Just wondering what folks consider essential enough to bring with them when traveling to be ready for the "perfect shot", but in light of the weight, size and quantity restrictions on hand and checked luggage in air travel these days. In other words, how are you stripping your kit down to the bare essentials without cursing yourself for not having a certain essential item?

I'm still building my ideal travel kit, which is why I'm asking. Also wonder if anyone bothers to bring any primes along with them when they travel and why. Finally, how are you all transporting your gear when you are often restricted to only one carry on?

Just wondering what folks consider essential enough to bring with them when traveling to be ready for the "perfect shot", but in light of the weight, size and quantity restrictions on hand and checked luggage in air travel these days. In other words, how are you stripping your kit down to the bare essentials without cursing yourself for not having a certain essential item?

I'm still building my ideal travel kit, which is why I'm asking. Also wonder if anyone bothers to bring any primes along with them when they travel and why. Finally, how are you all transporting your gear when you are often restricted to only one carry on?

Good question. Here's what my carryon looks like when I travel:

In the carryon bag:
* D70s with 18-200 lens and UV filter mounted, holster style case
* Memory card wallet - I usually travel with ~5-6GB of cards in 1 and 2GB sizes.
* 100/3.5 and 50/1.8 - both very compact, so they fit together in 1 lens case
* 1 flash, with a small remote trigger (if I want to get creative)
* Image tank (Wolverine FlashPac 60GB)
* Laptop
* iPod and headphones
* Reading material

All of this goes in a Kelty daypack. It probably weighs right around 10kg, which I believe is the typical limit in the EU (?). (Here in the US, it's easily compliant). The daypack also meets the EU/US size requirements, and can fit in the overhead of a regional jet.

In the checked bag:
* Tripod
* Cokin filter set
* Cleaning accessories
* Any other stuff I'd need.

If I'm just around a city for the day, I'll carry the camera in the holster bag over my shoulder, and that's it - if I know I'm going somewhere I'll be shooting low-light or macro, I'll just put the little lens case on my belt. The holster also carries the memory cards. If it's an outdoors/hiking trip, all of my gear is in cases that are part of ThinkTank's belt system (including the holster), so I just strap onto the belt whatever I need - it's a very versatile system (the lens case pouches can also nicely hold a 1-L water bottle). Only thing it doesn't carry is the tripod, which I just carry on a strap over my shoulder.

Canon 300D with Grip with 24-70 mounted
17-40 lens
70-200 lens
Sigma 500DG
Sandisk UltraII 2GB CF card X 2
Macbook Pro
iPod
Samsung NV10 sub-compact

Keep in mind that I'm US based, and they never bother me with my Tamrac Camera/notebook bag (it is considered as a personal item mostly).

Nikon D50, filter on regular 18-55 mm lens. Carry my gynmormous and lovely Tamron SP AF90 MM F/2.8 Di Macro lens 1:1 (okay, I had to look at that up).

An extra sd card or two.

Nothing else. Oh, I took my nikon strap off my camera and put on a generic on e just so I wouldn't get mugged. Not that that has happened, but its not so flash.

I am still in the market for a fisheye lens and a small point and shoot.

I have a telephoto lens for the d50, but I can't be bothered.

It all fits in either my lancel for swish travel, my timbuk for work or whatever bag I have decided to carry for the farmer's market, usually an ugly canvas one.

lala

Canon 10D with vertical grip, waiting to upgrade

EF17-40mm f/4L USM which is now my general walking around lens.

EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM my old walking around lens that comes in handy when I need longer reach and less weight.

EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Best lens I ever owned

EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

Also a Canon 1.4x Teleconverter

Timer Remote Controller TC-80N3

Speedlite 430EX

Several older lenses are at home

Canon Digital Rebel

EF 28-300 Zoom
EF 18-50 Zoom(#2.....#1 seemed to dislike shooting in the freezing rain:rolleyes: )

Multiple compact flash cards
2GB microdrive that always locks up at about 1GB
Mini tripod
Kodak 6 in 1 card reader
4-5 batteries and recharger
Remote Control

Circular Polarizing filter
Various neutral density filters

Laptop

I have a convertible fanny/shoulder bag that I can place within my backpack to meet carry on rules.

