Travel Gear - my kit, what yours?

**LaurenOE** · 06-13-2013, 06:41 AM

Originally posted by Bob from Aus

Yes we know! And very proud of it.

LOL. Yep.

It just cracks me up that somewhere along the line *small kit* somehow got caught in *travel kit*.

If traveling on fun, seeing new and different things, why wouldn't folks take as much of their kit as possible?

The goal should not be, "let me see how LITTLE I can take", but "let me see how MUCH I can take!"

mdodrill · 06-13-2013, 07:13 AM

I have found this thread very interesting. So many different travel kits have been outlined. Somebody said you are all nuts and somebody else replied....yes and damn proud of it. I think that is Pentax' niche. We like to be individuals....not in the Nikcan mold....we are just a little different than most.

nomadkng · 06-13-2013, 08:20 AM

Originally posted by LaurenOE

When I take a photography vacation, it's photography all-day-every-day. Sun-up to sun-down, rinse and repeat. Usually several locations in a day, plotted down to the exact GPS coordinates

Lauren, you sound like my kinda girl, I mean photographer.
for my 9 day trip i have plotted out an hour by hour itinerary based on 5 websites and 4 "insider" books
i'm going to shoot from sunrise to sunset and waterfalls are scheduled for mid day when flat lighting isn't as big an issue
naps are scheduled from 11p to 4a. which sucks cuz I wanted to do some astro-photography as well
i'm going to see Yellowstone, Grand Teton and zion
The other frustration is having to eat, not only do I lose 1.5 hours of shooting time, but the travel time to and from eateries

I can't wait for replicators to be installed in SUVs soon. I can't quite bring myself to eat MRE's. Had too many of those in my army days

**LaurenOE** · 06-13-2013, 08:41 AM

Originally posted by nomadkng

Lauren, you sound like my kinda girl, I mean photographer.
for my 9 day trip i have plotted out an hour by hour itinerary based on 5 websites and 4 "insider" books
i'm going to shoot from sunrise to sunset and waterfalls are scheduled for mid day when flat lighting isn't as big an issue
naps are scheduled from 11p to 4a. which sucks cuz I wanted to do some astro-photography as well
i'm going to see Yellowstone, Grand Teton and zion
The other frustration is having to eat, not only do I lose 1.5 hours of shooting time, but the travel time to and from eateries

I can't wait for replicators to be installed in SUVs soon. I can't quite bring myself to eat MRE's. Had too many of those in my army days

LOL too funny!!!

Yep, many times I forget to eat when I am out and about!

Many of my adventures are in the UK, and there is NOTHING better than after a full day of shooting going down to whatever local pub I am near and getting a pint and talking to the locals!

It's one of my favorite things in life!

tclausen · 06-14-2013, 12:46 AM

Originally posted by rawr

Interesting kits. I'm taking notes.

No tablets or laptop/netbook/ultrabooks though?

I always have a tablet along also, yes. Acquired a LowePro event messenger bag, which has a tablet slot

asp1880 · 06-14-2013, 02:11 AM

Last year on a 2 day company excursion to Dublin I took:

K-5
DA15, FA35/2 with collapsible rubber hood, DA18-55WR
tabletop tripod, infrared remote, 49mm polarizer

That covered outdoors, indoors, bad weather etc. I used it all at some point, I even used the WR
capabilities of the 18-55.

I stuffed everything into my coat pockets so I didn't need a bag on outings, only for airline transport. It was very
liberating. The K-5 plus a prime can even (just) go into a coat pocket too!

Here's one from Dublin.

Regards,
--Anders.

Macario · 06-14-2013, 02:35 AM

I have to sets of travel kit (actually 3)

Set one:
K-01
M20 f4.0
M50 f1.4
K135 f2.5
Clik Elite trekker waistpack
Velbon CX-mini
plus spare batteries and memory cards and some ND filters

Set two:
see above, but K-01 replaced by a analogue camera (most of the times MZ-S) and Clik elite trekker by a simple black shoulder bag (and memory cards replaced by film ofcourse)

Set three
K-01
K-7 (with battery grip)
M50 f1.4,
F 80-200 f4.7-5.6
DA35 f2.4
DA16-45 f4
Tokina ATX 400 f4.6
M100 f4 macro + extention tubes
Clik elite trekker waistpack
Naneu Alpha L backpack
spare batteries and memory cards
filters,
Velbon CX-mini
Manfroto monopod with balhead

first two sets are for city trips. thrid setup is for my normal holiday trips to the ocean (also shooting surf, that's why the long lenses)

**gofour3** · 06-15-2013, 07:40 AM

It depends on how I’m traveling, but if flying I stick to a variant of the traditional film kit of a 28mm, 50-55mm & 135mm and one body.

