Nature Photography Photo Workshop

5.5. TRANSPORTING YOUR GEAR

Carrying your stuff around can be easy or difficult depending on your choice of bags. For nature photography there are a few obvious solutions. Shoulder bags usually aren't good. Most nature photographers instead prefer photo backpacks because long hikes are often required to access prime shooting locations.

A backpack securely holds a lot of gear and most allow fast, easy access when you're in the field. Like tripods, the weight of your pack is important.

Also very popular are the modular pack systems like those from Think Tank and LowePro. Using a harness and belt system and movable pouches, these systems provide the most flexibility and custom fit.

When you're choosing a pack, be sure to try it on before buying. You need a pack (or modular system) that fits your body well, holds all your gear and gives you fast, easy access.

WHAT'S IN MY BAG Over the years I've had many cameras and lenses, tripods and heads, and more backpacks than I'd like to admit. These days, I'm into carrying minimal equipment. Here's what I currently use: dSLR: Canon 5D Mark II Lenses: Canon 24-105 f4 L; Canon 28-135 IS; Canon 70-200 f2.8 L; Canon 2x Extender Flash: Metz 54Mz4 Tripod/Head: Induro CX114/Acratech GP ballhead Backpacks: Think Tank StreetWalker Pro CF cards: SanDisk Extreme series Filters: B+W, Singh-Ray Reflectors: PhotoFlex This list isn't always the complete kit that I take on every trip; when I want a special lens, an additional camera body, or a medium-format ...