Hi folks!

Simple question. What is in your camera bag? Obvious you carry some or many photogear, like camera, lenses, filters, tripod ) but what else? I am looking for practical items what you use when you go for an outdoor shooting or in a studio. 

seeya  Tunde

Other than the immediate equipment you mentioned i have a lens cloth and a hot-shoe spirit level.  But that is my "core" setup in my sling bag, if i was using my full bag i would probably have my lunch, a bottle of water, sunscreen (optional), rain jacket, and possibly a rainsleeve for the camera.  When i went to measure up the full bag to my equipment and whether it could fit everything the guy in the shop (when there was a free space in the compartments) said there was room for the "piece" - meaning your apple ("piece of fruit")... so obviously that is what he did with any spare space in the bag

Because I shoot in sunrises/sunsets pretty often I find spare towels a must in case of rain. Just to wipe off lens in case of rain.  Also a small flash lite helps  when it's dark to check settings and find things in the bag.  Like Rich I carry water for drinking and small clean up jobs on filters and such.  Depending on how the day looks, sometimes an umbrella when shelter is not an option on a hike.  Most of the extra's I carry is to protect my equipment and not me.  Hope this helps...Aloha~

Thanx guys for a respond. Very sensible what 's been mentioned. I do the same never mind if I get dirty or hungry but my gear is safe.  I do have a knife and a scissors with me all the time, sometimes I have to clear the area around mushrooms or fungy, great help. Also if I am into something new, I have a notebook to right down what setting I was using and what condition I was in weather wise.

seeyus  Tunde

directly connected with photography: greycard, QPcard, lenscloth, manual of my camera, smaller tripod

depending on where I go: a detailed map of the area, pocket knife, ballpen and notebook, a rope,  mosquito spray and something to put on if I still get bitten (marshes), bottle of water,  a few apples, a banana, some plastic bags, a towel, kleenex, a fluo plastic vest (evenings and nights) , a copy of Charles Baudelaire's Fleurs du Mal (always!) , my cellphone, raincoat, magic wand, my teddybear,......

lol

great thread!

Water bottle, Sunflower Seeds, Breakfast Bar, Wallet, iPod, Flash Stick, Spirit Level, Lens Cloth, 5 Memory cards, Map, Tourist book, Train Tickets, Jersey, Hat, Spare glasses, Tissues

:)

Fun question, and good ideas.

@ Tanchelyn.... great list . Good idea to use reflecting vest at night shots.

@ Vera...sunflower seed? you have tell your secret! Clever selection of useful items on any photo excursion and I know you do a lot of shots in a nature.

seeyus  Tunde

camera, little lens, big lens, several close-up lenses, lens cloth, dust remover stick, a couple thousand lens caps cos i'm always losing em, memory cards, a torch for when i go bug hunting at night and a tripod.

High power laser pointer, good for moving birds etc out of shot.

EOS 30D/w/ 24-105F4 L, 430EX, GF Lightsphere (PJ) and 16 AA rechargeable batteries. In a Lowepro SlingShot 200 AW. I might start keeping my Giottos Rocket-air inside too.

I noticed that babuci raised a very good question by saying,

What is in your camera bag? ...  but what else?

First I must say "Great minds think alike" because I was thinking of starting
a similar thread just last week.  OTOH, I would have asked for photos ... grin

In each camera bag, I carry the camera, spare memory cards, spare
batteries, and a small tripod. 

I have another canvas bag that always holds ...

Power inverter (12v to 110v AC)

Three outlet adapter (3 prong male to 3 x 3 prong female)

External recharger for each kind of camera battery (must make a note to
find out why no 2 of my cameras accept the same battery ... LOL)

12v adapter for each of the chargers

Recharger for my cellphone

Memory card reader

USB cable for memory card reader

USB cable for each camera (must make a note to find out why no 2
of my cameras have the same USB cable ... LOL). 

USB 2.0 hub

Paper, pen, sharpie marking pen

33 ft. Tape measure

Flagging tape

40GBy external HDD (USB) and USB cable

Memorex TravelDrive 1 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive [doesn't need cable] (on order)

CAT-5E RJ-45 cable

CAT-5E RJ-45 cable crossover cable

Notebook computer [sometimes]

As to the flagging tape, please resist the impulse to order and carry flagging
tape inscribed with the words "Police Scene", "Crime Scene", "Biohazzard", or
the like.  The flagging tape needs to be in a ziploc or it will unwind and tangle
... everything. 