Sony Alpha
18-70 and 75-300 lenses (latter doesn't make it on all trips)
UV filters on both. Have circular and linear polarisers too.
extra battery
charger
4 x 2GB CFs + 19GB photo bank/6-in-1 reader + charger
Remote shutter release

Lightweight tripod

350D
28-105 3.5-4.5 + uv filter
50-200 3.5-4.5 + uv filter
soon to be joined by a 50 1.8
(I might consider leaving the 50-200 at home unless I am going on a shoot)
2 batteries
3x1gb cf cards
card reader
macbook pro + power brick + flight cable
60gb firewire portable lacie drive
ipod
sure e2c

sometimes the panasonic camcorder comes along as well.

other cables, chargers, tripod etc go in checked bags.

/E

Just wondering what folks consider essential enough to bring with them when traveling to be ready for the "perfect shot", but in light of the weight, size and quantity restrictions on hand and checked luggage in air travel these days. In other words, how are you stripping your kit down to the bare essentials without cursing yourself for not having a certain essential item?

That depends on where I'm going and why. If it's a photo trip, I struggle to leave anything behind, as every part has a purpose. I'm headed to Moab in a few and all I've managed to convince myself that I don't need is the 85/1.8 portrait lens and the 100-400 sports lens (leaving the 12-24/4, 17-40/4, 28-75/2.8, 50/1.8, 70-200/2.8IS, 100macro, 1.4TC ND's, CP, GND, PSD, laptop with LR and CS3, tripod, batteries, cards, etc to fit in carryons, with the tripod checked.).

When I was traveling to NYC for work and just planned on grabbing a couple hours over lunch or in the evening during the week, the 17-40, 70-200 and 50 came along, with a tripod.

Depending on the job:

Standard Carry-on for long distance work
EOS 20D
17-40 f4 L + UV and CPL filter (about the ONLY lens i keep a filter on these days)
20 f2.8 (If i'm out and about in the evening)
50 f1.8 Mk I (nice and unassuming - not a theft target)
135mm f2.8 SF (an intresting beast... but very sharp)
70-210 (The least used lens - only really used at Airports tbh - might dump it soon)
Spare Battery
iBook with charger
Joba GigaDrive (40gb)
Holga (with a film loaded in it)
Lots of memory cards (Lexar then Sandisk then Fake Sandisks)

For shorter distance, I dump a lot of the lenses, but keep the rest. If its a day trip, the ibook is left at base for me to review everything upon my return (unless its a paid job).

If there's a paid job to go to
EOS 300D (backup, charged and cleaned)
50mm f1.8 Mk II (I keep a spare of this lens - nearly essential)
Light meter

In Luggage
Light meter
Tripod (a Velbon normally - I'm saving for a manfrotti)
Chargers
A 3 port extention cable with the country specific plug in the back of it (saves buying many plug converters)
10 Blank CDs
Sensor cleaning kit

See... Light Traveling. I've heard of it.

I'm not 100% hot on filters (anything that gets between the light and the lens is not the greatest thing IMO), and I only keep them on the L series lens because of the cost of replacing the lens. The rest live unfiltered, but are cleaned regually

Whenever I travel with more than my Sony T10 or Canon TX1 P&S, I have in a Lowpro MicroTrekker 200:

Canon 5D w/ Ee focusing screen
Canon 70-200 f/2.8 L IS
Canon 400 f/4.0 IS DO
Canon 50 1.8
Canon 1.4x teleconverter x2
Circular polarizer for the DO
70mm Circular polarizer
Speedlight 420EX
Skads of memory
WhiBal card

7kg.

The wife carries a Canon 10D with the 24-70 f/2.8 L attached in a shoulder bag.

If she doesn't carry her camera, I make room for the 24-70 in my carryon.

Wow, such a wide range of responses!

Here's what I've been converging on to go with my Nikon D70 body:

--18-200 mm Nikkor VRII w/ neutral density filter attached
--Close-up lens/filter for macro
--Polarizing filter
--IR remote
--Canon P&S
--Nikon Coolwalker PSD
--Backup battery, chargers, related accesorries in checked luggage

If it is a more photography oriented trip, I also include:

--Velbon Ultra-Luxi tripod
--a longer lens, if the trip calls for it (still considering wider lens options)
--SB 600 flash
--Laptop to backup the PSD
--IR Filter
--18-70 mm kit lens

I used to travel with these. Note: I am a gadget freak.

