There needs to be an option between all my gear and one camera and a few lenses. My casual kit is a body with a couple of lenses PLUS my IR camera and lens. For me, it's my FF Sony, a 24-15, a 100-400 and my APS-C Sony IR camera plus 18-135 lens. I can get all that plus a couple of extra batteries in my old LowePro sling bag.
OM-5, mZ12-100, mZ20 F1.4, if chance for wildlife mZ300 F4, 2 extra batteries & Anker power brick, extra SD card(s) lens cleaning kit, water bottle, all in Mountainsmith Day Lumbar configured for shoulder carry
Lightest is my iPhone 14 pro max Lighter includes my Olympus TG-5. Light is my full spectrum EM-1ii with Hot Mirror and IR filters and maybe a second telephoto lens. All fits in my Nimble (discontinued) Lowe pro pouch.
Derrick, I know you own a Pen F as well. What makes you pick the Fuji over the Pen F? Is it the hybrid viewfinder, the additional dials, the flip-up LCD, the more modern sensor/processor or the limitation to a single lens, which prevents you from overpacking?
The Pen F with a 17/1.8 would be similar to the Fuji but with an additional 42.5/1.8 and a Laowa 7.5 prime you cover a lot more range without adding much weight.
Hi Peter, I love the PEN-F! I use it all the time. And you’re right, the lens options are really good with MFT. And I think it’s all of those options that makes it tempting to overpack. Either way, we’re talking about two of my favorite cameras of all time.
"Tossing your suitcase and shoulder bag in the car and heading out for parts unknown is one of the best summer adventures. Unlike being held hostage on a plane or train, you can stop where you want, take pictures when you want, and arrive at your destination according to your schedule."
This is so true Derrick, it can be one of the best adventures. For me, when I am road tripping in my car, most often weight and space aren't an issue. So what really matters is where I am going. What I want to see and make images of.
If I believe that I might need a lens with reach I will take the Fujifilm X-T5, the XF 50-140, XF 16-55 and my X100V for tighter quarters and being a bit more discrete. They get put into a Think Tank Retrospective 7. If I am doing towns and cities then I pack the Fujifilm X-Pro 3 with the "Fujicron" lenses and that X100V in the same Think Tank Retrospective 7 and move items to a small sling bag or my backpack when I am in the towns among people as needed.
When I am driving my own vehicle, I carry my camera backpack with two bodies, 6 lenses (9 mm f1.7, 8-16, 12-60, 14-140, 45 macro, and 100-400), and accessories. I usually need less gear and only take what I need for shooting in a messenger bag or daypack. Most often, I use my iPhone 14 Pro Max and a Panasonic G9 with a 14-140 mm lens. If I need a wider focal length range, I use 2 G9s with 12-60 and 100-400 mm Panasonic-Leica lens.
Actually I go storm chasing with two Olympus bodies, two wide fixed lenses and two lightning triggers. I can fit all that in the LowePro Tahoe backpack (barely, lol). Unfortunately we haven't had the rain in the Phoenix area this summer that other parts of AZ have had in the past month or so. But fingers still crossed. I also have done a lot of macro wildflower shooting in the past couple of years, and usually take two bodies on those trips as well, although I rarely use both. My iPhone 14 Pro has been a viable alternative to all that for quick shots or sunsets, as well.
Leica M10 with 50/1, ND filter, Voigtlander 15/4.5, Leica 90/2.8 Tele-Elmarit, charger/batteries, air blower, very worn Billingham Hadley Pro, iPad Pro, hat, good walking shoes and an iPhone 14 Pro. Taylor GS Mini guitar for downtime in its own bag. Guitars always go well with cameras :-)
I don't usually pack for a car, but for walking, or on the train. For me, it's one (best guess) lens with a Canon R5, and my little compact, very beat-up Sony RX1-R if I'm walking around in tighter quarters. Traveling further afield -- I'm on vacation in Helsinki now -- another lens is in the bag; so one 28-70mm, one 70-200mm, as the spirit moves.
It’s always hard but the one thing I know from many years experience is that when you take 5 camera you only use one - when you take one you wish you’d taken the other five ...
I’m off to Italy next week and I’ll be taking my d750 35/f2 and 85/1.8 and then Nikon f80 with the 50/1.4 -
Trial run in Bristol on Saturday to see whether the f80 comes ...!
I used to grab the little Fuji X10, which I still really love, but lately it's been my late father's Canon G7xII. It has a similar "real camera" feel to the build and controls, but it's honestly a better camera. And, it plays very well with an iPad or iPhone. The JPGs are very good, and edit well in Photos. Of course, I also have my iPhone with me.
My "big kit" isn't really all that big, either, but the body is usually stored on it's stand in the studio, ready to go for shooting YouTube videos. So, if I'm going to take that kit, it's a process. And, I've basically become lazy.
When I shot with my 5D3, my basic kit was the camera with the 24-105 f4L, but for expeditions, I would add either the 70-200 f4 or 300 f4 plus the Rokinon 14 f2.8 and either the Rokinon 12 f2.8 or 24 f1.4. It was a back breaking bag of gear!
Now my compact kit is one of my Olympus bodies with the 14-42 EZ. My “do everything” nimble kit is the OM-1 with just the 14-150 or the 14-42 EZ with the 75-300. I’ve also been found carrying only a few primes in my pockets. But, if I’m on an extended vehicle trip, I tend to carry everything in a couple of small bags, because, why not? M43 equipment is so small and light!
There needs to be an option between all my gear and one camera and a few lenses. My casual kit is a body with a couple of lenses PLUS my IR camera and lens. For me, it's my FF Sony, a 24-15, a 100-400 and my APS-C Sony IR camera plus 18-135 lens. I can get all that plus a couple of extra batteries in my old LowePro sling bag.
