusaz
By larrytusaz (1 day ago)

If you are in the middle of a for-pay professional shoot, that's understandable. Otherwise, what's the big deal with people expressing a "chatty" type of interest in your hobby? It's called community & socializing. Heck I walk up to such people all the time, it's simply chit-chatting with others possessing the same sorts of interests. It's not a big deal, it's just being friendly.

Comment edited 1 minute after posting
2 upvotes
GeorgeD200
By GeorgeD200 (12 hours ago)

I talk to people all day long in my work, and I use photography to escape from that. It takes time for me to get into a creative frame of mind, and people talking to me about my gear disturbs that.

0 upvotes
Jack Simpson
By Jack Simpson (2 days ago)

D@mn, I've only got the extra battery and (spare) charger in me bag :o But, in lieu, of the others, I have my laptop and a card reader :) Just missing something with Mr. Brittons name on it :D

0 upvotes
Akpinxit
By Akpinxit (2 days ago)

why a cardreader AND laptop ?

0 upvotes
NancyP
By NancyP (2 days ago)

Often in my bag or on my person in various pockets, not related to actual photo process:
"TEN ESSENTIALS" - yes, I am a hiker and landscape/ wildlife photographer. For a day hike: 1. compass and basic paper map (also keep a photographed copy of the map and trailhead info on the camera), 2. headlamp with extra set of batteries, 3. energy bars, 4. water bottle(s) (with or without lightweight filter kit depending on length of hike and availability of water), 5. sun hat (doubles as shade for your LCD), mosquito headnet if the season for it, sun block, bug spray 6. rain jacket 7. first aid - duct tape and bandages for blisters, soap flake, spare socks! 8. knife 9. few sheets of kleenex/TP/hand-towel in a baggie 10. trash bag. In hunting season, 11. lightweight fluorescent orange mesh vest

Soon to be added: space-blanket bivy bag for emergency; tracking service ("Spot") emergency beacon

1 upvote
SwampYankee
By SwampYankee (2 days ago)

hope you are not shooting in NYC Will Edwards because that will get you 2-3 years in jail. On the up side it is now safe to walk Central PArk, at nigh, with your camera, because there are no guns in NYC . Don't believe me ask Plaxico Burress. Carry a handgun? go to jail. People keep flying into NYC with their handguns saying they forgot. Takes years before they go home

1 upvote
onlooker
By onlooker (2 days ago)

> because there are no guns in NYC

ROFLMAO

3 upvotes
Will Edwards
By Will Edwards (2 days ago)

It's not in my camera bag, but if in the city in the middle of the night or for sunrise shots, I carry a 9mm, and I know how to use it. If out in the woods, it's a 45mm. And I am not talking about camera lens.

Comment edited 54 seconds after posting
1 upvote
Conjure
By Conjure (2 days ago)

:-(
I am really happy to live in Europe.
I am really lucky to live in Europe.

Comment edited 3 minutes after posting
3 upvotes
brn
By brn (2 days ago)

Or at least not where the heck Will lives.

4 upvotes
Old Ed
By Old Ed (2 days ago)

Wow, 45mm is pretty serious stuff! Do you ever use the fragmentation shell or canister shot options?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/45_mm_anti-tank_gun_M1942_%28M-42%29
You could take out a SWAT armored personnel carrier with one of those; but you'd be in a whole lot of trouble if you did!

2 upvotes
onlooker
By onlooker (2 days ago)

> I am really lucky to live in Europe.

You get to get out more. I spend the first half of my life there. You can keep it.

And I do love Vienna, btw. My favorite city in Europe. But any talk that Europe is safer that 99% of America is delusion.

Comment edited 1 minute after posting
1 upvote
white shadow
By white shadow (1 day ago)

You can't blame Will Edwards.

He is an old man living in WA, United States and likes going out in a motorbike. There has been many crazy people out there who may shoot you. Even school kids do that in their own schools.

Most recently, a woman just go amok driving her car around in Washington, injuring two policemen.

There maybe more people going crazy if the budget shutdown goes on longer.

0 upvotes
ripleysbaby
By ripleysbaby (2 days ago)

2 slices of Marmite on toast.

2 upvotes
Horshack
By Horshack (2 days ago)

Mace for when someone tries to steal your expensive camera.

0 upvotes
yabokkie
By yabokkie (2 days ago)

black gaffer tape
torch (with red color for operation in the dark)
notebook computer w/ wireless link (+smartphone)
...
a BB gun to shoot anyone obscures sight.

2 upvotes
Denver Wedding Photographers

Seriously funny article.

My only question for the author would be, is there anything in that list that would not be obvious to a photographer, pro or otherwise?

0 upvotes
Barney Britton
By Barney Britton (2 days ago)

Judging by the mostly positive comments from other readers, I'd guess yes.

6 upvotes
Denver Wedding Photographers

Well then, I bow to your intuitiveness.

It's a good list, albeit a little akin to telling a hiker to wear good shoes.

1 upvote
Takahashi
By Takahashi (1 day ago)

Some folks here really need to get over themselves. Stop assuming that every article is written for *you*. There are a great many people reading this who would benefit from it. Three years ago when I started out, I didn't have most of this stuff in my bag. I do now, and use most of it on a regular basis. For anyone starting out, this list could be invaluable.

1 upvote
Photo Pete
By Photo Pete (2 days ago)

A white plastic bin bag.

Acts as a rain cover for the camera, something to kneel or lie on to get low down angles of view and also serves as a white reflector. Rolls up nice and small too.

0 upvotes
Total comments: 243
123