For me if your walking around all day exploring a city that’s enough to carry, I also use a messenger bag so it doesn’t look like I’m carrying photo gear.
Dragging around a big bag of photo gear when you plan to go into cafes, museums, stores and on public transportation is not my cup of tea!

If it’s a driving trip then I’ll take more gear.

Phil.

jpyykonen · 06-16-2013, 01:28 AM

Nice to see there is some variation here. I have also built various "travel" kits depending on where or how long I'm traveling. But if time and space isn't (big) restriction, this is what comes along (also includes my fiancees stuff)

white Q+01
black Q+02 and PK-Q adapter
2x K-5 (one with D-BG4)
Sigma 10mm/2.8 Fisheye
Sigma 10-20mm/4-5.6
DA*16-50mm/2.8
DA18-135WR
DA35mm/2.4
Sigma 50-150mm/2.8
DA55-300
DFA 100mm/2.8 WR macro
A*300mm/4

And my FF kit (all are K-mount so can be also used on Pentax DSLR; fits in lowepro 300AW bag):

Canon 5D
Vivitar 28mm/2 (PKA)
Samyang 35mm/1.4
SMC-A 50mm/1.4
Samyang 85mm/1.4
Tokina 90mm/2.5 AT-X macro
SMC-K 135mm/2.5

In addition there will be

Manfrotto 190MF3 Tripod + 498RC2 Ball Head
Pano-MAXX Panorama Head
Timer remote controller
67mm and 77mm circular polarizers
Lots of batteries, memory cards, cleaning clothes, lens pens etc.
And maybe laptop (fits in Urban Disguise 60)

So it will be one camera backbag (lowepro 300AW), one big shoulder bag (ThinkTank Urban Disguise 60), two medium sized shoulder bags (Lowepro Nova 180AW) and maybe one small sized shoulder bag (Lowepro 140AW). Most likely I would not use everything but what would be more irritating than notice the lens you would need/want to use RIGHT NOW is left home! The day is ruined right away

**monochrome** · 06-18-2013, 07:46 PM

A week plus 1 on Boca Grande:

Rolling Laptop Briefcase will hold the following for carry-on:

Small Domke Bag
Q + 01 + 02 + 06
IR Remote
3 batteries + WiFi Card + Charger

Small Tamrac Bag
K-01
FA35/2 (I just can't leave it at home)
DA55~300
3 Batteries + 32Gb XC Card (no charger)

Tablet + (2) Charger + cables for all 4 series Apple gear

Bean Bag with a threaded screw

Work Laptop + charger (Damned Remote Access. I'm never really on vacation) but it also has PSE and LR4

**Kerrowdown** · 06-20-2013, 12:41 AM

Originally posted by twitch

Travel Gear - my kit, what yours?

Starting to travel much lighter these days, couple of bodies with a 15, 50 and a 135 mm. The way my new 20 mm is shaping up, she may well replace the 15 mm in travel (smaller, lighter in weight). I almost feel like I'm being unfaithful by leaving my 15 mm mistress at home on trips.

**Kerrowdown** · 06-20-2013, 12:50 AM

Originally posted by LaurenOE

One of the great things about Lightroom is the Metadata info

Aye it's amazing, I spent a whole sad evening in, quizzing the Lightroom database, you find out all sorts of weird stuff about your photography.

Like in the last batch of 6000 odd images, I have 306 images shot at 7.1 aperture.

Also stuff I wouldn't have believed, namely as you suggest the most popular focal lengths I've used.

Tonto · 06-20-2013, 01:25 AM

A tip I found while traveling is to use the mains plug off an apple charger for the camera charger lead. Turns it into a wall charger pretty much.

Finding a third party battery charger with a USB facility built in would save further space.

Tonto · 06-20-2013, 01:40 AM

My travel Kit is basically-
K7
Sigma 17-70
DAL55-300
FA31
72mm CPL & ND filters
Adapters for all lenses
Single or Twin battery charger depending on how intensive my shooting will be.
Two to Three batteries as above.
Heaps of memory cards 4-8gb each.
Black Rapid strap.
Lens pen.
Monopod if plenty of tele shots predicted.
Netbook
Double mains adapter to plug Netbook AND battery charger into travel adapter! (It took me so many doh moments on overseas moments to finally bring one)
My old Sony Discman bag! Perfect sholder bag for extra lenses and bits.
Would love a WR alternative for my zoom lenses but yet to find one. (16-50 and 60-250 abit costly and big)

twitch · 06-20-2013, 04:18 AM

I picked up a Nikon AW110 today, nothing like last minute GAS before a holiday

So I'm taking a K-5, Sony RX100 and this new camera for beach/kids. Should be covered for every eventuality.