Day trip:

- Canon 1D Mark II
- 24-70mm
- 15-30mm
- 580EX flash
- Circular Polarizer
- Bunch of DF and SD cards
- Manfrotto CarbonOne tripod (it is not that light once you add the head)

Longer trip:

- The minimum set +
- 70-200mm
- 100-400mm
- 1.4x Extender
- Laptop
- CompactDrive memory cards dump
- Neutral Density filters
- Timer Remote Controller TC-80N3

Full hog

- Longer trip +
- 24mm Tilt-Shift
- 50mm
- 100mm
- 200mm
- 2x Extender
- 420EX flash
- second 550EX flash
- ST-E2 Transmitter

Future plans:
- 500mm
- A sherpa ;)

Of course it depends on where I'm going and how long for. But that's why I love the camera setup I chose!

I work as a travelling consultant, so I always need a laptop and some cables. I'm based out of LHR, and much of my work is two or three days at customers based in the UK or western europe.

My main bag is a Tamrac Adventure 9 (http://www.tamrac-online.co.uk/prd17209adv9.htm). It has a side opening padded laptop pocket (my 15" T60p fits in just fine, a 17" would be good), a large pocket at the top for cables and my QC3's, and a separately opening section for the camera gear. All of the sections for the camera gear are movable - they are velcro'd onto the sides and can be organised however you like. This is especially valuable when you want to fit less camera gear and more other bits ;-)

My ideal mode of travel is to have a single bag - I like to have cabin luggage only and since I go out of LHR, I can't have more than one. For overnight trips, my camera bag will have:

Canon 400D
Opteka Grip with 2 batteries
Sigma 10-20 EX
Canon 18-55
Canon 28-300
Canon 50mm f/1.8
Three extra batteries
2 spare 4Gb CF
Canon 480ex flash
Canon rc1 remote
Gorillapod SLR tripod

All of that fits perfectly into the camera compartment, and the top part is still enough for laptop power supply and other misc cables, toothbrush/paste/razor/etc, and a change of clothes for overnight. This is perfect as I have the maximum choice.

For longer trips, I'll cut down on the camera kit, move cables and stuff in their place, and make room for a few more clothes. First to go is the flash, then the tripod, then the grip, then the 10-20, then the 28-300, then the 18-55. So for a two or three night trip I might have just the camera body and two or three lenses to swap out. If even that gets too much I'll probably take just the 400D body and the fixed 50mm 1.8 - indeed I did a whole five day stint - in business casual dress - with this setup. It may not look like it but you can fit four t-shirts, five days of socks and underwear and a change of trousers in that pocket at the top ;-)

-simon

I just got back from Italy. I took

Canon IDs Mark II
24-70 f2.8 L
16-35 f/2.8L
70-200 f/2.8 L
1.4 teleconverter
80 gig external hard drive
15 inch MacBookPro
Cokin filter system
580 Speedlight
blank DVDs
2-2 gig CF cards
1-4 gig CF card
monopod in checked luggage
extra battery
battery charger
plug adaptors

I used mostly the 24-70.

If I am going to be doing eclipse shots or wildlife, I'll take the 100-400 instead of the 70-200. If I'm going somewhere where I think I may do portraits, I'll take the 135. I throw in the 50 mm 1.8 for low light situations.

I need to start using a tripod more, but hate carrying it around.

Computer died in Newark. But the weather was lousy for several days, so I managed with the CF cards.

If I am going to be doing eclipse shots or wildlife, I'll take the 100-400 instead of the 70-200.

Cool. I was in Baja in 1991 and will be in China for the '09 eclipse.

Perhaps we should arrange aTPF Eclipse-DO!

My gear on my last trip:

Rebel Xt (350D)
4 GB compact flash
580 Speedlight
Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8-4
Canon 70-300 f/5.6
The XT's kit lens (18-55?)

I think 90% of my photographs were taken by the 28-70.

Stuff that is on the to buy list. I was going to buy the 24-105 L IS, but this recent instant rebate promotion has left me undecided. Here is the list in order of likelyhood...

50mm f/1.8
17-40mm L
24-105mm L IS
70-200mm L Non-IS

I don't get the whole "photo bag" thing and hate lugging stuff around. I carry only 2 lenses for my D70: 18-200VR & 35 f/2.0 fix for night shots.

I don't get the whole "photo bag" thing and hate lugging stuff around. I carry only 2 lenses for my D70: 18-200VR & 35 f/2.0 fix for night shots.

I met a National Geographic photographer on my recent trip to Baja who didn't bother with a "photo bag" either.

