What's in your camera bag...Olympus version

What do you bring when you might shoot anything?

We just got back from a fall trip to Colorado (the Aspen are stunning this year).  When in Colorado, I might be shooting anything.  Landscape for the trees, but also shooting wildlife (this year: moose, elk, antelope, deer, fox, pika, osprey, and various smaller birds), museums, portraits (sometimes, I bring lights), shows, sports (in the winter, it's ski and snowboard competitions; in the summer, it's bike races).  We drive, so I always overpack.

I have one bag for my Olympus cameras and m43 lenses; it's a Lowepro Omni Trekker (discontinued long ago).  Lowepro Omni was an awesome series that were designed to fit inside standard size Pelican cases.  They had the Omni Sport, Omni Traveler, Omni Pro, and Omni Trekker (which had removable shoulder straps).  I have all of them (some I have two or three...they are that good).

So here is a picture of the Omni Trekker, outside and inside fully loaded:

LowePro Omni Trekker

LowePro Omni Trekker loaded up.

Contents:

E-M1 III

E-M5 III

E-PL6 (converted to IR with 590nm filter)

Panasonic 8-18/2.8-4

9-18/4-5.6 (for the E-PL6, packed under the 17/1.8)

12-40/2.8

12-100/4

40-150/2.8

Panasonic 100-400/4-6.3

12/2 (for astro)

17/1.8 (for interiors)

300/4

MC-14 & MC-20 (packed under the 12/2)

Chargers with cords (2x)

Extra batteries (2x for E-M1.3, 2x for E-M5.3/E-PL6)

Remote shutter

VF-4 Electronic Viewfinder (for E-PL6...too bad it doesn't work on the newer E-M models)

Notes:

I have the Olympus 100-400, but it is much bigger and doesn't fit in the bag.  To bring it, I would have to do a complete redesign and move the chargers to the accessories bag.

I can actually fit another E-M1 II/III where the E-M5 III is slotted, and if I'm going to be doing more sports/wildlife I will.  I especially like using the 100-400 and 300 with MC together, and will switch to the zoom if I need a shorter focal length.

I don't use the E-PL6 that often, but with a 720nm filter on the 9-18 it takes really good B&W shots.

The E-M1X won't fit...too big.  I had one, but sent it back.  So far, I'm happy with the E-M1 III and plan to sell my E-M1 II's and get the E-M1 III.

I had the E-M5 II, and liked the camera, but the E-M5 III has 20mp and PDAF focus, so I like the upgrade.

john isaacs wrote:

What do you bring when you might shoot anything?

I have several different bags depending on how I traveling. My standard gear for 98% of my outings is simply EM1.3, Oly 12-100 and PL 8-18. Those two lenses essentially handle all my shooting.

Below is a shot of me for a rough 10 mile mountain hike, with my largest bag, LowePro Fastpack 250 AWII with my EM1.3 and 12-100, around my neck, PL 8-18 is in my bag. The guy that took the shot said, “that’s a lot of camera for a hike like this”. I simply responded with, ‘you’re right’. 😃

Hike to top of Mt Madison, over 5,000’ up and about 10 miles

Wow! That's a lot of gear.

I rarely travel by car, and so my rules are:

1) Everything has to fit under the plane seat in front of me. (Chargers can go in the overhead.)

2) Never carry more than five pounds, including the bag, on any outing.

Although the specifics vary a bit, I usually wind up with something along these lines:

* EM5.3

* EM5.2

* Olympus 12-100mm

* Panasonic 8-18mm

* Maybe a small prime (or two) if I have a specific reason.

* Panasonic 100-300mm if I am *sure* that wildlife is on the agenda (Yellowstone or Alaska, for example). When I went to Yellowstone a few years ago, I also rented the 300mm f/4 + teleconverter. Lensrentals shipped it to Jackson Hole, and I picked it up there.

I am getting ready for a big trip in the next few days.  Here is my setup for the plane.

EM5.3, EM5.2, 12-100mm, 8-18mm, and one other lens (Laowa 7.5mm at the moment, but that may change) in a Tenba BYOB Slim 9, which will go into a larger backpack.  A small bag, most likely a Peak Design 5L or 6L sling will be my daily bag.

That's impressive, and probably worth more than twice all the electronics I own. I'm sure full frame gear with equal capabilities would take up even more space.

Personally however, carrying that much gear defeats the purpose of MFT for me - to always have everything I need on me, weighing no more than a few pounds (currently 3 lbs).

But I don't shoot things like BIF so, horses for courses.

Ah bags, I have a few but I never been satisfied with an all in one solution.

I found I end up carrying too much which defeats the purpose of m43.

These days I am primarily a bird shooter and my go to gear is:

Lowepro Toploader Pro 75 AWII

• EM1-X
• 300mm F4 + MC-14 attached.
• MC-20 in pouch 
• 2 spare batteries.

I have an all purpose set up which is in the car, which I access when required.

Lowepro Nova 4 AW

• EM1.2 with 40-150mm F2.8
• 12-40mm F2.8
• 8-25mm F4
• FL-600R
• Spare batteries and memory cards

Tripod, monopod & bracket accessories always reside in my car although I only use for specific purposes.

This would be my setup travelling by car on short or long trips.

Dennis

how long you can carry them on your shoulder?

