What's In my camera bag? (update)

I tend to switch items in and out of my camera bag many times each year, and here is my latest and greatest for those who like to keep track of this. Please feel free to ask me any questions about what I think of this or that. I am not very proficient at updating my web site or adding content to this blog, so please drop me a line if you need any clarification.

35mm Gear:

Canon 1DsMkIII x 2

Canon 40D

16-35mm f/2.8 L II

24-70mm f/2.8 L

24-105mm f/4 L IS

70-200mm f/2.8 L IS

100-400mm f/4.5 L IS

400mm f/4 DO IS

500mm f/4 L IS

1.4x and 2x teleconverters

Medium Format Panorama Gear:

Fotoman 6x24

180mm

300mm

I carry all of these different setups using Gura Gear camera bags, which will begin shipping in June. I never take all of this equipment out into the field with me, as each safari, workshop or landscape shoot has specific goals and subject matter. For example, my typical Tanzania safari will only have 3 lenses and 2 cameras. But a combination landscape and wildlife trip to Namibia might have panorama film equipment. It just depends. I find that I always have 1 camera with the 24-70mm f/2.8 lens on it at home all of the time for family shots. If you wonder where I get the time to practice blurred panning techniques, just imagine a 2 1/2 year old boy running around the house.

Comments

[Stephen]

Looking forward to seeing what Gura Gear is all about.

[Tanya]

I'm a Nikon girl myself - just bought the D300 and absolutely LOVE it!

[Andy Biggs]

Thanks, Liam.

To be honest, the 500mm is a better lens, but I just love the portability and small size of the 400mm DO. In the end, it is about getting *the shot* and not about MTF curves. I cannot tell you how often I am happy with my shots from the 400mm that I could have never gotten with the 500mm. I prefer the 400mm DO in southern Africa, primarily because I would rather use a monopod from vehicles over a full tripod and Wimberly setup. I feel like I am more flexibile in handling fast-developing situations with the DO.

If you are hearing bad things about the DO, you are probably reading threads on forums from people who aren't shooting enough. Every situation has an appropriate set of tools, and the DO is the right tool for me for my own situations. I prefer the 500mm when I am in Tanzania, but sometimes I end up using my 400mm DO if I rent out my 500mm to a safari traveler.