Each recharge unit and associated cable(s) is in a separate ziploc bag. 
(capturing them in the ziploc bags is a new idea -- let's wait and see if that
degree of organization lasts for very long ... LOL)

After reading the other responses, I'll be adding camera lens cleaner, and
lens cleaning paper, eyeglass cleaning solution and cloth, camera cleaning
bulb/brush, flashlight, laser pointer, knife, scissors, perhaps a small tool kit,
duct tape (in a ziploc), 33 gal garbage bag, and extra ziploc bags. 

--
Martin

p.s. That large canvas bag stays in the car while I am on location or hiking. 

In the bag I keep in my car, I usually just have a UV filter and a lens cloth. In my backpack, for long time shooting; A UV filter, lens cloth, a second lens, rain sleeve, Manual for my camera, light jacket, water, tri-pod, and mini tri-pod. Things can vary, when I first started off, I only had my camera for all day shooting.

Attached Link: Fall Foliage Digital Photography Workshop Offered at Covewood

What is in your camera bag? ...  but what else?

In the mid 1980's, I attended a Nature Photography Workshop on Big Moose
Lake in the Adirondacks.  While composing this reply and thinking about that
class, I asked my Good Buddy Google about that subject and instructor. 

(sometimes I think Google reads my mind ... LOL)

As you can see on the attached link, it looks like Steve and Vicki are still
giving that class. 

Coming back to the present topic ...

Here are some suggestions that came out of that Nature Photography
Workshop that I attended in the mid 1980's.  (Actually, this was part of the
class handout) ...

Large ziploc bag containing ...

black heavy duty garbage bag to block light or to keep you dry

semi-opaque plastic as a light diffuser

several spring type clothespins

string (gardener's twine) to move branches or suspend a plastic diffuser

the sheets of plastic can also be used to block the wind

bottle of water and sprayer -- great way to improve the color saturation
of an otherwise dull rock ... or put some water droplets on a flower

There might have been a few other items ... I'll let you know as soon as I
find that part of the class handout.  ... I know it's around here ... somewhere ...

--
Martin

p.s. This inspired quite a trip along memory lane ...

Thanks Martin, I learned a lot about good use of a plastic bag, I never thought of that. Looks like you carry all your hardware to assist you on your photo shoot.

seeya  Tunde

I noticed that babuci said,

Looks like you carry all your hardware to assist you on your photo shoot

But it's 'insurance' ... the big bag stays in the car. 

BTW, I remembered another item from the Nature Photography Workshop
handout ... some aluminum foil to act as a reflector when you need to
increase the amount of light on the subject ... if it is less than perfectly
flat, that's good -- that added light wil be somewhat diffuse.  In fact, a
12 oz. space blanket or the 2 oz. space blanket would be even better. 

--
Martin

My 400D, cpl lenses, spare battery and mem. card, pack of 3 filters, a 3 way spirit lvl that fits my flash mount (I use it sometimes because apparently I lean to the left), a 1ft high tripod, lens cleaning cloth, cable remote control,  bottle of water in the outer pockets.

Some good ideas from this thread, ty ppl.

Sunflower seeds are a really good snack when you are like 2 hours from a decent food place, eat one bag and you're hungry will be gone for about 4 hours. Although your brain will still be telling you to look for that hamburger stand...

Some of the stuff that people have mentioned I'm sure would be in the car rather than the bag ???

When i went up Waynu Picchu (the mountain in "that photo" behind Machu Picchu) i had everything in my bag  - 5/6 lenses, body, cleaning kit, filters, laptop and all the accessories needed to run a download, plus a backup drive. And a change of clothes, bottle of water, and my stopover gear for the night - it was upwards of 12kgs i would assume.  I almost killed myself on that little trek... i got back down and was feeling a bit feverous after the exertion and my legs didnt work properly! (vertical climbs tend to do that) Lesson of the day for a thread which seems to be going in the same direction of "carry everything and anything you might need"... sometimes less is more... or something like that - depends on the shooting circumstances i suppose.  I missed a few good shots when i got back down as i just headed for the door needing to have a drink (water gone) and a seat and maybe something to eat...

