I’ve pretty much streamlined the gear I take with me about 95% of the time. I primarily shoot with primes, a flash, and bring a small tripod just in case. It all fits neatly into my messenger style bag, which is not too big, not too small. I hang the tripod off the bag’s strap.
Tamrac Bag, Nikon D750 with a Nikon 35mm f/2.0 D prime, Nikon 60mm f/2.8D Mirco, Nikon 20mm f/1.8G, Nikon 70-200mm f/4 VR, Nikon SB-800 Speedlight, Benro Tripod
The white card has several small items. Some oval cutouts I put on the lens to create interesting bokeh and/or get a panoramic lens effect with flare, a flash cold shoe mount, and an extra arca swiss plate in case I want to mount the flash on the tripod. There’s also an extra battery and circular polarizer.
The white card itself is simply a kitchen cutting board. It serves three purposes. Primarily to add rigidity to the bag. I put it in the table sleeve in the back of the bag. It also works as a white balance card. It’s slightly off, but close enough. It also can be used as a reflector for fill light or a barn door to direct light.
Next to the flash is a polyurethane foam can holder. I stuff that between stacked lenses inside the bag. It also doubles as a snoot for the flash! I have a paracord wrapped around the flash so I can carry it around my neck for quick access, rather than pulling it out of my bag every time.
Here’s what it looks like all packed up!
It all fits nicely and is not too heavy or bulky for 2-3 hour jaunts.
When I want to travel light, particularly when I go out with friends so I don’t look like a total camera geek, I take my Sony out.
LowePro 100 messenger bag, Sony NEX-6, Sony 35mm f/1.8 E prime, Minotla 135mm f/3.5 prime with nex adapter, Neewer 610II manual flash.
The 35mm lens will comfortable handle low light and is a decent focal length (52.5mm equivalent). It has autofocus and image stablization, is super sharp at f/2.5, and compact. The 135mm gives me that extra reach (200mm equivalent) and is sharp even at f/3.5. It’s manual focus, but with focus peaking and a fast enough shutter speed, I get great results! The flash is manual and won’t work on the hot shoe of the Sony NEX-6. I use it primarily off camera in slave mode. As usual, the paracord to hang the flash around my neck and one extra battery. I usually don’t bring the tripod when out with friends.
Again, it all packs easily into the back and is very light and portable.
I dedicated a page called “What’s in my bag” on my site with links to everything if you’re interested in getting any of this stuff for yourself. If you have any questions or comments, please do so below.
Thanks for stopping by!