I want to create a very small, easy to carry bag that I can try to have with me at all times. I have the "got it all in here" bag, but it stays in the car. What are the essentials for a small bag that would have what was necessary "most" of the time without being very bulky?
Hi Dave. For me, my trusty Fuji X100 for sure (goes everywhere), plus my Nikon 600d + 50mm 1.4. I have 2 cheap radio triggers and a flash also. I also have my trusty ND grad and full grad filters slipped in the back.
I just purchased a shootsac and had room for a mini tripod. And I make sure I keep a big tripod in the car. I missed a great opportunity recently because I was too lazy to put it in the car.
Probably more than I should carry, but it seems I just want to be prepared. D300 body, 50mm 1.8, 105mm macro, 18-70mm on camera body, flash. Spare battery. Filters. GPS. Headlamp.
@mikehamm - Yeah, I have that bag ( the headlamp was an idea someone gave me a year ago and has been a savior a couple of times - old eyes I guess). I'm trying to get down to a bag that I just have with me even if not planning on pics. So small it just becomes a part of me. Maybe it's not possible. I'm thinking my body with integrated flash and 28-135, ND filter(s), CP filter, lens cleaner, flashlight I carry on my belt all the time anyway and some form of small mono-pod. I have a really small tripod, but it isn't very sturdy.
I'm really asking if there is something that is often essential that I want to make sure I have. I haven't taken enough good pics to know what I might need and won't have.
@welcometocarolworld - I just watched the shootsac video ... maybe that is the better answer. Instead of reducing what I have, get somthing that works a lot better than the bag I have and keep carrying most of my stuff.
@dlaxton - I have my stuff in a Tamrac messenger bag. It isn't really that huge of a bag so I don't mind taking it with me wherever I go. Shootsac seems like a good idea too.
@mikehamm - Hmmm ... maybe I'm just a wimp and need to man-up and carry the big boy bag LOL ... I may push myself to carry it and see how it goes. Or maybe lighten it a little with the truly non-essentials
For a small bag I have two lenses ( a 35mm macro and my wide angle) with one on the camera. Also I tend to carry a filter pack. That is really all you need for everyday walking around. you can make a tripod out of most things and use the timer instead of a shutter release. If you need a a steady camera you can also use the bolt and string method. I use a small bag because I am walking through the city or on trail and heavy, big, and bulky is the enemy.
@phillyphotos - Paula, thanks, this is great info and exactly what I was looking for. I had forgotten about the bolt & string. There is also a way to wrap your strap around your elbow (target shooters use it for rifles) that works great. I need to look up how to do that again. thanks!
Yeah, there almost always seems to be something to rest the camera on or against instead of having a tripod. For hiking, I have a hiking staff that doubles as a monopod so that comes in handy.
@welcometocarolworld what does a mini-tripod look like and does it hold your canon T3i? i would love a mini not for ease of carrying, but if it can get me low to the ground... prolly i should use the gorilla-pod for this, but i have trouble getting it steady on rocks and i'm not entirely certain what will happen if i get it covered in sand...
@northy - you can also get a string about 6 feet long with a bolt or other sturdy something about 4 inches long attached at one end and the bolt on the other end (as described above) screwed into your tripod socket on your camera. You can use this type to get the bolt on the non-camera end wedged into or around something and then pull the camera taught. This can be helpful if you are lying on the ground for POV or various other non-standing positions.
- @northy Here's a comment from the stringpod video .. I think I second this as a needed improvement ---
I tried a string monopod, but one of its problems is that the string seems to tangle no matter what thickness you use even if you use a washer to weight the string. I solved the problem by replacing the string with a light chain from a hardware store that requires no washer for a weight. It maintains a vertical line even if you move and drag the chain, so you can stomp on it and stabilize the camera.
@dlaxton@northy I think the light chain might really solve that problem and now I have to contemplate trying this. I have yet to try the bolt and string myself but always hear people saying it is great for when you do not have a tripod and need to be more steady. I for one am known for making random things work as my tripod. Here is an example from my last project.