I prefer to travel light - small a bag as possible - carrying 6 spare memory cards and 3 packs of batterys (always carry a new set of Duracell incase your charger has failed) thats it. Over my shoulder is a water bottle. Occsaionally I'll carry a tripod.

The missus gets to carry the tripods, seats, water bottles, beach tent, food, 24 cans of coke:) 
    
One tip in urban environments- didn't happen to me but a friend - was don't carry your bank cards or train tickets in your camera bag. Someone sliced the strap and legged it. He got stuck in London with no cash and no ticket home. Railway station guards are not very helpfull either.

I tend to only carry the essentials with me, memory cards, spare battery and a box of filters - various grads, polariser, etc. a cloth. Other than that I usually have a selection of maps and as much food as I can carry, lol. I normally carry my tripod seperately unless the going gets a bit rough then I'll strap it to my pack - LowePro Orion Trekker II

My small bag is the one I wear, with belt and shoulder strap. In it are only photo things, including lens cloth, lenses, memory cards, spare batteries, any filters I think might be useful.

The large back is a bit much on a trek but it includes a rocket blower, flash gun,  prescription meds if needed during that time.   I generally pack the bags depending on expected and possible unexpected conditions..which would inlcude aluminum foil, clothes pins, flash sync cord, perhaps a snack or two.  Most water, food, etc., I carry some other way.  Monopod is generally there somewhere, on the bag or in hand or over shoulder.

I would rather travel lightly as possible when on foot.

Extra zoom lens - usually wide (17-70) because my normal (24-120) is on the camera, and the LensBaby. Lens cloth, extra batt, charger, various filters, on-camera flash (though I HATE to use it!), extra cards, some form of snack (cereal bars are a fav), and usually the reason I'm using my bag (I usually shoot in studio) is because I'll either meet or be with a client, so I carry a few different kinds of breath mints.

Don't ever let your lunch of saurkraut and onions ruin a starting relationship with a new client! Got the idea from assisting - one of the shoots, the client (wasn't the photographer) had something horrible for breakfast and his breath stunk up the room - it really travelled, and we couldn't get away from it!
The photographer then showed me his breath mints and winked ;-)

-Lew ;-)

Very interesting to see what people carry.  As for me, lens cleaner, extra batteries, extra memory card and eyeglasses.  Depending where I go....Trekpod or tripod, walking sticks, hydration system, two-way radio, gps, compass, sunscreen, hat, dark glasses, mask, first aid kit, raingear, jacket, Ziploc bags, plastic waste bags, toilet paper, gloves, trail mix, light snacks, energy gels, Excedrin/aspirin, headlamp, extra clothing, watch, mirror/reflection device and sometimes a friend.........Aloha.....Errol

Wow Errol, sure you set up for a big and safe photo trip. I know you go some dangerouse place time to time ( lava field) those things realy sensible to carry....specialy a friend...in trouble can get help.. and always a good chating company.

Tom, I prefer a lighter set up too, but if I have to than I do carry my big backpack loaded up with everithing I might think would help me to get a shot.

seeya  Tunde

Hey, TK,

Well, let's see.  In this little compartment over here, there's a lens cloth, lens cleaning tissues, and q-tips.  On the other side is a mesh pocket that's currently empty, but if I'm just going around town, I stick my driver's license in there so I don't have to take my purse.  In the back pocket is a mini tripod, which I haven't used yet.  But hey - you never know!  In the main compartment are extra memory cards, extra batteries, and . . . hmmm . . . what's this?  Oh yes - MY CAMERA!!!  The attachment for my big tripod is usually on the camera, because - well, you have to keep it somewhere, and that way it won't get lost.  I rarely use a tripod, but even when I take it along, it has it's own bag, so I guess that doesn't count as "what's in my camera bag."

This was fun!

:)

TK

Thanks Tara to hop in!