She was carrying a Mamiya 7 II. (http://photo.net/equipment/mamiya/7) As far as I could tell she only had one lens for it, and didn't take pictures of anything I thought worthy of capturing on film :eek:

If I didn't hate to bother other people I might have learned a great amount about photography on that trip. :)

I don't get the whole "photo bag" thing and hate lugging stuff around. I carry only 2 lenses for my D70: 18-200VR & 35 f/2.0 fix for night shots.

Different people have different approaches. When I'm travelling, I don't know what I'm going to run into normally, so rather than miss a shot, I'd rather prepare to the last circumstance (and yes I do read the travel guides - I just tend to shoot random things). I also believe in NOT making myself a target - for example, if I go out at night, I'd rather take a 50mm lens, the 20D... and a reasonable pair of shoes I can run in.

The one thing I forget normally is the "Digital Crop Factor" that increases a lens throw by 1.5x to 1.6x... increasing focal length (which is a pain when you need those wide angle shots).

Each to their own... some like a full metal jacket... some like their shoulders and backs.... ;)

If i'm on a trip that is going to be dedicated to photography then i will take the following...

1dmkii
400d
17-40F4L
24-105F4LIS
70-200F2.8LIS
100-400LIS
15 F2.8 Fisheye
2x 550 ex
St-E2
12 GB of CF/SD cards.
Pbook and charger/card reader/dvd's etc

Depending on the nature of the trip i will also take the Hasselblad and the 80mm for some nice portraits or cityscapes.

For shorter trips i just take the 400d with 17-40.

I also have a 100mm Macro/50F1.4 and 20F1.8 which stay at home mostly and are used/taken away depending if a specific shoot requires them.

Chris

P.S. currently on the things to buy in nxt 6 months list is a 500F4LIS and a 1dmkiii! Both of those will be fairly standard travel items too when i obtain them.

Either a Nikon FE or FM2 with 35 mm F2.0 and 85 mm F1.8. I shoot Ilford black and white. An Olympus MJUII for snapshots. I might invest in a digital point and shoot next month.

Canon 5D bodies
24-105mm L IS
70-200 f/2.8 L

3 2gb and 1 GB CF cards
Epson P-2000 in a Pelican micro case

plug adapter
extra batteries and charger
Manfrotto Carbon tripod

All except tripod of course fit in a Tamrac backpack which is easily carried on board.

Just wondering what folks consider essential enough to bring with them when traveling to be ready for the "perfect shot", but in light of the weight, size and quantity restrictions on hand and checked luggage in air travel these days. In other words, how are you stripping your kit down to the bare essentials without cursing yourself for not having a certain essential item?

I'm still building my ideal travel kit, which is why I'm asking. Also wonder if anyone bothers to bring any primes along with them when they travel and why. Finally, how are you all transporting your gear when you are often restricted to only one carry on?

Building a kit for any purpose is difficult, travel most of all. I find that I actually want more gear when I'm traveling than when I'm going out for the day with a specific type of photography in mind. This is what I prefer to carry.

K10D
12-24
16-45
50-200 (soon to be replaced by 60-250)
Flash (AF360FGZ)
43 f1.7 or 50 f1.4
Macro lens, either 100 or 50 (both f2.8)

I prefer the 100 macro (more working distance) but if I know macro will be limited will take the 50 macro and leave the 43 and 50f1.4 at home.

The primes are good for getting really sharp images and for low light situations - even f2.8 zooms aren't good enough for dim situations, and weigh too much for travel.

If I know I'll be doing a lot of macro work I'll add a second flash and leave the 12-24 behind.

It fits into a Lowepro Nova 2 with an additional couple of belt pouches and I carry a worn backpack that can hold the whole lot and looks nothing like a camera bag.

A monopod will usually get thrown into the checked luggage.

I've always been able to get, the camera gear into the cabin with me. I will admit to being a little worried about when I go through London though.

Leon

Building a kit for any purpose is difficult, travel most of all. I find that I actually want more gear when I'm traveling than when I'm going out for the day with a specific type of photography in mind. This is what I prefer to carry.

K10D
12-24
16-45
50-200 (soon to be replaced by 60-250)
Flash (AF360FGZ)
43 f1.7 or 50 f1.4
Macro lens, either 100 or 50 (both f2.8)

I prefer the 100 macro (more working distance) but if I know macro will be limited will take the 50 macro and leave the 43 and 50f1.4 at home.

