POLL: Lug around camera bag everywhere? Yes or No?

[jovince3000]

I typically have 3 main scenario in my photographic life.

First of all, I always have my phone camera at the ready and when I find a place that interest me, I first scout with my phone camera, I also have a flash, reflector, point and shoot and cleaning kit in my car.

1- I just drive somewhere until I find a place that catch my attention, in which case I bring all the stuff I possibly can in my car/myself if I walk.
2- If I return to a place I previously scouted, the amount of gear I will bring depend, but I try to lower it down.
3- I know exactly what I will do (ie: studio shoot, client work) and bring only what I know I will need.

Typically, I adapt as much as I can. And try to keep stuff at a minimum when I can.

 

[Gary A.]

It is all situational, a combo of what I plan to to shoot and how I plan to shoot.

If I'm heading out, to say walk the dog or a business meeting, I'll take my X100s, a small fixed lens camera. If I'm heading out to a photo op, I'll usually take a bag and two/three bodies. Sometimes I like to challenge myself, like when I shot Street with only a 200mm (300mm FF) and a fisheye and no bag.

I've gotten to the point where I feel slightly uneasy if I don't have at least a small mirrorless APS-C camera (X100T or Nikon A) on me at all times. Sitting in my office yesterday I caught myself grabbing the Nikon A to walk to the water cooler down the hall. Who knows, that thing could bubble in a really interesting way and I ****need**** more than a cell phone camera for that.

LOL ... I sorta feel naked walking out the front door without a camera. A camera-phone just makes me feel less naked ... like a g-string.

 

[bratkinson]

If I am on the way to a 'full' shoot (in my estimation), then the whole bag goes with me.

But most of the time, I know - or at least have a good idea - what I'll need and then limit myself to 2 lenses and DSLR. That's my typical city-scape shooting plan...one lens mounted and the other in a case on my belt that can hold either lens. Taking pictures of trains, I use the same plan, too.

That was my travelling/vacation set up as well. But a little over a year ago, I picked up a Canon G15 as a 'bang around', pocket size, full manual capable camera. Due to a screwup packing, last years vacation was limited to using my 135mm lens on the DSLR and the G15. The G15 saved the day, except I forgot to pack the charter for it.

This year, I took only my 24-105 lens and DSLR, and the G15. The DSLR never came out of my suitcase. Next year, the DSLR stays home.

Perhaps it's my getting older and less agile now that I've retired. I also don't feel the need to take 'better than average' shots when I'm only shooting to please myself and I will likely be the only one to view the pictures. On the other hand, if I expect someone else to be seeing the results of my efforts, then, by all means, "the big guns" get used.

 

[chuasam]

I have several camera bags. The biggest being the ThinkTank Airport International v.2. I only use it when I'm going to a shoot where I get paid, or it's a really good portfolio piece.
I also have a ThinkTank Retrospective 30 which I use when I am on Vacation.
On a day to day basis, my iPhone4S works just fine.

 

[raventepes]

On normal day to day stuff and wandering around town, I normally just grab my camera when I'm out and about. It's not until I'm on a paid shoot where I'll need multiple lenses and a tripod that I'll bring in my bag.

My typical set up for wandering consists of my D7100 slung across my body, and my 18-105 and my 70-300, either being attached to my camera while the other is sitting in a cup holder on my son's stroller.

 

[NCspotter]

I usually bring my camera with me whenever I go out, just in case I see something worth photographing. I haven't even bought a bag yet, just tried to retrofit the box that the camera came in and make do with it for a while. So I guess technically that would be a yes. I also only use the base lens, as I haven't yet bought anything else, so that helps cut down on the equipment I need to haul around.

 

[C Baker]

It all depends. If I am going out on a little photo hunt by myself or to a walk about with the family, then no. I grab my camera belt with dslr holster, camera (extra battery and card) and sometimes my 55-250. Going to a formal family event (birthday, holiday get together etc) I take the full kit including camera,zoom lens,tripod,gopro, and windows tablet plus all supporting cables chargers etc.

 

[unpopular]

One lens. One body. Just the way god intended it.

 

[dennybeall]

I have changed my regular bag (24mp Nikon) over to a camera backpack and that goes most of the time. A hard case has video accessories for the Nikon (mike and view back) and that goes if video may come up. A third case has the 500mm which goes when needed and a fourth has the old 10mp Nikon with a couple zoom lenses if a backup may be needed. Being retired it's more about "getting the shot" than making tack sharp saleable photos.

 

[jeffjeff1]

I only do it when I'm going out to shoot. If I'm going somewhere where I know I could get great shots, I will bring it. I always bring it to Monterey.

 

[Ms_Tex]

I don't bring anything (except maybe a p&s) when I'm out and about running errands, or driving to/from work or school, because I hate the idea of my stuff sitting in the Texas heat. When I make plans to photograph something specific, I take what I need (which is everything, since it all fits into my backpack).

 

[MSnowy]

Like "Master Card" I never leave home without it.

 

[levueny]

It usually depends on where I'm going, I like street photography sometimes. So if I'm going somewhere for hours with a lot of people, I'll bring my camera bag.

I agree with above who said, it depends on what you shoot. Because it truly does.

Gabe

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