@brumbe - Ha, You are the innovator! Thank god for the flip-out screen. I would have a broken neck using my camera in that position! Besides having my body contorted in such a way as to make the morning papers. I do love POVs at ground level though ... I bet this one came out great.
I have a very compact and sturdy bag that easily holds the following: Nikon D3100, three lenses (18-55, 55-200 and 35 mm prime), rocket blower, lenspen, microfiber cloth, set of filters and battery charger. The bag can also hold a tripod or monopod but I usually travel without those.
@brumbe ha! I almost tried this this morning... Only it was pouring w rain and I was trying NOT to drop my camera in the lake... I guess this is where the beanbag idea may be helpful?
Not sure the bolt and string concept will help me - although seems so cool and simple... I'm wanting something for low pov long exposures...
@soboy5 - Thanks. That's like my main bag. I am trying to figure out if I can create something that can just "be with me" at all times. I don't carry this type bag with me to class or to the pub. I could, I just haven't so far. Maybe that's what I'll end up doing ... but I suspect if so, then I will not have it with me at ALL times.
I'm starting to think the 80/20 rule applies here. If you can get 80% of the shots that pop up, that's a lot better than none if I didn't have anything with me. So, a decent zoom, built-in flash,a couple of filters, a small stabilizing device, and some cleaning stuff.
Closed up, mine is less than 12 inches in length. It has a standard tripod screw on the mount. It is extremely lightweight. But, the legs have a pop out system, and it can be a little tricky to get them all the same height quickly. But, it works!
What a great thread! Learning lots. @dlaxton Getting 80% of shots that pop up! I get probably 10%! And they are generally snapped on the phone (don't shoot me!) Perhaps I need a purpose ready-bag too. In my camera bag now I have a zoom lens and cleaning equipment, and a tripod often lives in the car.
@carolinedreams - Well, I meant rather than try to be prepared to get all the shots that pop up by having all the stuff "with" me ... which I won't ever do ... that to at least be "ready" with the right stuff for 80% ... in NO way does it mean more than 10% will be any good.
But it does seem to me that something like an ND filter or a 135 lens can OFTEN be useful.. But not if they are in the car while I am walking across campus or am in a pub a block from the car, etc.
i actually just toss my camera (yes - it's a dslr) in my work bag and carry little else on a regular basis... just looked at the shootsac @welcometocarolworld mentioned and i'm thinking about it as it would solve the problem i have of disentangling the camera from my wallet, pens, files, etc when i want to pull it out on-the-go ;p
@northy look at the Kelly Moore bags too. I got the Boyfriend to order me the Libby for Christmas.. I too just throw my camera in my purse most of the time and this looked to be a great solution.
For my everyday work bag I have a Tamrac Adventure 7 backpack which I have my office stuff in the top & a Canon 7D with battery grip in the bottom with a Sigma 17-70mm lens attached, lens pen, spare card & ND filter which I carry everywhere. The tripod is in the car & a towel for lying on if needed for low shots!
At the weekends or days out I take a Thinktank Retrospective 30 bag which can take the 7D with a 70-200mm attached & the 17-70mm inside with flash, filter, spare cards, lens pen etc! If need be the bag can even take the 100-400mm attached but then it does weigh a ton :)
I use a caseman bag ... it fits my 60D, 18-55mm, 50-250mm, 50mm prime lens, ND Filters, note pad & pen, small torch & there is still a little bit of room! It slings across your body or over the shoulder. It can take a tripod as well. Tripod is in the car. The bags not too big or bulky & works well for me.
One genius of a bag.
Small, packs everything i have in a secure way. Has a weather cover for rain and is built for adventure.
It fits a 580 EX II flash, my Sigma 18-200, my nifty fifty on the Canon 600D, filters, cleaning kit, battery charger, a water bottle and a tripod.
i always pack a zipshot tripod. Because they are so so lightweight and reliable. See here. http://youtu.be/idukQH_vQyw
@gabrielklee - Thanks, Pretty nice bag. I have a big bag right now and was wondering if there was a way to have the "essentials" with me at all times. I'm thinking with a DSLR, that may not be realistic.