The primes are good for getting really sharp images and for low light situations - even f2.8 zooms aren't good enough for dim situations, and weigh too much for travel.

<SNIP>



Hey, another K10D user here ;) I second the thought of singeling out a set of gear as "the" kit since it depends a lot on what I intend to be photographing.

I use mostly primes, since I like the better image quality and brighter viewfinder.

I do own the Pentax 24-90 zoom, but it spends the bulk of its time in the drawer ;) The only zoom I use regularly is the 10-17mm.

Anyways, here goes the kit that I bring along when/if the/a primary objective is photography:


10-17mm fisheye
21mm DA Ltd.
31mm/1.8 Ltd.
40mm/2.8 Ltd.
43mm/1.9 Ltd
77mm/1.8 Ltd


The 43mm and 40mm are close, but different in my usage: I have permanently mounted a pol filter on the 43mm ;)

Other than that, I carry a few pol filters of the sizes corresponding to the lenses above, and a AF360FGz flash, assortment of memory cards, a few betteries for the camera and an iPod with a camera adaptor for emptying the camera from time to time. Ohh, and chargers (for the camera and the iPod).

If I plan on doing any macro stuff, I bring the following:


50/2.8 marco
B+W ND filters (4x, 64x, 1000x)
Ring flash AF140


Occasionally, I may bring along an old 300mm, but I am frankly waiting eagerly for Pentax to produce a prime in the long tele range (150mm or greater) -- and no, I won't take Zoom for an answer ;)

Yes, if I go somewhere for photographing, I go heavy. If I go for any other reason, then I bring along an Olympus mju720SW, since it fits in the briefcase with the other stuff I need to carry around.......

<SNIP>

I prefer the 100 macro (more working distance) but if I know macro will be limited will take the 50 macro and leave the 43 and 50f1.4 at home.

<SNIP>




I prefer the 50mm macro - the old saying (at least among us underwater photographers) of "if the picture isn't good enough, then it is because you are not close enough" seems to be true enough also above water and defenitely is reflected in my choise of composition and lenses above and below water both.

10-17mm fisheye
21mm DA Ltd.
31mm/1.8 Ltd.
40mm/2.8 Ltd.
43mm/1.9 Ltd
77mm/1.8 Ltd


The 43mm and 40mm are close, but different in my usage: I have permanently mounted a pol filter on the 43mm ;)

If I plan on doing any macro stuff, I bring the following:


50/2.8 marco
B+W ND filters (4x, 64x, 1000x)
Ring flash AF140


Occasionally, I may bring along an old 300mm, but I am frankly waiting eagerly for Pentax to produce a prime in the long tele range (150mm or greater) -- and no, I won't take Zoom for an answer ;)





Look here http://www.digital.pentax.co.jp/ja/lens/roadmap.pdf for Pentax's planned lenses. 200mm f2.8 and 300mm f4 coming out later this year. Both are DA* lenses with Ultrasonic motors and weather sealing - perfect match for the K10D.

Nice selection of lenses. The 40 is small enough that you would be able to add it to any kit without needing a bigger bag.

How well does the AF140 work on the K10D? I stopped using my AF080C many years ago because of reflections on the surface of the water when photographing marine invertebrates. I use twin AF360's now or a modified AF360 with an additional plug in head. I do occasionally want a ring flash though but haven't gone out to get one yet.

Leon

Depends a bit on what I am doing. For business trips, I will either pack a Leica MP with a 50 'cron or a Leica CM (a compact film camera) with a couple of rolls of Tri-X or similar. The MP is in one of those fleece wraps with velcro. The CM is in a Leica Everready case and both of them are just dropped in my normal carry-on. Even if I expect to have reasonable opportunities for photography (say a couple of personal days on a business trip) this is what I will carry and it suits my shooting style and the results with the Leica glass are outstanding. Developed and scanned they blow any B&W digital conversion out of the water. For colour work, both slide and neg film are similarly amazing.