OM-5, mZ12-100, mZ20 F1.4, if chance for wildlife mZ300 F4, 2 extra batteries & Anker power brick, extra SD card(s) lens cleaning kit, water bottle, all in Mountainsmith Day Lumbar configured for shoulder carry
I always have my Ricoh GRIII but I also usually am very glad to have the Olympus EM-5 with the 12-40 lens. What’s great all round set up that is.
Lightest is my iPhone 14 pro max Lighter includes my Olympus TG-5. Light is my full spectrum EM-1ii with Hot Mirror and IR filters and maybe a second telephoto lens. All fits in my Nimble (discontinued) Lowe pro pouch.
I love my trusty Fuji X100S, still such an amazing camera and a joy to use. Inspires me to make images and easy to bring everywhere.
Derrick, I know you own a Pen F as well. What makes you pick the Fuji over the Pen F? Is it the hybrid viewfinder, the additional dials, the flip-up LCD, the more modern sensor/processor or the limitation to a single lens, which prevents you from overpacking?
The Pen F with a 17/1.8 would be similar to the Fuji but with an additional 42.5/1.8 and a Laowa 7.5 prime you cover a lot more range without adding much weight.
Hi Peter, I love the PEN-F! I use it all the time. And you’re right, the lens options are really good with MFT. And I think it’s all of those options that makes it tempting to overpack. Either way, we’re talking about two of my favorite cameras of all time.
Happy to see fellow Olympus/OM fans here- I love my OM-D EM-1iii for travel. I can walk all day with my camera and 2 lenses in a sling style bag.
"Tossing your suitcase and shoulder bag in the car and heading out for parts unknown is one of the best summer adventures. Unlike being held hostage on a plane or train, you can stop where you want, take pictures when you want, and arrive at your destination according to your schedule."
This is so true Derrick, it can be one of the best adventures. For me, when I am road tripping in my car, most often weight and space aren't an issue. So what really matters is where I am going. What I want to see and make images of.
If I believe that I might need a lens with reach I will take the Fujifilm X-T5, the XF 50-140, XF 16-55 and my X100V for tighter quarters and being a bit more discrete. They get put into a Think Tank Retrospective 7. If I am doing towns and cities then I pack the Fujifilm X-Pro 3 with the "Fujicron" lenses and that X100V in the same Think Tank Retrospective 7 and move items to a small sling bag or my backpack when I am in the towns among people as needed.
When I am driving my own vehicle, I carry my camera backpack with two bodies, 6 lenses (9 mm f1.7, 8-16, 12-60, 14-140, 45 macro, and 100-400), and accessories. I usually need less gear and only take what I need for shooting in a messenger bag or daypack. Most often, I use my iPhone 14 Pro Max and a Panasonic G9 with a 14-140 mm lens. If I need a wider focal length range, I use 2 G9s with 12-60 and 100-400 mm Panasonic-Leica lens.
Actually I go storm chasing with two Olympus bodies, two wide fixed lenses and two lightning triggers. I can fit all that in the LowePro Tahoe backpack (barely, lol). Unfortunately we haven't had the rain in the Phoenix area this summer that other parts of AZ have had in the past month or so. But fingers still crossed. I also have done a lot of macro wildflower shooting in the past couple of years, and usually take two bodies on those trips as well, although I rarely use both. My iPhone 14 Pro has been a viable alternative to all that for quick shots or sunsets, as well.
Leica M10 with 50/1, ND filter, Voigtlander 15/4.5, Leica 90/2.8 Tele-Elmarit, charger/batteries, air blower, very worn Billingham Hadley Pro, iPad Pro, hat, good walking shoes and an iPhone 14 Pro. Taylor GS Mini guitar for downtime in its own bag. Guitars always go well with cameras :-)
I don't usually pack for a car, but for walking, or on the train. For me, it's one (best guess) lens with a Canon R5, and my little compact, very beat-up Sony RX1-R if I'm walking around in tighter quarters. Traveling further afield -- I'm on vacation in Helsinki now -- another lens is in the bag; so one 28-70mm, one 70-200mm, as the spirit moves.
It’s always hard but the one thing I know from many years experience is that when you take 5 camera you only use one - when you take one you wish you’d taken the other five ...
I’m off to Italy next week and I’ll be taking my d750 35/f2 and 85/1.8 and then Nikon f80 with the 50/1.4 -
Trial run in Bristol on Saturday to see whether the f80 comes ...!
I used to grab the little Fuji X10, which I still really love, but lately it's been my late father's Canon G7xII. It has a similar "real camera" feel to the build and controls, but it's honestly a better camera. And, it plays very well with an iPad or iPhone. The JPGs are very good, and edit well in Photos. Of course, I also have my iPhone with me.
My "big kit" isn't really all that big, either, but the body is usually stored on it's stand in the studio, ready to go for shooting YouTube videos. So, if I'm going to take that kit, it's a process. And, I've basically become lazy.
When I shot with my 5D3, my basic kit was the camera with the 24-105 f4L, but for expeditions, I would add either the 70-200 f4 or 300 f4 plus the Rokinon 14 f2.8 and either the Rokinon 12 f2.8 or 24 f1.4. It was a back breaking bag of gear!
Now my compact kit is one of my Olympus bodies with the 14-42 EZ. My “do everything” nimble kit is the OM-1 with just the 14-150 or the 14-42 EZ with the 75-300. I’ve also been found carrying only a few primes in my pockets. But, if I’m on an extended vehicle trip, I tend to carry everything in a couple of small bags, because, why not? M43 equipment is so small and light!