Windwalker and other serious photo buffs

“What photo equipment do you carry when you backpack and how much does it weigh?

Now that I have a Digital SLR, I'm going to start carrying my photo equipment again, but I'm curious as to what you guys carry. So far I have:
====Item===== Grams Pounds
Canon 10D ----- 882--1.94
Extra Battery-- 82---0.18
Extra Memory -- 20---0.04
Wide Angle Lens 440--0.97
Telephoto Lens- 450--0.99
Camera Bag ---- 680--1.50
Tripod-Fullsize 862--1.90

The weight of the camera bag surprised me, but I'm considering using a shoulder harness that I wear underneath my backpack which straps the camera bag to my chest, rather than somewhere else. Any other ways of carrying your equipment?
last edited: 2/23/05 1:06:04 PM”

“Serious photo buffs don't count camera grams. Take what you need to get the shots your looking for. I carry 70# for 5 day outings.”

“Obviously with nearly 8 pounds of crap, I'm willing to pack in some stuff to get the shots I want. But I'm curious how others do it.

Goat, how do you carry your camera and lenses when backpacking?”

“I pack it amungst my soft gear and try to keep the body at the top.
I carry:
1 35mm body
1 80-200 2.8
1 20-35 2.8
several filters
lots of film
tripod straped to the outside of the pack.”

“Yep pretty much...I'm doing what the goat is doing. The shorter the trip the more I carry :)

I usually wear the camera and have it clipped to my shoulder straps to keep the bouncing down to a minimum.

If you wear it it doen't count ...right :)

17-40mm on the camera and usually carry one or two more lenses...
90mm Macro
400mm Telephoto

Cokin P filter holder
2 stop and 3 stop ND grads

Warming Polarizer

2 extra battery packs

Remote cable release

Tripod strapped to the outside of my pack.

I have a 2GB compact flash in the camera and also carry an extra 1GB and a 512MB in
my pack.

Whew...makes me tired just thinking about it...LOL!”

“I've been thinking about some GNDs, but they're kinda pricey, so I'll have to save up for that. Right now, I'm doing the Fred Miranda DRI thing, or sometimes doing it myself in Photoshop if I don't like the results. Feels a bit like cheating, but it makes nice pics, and doesn't misrepresent the scene.

I'm hoping this shoulder harness/top loader bag system will work well. It's remarkably cheap really. But I'd hate to have to dig through my bag every time I want to change lenses. My wife already rolls her eyes and groans every time I say "that would make a great shot!" [I've got to find something to keep her entertained while I'm shooting:-) ]

Anyway, I love your stuff, and would love to watch you work. Maybe I'll catch up to you on a trip sometime.”

“Keep a few lenses in her pack. Eventually, Each time you stop for a shot, she'll know to have her share of the lenses available quickly. That should keep her busy enough to keep the complaints down.

Of course, this idea works in theory... I am not married. (perhaps this is the reason why?)
last edited: 2/23/05 6:40:56 PM”

“Sinar F2 Camera
Nikkor 90mm lens all mounted on lens board and cable
Nikkor 180 mm lens
Nikkor 240 mm lens
Nikon 35 mm camera with 50mm lens
8- 4x4 filters and holder
pentax spot meter
reading glasses
loupe
Polaroid back
10 film holders loaded
10 sheets Polaroid film
Dark cloth
Tripod
Around 45 lbs.
This is day trip only, I have packed it all with my camping gear. Now I like to base camp and day hike from there.
If I through hike I cut it down to one camera and lens. I will dayhike with it all, But allot of times I go out to work on a idea, with one camera one lens 4 holders.
In these cases it\'s rare for me to shoot over 6 sheets of film.”

“DocNice, get your wife a pair of binoculars. At least, that's what keeps Jerry happy.

Wind Walker, use the self-portrait function and leave the remote cable release at home.

As for packs, I have been using a waist pack for my 10D and Tamron 28-300 lens. I also carry 1-2 extra batteries and extra memory and a cleaning cloth. This method of carrying is adequate and extremely handy, but the thing is totally in the way for climbing boulders. I have thought a lot about alternatives, but haven't come up with anything. I use a silnylon stuff sack over the camera bag when it is raining. I look really weird, kind of like a low-lying reverse hunchback, but fortunately, I'm not vain.”

“I'ts not for self portraits Karen :)

It's for no wiggle on those long shutter speeds....I have come to love that little button on the end of a wire! (Don't have to wait for the count down of the timer)

Also helps reduce camera shake on the 400mm.”

