How Would You Pack?

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Mark
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I'm wondering how to (and ultimately what) to take with me for ~2week trip to Ireland during the summer.
I have in my possession:

D90 + Grip
17-55 f2.8
70-200 f2.8

D60
18-55 VR
55-200 VR

50mm 1.8
Sigma 10-20

TC 1.7
SB600
SB800

Some Cokin's (ND...)
Raynox 250 (I don't think i'll need this though)

In terms of bags:
Slingshot 100
Tamrac pro12
and some no name backpack, average size but good.

I do have a hiking bag and a few roller travel (not photo) bags (large and medium).

I'm wondering how to do this as I want to do some traveling and walking about and put a large focus on good pictures. Not sure if I should be bringing the 2.8 glass or stick with the 'kit' lenses. Travelling by bus so weight not really a problem.

How would you solve this problem? Have people 'backpacked' with expensive glass in backpacks? There is an option of buying a bag, but unsure which one would suit my needs (bigger slingshot et al?) Or should I take the hiking bag and a normal 'carry-on' sling type bag in order to have as a day pack? Oh the choices.
 
Really? No one ever has had this dilemma? ;)
 
I'm in a similar dilemma.
I have;
Canon 5D
50mm F1.8
17-40mm F4
28-70mm F2.8
70-200mm F2.8
EF 1.4x TC

Plus all the other rubbish that goes in there.

I've managed to JUST squueze it all into a Jessops BP500. It's a tight fit but it all goes in there. So maybe a larger bag would be better such as the Lowepro Vertex 300?
 
1 body (no grip) + 10-20 + 50mm 1.8 + 70-200 2.8 and a ND for the Sigma + Whatever bag it all fits in the easiest and lightest.

There problem solved :p
 
I would suggest leaving the spare body at home, probably leave the grip and stick with 1-20, 17-55 and 55-200 - that way you've got all the range covered in probably the most lightweight and compact capacity.

I know you say weight isn't a problem but surely you'll have to keep them all in a bag and on you for insurance? You certainly won't be insured if they are stolen out of the bus...

Maybe take one flash gun and the ND's - some lovely landscapes in Ireland. Don'f forget spare batteries and charger etc.

DB
 
I suppose my first thought would be what's the point of the trip and who else is going. If the point of the trip includes photography and the people going all know and agree then more kit can be taken. If there's any doubt about photography being a large part of the reason for the trip then whoever you're going with might be annoyed that you're taking so much kit and spending so much time taking pictures rather than interacting with them and doing what they want to do.

On to kit...

I like the wider aspect myself so I think I'd go for the wide and the general purpose lens and also take a fast prime but 50mm on a crop body might be a bit long for me personally, and I wouldn't take a grip. I'd just charge the battery every night.

I'd personally also take a compact for occasions when a DSLR is a little inappropriate or cumbersome. I'd also take two bags, one of which would be a smaller one for days when you don't want to take the larger one.
 
I've got the Slingshot 300, and I usually take D300s with 70-200 attached, D200, 50mm f/1.8, Sigma 10-20mm and a single SB-900 flash out with me, along with 48GB of storage (2x8GB 60MB/sec Sandisk Extreme, 4x4GB 30MB/sec Sandisk Extreme III, and 1x16GB Integral class 4 SDHC card).

That lot plus my monopod is fairly comfortable to carry around with me all day.
 
Wow, now that was some quick replies.

I suppose my first thought would be what's the point of the trip and who else is going. If the point of the trip includes photography and the people going all know and agree then more kit can be taken. If there's any doubt about photography being a large part of the reason for the trip then whoever you're going with might be annoyed that you're taking so much kit and spending so much time taking pictures rather than interacting with them and doing what they want to do.

On to kit...

I like the wider aspect myself so I think I'd go for the wide and the general purpose lens and also take a fast prime but 50mm on a crop body might be a bit long for me personally, and I wouldn't take a grip. I'd just charge the battery every night.

I'd personally also take a compact for occasions when a DSLR is a little inappropriate or cumbersome. I'd also take two bags, one of which would be a smaller one for days when you don't want to take the larger one.

I'm going to visit my sister for 2 weeks. Solo.
It would be a touristy kinda trip with an emphasis on photography.

I might be able to buy the 35 f1.8 AFS, just wondering if it'll be a good choice.
 
From your list, I would take...

D90
17-55 f2.8
70-200 f2.8
50mm 1.8
Sigma 10-20
TC 1.7
SB600
Some Cokin's (ND...)

...in whichever of your bags will hold it all.

To travel a little lighter, I might leave the flash and 50mm behind, unless I had specific shots in mind that I needed them for. Take the spare battery from the grip but leave the grip itself at home. Take the charger and lead.
 
Great stuff. I asked the question because I know how some partners react when their significant other spends a lot of time with the camera rather than with them :)

I have a couple of prinmes that are wider than 50mm and for me personally 50mm might be a bit long when taking indoor shots, like in an old church or something.
 
Well, I get a little grief off my wife - my hand baggage is all camera kit and I also use up some of my hold baggage allowance with a small printer, chargers etc! It does give her extra beach time though - she lies on the beach while I go off snapping!
 
My wife doesn't moan any more. She knows better and just lets me get on with it. ;)
 
I'm in a similar dilemma.
I have;
Canon 5D
50mm F1.8
17-40mm F4
28-70mm F2.8
70-200mm F2.8
EF 1.4x TC

Plus all the other rubbish that goes in there.

I've managed to JUST squueze it all into a Jessops BP500. It's a tight fit but it all goes in there. So maybe a larger bag would be better such as the Lowepro Vertex 300?


I've got a 50D gripped, 10-22, 24-105, 70-200 and a 1.4 converter.
Plus batteries, filters, CF cards etc and it all fits nicely into a Lowepro Slingshot 302AW.
There is also still enough room for a flash gun if need be as well.
You can also attach a tripod on the side of the bag if you want.

I also pack a stealth reporter into a suitcase by filling the bag with socks etc.
I tend to find it's handy to have in case there are the odd times I don't need to take all the kit out for the day.
 
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