As a photographer and self confessed “gear geek”, I always find it really interesting to see the equipment fellow photographers pack in their bag to get the job done. As I am on location this week at the Crankworx Rotorua mountain bike festival, I thought now would be an opportune time to give you an example of how I would pack for a shoot of this kind. Due to the multi-day, multiple location nature of this event I have to carry more equipment than I would for a regular shoot, this certainly isn’t my normal portrait or live music photography gear list for sure!
The Bag: Dakine Reload Camera Backpack
The Reload is Dakine’s largest photo backpack. It has a 47 litre capacity and has a removable, adjustable, padded camera block. It also has a tripod holder and a built-in rain/snow cover. It has waterproof zippers and opens from the rear to keep the mud and dirt off your back in the field. Another feature I find really handy is one of the pockets on the side of the pack converts to a bottle holder (which comfortably holds a 1.5 litre bottle), making it easy to stay hydrated while shooting. As you can see, it’s the perfect size for holding the equipment I require to get the job done! Unloaded the pack weighs in at 2.5kg, which feels positively featherweight compared to a fully loaded pack… luckily the strap system is well padded and ensures that (once it is actually on your back) it is comfortable to wear even for full day epics.
1: Canon EOS 1D MkIV + EF 50mm f1.2L
This is my main camera, and an absolute workhorse. Built tough, and ready for anything I can throw at it. Sure, it’s heavy – but it’s likely to outlast me in all seriousness! Important features include total weatherproofing (this has been drowned in rain on more than one occasion and it hasn’t skipped a beat), and it has the ability to shoot at 10 frames per second. The 50mm f1.2 comes in handy in dark forests, and as a point of difference to other mountain bike media – that shallow depth of field when bang on target creates beautiful images that are unlike most other photographers work.
2: Canon EF 70-200mm f2.8L IS
This is perfect for mid range sports shooting, and the zoom allows me to gain two or more different images from the same position (depending on where I’m shooting from). This lens is Image Stabilised because I’m not the most steady shooter around – although not absolutely necessary for sports it does come in handy for keeping panning shots steady also.
3: Cheap ‘No-brand’ LED Lights
You can never have too much light in photography, and these cheap no-brand lights were picked up from my local hardware store for less than $10 each. They are perfect when you need a little extra light for video, or if you find you need a little fill light on a shot or to create catchlights in the eyes. They have retractable hooks that enable them to be hung off trees or foliage to ensure interesting light for your images.
4: Canon 380EX Speedlight + Off Camera Flash Cable
While not the most expensive flash in the world, this does everything I need with the least possible fuss. It just works! I use it in ETTL – II mode so I don’t need to fuss with settings or compensation, the camera just meters the flash as if it’s ambient light and I get great exposures every time. I like to use this in connection with an off camera flash cable so I can change the direction of the light at will – very handy when out in the forest and needing to shoot light up into the faces of cyclists as opposed to just flashing them from straight on (ooo-er!).
5: Sigma 400mm f5.6
This lens is getting on in years now (a lady never reveals her age, but let’s just say that when this lens was made Ronald Reagan was the President of USA), but still works perfectly on both my 1D MkIV and EOS-M3, including the autofocus and aperture. I don’t get the chance to use this lens very often, but it is perfect for shooting Downhill mountain biking hence why it gets a space in my bag for Crankworx. Unfortunately it is starting to grow fungus internally and will need to be replaced sooner or later, but at the cost of modern lenses I am trying to hold off for as long as possible!
6: Hardshell Memory Card Wallet
This hardshell memory card wallet currently holds 6 x 16GB SD Cards, 2 x 8GB SD Cards and 2 x 4GB Super High Speed CF Cards. More than enough for a couple of days worth of shooting! This is both water and shock proof, perfect for protecting that precious memory while shooting out in the elements.
7: SOL Republic AMP In-Ear Headphones
These come in handy for everything from monitoring audio levels while shooting video to listening to music while shooting solo in the middle of nowhere waiting for racers to come through. These have anti-tangle cords and a nice rubber carry case, because no-one’s got time to be fiddling with headphones!
8: Miscellaneous
This is the space in my bag where I keep all the important junk I “might” need. From spare batteries to lens cleaning cloths to business cards to wrapped candy – it’s all in there. The camera bag equivalent of the kitchen junk drawer.
9: Sigma EX 20mm f1.8
For those times when wide angle is needed on the 1D MkIV. Also perfect for use in dodgy light. This lens is great to show wide open environmental shots, whether it be portraiture or a rider flying through the forestry in Rotorua. I have seen some people online complaining about how soft this lens is, but I’m stoked to say my copy is sharp as a tack!
10: Canon EF-S 10-18mm f4.5-5.6 IS STM + Canon EF to EF-M Adaptor
For use with the Canon EOS-M3, perfect for wide angle stills as well as video with autofocus. The Canon EF to EF-M adaptor is is also handy in letting all my other Canon lenses work with the EOS-M3.
11: Canon EOS-M3 + 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM
Usually used for video, this tiny little mirrorless can also take all of my other lenses via adaptor and is a great backup should anything happen to my main camera out in the field. The image quality from this little camera is astounding, although it doesn’t quite have the dynamic range (or the sheer speed) of the 1D MkIV.
I’d love to know what is in your camera bag and why! Do you use different bags for different shoots, or are you more of a multi-use camera bag user? Tell me about it in the comments below!