Yes, I’m at it again!!!!

7 years, 7 months ago 19
Posted in: Uncategorized

Screen Shot 2017-04-13 at 12.13.03 PM

 

If you’re tired of seeing my latest plans for packing gear, just skip this one, but don’t hope that this madness will end soon!!  I finally figured it out.  You buy gear, and more gear and more and finally you have more gear than will fit in even the largest bag that any two men can lift!!!!  O.K. it’s not quite that bad, but you do end up with a lot “specialized” things that won’t fit in a resonable size bag.  For me a rasonable size bag can’t weight more than 30 lbs.  That is the limit of what I’m comfortable putting in the overhead bin.  So the most recent plan is as follows.  If I go somewhere and expect to shoot a wide variety of subjects, like a nature workshop or travel assignment I will take my rolling Think Tank Advantage bag that weighs in at 29 lbs (illustrated above).  It contains the following  gear:

 

2 – Fujifilm X-T2s  (one with Power Booster)_

The folowing lenses:

14mm f 2.8

10-24 f 4

23mm f 1.4

18-135 f 3.5-6.6

56mm f 1.2

60mm Macro f 2.4

55-200 f 3.5-4.6

200mm Micro Nikkor f 4

100-400 f 4.5-5.6

1.4 Teleconverter

 

For  coverage of from 15mm to 840mm and Macro work!

 

 

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The second bag is a Lowepro Flipside Sport 10L AW that hold my “Speed System”  This would be used where single focal length lenses and rangefinder type cameras work best; travel, street, people and family  images.  This is also my go to system when working in low or available light.  This bag weighs in at only 10 lbs, and contains:

 

2 – Fujjifilm X PRO 2 bodies

16mm f 1.4

23mm f 2

35mm f 2

50mm f 2

90mm f 2

 

For a coverage of from 24mm to 135mm

 

All bag plans are simply experiements and using them in the field will tell if it is the right combination and what, if anything, is missed in the field.   Just to be specifiic I also have a 8mm fisheye, 27mm f 2.8 and 35mm f 1.4  and when driving I will have them salted away, but none made the cut to be a primary tool in these two bags.

 

Hope that was helpful, if not forgive me for my never ending obsessions!!!!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

19 Responses

  1. Hank R says:

    Hi Bill:
    First, I hope your son is doing well!

    Please do not stop posting this information. I find your camera and lens packing choices very informative and practical.

    Happy Easter to you and yours!

    Hank

    • admin says:

      Wes is doing great the prayers are really working!!! and no chance I will stop doing this, too much fun!!!!

  2. Jerry R says:

    Ok, but where are your memory cards, filters, spare batteries, etc, etc.? These case look full up.

    See you in the Smokeys soon

    Jerry R

    • admin says:

      Actually 10 batteries are hidden under the lenses, spare cards in the top compartments in the lid.
      One Canon 500 D is weged in at the end of the 100-400 and the reast all have their polarizers installed!! Thought you had me 😉

  3. David W. says:

    It’s good to see your report on Wes in response to another comment.
    I enjoy seeing what you pack, how you pack, and why you carry it. I always get ideas on gear I should carry or not carry, new gear to add to the “Want List” and new ideas on how to pack. Sometimes, I think I carrying everything except the kitchen sink. (As heavy as the bag is, the sink may be buried in the bottom and I just haven’t found it.)
    Have a wonderful Easter celebration.

  4. Jorge says:

    Wow. I thought you were trying to ‘save” your back?? LOL
    Too much my friend, too much.
    J

    • admin says:

      Yes and yes! It is too much, and I’m using whees to save my back, but….. too much!

  5. John says:

    Who makes the colorful lens pouches?

    • admin says:

      Those are called Tamrac Goblin bags. they make a wide variety of sizes for almost any lens and for camera bodies as well. The .3 and .7 are best for almost all of the smaller and medium size lenses, of course larger sizes apply for the bigger zooms!

  6. Mike Roberts says:

    Time to face the music. All of us are totally obsessed with gear and photography. There. I have admitted it. The first step to healing….NOT! Enjoy seeing how you pack and I get ideas from every one you do. I have not found a pouch for the 100-400. Can you tell me which one you have for the 100-400? Glad to hear the good news about Wes.

  7. Hi,

    I tend to use the 27mm as I found the 23mm f1.4 was just too big for street. How do you find the 23mm f2? It looks a little long to me. I use an XT1 and 10.

    Thanks,

    • admin says:

      I agree the 23mm f 1.4 is a little large. The 23mm f 2 is amost as sharp and is only one stop slower so I tend to reach for it first. I agree the 27mm would be the ideal lens for street work, it is very ompact and razor sharp!

  8. William Miller says:

    Crazy,
    This post reminds me of my unabashed youth when I carried a backpack filled with Canon bodies and a collection of primes and zooms. All I needed was a tripod and a Sherpa.

    Today, I carry a small bag with: X100F, X-Pro2, 50/2, Zeiss 12/2.8 and a 28-135.

    I’ll take my Nikon 300 f4.5 ED in another small bag if necessary.

    Now – Please explain to me what picture you can take with that massive collection of equipment, that I can’t?

  9. admin says:

    Probably none!!!! 😉

  10. Brenda Smull says:

    Thanks for the interesting post. It seems that you and Steve have similar packing styles.
    Thank you for the great knowledge and insight you shared with us at the PCU workshop in Bastrop.
    Ernie will be sending his photos soon.

    Happy Easter to you and your family.
    -Brenda