I have a Kata 3N1-25 PL. The straps can be arranged either as a back pack or sling bag. It is a small narrow bag. I just took it overseas and carried in it: Olympus PEN E-PL plus additional telephoto lens and macro converter; Olympus OM-1 with 50mm plus 28mm, 17mm & 135mm lenses; OM-1 to M43 lens adapter; Olympus Chrome Six; Lomo LC-A; a vintage sekonic light meter and some spare rolls film. In addition I also took a Fuji GSW690II and a film smorgasbord selection in my other bag and a charger, etc. I also carry a light weight zip shot tripod.
It is always the source of some amusement when I go through customs and border security. "How many cameras?"
@dlaxton dave, the flipside sport is the smallest way i found to have it all and yet do not became too bulky.
If you want to have a dslr camera around, in a small package, you better have a pocket sized 3/4 sensor, a Canon g15 something like that. And keep it in your pocket. Then carry your big bag around when you have some serious shooting to do. :)
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I'm really asking if there is something that is often essential that I want to make sure I have. I haven't taken enough good pics to know what I might need and won't have.
What mini-tripod did you get?
I tried a string monopod, but one of its problems is that the string seems to tangle no matter what thickness you use even if you use a washer to weight the string. I solved the problem by replacing the string with a light chain from a hardware store that requires no washer for a weight. It maintains a vertical line even if you move and drag the chain, so you can stomp on it and stabilize the camera.
Not sure the bolt and string concept will help me - although seems so cool and simple... I'm wanting something for low pov long exposures...
http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/largeImagePopup.jsp?productId=733564&cImage=s7_229524_775_01
Sale page is here:
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shooting/Shooting-Accessories/Benches-Rests%7C/pc/104792580/c/104769180/sc/104212080/Cabelas-Filled-Shooting-Bags/733564.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fshooting-shooting-accessories-benches-rests%2F_%2FN-1100226&WTz_l=DirectLoad%3Bcat104212080
Forward piece, Front facing looking down the barrel is 6 inches wide, 5 inches deep and 7 inches tall.
Back Piece, Front facing looking down the barrel 4 inches wide, 7 inches deep and 4 inches high.
Together both weight 4 lbs.
I'm starting to think the 80/20 rule applies here. If you can get 80% of the shots that pop up, that's a lot better than none if I didn't have anything with me. So, a decent zoom, built-in flash,a couple of filters, a small stabilizing device, and some cleaning stuff.
Closed up, mine is less than 12 inches in length. It has a standard tripod screw on the mount. It is extremely lightweight. But, the legs have a pop out system, and it can be a little tricky to get them all the same height quickly. But, it works!
@dlaxton Getting 80% of shots that pop up! I get probably 10%! And they are generally snapped on the phone (don't shoot me!) Perhaps I need a purpose ready-bag too. In my camera bag now I have a zoom lens and cleaning equipment, and a tripod often lives in the car.
But it does seem to me that something like an ND filter or a 135 lens can OFTEN be useful.. But not if they are in the car while I am walking across campus or am in a pub a block from the car, etc.
@dlaxton Very cool. Thanks for the link for the string tripod. I will have to try that.
At the weekends or days out I take a Thinktank Retrospective 30 bag which can take the 7D with a 70-200mm attached & the 17-70mm inside with flash, filter, spare cards, lens pen etc! If need be the bag can even take the 100-400mm attached but then it does weigh a ton :)
One genius of a bag.
Small, packs everything i have in a secure way. Has a weather cover for rain and is built for adventure.
It fits a 580 EX II flash, my Sigma 18-200, my nifty fifty on the Canon 600D, filters, cleaning kit, battery charger, a water bottle and a tripod.
i always pack a zipshot tripod. Because they are so so lightweight and reliable. See here. http://youtu.be/idukQH_vQyw
Here's another review of the zipshot tripod. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5z_aiWAaHTs
It is always the source of some amusement when I go through customs and border security. "How many cameras?"
cf http://www.kata-bags.com/3n1-25-pl-sling-backpack
If you want to have a dslr camera around, in a small package, you better have a pocket sized 3/4 sensor, a Canon g15 something like that. And keep it in your pocket. Then carry your big bag around when you have some serious shooting to do. :)