“I haven't tried it, but someone said you can reduce the self-portrait timer to 3 seconds so you don't have to wait. I didn't think you were photographing yourself with a remote cable, but now that you mention it, it does create a pretty funny picture in my mind.”

“I'm with you Wind walker, I used the self timer on 35 and 6x6 I don't like it. I'm hooked on that button.”

“I'm with everyone else. Pounds don't count when it's getting the shot that's your goal. I usually carry either a Nikon F5 with a couple of lenses and an assortment of filters, OR a Mamiya M645 with one lens. I always travel with my Gitzo tripod, and the whole mess will fit into my Dana Designs external frame Longbed pack, along with several days worth of gear. When I go with my wife, she will pack the Mamiya, I pack the Nikon, and we fight over the tripod that I always carry.”

“Flatlander, what's the problem with using the self-timer?”

“Anybody that knows Windwalker knows he isn't serious about anything! :)”

“I'm not sure of the weight, but I usually carry the following:

Standard on most hikes:
Nikon D100
Sigma 28-80mm Lens (more flexibility)

Additional lens if I am looking for the long shots...
Sigma 70-200mm (2.8) lens
(This I carry in its original lens case for extra protection, although sometimes I will wrap it in a bandana and a towel for padding.)

Sometimes I carry my 50 mm/1.8 Nikon Lens and my Nikon N80, but in general, I use the other 2.

I use my walking staff as a monopod if needed, although I don't usually use my big lens on it (too unstable). Still looking for a decent (and not outrageously expensive) tripod.. :-)

Mostly, I bring my cameras as an extra to my other things during my hikes, so I haven't actually planned day hikes with only photography in mind....(might do more of that down the road.)

For my "basic lens & camera body", I use a regular camera case (i.e. one that fits the camera, not a bag for multiple lenses) and hang it from the front of my backpack straps. That way, it is easy access and seems to feel a little better than having it on my back (because I feel like the weight is distributed better.)

Also, on day hikes, I will bring my mountainsmith lumbar pack-- it fits my large lens perfectly and I can sling it around to the front of me when I need to change lenses... not quite as easy access, but good when I am on a day hike and don't want to carry much on my back...
I'm looking to see if I can get a more water-proof and lighter camera case, though”

“In the shots I look for, a couple of ounces worth of cable is worth carrying to avoid the self timer 3 second or longer delay. When shooting moving water, there is often a slight breeze roaring up the pike. The slight movement of a leaf will ruin my shot. A cable release allows me to release the shutter when the wind stops, not 3 or more seconds later as the wind may be kicking up again.”

“Nothing wannabp, I think it's just personal preference. I started with manual cameras and was use to using the cable release. I used the camera timer for a short time, just never did like it. with the lager format it's a must. I've always said, it doesn't matter how you get to a great image, just get there, and keep shootin.”

“Yeah, but what Goat says makes sense. I'm always waiting for the wind to stop moving a flower before I depress the shutter. Great, more gear to carry.”

“I'm pretty buff and I take photos while backpacking. Does that qualify me as a photo buff? You gotsta be buff to carry the friggin' gear I carry. Actually it doesn't look like I carry any more than some of you other buff photographers. My tripod is about 4 lbs and I carry three "L" series Canon lenses along with my Elan 7 body, quite a few filters and GNDs and oodles of film. But my film is pretty light, it's only ASA 50. Plus I have Fuji factory-seal my film with helium. Sometimes to save weight I only take every other exposure on my roll of film. Or if I have a choice between shooting a big heavy doe or a little fawn, I'll just shoot the fawn instead. It all adds up. If I'm reeeally pooped I'll often tie some twine to my camera and drag it behind me on the trail so I don't hafta carry it in my pack. If you're smart you can figure this kind of stuff out.”

“Buck you better stock up on your light weight Velvia 50...I heard through the the Fuji grapevine that it will be discontinued in 2005...They will still offer Velvia 100 but as you already know it's twice the weight.”

“I heard that too. Instead of stocking up, I'm just lifting weights and running an extra couple miles a day to make up for it. I think I can handle this Velvia 100 with proper physical training.
last edited: 2/24/05 6:22:42 PM”

“I wouldn't advise the 100 at first, work your way up, starting with maybe 64. I tried going straight to the 100 a few years ago, and I'm not over it yet. The workouts, just will not prepare you for such a drastic change.”