Photo Bag Contents and Gadgets to Take Along
by Robert Monaghan

Related Local Links:
Backups in Photography
Camera and Lens Testing Tips
Camera Bag Alternatives (coolers..)
Lens Flare and How to Reduce It
Photography Insurance
Travel Photography
Turning Semi Professional In Photography

Related Pages:
Large Format - What I Carry (Paul Butzi)

Are you missing some essential photogear or gadget in your camera bag? Will your next photo outing be a flop because you left behind the wrong item?

I think it might be useful to collect information on what various people and photo authors recommend for photobag carry-alongs. So here's my list:

From The Traveling Photographer by Ann and Carl Purcell (1988, NY NY, Amphoto Publishers)

Lichfield on Travel Photography by Patrick Lichfield (1987, Salem House Publishing, Topsfield MA) is a very interesting view of the life of one of the world's top travel photographers. Lord Lichfield tends to travel with a large staff of models and support staff, so his list reflects those kinds of needs.

n.b. Some photographers may prefer fewer bodies (2), winders (1) and lenses.

A remarkably open and useful practical guide is Susan McCartney's Travel Photography (1992, Allworth Press, NY).

Ms. McCartney goes on to list personal and professional items to bring along (such as cash, daily planners, maps...) and sequence to prepare for trips. Again, I recommend you read her pragmatic book to get full details!

My Own Bag Contents

I have to admit that I rarely bring along every photo gadget I have, mostly because I'm not that strong or that crazy!

Other Things I Bring Along:

I have also made cross-country bus trips taking along just an old nikkormat and 24mm f2.8 lens and film.

But my preference is to take along a camera and enough lenses and film to make it challenging but not too heavy to carry around. Over time, I have removed a lot of stuff, but some items sneak back under certain situations.

A key point is to always carry a camera! When you don't, you will see the very best sunsets and photos, I can guarantee it! I like the small clam-shell Olympus XA series cameras, with integral flash, along with an extra roll or two of film in my pocket (in plastic cannister).

At times, I have also carried some cheapy 35mm point and shoot (with flash) cameras that I buy for $2-5 US from yard sales. These cameras are more bulky, but cheap enough that if they get stolen in a bad neighborhood, it isn't any big deal. I prefer the water-resistant ones, so I can shoot in rainy or wet weather without worry.

Since bad weather is often a time of dramatic lighting and great reflections from water in streets etc., I tend to do a lot more such photography than most other amateurs. I also used to teach underwater photography, so I have the full set of Ewa Marine bags and nikonos cameras to carry on photographing in the worst weather. But if you are a fair weather photographer, I recommend you try some bad weather photography!

I also prefer two small bags to one big one, or a backpack and camera bag if I am traveling overnight. For long trips, I also bring a net bag from scuba days that can carry food and laundry and trip purchases. This net bag weighs a few ounces, and folds up smaller than a paperback book.

Where I need more capability, but I am worried about the neighborhood or location (wilderness), I might substitute a less costly setup. I have accumulated some multi-lens topcon and pentax K camera kits, along with M42 and minolta bodies.

Conversely, where I want to go for higher quality, I will break out my Bronica S2a, Kowa 6 or other medium format setups. For architecture, I have a Calumet 4x5 with tripod and Polaroid back and several lens-boards and lenses. While the 4x5 is too heavy to travel by bus or train, I find a few lens medium format kit is nearly as portable as the 35mm Nikon setups. However, the tripod I use is larger and no longer fits into my bag.

My final point is that you need to craft your bag and its contents to your photographic requirements and trip needs. Bringing all your lenses on a cross-town bus trip is probably overkill. You probably won't need that 500mm lens when shooting church interiors. But a tripod is almost always useful, and a small flash surprisingly handy oftentimes too. Over time, you should make a list of the items you really used, and didn't use. The above lists will help suggest some things that might go into your camera bag, but only you can decide what you want and need to put in there. More importantly, decide what you can do without too. The less you have to carry, the more likely you are to explore and make better pictures! Enjoy!!

Related Postings

From Nikon Digest:
Date: Thu, 05 Nov 1998
From: Jim Colburn jc60714@navix.net
Subject: Camera bag report

Hello-

some time back I wrote that circumstances forced me to purchase a camera bag RIGHT NOW and I wound up buying a Canon bag. After almost a month of working with it, I can make the following comments.

Water-repellancy: spent several hours walking in a light rain/snow with the bag slung over my shoulder. The loaded bag also floats (don't ask). Everything inside came through both situations nice and dry.

Impact resistance: well, I haven't thrown it against a wall or anything like that, but it did survive two seperate attempts by free-lance wealth redistribution specialists to take possession. That strap is strongly attached-all metal fasteners there. The gear inside was well protected through all that, plus the usual banging around of a 2,600 mile trip on Amtrak.

Capacity: after my trip, I emptied the bag and did an inventory. For those curious, here is what I had: F3, MD-4, FE, (both cameras with straps), spare camera strap, lenses: 24mm, 50 mm, 75-150 zoom; Cokin filter holder and 6 filters, 12 rolls of film, cable release, Vivitar 283 flash (and adapter for F3), spare batteries for each camera, penlight, notepad, 2 pens, Tylenol, lens tissue, lens cleaning fluid, lens brush, 20 AA batteries, Walkman-type cassette player, earphones, 4 cassette tapes, Gerber multi-tool, small kit of screwdrivers, corkscrew, a roll of quarters, Mylar survival blanket (think 4' by 5' reflector), and a small Teddy bear. If my 300 mm lens was intact, I could have slipped it in as well.

Pros of this bag:capacity is good, well padded, reasonably water-resistant.

Cons: the color, the strap is constantly slipping, the color, the film pockets are attached to the lid-if you have film in them the bag won't close without using two hands. Did I say that I didn't like the color? Well I don't.

