Let’s talk gear. In advance of going on a trip (a day trip or an extended trip), lay out all your photography gear on a table, as shown above. In your mind, go through possible scenarios and envision the gear you will need. Seeing your gear and going through the motions of photographing will help ensure that you have the right gear for the right photos while you are on location.
Keep in mind that all this stuff is not in my bag at one time. The location and subject determine the gear I use. Also, I have all my computer gear — laptop, charger, card readers, back-up drives, etc. — in a separate roller bag.
Okay, here’s a look at my photography gear:
Canon EOS R6 – This is my main camera for all my photography.
Canon EOS R5 – This is my camera for when I need large files for large prints.
Canon EOS R – This is my back-up camera because I always like to have two active cameras — one with a wide-angle zoom and one with a telephoto zoom.
Here’s a look at my lenses:
2 Canon RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM — This is my favorite all-around lens and I can’t be without one, so I bring a back-up.
Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM – This is for landscape and cityscape photography.
Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM – This is my #1 wildlife lens.
Canon Extender RF1.4x — This is for extending the zoom range of my Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM – to get even “closer” to wildlife.
Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM with Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R – This is great for fun fisheye effect photos.
Other stuff you see here:
Canon EX600-RT speedlite – I use this for daylight fill-in flash shots.
Canon ST-E3-RT speedlite transmitter – This is to trigger my speedlite.
Head lamp (alternative option linked) – I use this to set up in the dark hands-free.
Platyball ball head – This is for easy camera positioning.
Canon battery chargers – I need to keep my batteries charged.
Canon batteries – I use these to power my cameras.
Black Rapid camera strap – This is for quick access to my camera.
Canon micro-fiber lens cleaning cloth – It’s important to keep your lenses clean.
CPS card wallet with Delkin Devices Cfast and SD cards – This is for recording my memories.
Playing cards — I always need my “breaking the ice” card tricks in foreign lands.
Blower – This is for sensor cleaning.
Toothbrush — I use a toothbrush to clean the joints of my tripod after working in the sand.
Lens hoods — This is to protect my lenses.
Breakthrough Photography 3-Stop – This is for shooting at slow shutter speeds.
Breakthrough Photography 10-Stop ND filters – This is for shooting at slow shutter speeds in very bright light.
Breakthrough Photography Polarizing filter – I need this to reduce glare on water and foliage, and to darken a blue sky.
Op-tech rain sleeve — Beware of rain!
Arca-Swiss plate – This is to mount my camera on my ball head.
CPS water bottle — It’s best to stay hydrated.
Eye covers — I can sleep on the plane.
Guitar picks — I need to be ready if I come across a guitar!
