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What's in Ken's Bag
© 2006 KenRockwell.com

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I wrote this back in September 2006. I don't update it, since I don't bother with bags anymore.

As of July 2008, I carry a D3 around my neck and pack a Casio EX-V8 in my left pocket. If I'm shooting crazy landscape junk, I have the 14-24mm on the D3, a 50mm f/1.4 D AF in my other pocket and the 80-400mm VR in my jacket pocket. I rarely use the long lens: I prefer to get close. If I'm just photographing the family, I use the 50mm f/1.4 and leave the other stuff in the safe deposit box.

INTRODUCTION

Who cares? Even I don't worry about what's in my bag. I had to stop and inventory it to write this. Cameras have nothing to do with the images they make. I have pages about that at Why Your Camera Doesn't Matter.

That said, everyone asks, so here's what's in my bag as of September 2006.

WHAT'S IN MY BAG TODAY

Camera: Nikon D200 digital SLR with SanDisk 2 GB Extreme III CF card. I download from it each day.

Lenses: Nikkor 18 - 200 VR on camera. Nikkor 12 - 24 mm in bag or in my pocket.

Strap: Tamrac N-25 in black neoprene. I've used the same strap for over a decade; It's held many different cameras over the years. I never use the strap that comes with a camera. I leave it wrapped up in the box for when I sell the camera, and I certainly wouldn't wear anything with a camera brand on it. I use a razor blade to remove the strap maker's logo, too.

Bag: Since I got my 18 - 200mm lens I no longer need more than one extra lens, so I no longer need a bag. I leave the bag at home or in my car to hold everything neatly, but when shooting I stick the spare lens and batteries in pockets and away I go. huge seven-year-old Tenba P243 waist pack. I got this when I used to lug around a lot more film gear; today I'd get something smaller. Today I use the extra space to hold a GPS, snacks, water or extra air.

Filters (all 77mm):

      On each lens: Hoya HMC UV for protection.

      In a Tiffen filter wallet under the top cover of my case: Uncoated Hoya Circular Polarizer, Tiffen 0.6 Graduated Neutral Density, Expodisc. I use the cheapest uncoated circular (not linear) Hoya; oddly it's hard to find in stock. Stores prefer to stock the far more expensive coated ones here. I'm adding a Tiffen 0.9 ND for long exposures of water in daylight.

Flash: Nikon SB-600.

Extras:

       Top pocket: spare Nikon front (77mm) and rear caps in case I lose one, Old Nikon MC-20 release, tripod mounting plate, Lipstick brush, pad of note paper stolen from a motel night stand, napkins stolen from fast food restaurants for emergency gear cleaning, self-contained micro-screwdriver set. (My MC-20 release is out of production; the MC-36 replaces it.)

      Front Pocket: Lumiquest pocket bounce panel, spare Lexar and SanDisk CF cards in a Delkin rubberized case, spare battery for D200, 2-AA Maglite for night operations, 4-AA Ni-MH cells and charger for SB-600, two spare AA alkalines for my Garmin GPS Map 60c . I don't usually have the GPS in my bag, but if I do, it goes in a lens slot.

      Side Pockets: Important: a paper luggage tag from an airline with my name, address and phone number. I wrap its cord around the case's strap lug and tuck the tag into the flap.

Tripod: Gitzo G1227 carbon fibre and Bogen / Manfrotto 3275 / 410 geared head. I only use a tripod for night shots, so it's usually left at home.

WHAT'S IN KEN'S POCKET

Camera: Canon SD700 with 2 GB Sandisk Extreme III SD card.

It booted out the Casio EX-Z850 in September 2006.. The Casio stays on my desk, since it's better for audio and video.

These micro cameras are smaller than my wallet and I make wonderful prints at at least 12 x 18."

WHAT SITS UNUSED

I rarely use my panoramic, large format and 35mm film cameras. I rarely use any of the lenses my 18 - 200 VR has replaced.

I only pull the other gear out if I need it. My D200 and 18 - 200 VR and 12 - 24 do 99% of everything I need, so this isn't very often.

PLUG

I support my growing family through this website.

If you find this as helpful as a book you might have had to buy or a workshop you may have had to take, feel free to help me continue helping everyone.

If you've gotten your gear through one of my links or helped otherwise, you're family. It's great people like you who allow me to keep adding to this site full-time. Thanks!

If you haven't helped yet, please do, and consider helping me with a gift of $5.00.

It also helps me keep adding to this site when you get your goodies through these links to Adorama, Amazon, B&H, Ritz, and J&R. I use them and recommend them all personally.

Thanks for reading!

Ken

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