After working out of this bag for nearly a month, I have to say I will continue to use it. It has had a pretty fair workout and my gear is intact. None of it got lost when the flap wouldn't close. No seams are pulling loose, the hardware is all still functional.

I could have done worse. Price at the local camera store where I bought it was around $90 with tax, the New York shops probably have it for less. And I found out why Canon is still in business-to make camera BAGS. It sure can't be the cameras...;-)

Jim Colburn

From Nikon MF Mailing List:
Date: Wed, 7 Jul 1999
From: beauhooligan@juno.com
Subject: Level / "big list"

Howdy All,

There was some talk recently concerning how to level tripods that do not have a circular spirit level. I found the answer to this during a visit to the tool department of our local Sears store, in a "acrylic circular level" for $1.49 USD. The part number is 939891.

....

Adios,

Bill Hilburn Jr.

From: zeitgeist greenky.wa@mindspring.com
Newsgroups: rec.photo.technique.people
Subject: The cheapest but best gadget to improve your photos.
Date: Fri, 30 Jul 1999

The simplest and cheapest thing you can get to really improve your portraits is a vignetter. Of course I'm assuming that you use a lenshade already, but even if its just a cheap rubber collapsible thing, you can rig a neutral density gel filter for a vignette. This works with any kind of lighting, even the lamest flash on the camera.

There are very few images that I have seen in professional services that did not or could not use one.

I use three layers of 1 stop ND, though I'm sure the last one is too far out most of the time to register.

What a vignette does is drop the tonal values of everything not in the center oval area. Seems very simple, but it has major effects, your subject will grab all the attention, the color, especially the highlights in the surrounding areas will not have the graphic weight, will not pull the eyes of the viewer away. You could be working in an alley with a dumpster and trashcans in the background, and it would fade away to insignificance.

I used to have a whole set of them, off center left, right, this corner, that, but as I kept grabbing the wrong one, lost one, etc, I'm down to just the center oval.

I use a bellows shade on my camera, a cool one with a slot to insert the frame of the vignetter in the middle so it held away from the lens. The "rule" I learned is that the vignetter should be a distance equal to the focal length of your lens, IE: a 150mm lens should have it's vignetter 150mm away. Why, what this does? I haven't a clue, I've seen lots of guys place vig's right over their lens. I would guess that if you follow the rule, you can use the same vig and get equivelent results with various focal length lenes, something that is absolutely not true with filter cap vigs.

Works best with tele lenses, wides almost do it naturally (though they design it out)

DOWNSIDE warning: If you are using the cheapest lab services where they just put the film in on one end and collect the envelopes on the other, the kind that run on auto exposure, they tend to average the whole image, see all that less exposed vignetted area and print for the background leaving you with a lighter than desired face. (but if you are using a flash on the camera, you are already used to that anyway ;-)

WARNING TWO, you will look so cool and artistic using one that your friends will ask you to photograph their wedding.

rec.photo.equipment.35mm
From: ch644@torfree.net (C. J. Morgan)
[1] Re: What's in your camera bag??
Date: Sun Jan 02 2000

"KansasCityJobs" wrote: 

> Ok I've got an Elan II, 2 lenses, and film.  What else do you carry in your
> bag and why?


My camera bag normally contains:
- Two camera bodies (the same model so the switches are in the same place)
- 3 lenses (20-35mm; 35-105mm; 70-210mm) (covers 95% of shooting needs)
- Flash (dedicated to camera bodies used)
- LumiQuest flash deflector (very compact & works well to minimize shadows)
- Blower brush (to clean inside of cameras)
- NO lens cleaner (otherwise just breath, & clean with one's T-shirt)
- Cable release
- Extra set of AA batteries (works equally for either camera body or flash)
- polarizer & soft filters (keep such things simple)
- pocket notepad & pen (make notes for any new situation & take addresses)
- whatever film to use that day

C.J. Morgan
ch644@torfree.net

rec.photo.equipment.35mm
From: "Carey L. Jones" careyj@pipeline.com
[1] Re: What's in your camera bag??
Date: Sat Jan 01 2000 

Locking electronic cable release
Extra batteries
Seikonic L-508 light meter (has both spot and incident capability)
Circular polarizer
Cokin "P" filters (warming, grad grey, etc.), holder, adaptor rings
Spirit level which clips onto the flash shoe.
Flash sync cord
Lumiquest flash bouncer/diffuser
A stopwatch/timer for long exposures
Chameleon folding reflector/diffuser (in my backpack bag) ;-)
A tripod (not *in* my bag, but I rarely leave home without it) ;-)
Kodak Gray Card

...

rec.photo.equipment.35mm
From: jdlynn777@aol.com (JDLynn777)
[1] Re: What's in your camera bag??
Date: Sat Jan 01 2000

I have read all the other responses, and am pretty amazed that no-one mentioned a sewing kit!

Other then Cameras/lens/flashes. 

A Lens-Pen, This is easier and faster then liquid lens cleaner and tissue.
Plus I have a Cleaning Cloth.
Batteries
Circular Polarizers
Cokin Filters. although I rarley use them, they are handy.
Tripod, Mono-pod
Venca Radio slaves for remote firing of Flash
Cable release.
Bandaids -self explanitory
And the above mentioned Small Sewing Kit... 1.99 at the local drug store, and I have actually fixed a few wedding dresses... for the price these women pay you would think the dress should last the night!!!

Happy New year Everyone!

Josh

rec.photo.equipment.35mm
From: Eric Myers emyers@nojunkmail.mc.net
[1] Re: What's in your camera bag??
Date: Sun Jan 02 2000

Besides the obvious, camera body and a couple of lenses, I carry some labels and a pen to mark canisters of film I have either prematurely rewound, with the last frame taken, or to mark the film I have pushed or pulled.

I also carry a spare set of batteries but I think most people are doing that these days.

