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Over 65, and on vacation. How much gear do you carry ?
- Thread starter jonrobertp
- Start date
Gerry Winterbourne
Forum Pro
Or ... holidays are too precious to deserve mediocre photos.
I suppose it depends on what you consider hot.
What I take depends on transport: with low carry-on limits on some airlines I limit myself to about 5kg. That typically means APS-C DSLR + 3 lenses + 1 compact; going by car I tend to throw in everything.
What I carry depends on where I am, what I expect to see, who I'm with, whether I can go back, whether I need to carry protective clothing. It may be nothing except my phone; or compact with standard prime; or DSLR with 1, 2 or 3 lenses. If only 1 lens it's probably 35mm prime, second would be 8-16 zoom, third something longer depending on what I expect to see - anything from 50mm to 200m primes. I rarely carry a tripod but often use a GorillaPod.
If I have time I walk around with DSLR + 1 lens, then go back to the hotel and repeat with a different lens.
DMKAlex
Veteran Member
65 is 50 in the new normal.
jonrobertp
Forum Pro
Wow, I'm surprised how many take what I'd consider quite a load along to carry. Good for you !
Guess I've softened up a bit, lol. By hot, I mean places like the Caribbean, where it's also got humidity.
Guess I've softened up a bit, lol. By hot, I mean places like the Caribbean, where it's also got humidity.
audiobomber
Veteran Member
Carry-on limits govern what I bring. Whatever I can fit comes with me. On my last trip, I carried a sling bag that met the carry-on dimensions and weight. I carried a messenger bag as my personal bag. I brought a lot of gear, as per my earlier post.
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/58439977
--
Dan
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davidedric
Veteran Member
Depends.
On a day out G7 plus 14-140. Around town, G7 plus 12-35. On safari, two bodies with 100-300 and 14-140.
Dave
Chris R-UK
Forum Pro
Like quite a few other people on this thread I have moved entirely to M4/3 which has brought my travel weight down dramatically.
Short trip, one body with a general purpose zoom and a small fast prime plus sometimes a small flash.
Major wildlife trip, 2 bodies plus 4-6 lenses so that I have a backup if anything fails. Sometimes a small travel tripod and often binoculars. I normally have a backpack weight of about 6-7kg on flights but that includes a tablet, e-book, batteries, filters, etc.
One of the great things about M4/3 for travel is that there is a great selection of very small, light primes and zooms: 12-32mm, 9-18mm, 20mm f/1.7, 45mm f/1.8 etc.
Short trip, one body with a general purpose zoom and a small fast prime plus sometimes a small flash.
Major wildlife trip, 2 bodies plus 4-6 lenses so that I have a backup if anything fails. Sometimes a small travel tripod and often binoculars. I normally have a backpack weight of about 6-7kg on flights but that includes a tablet, e-book, batteries, filters, etc.
One of the great things about M4/3 for travel is that there is a great selection of very small, light primes and zooms: 12-32mm, 9-18mm, 20mm f/1.7, 45mm f/1.8 etc.
DMKAlex
Veteran Member
I am over 65 myself. I may not be able to handle picking up furniture from the store, but a 5=8 lbs load of camera equipment is not really a problem. Yes, I am cognizant about the strap over my neck. Just have to be careful.
For excursion, I've found a ultra wide angle captures a lot more of the scene. If your intent is to have a memory of the trip, that maybe all you need. But you intent to "do photography", then that is all the reason to bring the full gear.
I packed my full gear on a 3 week European trip earlier this year. I think I used the 20mm for 90% of the time.
Rick Knepper
Forum Pro
I just turned 65 a few weeks ago but for the last 12 years or so, I have carried two DSLRs and at least 2-3 lenses while hiking. In 2008, I bought an FJ Cruiser so that I could get deeper into the backcountry quicker to photograph landscapes I probably wouldn't try tp access by foot. I've had as many as four DSLRs riding in the passenger seat mounted with zooms ranging from 14-24 to 150-600.
However, for the past 1 1/2 years, I've had a health issue on my left leg that has prevented extended hikes. I just had surgery and I am recovering so I do not know what I can carry these days.
Two years ago, I began selling off DSLRs and lenses in order to purchase a Pentax 645z and a Canon 5DsR. My kit is certainly pared down but the weight has gone up. Just before the health issue manifested, I did a couple of short hikes with both cameras, and it was tough. As long as these two cameras remain as my primary kit, it looks like I may have decide on which one to take before each hike. Fugi just announced the GFX which could replace the Pentax and reduce the weight significantly. This might allow me to hike with two cameras again.
sportyaccordy
Forum Pro
65 doesn't seem that old to me anymore. I hope to be able to continue carrying a FF ILC kit.
bosjohn21
Forum Pro
as little as possible. I highly recommend a camera like the Leica q or any one of a number of good micro four thirds cameras, but keep the lens choice to the kit lens and maybe a short prime, but you will very much regret carrying around a heavy camera bag and fiddling with lens changes while your tour group or more importantly your travel companions are walking on.
As we are photograhers and for the most part equipment junkies on this site we are always wanting to carry more than we need.
there are very very few situations a good micro four third or one of the better high end fixed lens full frame cameras can't handle and your feet your back and your spouse will thank you.