06-13-2013, 08:20 AM	#48
nomadkng Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,448	Originally posted by LaurenOE When I take a photography vacation, it's photography all-day-every-day. Sun-up to sun-down, rinse and repeat. Usually several locations in a day, plotted down to the exact GPS coordinates Lauren, you sound like my kinda girl, I mean photographer. for my 9 day trip i have plotted out an hour by hour itinerary based on 5 websites and 4 "insider" books i'm going to shoot from sunrise to sunset and waterfalls are scheduled for mid day when flat lighting isn't as big an issue naps are scheduled from 11p to 4a. which sucks cuz I wanted to do some astro-photography as well i'm going to see Yellowstone, Grand Teton and zion The other frustration is having to eat, not only do I lose 1.5 hours of shooting time, but the travel time to and from eateries I can't wait for replicators to be installed in SUVs soon. I can't quite bring myself to eat MRE's. Had too many of those in my army days Last edited by nomadkng; 06-13-2013 at 08:32 AM.

06-14-2013, 02:11 AM	#51
asp1880 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Lyngby, Copenhagen Photos: Albums Posts: 742	I can fit it all in my coat pockets Last year on a 2 day company excursion to Dublin I took: K-5 DA15, FA35/2 with collapsible rubber hood, DA18-55WR tabletop tripod, infrared remote, 49mm polarizer That covered outdoors, indoors, bad weather etc. I used it all at some point, I even used the WR capabilities of the 18-55. I stuffed everything into my coat pockets so I didn't need a bag on outings, only for airline transport. It was very liberating. The K-5 plus a prime can even (just) go into a coat pocket too! Here's one from Dublin. Regards, --Anders.

06-18-2013, 07:46 PM	#55
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	A week plus 1 on Boca Grande: Rolling Laptop Briefcase will hold the following for carry-on: Small Domke Bag Q + 01 + 02 + 06 IR Remote 3 batteries + WiFi Card + Charger Small Tamrac Bag K-01 FA35/2 (I just can't leave it at home) DA55~300 3 Batteries + 32Gb XC Card (no charger) Tablet + (2) Charger + cables for all 4 series Apple gear Bean Bag with a threaded screw Work Laptop + charger (Damned Remote Access. I'm never really on vacation) but it also has PSE and LR4 Last edited by monochrome; 06-20-2013 at 11:27 AM.

06-20-2013, 12:41 AM	#56
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,835	Originally posted by twitch Travel Gear - my kit, what yours? Starting to travel much lighter these days, couple of bodies with a 15, 50 and a 135 mm. The way my new 20 mm is shaping up, she may well replace the 15 mm in travel (smaller, lighter in weight). I almost feel like I'm being unfaithful by leaving my 15 mm mistress at home on trips. Last edited by Kerrowdown; 06-20-2013 at 12:50 AM.

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06-13-2013, 06:41 AM	#46
LaurenOE Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Back in Florida, but worldwide gigs! Photos: Albums Posts: 3,690	Originally posted by Bob from Aus Yes we know! And very proud of it. LOL. Yep. It just cracks me up that somewhere along the line small kit somehow got caught in travel kit. If traveling on fun, seeing new and different things, why wouldn't folks take as much of their kit as possible? The goal should not be, "let me see how LITTLE I can take", but "let me see how MUCH I can take!"

06-13-2013, 07:13 AM	#47
mdodrill Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 231	I have found this thread very interesting. So many different travel kits have been outlined. Somebody said you are all nuts and somebody else replied....yes and damn proud of it. I think that is Pentax' niche. We like to be individuals....not in the Nikcan mold....we are just a little different than most.

06-13-2013, 08:41 AM	#49
LaurenOE Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Back in Florida, but worldwide gigs! Photos: Albums Posts: 3,690	Originally posted by nomadkng Lauren, you sound like my kinda girl, I mean photographer. for my 9 day trip i have plotted out an hour by hour itinerary based on 5 websites and 4 "insider" books i'm going to shoot from sunrise to sunset and waterfalls are scheduled for mid day when flat lighting isn't as big an issue naps are scheduled from 11p to 4a. which sucks cuz I wanted to do some astro-photography as well i'm going to see Yellowstone, Grand Teton and zion The other frustration is having to eat, not only do I lose 1.5 hours of shooting time, but the travel time to and from eateries I can't wait for replicators to be installed in SUVs soon. I can't quite bring myself to eat MRE's. Had too many of those in my army days LOL too funny!!! Yep, many times I forget to eat when I am out and about! Many of my adventures are in the UK, and there is NOTHING better than after a full day of shooting going down to whatever local pub I am near and getting a pint and talking to the locals! It's one of my favorite things in life!