It's interesting to find out what little extra's people pack in their camera bags, like bandaids, sewing kits, etc.

Eric

rec.photo.equipment.35mm
From: "Greg Major" gmajor@houston.rr.com
[1] Re: What's in your camera bag??
Date: Sun Jan 02 2000

I carry a whole slew of gear in my Tamrac 603 (a great general purpose bag, by the way) including...

INSIDE THE MAIN COMPARTMENT 

Nikon FE2 with MD-12 and Optech strap
Vivitar 283 flash
Nikkor 24mm f2.8 
Nikkor AF ED 70-300mm f4-5.6
Nikkor AF 35-135mm f3.5-4.5
Nikkor 55mm f2.8 Micro

IN THE FRONT COMPARTMENT 

Bubble level that fits on the hot shoe (handy for landscapes)
Cable release
Nikon branded Zippo lighter (cool little item)
At least one 8-pack of AA batteries for the flash and MD-12
Extra lens caps (for the ones I put somewhere and forget)
Rolaids
Lip balm

IN THE "POP-OFF" FILM BAG 

A mini first aid kit with Band-Aids, Tylenol, matches, sterile cloths, and moist towelettes
A micro fiber lens cleaning cloth

OUTSIDE 

A Tamrac filter pack with a wide selection of B+W filters, circular polarizer, and so forth attaches to one side
A Tamrac film bag loaded with Tri-X, some slide film, Silly Putty, and a  few rolls of Fuji attaches to the other side
My cell phone hangs from the back on one side
A Mini MAG flashlight hangs from the back on the other side

IN THE POCKET ON THE BACK

A zipper sealed Glad bag with every photography equipment related receipt I have

As you can see, I've pretty well loaded the bag to capacity. There's enough room for a little something extra, but not much. I'd like the larger version of this bag, but I haven't truly outgrown this one yet so I'll wait. I should probably note that the Lens Gate system in this bag was swapped out from my Tamrac backpack. I didn't like the Lens Gates that were supplied with the 603 so I guess you could call this a hybrid bag.

Of all the gear I carry, those moist towelettes, the Rolaids (substitute your favorite medication), the extra batteries, the receipts, and the Mini MAG flashlight are the best suggestions I can give. They come in handy more often than you would think, they don't take up much space, and they're cheap.

One other thing I do that is somewhat unique is to buy some sort of keychain or similar trinket to attach to the zipper pulls and other parts of the bag whenever I visit somewhere new with the camera. That's a habit I started years ago. It's cheap, it's somewhat useful (when used as a zipper pull), and it's a neat reminder of where the gear has been.

Greg
Houston, TX

Date: Sun, 2 Jan 2000
From: John Halliwell john@photopia.demon.co.uk
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.35mm
Subject: Re: What's in your camera bag??

>It's interesting to find out what little extra's people pack in their
>camera bags, like bandaids, sewing kits, etc.

If I'm out for the day, I'll take a packet of 'wet wipes' with me. Very handy if you fancy a burger, but don't want the camera covered in grease afterwards. Strapped to the top of the bag (prominently) is a portable 'movement' alarm which gives me a bit more freedom with leaving the bag momentarily (saves the shoulder some suffering). Inside the bag a name and address panel (complete with a reasonable reward on return) should I leave it anywhere by accident.

Just in case the winder battery (and spares) for Mamiya 645 packs up, a manual wind crank. Lastolite pocket reflector gold/white.

--
John

Date: Sun, 2 Jan 2000
From: "Paul Brannon" paul-brannon@worldnet.att.net
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.35mm
Subject: Re: What's in your camera bag??

I have two camera bags; one for my old Minolta SRT101 and one for my Minolta Maxxum 7000. Each carries one little essential I haven't seen mentioned yet - a nickel. What for? Why, to open the battery cover or tighten the screw on a tripod quick-release shoe.

"B"

Date: Sun, 02 Jan 2000
From: Les Hassell hassell@LENSCAPpcola.gulf.net
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.35mm
Subject: Re: What's in your camera bag??

Only me... wrote: 

>     Which camera bag?  I have 4 bags :-)

I'm with you there, brother! I carry a number of bags and/or cases (all of which make chiropractors drool) depending on where I'm going. However, a few little extras that remain constant from bag to bag are extra pens and notepads, garbage bags & big Ziploc Bags, gaffer's tape, a disposable underwater camera, and (very important for those noisy plane and helicopter flights) EARPLUGS!

--
Les Hassell
http://www.pcola.gulf.net/~hassell

Date: 3 Jan 2000
From: dglenn@saltmine.radix.net (D. Glenn Arthur Jr.)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.35mm
Subject: Re: What's in your camera bag??

Okay, in addition to the expected body, lenses, and flashes (I need to get a bigger bag -- one body goes in the case and the other hangs from my neck), my main camera case contains:

lens paper, blower brush, lens cleaning fluid, cable release, filters, clip-on hot shoe (plugs into PC socket), mini tripod (couple of inches tall), optical flash slave, another hot-shoe-to-PC adaptor, batteries (both button cells and AA), a latex glove (for unscrewing stuck filters), screwdriver, 20' coiled PC cord, and Kodak "Color Separation Guide and Grey Scale (Small)".

Would be in the camera case except that they're usually in my purse:

light meter, pre-numbered spiral bound perforated index cards.

(First frame of most rolls is a shot of an index card w/ roll-number such as "1999-145" or "2000-001", which camera, what film, date, and notes. Inside the front cover is a card with my name and address and phone number (in case the lab loses my film), and the labels for the fields on the index card. After I shoot the index frame, I tear off that card and stick it in the camera case to copy into my database when I get home.)

When I pack additional gear (like the screwmount stuff), it goes into a backpack. Since that backpack is usually used to haul sheet music and a stand, the front pocket contains an electronic tuner, guitar strings, picks, diagonal cutters, cough drops, etc....