Enjoy the trip and remember it. take some photos but unless your entire reason for the trip is to do photography don't let the photography get in the way of your adventure/
As we are photograhers and for the most part equipment junkies on this site we are always wanting to carry more than we need.
there are very very few situations a good micro four third or one of the better high end fixed lens full frame cameras can't handle and your feet your back and your spouse will thank you.
Enjoy the trip and remember it. take some photos but unless your entire reason for the trip is to do photography don't let the photography get in the way of your adventure/
hotdog321
Forum Pro
Pretty much the same here. DSLR + two lenses. It kinda depends on where I'm hiking. If it is someplace with streams or lakes like Yosemite or the Rockies, a water filtration pump is wonderful. A nice floppy hat. A walking stick! Power bars, candy, space blanket or disposable poncho, band-aides, matches and minor emergency stuff are pretty routine and don't weigh much.
--
photojournalist
http://craighartley.zenfolio.com/
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BertIverson
Senior Member
[No message]
Robert111
Leading Member
As many have said, it depends.
POCKETABLE. i've taken just an RX100 mk3 and while image quality was definitely acceptable, it was not really satisfying either having been spoiled by the A7R2.
ONE QUALITY LENS. I could definitely live with just the Batis 25 on a A7R2 unless I had special requirements like birding or slot canyons.
ONE f4 24-70 ZOOM. I've used this on an A72 with satisfying results and it provides sufficient versatility for most situations. It is the rational choice with no lens changes. One problem with this choice is the Sony f4 is just an ok lens and the f2.8 is unpleasantly big and heavy. The other problem for me is that I really enjoy shooting the Batis lenses which leads to the next option.
TWO PRIMES. the Batis 25 and 85 for the A7R2.
TWO BODIES WITH ONE PRIME AND ONE ZOOM. If I'm going to do general vacation photography plus birding, the Batis 25 on the A72 body and the 70-300 on the A7R2.
Also, bring a flash for fill light when shooting people in bright sun or dark interiors. Nothing improves photographs like good light.
POCKETABLE. i've taken just an RX100 mk3 and while image quality was definitely acceptable, it was not really satisfying either having been spoiled by the A7R2.
ONE QUALITY LENS. I could definitely live with just the Batis 25 on a A7R2 unless I had special requirements like birding or slot canyons.
ONE f4 24-70 ZOOM. I've used this on an A72 with satisfying results and it provides sufficient versatility for most situations. It is the rational choice with no lens changes. One problem with this choice is the Sony f4 is just an ok lens and the f2.8 is unpleasantly big and heavy. The other problem for me is that I really enjoy shooting the Batis lenses which leads to the next option.
TWO PRIMES. the Batis 25 and 85 for the A7R2.
TWO BODIES WITH ONE PRIME AND ONE ZOOM. If I'm going to do general vacation photography plus birding, the Batis 25 on the A72 body and the 70-300 on the A7R2.
Also, bring a flash for fill light when shooting people in bright sun or dark interiors. Nothing improves photographs like good light.
Everyone is different but I don't think weight has as much to do with a vacation camera choice as some people simply not wanting the inconvenience of carrying multiple lenses and letting a camera get in the way of having fun.
If someone is going on a vacation for the specific purpose of taking pictures then I can understand taking whatever equipment you can carry but if a person is going on vacation to have fun, relax and generally have a no hassle good time, I say a whole lot less is better.
if I was going on a safari (now that's a joke; not going to happen
) and wanted to get pictures of animals, at a great distance, I'd absolutely want a DSLR and lens with a big zoom range or if my vacation amounted to driving around in a car I probably wouldn't be concerned about how much equipment I threw in the back seat but for almost anything else, give me small, light, probably a fixed lens camera that will be secondary to my eating, drinking, and having a good time. I might be old and love photography but I'm not dead and still value a few things more than perfect images.
wolfbane
Senior Member
Hello jonrobertp,
Step back a bit.
Where can you save most weight?
I have sloughed off two stones - about four times the weight of my loaded gadget bag (7d and two lenses).
No way could switching to 4/3 or a fixed lens compact lighten my burden by that amount.
Cheers, Alistair (76 later this month).
Step back a bit.
Where can you save most weight?
I have sloughed off two stones - about four times the weight of my loaded gadget bag (7d and two lenses).
No way could switching to 4/3 or a fixed lens compact lighten my burden by that amount.
Cheers, Alistair (76 later this month).
jonrobertp
Forum Pro
Everyone is different but I don't think weight has as much to do with a vacation camera choice as some people simply not wanting the inconvenience of carrying multiple lenses and letting a camera get in the way of having fun.
If someone is going on a vacation for the specific purpose of taking pictures then I can understand taking whatever equipment you can carry but if a person is going on vacation to have fun, relax and generally have a no hassle good time, I say a whole lot less is better.
if I was going on a safari (now that's a joke; not going to happen
I might be old and love photography but I'm not dead and
Right on, sir. Have to agree, as much as I do enjoy imaging.
jonrobertp
Forum Pro
.
Excuse me, not sure what you're referring to. Losing body weight ? Ok. For me, I can't lose much, as my wt. is 143 lbs.
I almost qualify - 64.25 years.
I usually take the following:
I don't bother taking the 80-400 anymore though! But it shows the capacity of the bag
I usually take the following:
- Nikon D7100 with battery grip and 18-300VR
- Nikon D7000 and 12-24
- Nikon SB-700
- Fuji X100
I don't bother taking the 80-400 anymore though! But it shows the capacity of the bag
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