For my type of traveling, which have to carry my gear and walk for few hours a day, I shall always keep my camera bag to a minimum. A G85, 12-35 f/2.8, 7-14 f/4, 45-150 f/4-5.6 & 15 f/1.7. Something around 1.3~1.5Kg max. These allow me to wove around, change lenses whenever needed and enjoy shooting. No BIF/wild life on my agenda usually.

Looking inside your bag reminds me of why I sold off all my heavy Nikon equipment and went to m43.

Recent two week trip to fish/vacation in northern Wisconsin. I left all the “serious” stuff at home…

E-M10 IV

14-42 EZ

40-150 f/4-5.6

All fit into a small Mirrorless Mover 10 bag that than easily fit into my airline personal under the seat bag.

Never missed the bigger kit.

Mine is relatively simple right now.

Bag 1)

• LowePro Fastpack 250AW III - This multifunctional.  I needed a back that could hold both a laptop and a tripod, while being able to access the camera from the side without taking the bag all the way off.  I also wanted a daypack area for various things. This bag is very good.  I have a few suggestions that could make it better and maybe I’ll write to LowPro about that.

Bag 2)

• Tamrac Velocity 7x - This bag I’ve had longer than any.  It holds all my current gear and will fit a much of what I want to carry later on.  Granted I might get the Velocity 7z v2.0 which will fit everything better (I’m just not a fan of one of the design changes.  Both of these bags combine the best of a sling bag and a top loader bag.  And as far as I know they are the only sling bags in the world that will let you keep the camera compartment completely open and have 0 chance of any gear falling out (this is more useful than you think).

Current Gear)

• Olympus E-M1 Mk II - Traded in my Pen-F to get it.  Great decision overall.  I do miss that front dial on the Pen-F, but the faster AF, lower noise, better handling, etc on the EM1.2 more than make up for it.
• Panasonic Leica 12-60/2.8-4 - My workhorse lens.  This lives on my camera.  This lens has spoiled me, it’s now my minimum when looking at IQ on a zoom lens.  I actually avoided FF years ago because, at the time, the only mirrorless FF lens that had a 24-105 was Sony and that lens, while sharp in the middle at some focal lengths, is a complete disappointment in the outer areas/ edges (even if you crop first).  Canon has a great version but who knows if I’ll ever be able to afford the Canon setup equivalent. 
• Panasonic 42.5mm F1.7 - My portrait lens.  And it does a great job at that.  It’s sharp wide open and crazy sharp at F2.8.

Future Setup)

• Add: Olympus 8-25/4 Pro - After shooting at Bryce Canyon a couple of weeks ago with only my PL12-60, I realized that is the lens I need.  24mm just isn’t going to work anymore for my wide end.  I will sell that lens and get this as soon as funds allow it.
• Add: Olympus 12-100/4 Pro - Having the 8-25 and the PL12-60 is just too much of an overlap.  So the PL12-60 will find a new home and the 8-25 and the 12-100 will replace it for different things.  The 12-100 will do what my PL lens did but give me 80mm, Sync-IS, a MF Clutch, and an L-Fn button while sacrificing nothing in terms of IQ.
• Add Panasonic Leica 15/1.7 - This one is a bit harder for me to justify.  What I want is a 35mm that’s sharp in the corners at 35mm, this lens is about the closest I’ll get, but it’s pricy, even for a used one.

Eventually)

• Laowa 10mm/2 unless Olympus or Panasonic pulls their heads out their ***** and makes a prime lens for astrophotography, landscapes, and interiors (and no I’m not interesting the Oly 8/1.8 fisheye).  I may do the Olympus 12/2 if I find it at a great price when I’m ready to buy.
• Olympus 100-400 - Because.  And that, so far, is my only reason.
• Olympus E-M1 Mk III - There’s a few nice to have features I wouldn’t mind - but my EM1.2 is doing alright in the meantime.
• Eventually I’ll need a new bag to hold a Body and 4-6 lenses…but that’s down the road a bit.

I'm just over a year into M43, sold half my gear, and replaced it with a second body and my first Pro lens. Soon I will be building my first such kit, once I have taken delivery of a Compagnon 11 Sling bag, which I have chosen for flexibility, unobtrusiveness, and weather resistance:

- Camera A: E-M1 II with 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro

- Camera B: E-M1 II with 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5 SWD

- Lumix 20mm f/1.7 for dimmer/dinner stills or interior Cinema4K

All lenses have short hoods mounted rather than filters, for quick-draw shooting without worrying about dust, contact with bag zippers, etc.

Just going out every day? Then a GM1 with either the Lumix 12-32 or Oly 14-42 EZ or the Lumix 20mm f1.7. Fits fine in a coat pocket.

Actually travelling somewhere interesting? Still have the GM1 has emergency back up, but the main gear is the EM1 Mark III with 17mm f1.2 Pro, 8mm f1.8 FE Pro, 12-40 Pro, Oly 14-150 and maybe a short telephoto prime, either the 45 or the 75, if I know what I will encounter.

I use a small sling bag with EM1 Mk 1, Lumix 100-300 & 7-14 & 40-150 (the 99 USD lens - quite good, with a plastic macro lens) . A FF Canon with 1.4/35 dangling from my neck for quick work. Plus Metz 64 & power pack, FL 300

At the old age I don't find myself carrying more than one lens my do all 40-150 2.8 pro lens on my  OMD E-M1 II a long lens camera case, camera shoulder rig with spare battery and a pod on my trips to the park.