Film either goes in the backpack or a canvas shoulder-bag. (The film is in a Rubbermaid container, sorted by speed.)

Model releases and business cards are in my DayRunner, which is in my purse. Also reprint order forms (in case I'm carrying an album of prints to show off as well).

At some point I need to add a flashlight (torch) and laser pointer.

Date: 11 Jan 2000
From: taosurfer@aol.com (TaoSurfer)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.35mm
Subject: Re: What's in your camera bag??

I saw this late, but figured I'd join in on the conversation.

I have a Lowepro Commercial AW bag, that is packed with gear. It's heavy, but very comfortable when carrying, and comforting to know I have a lot of gear in case something comes up.

Nikon F100 w/MB15 Vertical Grip
MC20 Remote
SB28 Speedlight 

80-200 f/2.8D AF
105 f/2.8D AF Micro
85 f/1.8D AF
50 f/1.4D AF
35 f/2D AF
20 f/2.8D AF

B+W Filters (Tons!)

Rollei 3.5E

Sekonic L-718 Digimaster Light Meter

I also carry around a Bogen monopod.

Chris Jett

Date: Thu, 30 Dec 1999
From: Josef Brugger jbrugger@teleport.com
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.35mm
Subject: Re: What's in your camera bag??

....


slide-in accessory shoe bubble level
100-yen piece to open the battery cover
yellow and red filters for B&W;
the Life Guide to Photography (the 4"x7" spiral bound booklet) for its
tables of exposures in odd situations
plus two bodies, three or four lenses and a half-dozen rolls of K200,
Provia 100F and XP-2 Super.
Olympus XA

Date: Thu, 30 Dec 1999
From: "Tony Parkinson" tony.parkinson@dial.pipex.com
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.35mm
Subject: Re: What's in your camera bag??

Kind of varies but usually some of the following :-

Spare camera batteries
Spare AA batteries for the flash
Hama Lenspen
Mini Tape recorder for location/exposure details
Cleaning kit
Mini Maglite
Victorinox Hiker Swiss Army Knife
couple of Mars Bars (the UK ones without the nuts !!)
collection of Cokin Filters
Cokin Filter Holder
Portable CD Player
Couple of Garth Brooks CDs
Extra Film
Binoculars
Latest copy of Practical Photography

Date: Thu, 30 Dec 1999
From: "Sarawoot Chittratanawat" c641625@showme.missouri.edu
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.35mm
Subject: Re: What's in your camera bag??

- SB-28 speedlight
- MC-30 shutter release cable
- DK-7
- 52mm or 62mm Cir Pol, depended on the lens that I take with me
- 81B filter
- Lens tissue, Blower brush
- extra batteries
- Zip lock plastic bag
- One trash bag (in case raining, this bag is big enough to put my camera bag in)
- Rubber band
- Pen and notepad
- Pocket knife

Date: 31 Dec 1999
From: mceowen@aol.com (McEowen)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.35mm
Subject: Re: What's in your camera bag??


Besides cameras, lenses, flash and film . . .

* Minolta Flashmeter III
* three sets of filters (52mm, 62mm & 72mm): CC30M, 81A, 80A, PL each
size.
* spare AA batteries
* spare MS76 batteries
* tape recorder
* reporter's notebook
* pens
* lens cleaning tissue
* two reversible tip jewelers screwdrivers
* cable release
* large clip containing business cards, NPS card and TWA frequent flyer card
(just so I'll know where it is)
* Available light exposure wheel torn from a Kodak Data Guide

From Nikon Mailing List:
Date: Tue, 18 Apr 2000
From: "Paradiso" paradiso@primus.ca
Subject: [NIKON] RE: "Must have" gadgets

Here's my list of non-camera gadgets and baubles for typical urban/nature shoot: 

- - small basic Swiss knife
- - pen with eraser tip + notepad (eraser cleans hotshoe and electrical contacts)
- - small dictation micro tape recorder (superior to pen & notepad)
- - minimag flashlight
- - jeweler's screwdriver set
- - electrical tape, small roll
- - clear plastic bags (cover camera against rain & dust, or my head from rain)
- - assorted elastic bands (worth more than their weight in gold !)
- - compass/thermometer/whistle/magnifying glass combo (found at outfitter store)
- - $2 worth of quarters (or a cell phone if you have one)
- - flagging tape, small roll
- - small first-aid kit (kept in car or in bottom of backpack)

There's my $0.25 worth.

Ken in Vancouver, BC
paradiso@primus.ca

From Nikon Mailing List:
Date: Tue, 18 Apr 2000
From: "Scott Laughlin" splaughlin@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: [NIKON] RE: "Must have" gadgets 

>- clear plastic bags (cover camera against rain & dust, or my head from
>rain)

OK. I never wanted to bring this one up. But I use one of those plastic shower caps for this. The elastic around the edge fits nice around the camera while mounted on the tripod. Best of all, stay at a hotel and they are usually free. Now, the Domke vest makes me look stupid enough, I'm not about to put the shower cap on my head to keep out of the rain. I just get wet. :-)

Scott

From Nikon Mailing List:
Date: Tue, 18 Apr 2000
From: "Sirius" sirius@gtn.on.ca
Subject: Re: [NIKON] RE: "Must have" gadgets

My list includes:

R-O-R (Residual Oil Remover) is by far the best lens cleaner I've ever found

PEC-12 is by far the best film cleaner I've ever found (it even removes Sharpie "permanent" marker)

a good micro-fibre cloth for "polishing" a lens or filter after using R-O-R and lens tissue

Lens Pen (mostly for the brush, but the "polishing head" works, too)

spare front and rear lens caps ("no name" caps are far cheaper than Nikon brand caps)

spare UV filters (because of the conditions in which I shoot, all my lenses have UV filters for protection; it's quicker to replace a filter while shooting than clean it if it gets extra dirty, so the spares are worth it)

bubble level (fits in the hotshoe for use when the camera is on a tripod)

