What's In Your Camera Bag?

Tamrac Pro 12 bag with Nikon D100, Tokina 28-70 f/2.8, Sigma 70-200 f/2.8, Nikkor 50 f/1.8, Nikkor 18-35mm, Sigma 90mm f/2.8 macro, Tamron 24-135, Sigma 1.4x, SB-800, 77mm filters, sync cords, light meter, extras CF cards & battery, USB reader & cables, manuals, Bogen mini-tripod, AA batteries, Maglight, leatherman, gaffer tape, Altoids, pen, paper, kitchen sink.

Scratch the last item, no, wait...

My mini-kit is; F3hp with 28/2.8 Ai-s, 55/3.5 Micro and a 105/2.5 Ai-s. A Rolleiflex TLR, Seconic L508 plus extra batteries, some filters (pol, red and yellow) cable release, time clock for long exposures (i usually shoot with 25iso film) a maglite and one of my two gitzo tripods with ball heads. All packed in either a backpack, domke F2 or my cam-fis photo-vest. Sometimes i also slip in my M6 and 35/2, loaded with Tri-X.

Lastest time, FM-2N and one lens, 45/2.8 P. The original FM-2 camera case and two filters, L1BC and A2. Two rolls of Velvia 100F. I use more often a F3. All this into a small mountain backpack. At this time, I`m shooting landscapes and some countryside details. When needed, I take another lens, usually I don`t take more than two lenses (I have used this month also a 300/4.5, 28/2.8 and a 50/1.4). When needed, a Gitzo 126 tripod, cable and always pencil&notebook, lenshoods. Usually I know what I want to shot.

Next week I will shot some portraits at the seashore. I will take F4, 28-105, 180/2.8, flash, meter, Velvias, and A2 filter, all into a Domke F2 bag. If my luggage is not so huge, I will take also a 85/1.4 and probably a Mamiya 6.

Aside from the cheese sandwich and all of the ants?

bag - Domke "Little Smaller" canvas bag

body - Nikon FM3a

lenses - 28/2.8 AIS, 45/2.8 AI-P (whatever it's called), 105/2.5 AIS (sometimes the 135/2.8 AIS instead); filters (all 52mm) - medium yellow filter, red filter, crappy polarizing filter (need to upgrade here)

sometimes flash - SB-800 and diffuser attachment; meter - small Sekonic Twinmate L-208 incident meter

misc - pocket knife, tiny flash light, micro fibre cloth, Sharpie marker, cable release, extra rear cap, extra 52mm front cap; extra batteries; folded small plastic trash bag in case of down pour

film - typically Fuji Neopan 400, a roll of TMAX 3200 "just in case", NPH, recently FP4+ and Reala, and occasionally cheap Superia 400 (I always seem to regret this)

other camera system - I often have a Bessa R rangefinder and a lens or two, always the CV 4/21 and maybe the CV 1.5/50 or 2.5/35 for two-camera shooting (the CV 1.5/50 Nokton simply rocks). The CV body/lenses are small enough they fit in the same bag alongside the Nikon kit with no problems if I don't pack the SB-800 flash. Or if I'm shooting B&W with the Nikon, sometimes I'll slip in my Rollie AFM35 P&S loaded with color film.

I have bigger and smaller bags (LowePro stuff), but for me, this Domke bag is perfect. It's pretty small, and there's plenty room left over for more. With the simple 3-lens Nikon kit, it's a pretty light package as well. It's always "at the ready," and I carry it pretty much wherever I go.

No fast Nikon lenses in the standard bag kit, but so far I'm pleased the the 45's performance vs. the 50mm faster alternatives. I may spring someday for the 85/1.4 to replace the 105/2.5 in the bag. Who knows.

Scott

Well, in the one sitting next to me:

Small format: FM3a, noname 28mm, 50mm f/1.4 AF, 135mm f/2.8 AI, extension tubes

Medium format: Bronica S2A, spare back, Nikkor 50mm f/3.5, 75mm f/2.8, 135mm f/3.5, Fuji GA645

Misc.: light meter for Bronica, 52mm filters, 67mm filters, 82mm filters (!), mini tripod, 75mm hood, cable release

Film: In 120: Neopan 400, ACROS, FP4+, Reala. In 35mm: Neopan 400, FP4+, Neopan 1600.

You can tell I've been on a MF kick for the last while. I could probably stand to reshuffle that; I don't really need the GA645, and that would make my Nikon easier to get at.

Contents of smaller bag depends on what I'm planning on doing, but is frequently either FM3a + primes or Bronica gear.

Well usually...,when I use my Nikon -

FM3a, 55f2.8 micro, extension tube, FP4, HP5, 160VS, cable release, 2 x plastic carrier bags, spare QR head for tripod, white reflector, silver reflector, 150 x 200mm piece of glass, vaseline, 25mm paint brush, white handkerchief, Pentax Digital Spotmeter, compass, spare batteries, yellow, orange, red and green, ND and polarising filters, mobile phone, (and a walkie talkie radio if I'm out with my mate!)

Cheers, Julian

ps - I think this is an interesting thread, not to see the gear, but what other bits and pieces others take with them.

Man, you guys carry a lot more stuff than I do...

Nice to see so many manual Nikons. I expected more digital (I'm a D70 man myself, but used to shoot lots of medium format. Kind of regret selling that system).

It hasn't been long enough since the last thread of this type so I'll pass. But have fun.

I will say that three things that always accompany me are pocket lint, no tea and my towel.