06-14-2013, 12:46 AM	#50
tclausen Veteran Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 1,397	Originally posted by rawr Interesting kits. I'm taking notes. No tablets or laptop/netbook/ultrabooks though? I always have a tablet along also, yes. Acquired a LowePro event messenger bag, which has a tablet slot

06-14-2013, 02:35 AM	#52
Macario Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Hoek van Holland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,393	I have to sets of travel kit (actually 3) Set one: K-01 M20 f4.0 M50 f1.4 K135 f2.5 Clik Elite trekker waistpack Velbon CX-mini plus spare batteries and memory cards and some ND filters Set two: see above, but K-01 replaced by a analogue camera (most of the times MZ-S) and Clik elite trekker by a simple black shoulder bag (and memory cards replaced by film ofcourse) Set three K-01 K-7 (with battery grip) M50 f1.4, F 80-200 f4.7-5.6 DA35 f2.4 DA16-45 f4 Tokina ATX 400 f4.6 M100 f4 macro + extention tubes Clik elite trekker waistpack Naneu Alpha L backpack spare batteries and memory cards filters, Velbon CX-mini Manfroto monopod with balhead first two sets are for city trips. thrid setup is for my normal holiday trips to the ocean (also shooting surf, that's why the long lenses)

06-15-2013, 07:40 AM	#53
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,092	It depends on how I’m traveling, but if flying I stick to a variant of the traditional film kit of a 28mm, 50-55mm & 135mm and one body. For me if your walking around all day exploring a city that’s enough to carry, I also use a messenger bag so it doesn’t look like I’m carrying photo gear. Dragging around a big bag of photo gear when you plan to go into cafes, museums, stores and on public transportation is not my cup of tea! If it’s a driving trip then I’ll take more gear. Phil.

06-16-2013, 01:28 AM	#54
jpyykonen Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tampere, Finland Posts: 191	Nice to see there is some variation here. I have also built various "travel" kits depending on where or how long I'm traveling. But if time and space isn't (big) restriction, this is what comes along (also includes my fiancees stuff) white Q+01 black Q+02 and PK-Q adapter 2x K-5 (one with D-BG4) Sigma 10mm/2.8 Fisheye Sigma 10-20mm/4-5.6 DA16-50mm/2.8 DA18-135WR DA35mm/2.4 Sigma 50-150mm/2.8 DA55-300 DFA 100mm/2.8 WR macro A300mm/4 And my FF kit (all are K-mount so can be also used on Pentax DSLR; fits in lowepro 300AW bag): Canon 5D Vivitar 28mm/2 (PKA) Samyang 35mm/1.4 SMC-A 50mm/1.4 Samyang 85mm/1.4 Tokina 90mm/2.5 AT-X macro SMC-K 135mm/2.5 In addition there will be Manfrotto 190MF3 Tripod + 498RC2 Ball Head Pano-MAXX Panorama Head Timer remote controller 67mm and 77mm circular polarizers Lots of batteries, memory cards, cleaning clothes, lens pens etc. And maybe laptop (fits in Urban Disguise 60) So it will be one camera backbag (lowepro 300AW), one big shoulder bag (ThinkTank Urban Disguise 60), two medium sized shoulder bags (Lowepro Nova 180AW) and maybe one small sized shoulder bag (Lowepro 140AW). Most likely I would not use everything but what would be more irritating than notice the lens you would need/want to use RIGHT NOW is left home! The day is ruined right away

06-20-2013, 12:50 AM	#57
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,835	Originally posted by LaurenOE One of the great things about Lightroom is the Metadata info Aye it's amazing, I spent a whole sad evening in, quizzing the Lightroom database, you find out all sorts of weird stuff about your photography. Like in the last batch of 6000 odd images, I have 306 images shot at 7.1 aperture. Also stuff I wouldn't have believed, namely as you suggest the most popular focal lengths I've used.

06-20-2013, 01:25 AM	#58
Tonto Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wellington Posts: 969	A tip I found while traveling is to use the mains plug off an apple charger for the camera charger lead. Turns it into a wall charger pretty much. Finding a third party battery charger with a USB facility built in would save further space.

06-20-2013, 01:40 AM	#59
Tonto Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wellington Posts: 969	My travel Kit is basically- K7 Sigma 17-70 DAL55-300 FA31 72mm CPL & ND filters Adapters for all lenses Single or Twin battery charger depending on how intensive my shooting will be. Two to Three batteries as above. Heaps of memory cards 4-8gb each. Black Rapid strap. Lens pen. Monopod if plenty of tele shots predicted. Netbook Double mains adapter to plug Netbook AND battery charger into travel adapter! (It took me so many doh moments on overseas moments to finally bring one) My old Sony Discman bag! Perfect sholder bag for extra lenses and bits. Would love a WR alternative for my zoom lenses but yet to find one. (16-50 and 60-250 abit costly and big)

06-20-2013, 04:18 AM	#60
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571 Original Poster	I picked up a Nikon AW110 today, nothing like last minute GAS before a holiday So I'm taking a K-5, Sony RX100 and this new camera for beach/kids. Should be covered for every eventuality.