OpTech straps (on my cameras, tripod, camera bag, and the other bag I carry all my film, spare batteries, etc in; my post about OpTech straps bounced due to a problem at this end; I've used them for years and think they're great; they aren't too "bouncy", just enough to ease the strain of two F4Es around my neck and a heavy bag on my shoulder)

a film end retriever

a changing bag (the only time I ever had a roll of film wind too far and pull out of the canister, I didn't have the bag with me; it's never happened when i have the bag, so I always have it with me now -g-)

tucked into my camera bag are some small packages of tissue (Kleenex), a few Band-Aids, Imodium (air show food can be awful), extra pens, a spare notebook, some coins for a pay phone and a small amount of cash, one of those thin plastic raincoats that folds up into a very small pouch, and a garbage bag to cover the camera bag if I'm caught in the rain

Jeff Rankin-Lowe

From Nikon Mailing List;
Date: Wed, 19 Apr 2000
From: "Karl Peschel" kpeschel@mindspring.com
Subject: [NIKON] re: Must Have gadgets

First and foremost - a film leader retriever, since the N70 rolls the film end back into the can. Let's me switch film mid roll without hassle.

Second, a mini maglight. Helps for setting the camera and finding one's way in the dark.

Third, a Bogen Super clamp. Multi purpose clamp that affords attaching a ball head, flash, etc. to it. I've used it at Epcot in Orlando, FL to secure my camera to a railing for long time exposures or to a tree in Tennessee !

Lastly, although not really a 'gadget', any book by John Shaw. Especially his Closeups in Nature and Landscape books. True gems.

From Nikon Mailing List:
Date: Tue, 18 Apr 2000
From: Simon.Pearson@britishcouncil.org
Subject: [NIKON] "Must have" gadgets

Pentax Micro-fibre cloth (fantastic);

Leatherman AND Swiss Army Knife (not sure why I need both, but they both seem to get used a lot.....);

Pen & notepad;

Mini-maglight;

Ultrapod (for times when a tripod just isn't practical, and it's light enough to carry ALL the time);

Duck-Tape (repairs 'almost' anything);

Insulation tape (for when Duck-Tape is overkill);

Instruction books.

That's it I think.

From Nikon Mailing List:
Date: Tue, 18 Apr 2000
From: "Scott Laughlin" splaughlin@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: [NIKON] "Must have" gadgets

FWIW, here's my list:

Mini-mag lite

Pen and pad

Exposure zone cards

lens cloth

Q-tips

dust blower

Cardboard cut out of proportion to 35mm for composition estimates (I made it out of cardboard and wrapped in black electricians tape)

Bug repellant

Table top tripod (actually lean the legs against my chest to help stabilize when a regular tripod won't work)

Leatherman

Compass (for anticipating sun position more than anything)

Reading material for those time when I need to wait on weather/sun

Pretty much it, as if it was not enough.

Scott

From Nikon Mailing List;
Date: Wed, 19 Apr 2000
From: "alexscott" alexscott@ic24.net
Subject: [NIKON] Must have gadgets and Nikkor 200m f4

.....

As far as must have gadgets are concerned, this is what I always carry:

Microfibre cloth

Swiss Champ army knife - has the small screwdrivers, pliers AND a bottle opener!

Film leader retriever

Q-tips

Compass

Cell phone

Old, soft towel for drying camera bodies, myself (!) and protecting lenses in the gadget bag

Small soft brush

That's about it - but it's enough! 

From Nikon MF mailing list:
Date: Sat, 27 Apr 2002 
From: "macthevorlon" macthevorlon@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: newbie question

--- In NikonMF@y..., "james_hall_strong" james_hall_strong@y... wrote:
> Hello all! I'm rather new to the photography hobby, and was hoping to
> solicit the group's advice:
>
> 1. I have a Nikon FM10 and I've really grown attached to it - even
> taken some amazing photos, but I fear there's a large element of luck
> involved. Are there any good books or websites I can turn to for the
> finer pints of operating the camera?

In operating the camera?  The instruction manual should take care of
that.

In general photography, and learning exposure, I'd recommend:

The Camera (Ansel Adams Photography, Book 1)
by Ansel E. Adams, Robert Baker (Contributor)
ISBN: 0821221841

It's $14.70 (paperback at Amazon).

>From there, you can prograss to:

The Negative (Ansel Adams Photography, Book 2)
by Robert Baker (Contributor), Ansel E. Adams
ISBN: 0821221868
$14.70 (paperback)

...and...

The Print (Ansel Adams Photography, Book 3)
by Ansel E. Adams, Robert Baker (Contributor)
ISBN: 0821221876
$14.70 (paperback)


The principles are not just applicable to Black & White, though that
may be what you'd think judging by the book covers.


> 2. Is there any equipment/accessories you would deem invaluable?

A tripod (a good one, with a decent head, e.g. a Manfrotto)

An 80A filter for each lens filter ring size you have


An FL-D filter for each lens filter ring size you have

A #21 filter (orange, for black and white) for each lens filter ring
size you have (optional, but this is the one filter for balck & white
that I'd carry, if I was going to carry only one)

A polarizer (linear polarizer will do for an FM10) for each lens
filter ring size you have

An L37c UV filter for each lens you have
the proper lenshood for each lens you have

A blower brush (keep the bulb for blowing dust off the lens surfaces
and filter surfaces;  detach the brush and use it for dusting off the
camera body).

A good bag, e.g. a Lowepro.

A small, dependable electronic flash.

A cable release.

A PC Sync Cord (wire).

An extra set of batteries for the camera body.

A Nikon Bayonet-on body cap (BF-1 or BF-1A).

Nikon Bayonet-on rear lens caps for each lens.