Like the idea about a driving license you can leave you whole walet at home.

seeya  Tunde

haha ! good question !
so let's see... i've got : some lens papers, a chinese brush, a little tripod, some pola filters, some films (apx 100, velvia 50, tri-x 400), 3 compact flash cards 1 Go, 2 extra batteries, a mini bottle of 'soap to wash-your-hands-without-water' .. heuuu .. yep that's all ;o)

of course my cam (film or digital, two lens : 35mm and 50mm) lol

;o)
Olvier

When I was out west apart from my camera and it's accessories....my bag held my wallet, hairbrush, deoderant ( well you just never know when you need to look and smell good LOL ), smokes and lighter, drink cooler, mobile phone and photos on discs.....

besides the usual lenses,tripod etc.... i carry an expo disc.,lens cloths,small pair of binoculars,light meter.a pair of fingerless gloves........

james
,

The book I'm reading right now when I'm on the bus, Dantes Inferno. Business cards, memory cards my Speed light flash my Minolta meter my sc-17 cord and my safe sync, batteries, camera cleaning gear and a back up battery for my camera and back up batteries for my flash and my Holga camera.

Flash, spare memory cards 3CF 2 XD, four sets of rechargable batteries, filters, gelitine holders, filter holders, flash light, card readers, usb lead, 2x tele converter, wide angle lens,  super macro lens, pen knife, PDA with sattalite reciever, camera cleaning cloths, brush and fluid, Gloucose tablets(I'm diabetic) + a mars bar, tripod and mini tripod and a 4gb usb pen drive, a biro and notepad and a fewQ-tips and Mcdonalds hand wipes.  I think thats about it,

My Bag gear as follows, 1DM3(soon to see canon service), 30D, 24-105 f4L IS, 70-200 2.8L IS, 430ex flash, diffuser, extra batteries. My monopod and tripod are attached to the bag. I have my ipod in the bag when ever I go out.

In my bag, there is almost allway some spare money, to get a bottle of water or something like that on the way to a shot or on the return trip, otherwise pen and papper, cleaning stuff for the cam, spare battery. oh and the must not forget plasticbag covered newspaper as to be able to sitt down anywhere without getting wet or cold.

Some good idea's have been submitted, I will have to take stock of my bag and upgrade it a bit.

A tip for you all, if you get two large bin bags, you can cut a hole in the bottom of one and two holes in the side, these are for the head and arms.  Then with the other one, you cut all the way across the bottom and use this like a skirt, pull it up to your waist then tie the slack(assuming you are not too round, around the waist,lol) into a not, you then have a water proof cover.  Must make sure the top bag is outside the waist band, so then the rain just runs down to the bottom.  I learned this tip from a refuse collector, emptying the bins.  Great in an emergency.

I got to have my bottle of tea. I like diff types of tea even the chia teas[put soy milk or milk in the spicy tea.mmmmm]  I just warp my camera in a shirt and go. In my truck is my tripod [sometimes I put two tripods in for I got a film camera i bring sometimes]and Lens Cloth. unperlle for rain but I rarely shoot then and that be from the truck window down. I need to shot some swamps in the rain to see how it looks. 
But I got all type of goodies in my truck to eat even can food if i real hungur Business cards is in my wallet for it helped me out of touble before. I got this site on it  and tell the person who confront me when i on they propery.
 Looking for a telescope to see how good shots that will get for long distians. got to get one my camera can fix lol. I most likely got the worst stuff and I know a telescope is not good for wildlife shoots. I just dreaming here. but I would like to have one that I can see a bird a mile away

a fluo plastic vest is a good idea Tanchelyn
I finde myself in a hunter area on day and they had walking trails in the woods but I knew of the hunters and say "no Way " I wait intill the season is over. but if I did go I get a fluo plastic vest  to put on. Still got some bad hunters out there lol

I'm too afraid to have liquids in my bag - I have no problem either loading my baggy pockets or bringing a little teeny soft cooler (about the size of a kids' lunch box).

If I REALLY wanna go all out in the middle of nowhere, many moons ago my wife bought me a Panavision shooter's vest - huge deep pockets - I feel like a pack-mule but I have free hands ;-)

good stuff guys and girls...keep the good ideas flowing...lol.

seeyus  Tunde

I keep the tea in my truck. The only camera bag i got it for the film camera which have diff lens and filthers. alol the food and drinks is in my truck. I do not go far from it anyway so I keep all in my truck. So I guess that a big bag.