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How do you carry your kit (1 Viewer)

Mevcrna

Member
Hello all.

I am carrying a Canon 500mm F4 with a 7D, a T3i, 18-55mm, 55-250mm, 300 F4, 100mm F2.8 macro, Yongnuo 565, Better Beamer and Induro 413AT with Manfrotto Gimbal. On a LowePro 600AW bits and pieces stick out in accessory pockets all over and the tripod looks like an alien antenna. Does anyone else have a plan to carry all their kit for a day of bire/nature photography?

Mike
 
Personally I'd be looking to travel light and uncluttered and I would take far less than that for a day out shooting wildlife/birds. My most typical kit these days would be a 5D3 with Sigma 120-300/2.8 OS and possibly 1.4X and 2X teleconverters. Depending on the exact nature of the event I may take a tripod, monopod or no support at all. If I can leave stuff safely in the car then I may expand the kit list, but if I'm to lug it about all day then "less is more".

I try to avoid having a backpack unless I really need to stow the gear for a long hike or for protection from the elements (natural and human) etc.. I'll either hang the camera/lens from a Black Rapid strap or sling it over my shoulder atop the monopod or tripod. If I need to take food, drink and extra clothing then that's a different story, but ideally I want as little weight and bulk as possible and my back clear so that I don't get too hot and sweaty lugging the gear around. A 600 AW must add several kilos all on its own - 3.8Kg if I have the right bag. If I do want a bag then my Lowepro Flipside 400 AW will take everything I need and adds just 1.6Kg.
 
Hello all.

I am carrying a Canon 500mm F4 with a 7D, a T3i, 18-55mm, 55-250mm, 300 F4, 100mm F2.8 macro, Yongnuo 565, Better Beamer and Induro 413AT with Manfrotto Gimbal. On a LowePro 600AW bits and pieces stick out in accessory pockets all over and the tripod looks like an alien antenna. Does anyone else have a plan to carry all their kit for a day of bire/nature photography?

Mike

I use the Lowepro Super Trekker AWii - it should swallow that lot quite easily. They are no longer made but both myself and a friend picked up nice examples, at around 100 GBP, on fleabay.
In my Super trekker I carry an 800mm with 1D4 attached, a 300 F2.8, 2 extenders, spare batteries etc, a Wimberley 2, set of extension tubes, lens cleaning kit, spare cards etc. On the outside I have a Gitzo 3530LS. There is room for more stuff - but I can't carry anymore weight!
If you are a Super Hero then the Super Trekker also comes with a detachable day pack (for tea food etc) and two side pouches - one takes up to 3 shortish lenses the other will take a water bottle or a lens like the 300 F4/400 F5.6. I think that should allow you all the room you need.
Personally I rate this pack VERY highly due to the particularly wide range of adjustments in the harness system and it is the most comfortable pack I have yet tried.
 
Hello all.

I am carrying a Canon 500mm F4 with a 7D, a T3i, 18-55mm, 55-250mm, 300 F4, 100mm F2.8 macro, Yongnuo 565, Better Beamer and Induro 413AT with Manfrotto Gimbal. On a LowePro 600AW bits and pieces stick out in accessory pockets all over and the tripod looks like an alien antenna. Does anyone else have a plan to carry all their kit for a day of bire/nature photography?

Mike

Decades ago I used to carry everything in one bulging gadget bag, and I then started to notice that my right shoulder was complaining. I then moved to having dedicated kits for different tasks - and my shoulder recovered.
I now carry my EF 500 F4L IS in a Lowepro Flipside 300 - it just fits, I carry my 1D IV plus EF 28-105 zoom round my neck. I trail my Benbo One tripod & Manfrotto gimbal head in a "granny" shopping trolley, and this restricts where I can get to. If I change to my EF 300 F/2.8L IS I can carry this plus body in the Flipside 300 case. (I bought the larger Flipside 400 but this will not take my EF 500 F4L IS - the thicker body padding stops it deforming to take the 500!)
There was a time when I carried my 300 F/2.8L in its padded case, in the shopping trolley, but the lack of springing caused damage to the USM & focus accuracy - now repaired.
 
If I'm carrying most of my Kit I put it in a F-Stop Rucsac - I've got the Tilopa.

Most of the time though, the camera and lens I'm using is in my hands already on a Monopod.

Graham.
 
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