Front lens caps for each lens.

Mac




From rollei mailing list:
Date: Thu, 18 Jul 2002 
From: Philippe Tempel ptempel2000@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: [Rollei] Rollie Newbie wants recomendations for "practical accessories"

--- Cmlillja55@aol.com wrote:
> When putting together one's first Rollie outfit,
> what do seasoned
> "Rolleiographers" recommend in the way of practical
> accessories?
>
> I gotta say, my favorite and first on my list might
> be the Rolleifix. Man, I
> love the idea of a well engineered QR built right
> into the camera system.
>
> Other suggestions?


You didn't say which camera, but I'll assume one of
the TLR's since you mention the Rolleifix.  I'd get
(in the order of importance):

1. Camera, strap and film (obviously... :-)
2. Lens hood
3. Maxwell or Beattie screen
4. Tripod, Rolleifix and cable release (I put these
together since you can't have one without the other)
5. Light meter (I'd prefer a spot meter but got one
that does both)
6. Camera bag, waist bag or whatever
7. Filters (I use yellow, orange and red the most for
B&W; and polarizer for color).
8. Rolleinar (I use I and II the most)

I put the replacement screen high on the list since it
made a world of difference in usability.





From: "Sherman" sherman-remove_this@dunnam.net
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.large-format
Subject: Re: LF Checklist?
Date: Sat, 05 Oct 2002

"Tourtelot" tourtelot1@attbi.com wrote 
> Anyone on the NG have good checklist of stuff "not to forget" (polarizer {g})
> when you take off with a LF kit.  Lots of gewgaws and I always forget
> something.  I can put one together but my guess is that the work has already
> been done.
>
> Regards,
>
> D.



I don't always use a real checklist but when I modified my backpack to carry
my LF gear I made it fit exactly the equipment I needed to carry.  A quick
look in the pack and I can see if I have everything.  (Fortunately I haven't
changed the kit much in the last few years!)

However the things that I can't do without are-
* Camera
* Lens
* Film holder (Polaroid for Quick/Ready Loads and Polaroids, Fidelity otherwise)
* Film (if using Polaroid holder I have boxes and I can see at a glance if my Fidelitys are loaded)
* Darkcloth
* Tripod
* Focusing Loupe
* Light meter ( I _could_ guestimate but I prefer not to)

everything else is "optional" (but of course I wouldn't purposely venture
out without-

* Cable release
* Filters (I only use 9- Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Cyan, ND 1stop, ND 2 stops, Polarizer)
* Filter holder (Cokin 'P')
* Filter holder adapters for my lenses
* Spanner
* Spirit Level
* Old Kodak, deep red filter for "visualizing" b&w; tonal range
* Notebook
* Pencil/Pen
* Quickdisc (for bellows factor info)
* Reciprocity failure charts for my films

Without actually looking into my backpack I think that's pretty much it.

Sherman
http://www.dunnamphoto.com






From: Cathy Cathy@worldnet.att.net
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.large-format
Subject: Re: LF Checklist?
Date: Sat, 05 Oct 2002


Besides what Sherman wrote...

Your brain.

A can of air to get rid of dust.

"Baby wipes" for hands, face and for..well you know.

A bandanna to keep perspiration/hair out of the way.

2 lawn and leaf bags. If it starts to rain I can cover the camera and
gear and use the other one as a raincoat.

Cathy
http://www.VoodooInk.net





From: "Sherman" sherman@dunnam.net
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.large-format
Subject: Re: LF Checklist?
Date: Sat, 05 Oct 2002

...(see Cathy posting above)

Good points!  Thinking about it more I also have;
* a bottle of insect repellant
* some of those 'Glad bag' thingies that you can stretch over a bowl or dish
to protect food.  I use them as rain covers.  They have elastic in them and
they don't blow off
* a garbage bag to cover my backpack
* my folding table I use to keep my backpack up out of the mud
* sometimes a very small digital Sony AM/FM stereo radio with headphones
* a golfing towel attached to my backpack straps to wipe away sweat and a
water bottle I stick in one of the outside pockets.

Man, no wonder that sucker weighs in at 45 pounds!

Sherman
http://www.dunnamphoto.com




From: John Halliwell john@photopia.demon.co.uk
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Gadget bag suggestions
Date: Mon, 7 Oct 2002 

Martin Francis
 writes
>Looking for a bag to hold an ETRSi with grip, AEII, a couple of backs and at
>least two lenses. Backpack not neccesarily excluded, but not preferred
>either.
>    Suggestions?

I guess it may depend how big a piece of kit you want to put in the bag
in one go (i.e. do you want to put the complete camera in one piece)?

I use a Hama Caddy F180 I bought some years ago for my Mamiya 645 outfit
(don't know if still available). With a bit of modification to the
original padded dividers with sticky velcro it will take the whole
camera in one piece (body, winder, back, AE prism and any one of 45, 80
or 150 lenses mounted). There's still room easily for an extra back, and
3 or 4 lenses and film, filters and other stuff. To do this I took all
the dividers out to give me a large area to work with, then carefully
worked out where they were best going and using the sticky velcro to
hold them in place where the supplied velcro wasn't in the right place.

Backpacks seem to be orientated more to 35mm camera sizes and I haven't
yet found one that will take the camera in one piece (mainly height for
the body and prism). I don't really want to separate the prism and body
for fast access (and because I don't have the finder caps to keep
everything protected). If anybody knows of a suitable backpack, please
let me know, carrying them is much better IMHO and they often look less
like camera bags.

--
John
Preston, Lancs, UK.
Photos at http://www.photopia.demon.co.uk




From: Struan Gray struan.gray@sljus.lu.se
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Gadget bag suggestions
Date: 7 Oct 2002


Martin Francis, Mcsalty@btinternet.com writes:

> o100

        Since you're in the U.K., take a look at the Camera Care Systems
Gladstone bags.  I use one of these (a number '11') for a Kowa outfit
and it is comfortable to carry, easy to work out of, and hardwearing.
The Gladstone opening really facilitates getting in and out when
changing lenses or backs, and the way the shoulder strap attaches makes
it balance well if working from the hip and while carrying.