For longer personal trips, I will pack one of the above film cameras and also a 5D with grip, a 24-70f2.8L (which gets used at least 80% of the time), a 50f1.4 (which gets used for most of the remaining 20%) and perhaps a 70-200 or a 16-35 if I think that they might get some work. My wife has largely hijacked the 16-35 for use on her 350D so I probably won't see much of that in the future. In addition, I will probably drop in a flash (although the 3200ISO is very good on the 5D and I prefer available light so it only sees limited use) and maybe a Gitzo CF tripod and a 77mm polarising filter. If I want to take the DSLR out in the evenings, I will usually take off the battery grip and put on the 50. Otherwise for evening use or where I am going to be a doing a lot of walking, I use one of the Leicas as they weigh very little and no-one is interested in stealing them (ironically as the MP and 'cron is worth more than the 5D and 24-70). All of this gear goes into a Billingham 550 bag which has room for a lot of other stuff besides (including a computer) which makes it the perfect carry-on. Does not look much like a camera bag either.

Works for me.

Either a Nikon FE or FM2 with 35 mm F2.0 and 85 mm F1.8. I shoot Ilford black and white. An Olympus MJUII for snapshots. I might invest in a digital point and shoot next month.

Sensational! The FM2 is a materpiece of a camera. I am toying with a FM3A myself at the moment - last of the Nikon mechanicals.

Stick with the MJUII for snapshots - cracking little camera. I really think film has it all over digital for compact cameras. Small sensors are noisy and you really only get one choice on depth of field - sharp from here to eternity!

Look here http://www.digital.pentax.co.jp/ja/lens/roadmap.pdf for Pentax's planned lenses. 200mm f2.8 and 300mm f4 coming out later this year. Both are DA* lenses with Ultrasonic motors and weather sealing - perfect match for the K10D.


Yeah, I am eagerly awaiting that -- hopefully, the release of these will happen in advance of my next trip to the land of Pentax.....


Nice selection of lenses. The 40 is small enough that you would be able to add it to any kit without needing a bigger bag.

How well does the AF140 work on the K10D? I stopped using my AF080C many years ago because of reflections on the surface of the water when photographing marine invertebrates. I use twin AF360's now or a modified AF360 with an additional plug in head. I do occasionally want a ring flash though but haven't gone out to get one yet.

Leon

Well, the AF140 works....sortof..... on the K10D ;)

I slap a heavy ND filter (x60 or x1000) on the lens, and do manual flash, rather than rely on any automatic stuff, so I can't really make a judgement as to how well it would fly in auto. Anyways, I've found that auto and macro rarely mix well, so....

As for marine invertebrates, I tend to not have surface reflections when I photograph such since the surface will be several meters above me ;)

Different people have different approaches. Each to their own... some like a full metal jacket... some like their shoulders and backs.... ;)

Obviously.

However, I think that unless photography is one's way of making a living the whole, "I need this lens, and that lens, because what if this/that/the other happens, and you never know when/what range needs to be covered" is useless. For those of us who don't make a living taking pictures and want travel memories, one or two lenses is really enough. People get too caught up in thinking that equipment makes the photograph and first question out of everyone's mouth is "What lens/camera do you use?". What's really needed is a good eye & ability to compose a shot, first & foremost. Followed by knowing how to set up a camera. Once again, all of this is purely MY way of looking at things and I realize that I'm sort of shifting topics :-).

Obviously.

However, I think that unless photography is one's way of making a living the whole, "I need this lens, and that lens, because what if this/that/the other happens, and you never know when/what range needs to be covered" is useless. For those of us who don't make a living taking pictures and want travel memories, one or two lenses is really enough. People get too caught up in thinking that equipment makes the photograph and first question out of everyone's mouth is "What lens/camera do you use?". What's really needed is a good eye & ability to compose a shot, first & foremost. Followed by knowing how to set up a camera. Once again, all of this is purely MY way of looking at things and I realize that I'm sort of shifting topics :-).

There is certainly a lot of truth to this although even for the average person what constitutes a limited set of gear might also depend on where they were going and for how long.

Im still trying to define a "travel light" minimal set or two but here are approximate descriptions of some sets I carry.

Full load - this is about what I took to Africa last December
EOS 20D
4 or 5 spare batteries
5 two gig memory cards
40 gig Hyperdrive
Dell X1 Notebook
Lens cleaning kit
50mm f1.8
17-40mm f/4L
70-200mm f/4L
100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS
Tripod
Bean bag with tripod screw


For lighter travel but still a far photo emphasis:
EOS 20D
1 or 2 spare batteries
2 two gig memory cards
Dell X1 Notebook
50mm f1.8
17-40mm f/4L
70-200mm f/4L

Lighter still

EOS 20D
1 spare battery
2 two gig memory cards
50mm f1.8
17-40mm f/4L
or
70-200mm f/4L
Dell X1 Notebook

And for lightest yet I am experimenting with
Canon G7
1 extra battery
1 extra 2 gb sd card
Leica Z2X
2 rolls 36 exp TMax 400
2 rolls 36 exposure slide film (Sensia for the first of setup by me)

Im probably going to add to the light kit or redesign it to be more manual including possibly a Minox EC.

