It’s time for another mini-trip to a world-class climbing destination, which means it’s time again to figure out what I’m going to need to bring along. Aside from the assorted climbing, camping, and day-to-day equipment, I’m going to be bringing a paired-down and streamlined photography setup.
The complete list is as follows:
Canon 40D
- 6 BP-511 Canon batteries
- AA battery holder for the grip, + 6 Sanyo Eneloop rechargables
17-55 f/2.8 IS
- Circular polarizer
70-700 f/4L
32 GB of memory cards
Soft case for the 70-200 (the 17-55 fits in there just fine too)
White Lightning X1600 flash
- soft case
- power cord
- sync cord (in case I have a major remote malfunction/loss)
- 1/2 CTO gel, blue cooling gel
- Standard 7″ reflector
- Little mini-clamps to secure the gels to the reflector
- Aluminum tripod with a brass stud*
- Small Manfrotto ballhead
Vagabond II battery pack
Paul C. Buff Cybersync remotes
- Extra batteries for both the transmitter and the reciever
- Sync cord to hook the receiver up to the flash
430EX II Flash
- Soft case
- 1/2 CTO gel, blue cooling gel
Business cards
Model release forms
This is pretty much the same kit that I brought down last time I was there, except I’m doing away with the small Pelican case that I lugged around. There just weren’t enough times that I wanted to put the camera away to justify it, and its bulk was a real pain in the ass and didn’t really fit well in a backpack or crashpad. The flash gels are also a new addition, since nothing ruins a beautiful orange sunset glow like a bright white fill flash (ok so that’s a little too big of a generalization, but it’s nice to have some options).
It sounds like a ton of stuff when it is written out like that, but in practice it is actually pretty reasonable and fits nicely in my old beat-up 40L backpack:
As always, the best gear is the gear that you have with you. I find that if I take so much stuff that I have to leave half of it in the car then it was a complete waste of effort to bring it in the first place. My goal here was to get everything in one bag (not counting the camera, which is always out) so that I can always set up a remote flash shot or change out gear on the spot.
*Tripods are waaaaaaaay better than lightstands when you’re outside, off pavement, and on a sandy/boluldery/shrubbery-covered hillside/canyon/field/cave. Plus, it’s a tripod so I can use it for my camera for night or sequence shots.