        They have a website, www.ccscentre.co.uk  (note British spelling).

        I've used and abused one of their 35 mm cases while climbing for
over sixteen years now, and it's still going strong.  If you prefer the
huntin', shootin' fishin' look, they also do a range of Billingham
knock-offs.  Should be well below your budget.

Struan





From: "Sherman" sherman@dunnam.net
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Gadget bag suggestions
Date: Tue, 08 Oct 2002


"Martin Francis" Mcsalty@btinternet.com wrote
> Looking for a bag to hold an ETRSi with grip, AEII, a couple of backs and at
> least two lenses. Backpack not neccesarily excluded, but not preferred
> either.
>     Suggestions?


Martin,

I just bought a Promaster backpack for my medium format kit (which would be
a lot heavier than your ETRSi kit).  I forget the model but it is large
enough to hold a Kiev 88cm (big, heavy), two backs, a 50mm Flektogon (big,
heavy), Kaleinar 150mm (big, heavy), Telear 250mm 5.6 (not so big or heavy),
20mm and 40mm extension tubes, 1.4 converter, spot meter prism finder, a
couple of lens shades a bunch of film.. yada yada.

It has a handle on top and can be carried like a regular bag.  It was the
best value I could find in a backpack (I know you aren't necessarily looking
for one).  Cost was $149US (~100 pounds UK?).

I like it well enough I'm considering one for my 4x5 gear (which actually
weighs less than the Kiev stuff.

Sherman
http://www.dunnamphoto.com





From: Cathy Sienko katrinaxx@worldnet.att.net
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.large-format
Subject: Re: LF Checklist?
Date: Mon, 07 Oct 2002


 > Cathy,
 > Do you use panniers to hold your gear on the bike, attach a backpack or have
 > some other method?  I've been thinking about using my bike with my LF gear
 > but I hesitate to just strap my backpack on the rear rack (though it would
 > work).  I have thought about using my panniers but then hiking away from the
 > bike would be difficult.
 > Sherman
 > http://www.dunnamphoto.com


I have collapsible wire baskets above the rear tire.
I pack the camera gear I need in a standard size K-mart knapsack.
(everything is in a Tupperware tub)
Bogen and a 3047 on the other side in a plastic container so the handles
on tripod doesnt get caught up in the wheels. I still have room for
water, food, whatever.

http://www.geocities.com/cfs121/333.html

Cathy
http://www.VoodooInk.net




From: mynewsaccount@gmx.net (S. Freund)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.large-format
Subject: Re: LF Checklist?
Date: 8 Oct 2002


"Tourtelot" tourtelot1@attbi.com wrote 
> Anyone on the NG have good checklist of stuff "not to forget" (polarizer)
> when you take off with a LF kit.


OK, let's see what I take. I don't do this professionally, I just
love the atmosphere and the big films ...

I bought my Horseman LB 4x5 in a kit complete with a big aluminum
Rimowa case which I never would have splurged on otherwise, but
which, I found out, is absolutely great. It takes practically all

my LF stuff and I rarely unpack it, this way I seldom forget
anything.

Inside is what is probably rather minimal for many here:

- Horseman LB on monorail, my only lens is a 150 mm Sironar
- film holders, normally Ektachrome EPP and Agfa APX negs
- cable release
- focusing cloth
- Polaroid back
- spare Polaroid packs
- empty film box for the Polaroids I take
- another for Polaroid litter
- stopwatch if not on my wrist
- light meter (Gossen Profisix with tele attachment)
- focussing loupe
- white surgical adhesive as all-purpose labeler for marking
        film holders etc: sticks easily on everything, easy to
        remove, easy to write on
- pen, pad, pencil
- a thick rope with coils on both ends to go around the optical
        bench that in a stretch lets me shoulder the Horseman for
        a while
- rubber bands that go around opened film boxes (they shout CAUTION
        for me ...)
- often, a cheap digital camera for a quick preview - the monitor's
        proportions resemble 4x5
- sometimes, my SLR plus zoom for additional metering

Not in the case are:
- changing tent
- tripod
- spare film


Greetings,

Steve





Date: Thu, 7 Nov 2002 
From: Henry Schneiker Henry@hdsSystems.com
To: speleonics@altadena.net
Subject: [Speleonics] Cheap fluorescent pocket flashlights

For those interested, RadioShack is clearing out their stock of the
Fluorescent Pocket Flashlight - at $2.00 each.  Part number 61-853.
Fits in a shirt pocket.  I just purchased 3 and verified that was the
real price - and not some computer data error.  While supplies last.

Henry.




From: Alan Browne alan.browne@FreeLunchvideotron.ca
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.35mm
Subject: "Non photo tools" for the photographers gadget bag - roundup
Date: Sun, 08 Feb 2004 

Compiled from the lists you all provided. Most are self evident in
terms of use. I've added notes. Feel free to add more items, or to add
use comments as you mey feel are required. I'm putting up a webpage
with this stuf, but having some trouble with hostonce at the moment.

Cheers,
Alan.