As a lot of my breaks are turning into semi-pro work these days (for example, I'm due stateside to do a 3 day studio photography gig), I'm finding I'm carrying more and more now (the fact that I'm planning to have 5-6 point light, enough flashguns, backdrops, printer with supplies and stands to add to my excess luggage limits - boy BMI/US Scareways are going to love me)

Admittedly, If I'm travelling really light, I've slimmed by kit down to
20D with 17-40L
4Gb in 2 Cards
Holga 120N with either Fujifilm Provia or Neopan

Thats a *day trip* pack.

But if you don't make a penny... and not glass obessed like some photographers out there (I'm now just obsessed with flashguns - don't ask), then concentrate on good optics and light travel gear.

As has been said many a time - you can have all the great equipment in the world - but if you haven't got the eye for the composition and image... forget it!

Also remember there is one piece of optics you do need to look after - your own eyes. Its amazing how some pictures can be sometimes too soft focused ... when actually its your own internal focusing thats a mile off... so if you do photography often.. get your own optics checked out first!

Canon EOS 3 + PBE2
17-35/2.8
50/1.4
420 EX flash
Several rolls of:
Fuji B&W 1600
Ilford XP2 400
Fuji Velvia or Provia
Fuji Superia 400
Extra set of AA batteries
Lens cloth

And something that's come in handy:
1" gaffer tape, several inches wrapped around a few film cans

I read this thread with a great deal of interest as I've been on the fence for quite some time debating when and how to evolve up to DSLR and I definitely want to come up with a travel-friendly kit.

I've enjoyed photography for years and still have my old Minolta 101 with those fabulous Rokkor lenses and a Gatorade-immersed X700 purchased decades ago. Can't say I've used them recently ( especially that X700), but some of the comments here bring back memories of backpacking with all sorts of gear and lenses ( sticking a lens or two in my wife's pack without her knowing :rolleyes:).

But I've gotten a bit spoiled with my trusty Sony DSV-1 which has served as a reliable go-between to what I used to do years ago and how I travel and shoot today. I also know that I've got to move up to DSLR simply to take advantage of the great technology which can improve my captures and RAW which will enhance my darkroom choices. But figuring out how to build a kit which is versatile and light remains a challenge.

As BLV notes, unless photography is what puts food on your table, one doesn't need a huge kit built for every contingency as image capture is the essence of the art and for this, you need only a lens. Since having the threads on my DSV's attachable wide angle became dysfunctional, I've had to make due with what I have and have continued to enjoy myself, though you do on occassion wish you had another lens.

OTOH, today's lenses made of composite materials are infinitely lighter than my old ground glass Rokkors, so one can indeed pack a selection of lenses which with today's Lowpro bags can be both light and easily accessible. And I must admit that there are instances in which a real tripod is extremely useful to have -- my little mini tripod and a bean bag are useful items in the absence of a real tripod.

The real problem today is image storage while you're on the road. The good news is that memory is cheap, so one solution is to purchase lots of cards ( which take no space ). But if you're shooting RAW, you're gonna eat up memory fast. Additionally, you want to see your work on the road, so lots of folks bring along a laptop and here in lies the problem of bulk and weight. Though a seemingly minor detail bulk can become a real issue if you're flying out of the UK or other places which impose a strict limit upon carry-ons ( 1 bag only ). This is when one has to balance their camera kit with the necessity of having a carry on with some extra clothing etc. for when your checked bag doesn't make the journey with you.

I'm still trying to work out a portable storage solution, but otherwise I think I could make due with my DSLR's native lens, a WA, my whibal card, lots of memory sticks, and a bean bag. My laptop remains a useful storage device ( though I would not take it to the UK only because of carry-on issues ). I'm keeping my eyes open for a nice portable tripod and a flexible camera bag which can absorb those extra things which inevitibly get added to a kit.

I'm always open to suggestions and insights since I'm yet to purchase the camera and I'm still thinking out logistics.

Barry