Tool Use

Penknife
Electricians Tape
Duct (Duck) tape
Gaffers Tape
Flashlight
Caribiners
Garbage bag Protect from condensation coming in from cold
Coins Battery compartments, phone
calls, parking meteres
Leatherman tool (multipurpose)
Aspirin, Tylenol, Advil
Band aids
Pencil
Pad of paper Notes
Small screwdrivers
Condom (non-lubed) Protect camera lens from rain
Long twist ties
Double sided (tape) Velcro strips
Wide elastic bands Help with stuck filters
Pliers (apart from Leatherman)
Scissors
Knife
Red lens cover for flashlight Conserves night vision
Split rings on packs for caribiners
Baby wipes Hands can get dirty, this is a
quick fix
Level For landscape, architecture
shots (anything needing a 'level' camera)
Tape measure
Spring clamps
Disposable rain pncho Protect from rain; use as a
reflector (if white or grey
Heavy string
Mini bngee cords
Ziplock bags (large)
Conmpass
Memo/Tape recorder
Paper towels/napkins
Sunscreen
Bug repellant
Ground pad
Fire starter
Lighter
Matches
Snake bite kit
Cord
Monofilament (fishing line)
Straight pins
Mints
Tampons At weddings ... Be the hero
Rubber tubing
Safety pins
Tie wraps (self locking)
Mirror
Water bottle (collapsable)
Water treatment tablets
First aid kit
Orange safety tape
Fishing gear
Space blanket
Coin-like variable thickness screwdriver
Box cutter
Lint removal roller
Index cards
Water sprayer dewy flower shots
GPS navigation / recording locations
Machete
Flint & steel for those who don't like matches
Folded piece of aluminum foil
Party noise maker
Compact high energy food
Spare eye glasses In case you lose/break a pair
Sharpie (pen)
Allen wrench (Allen keys)
"Surefire" torch
Short brass tube Use as a blower
Sewing kit
Shower cap (cheap hotel giveaway type) Protect gear in rain
Handerchief with name/home address) Expose first frame with
mailing data in case film gets lost in processing.
Bean bag Lens stabilizer
Sun hat
Knee pads (a la construction worker Low level work is a pain...
Tweezers
Silverized windscreen protector Use as fill light reflector or gobo
Avery labels
Maps
6 inch (15cm) ruler
4 way screwdriver
Kleenex
Emory boards
Super glue
White pantyhose weddings
Black pantyhouse quickie softening filter
Sewing needle
Thread (black, white, grey, bluweddings, general
Bottle opener
Toothbrush, tooth paste
small combination lock
Florists wire strong, not marking wire to hang things
Bit of film leader to retrieve film leaders from rewound (oops) canisters
Thermos





From: "Bandicoot" "insert_handle_here"@techemail.com
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.35mm
Subject: Re: "non photo equipment" tools for the photobag
Date: Wed, 11 Feb 2004

"Gordon Moat" moat@attglobal.net wrote
> Bandicoot wrote:
> > "Gordon Moat" moat@attglobal.net wrote
> > [SNIP]
> >
[SNIP]
>
> I have the hot shoe double level for use on the camera. One thing I
> found when doing interior architecture shot is that some interior items
> are not very level. One way to match things up is to place the small
> level on the table top (or counter, et al), and see if it is level. When
> it is slightly off, a more educated guess can be made to match the
> levelling of the camera.

Oh yes! I think a lot of things aren't actually 'level'. I have resorted
to using a clinometer on a wall and then setting the camera to the same
angle, but it's a bulky thing to carry around most of the time. In fact I
do a lot more landscape than architecture, and the level is more often about
having water remain horizontal than walls vertical.

[SNIP]
>
> Almost forgot to add that when I am doing outside shooting, I always
> take a ballcap. It helps to provide shade, and keeps people from
> concentrating on your face. It also blocks the camera a little, which
> helps to put your subjects more at ease. I actually started wearing the
> ballcap when I was doing video work, since the electronic viewfinders
> are crap in outside lighting.

Couldn't do without a hat either, though I'm more a Fedora than ball cap
sort of person....

c|;-)
Peter




From: Alan Browne alan.browne@FreeLunchvideotron.ca
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.35mm
Subject: Re: "non photo equipment" tools for the photobag
Date: Mon, 09 Feb 2004 
Gordon Moat wrote:
> Sometimes items go into a lighting bag. Other than lighting gear and
> dedicated photo reflectors, I will often take art board or foam board in
> white and black of various sizes. Throw in a few more quick clamps, a
> roll of aluminium foil, and an Xacto, then I am all set.
>
> Ciao!
> Gordon Moat

Thanks ... added to list http://www.aliasimages.com/NonPTools.htm
--




From: Steve Kramer steve@seatraveler.com
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.35mm
Subject: Re: "non photo equipment" tools for the photobag
Date: Tue, 10 Feb 2004 

Andy Blanchard wrote:
>
> http://www.snopes.com/business/genius/spacepen.asp
>
> Not, quite "gave" at $2.95 a pen (production costs?), but apart from
> that you are bang on. It's still a nice story though, and typical of
> the differing approaches between the cold war superpowers.

The 'Military' version of the Fisher Space Pen now costs $10. I've been
using them for years and find it to function better than any other pen
(Cross, Parker, Schaeffer, etc.) that I've tried. It writes on
photographs, plastic, over grease stains, under water... everywhere! In
fact, I'm now waiting for delivery of another order from them to give as
gifts!

Steve Kramer
Chiang Mai, Thailand
http://www.photoenvisions.com





From: Alan Browne alan.browne@FreeLunchvideotron.ca
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.35mm
Subject: Re: "Non photo tools" for the photographers gadget bag - roundup
Date: Sun, 15 Feb 2004 

Lisa Horton wrote:
> Yikes! Is there any room left for camera gear?! :)
>
> Lisa

..as it says on the webpage, 'you might not need white pantyhose for a 3
day hike but anti-snake venom *may* be needed at a wedding depending on
mother-of-Bridezilla.

http://www.aliasimages.com/NonPTools.htm

Cheers,
Alan.

--







End of Page

Broken Links:

What's in My Bag by Moose Peterson was at:

http://www.moose395.net/gear.html


What's in My Camera Bag? by Dave Wyman was at:

http://www.wyattphoto.com/inmybag.htm (before 2/2003)