Do you have a DSLR with you all the time?

stormtech · 03-28-2012, 07:37 PM

I am seeing more photographic opportunities while I am working but don't have a DSLR with me. Let me briefly explain......

I travel from Pennsylvania to Ohio for my work doing a US Mail contract. Although I don't have any time to stop to take pics, I have down time in Ohio. I am in/near a big city which doesn't appeal to me, and can't travel around while I am there. But as I progress with my photographic abilities, I am now "seeing" image taking opportunities all around me. I have a P&S with me all the time, but never grab it to shoot anything since I am so used to using my DSLR (K-5).

I just won't take my K-5 with me on a trip - don't know exactly why, but that is my baby and don't want anything to happen to it. I also have a K-x at home which my wife uses when I am away (sorry - the K-5 is mine mine mine!). So now I am thinking of getting a 3rd body - probably another K-x or K-r to have with me when I am working. I am thinking of possibly just putting an 18-135 on it and call it good. But, this is another "investment" of $700 or so - trying to come to grips with if it is worth it to me or not.

So the questions comes to mind while thinking about this: How many of you have a DSLR with you at all times?

JinDesu · 03-28-2012, 07:40 PM

I carry my k-x and Tamron 70-200 everywhere

icywindow · 03-28-2012, 07:44 PM

I take mine with me every day. I originally bought a K-x then said "Man, I want something I can take with me everywhere!" so purchased the K20D to put in the car. After about a year, it is the only body I own and I'm happy with it. It's pretty inexpensive ($400 or less) and rugged. All very similar controls to the K-5 too. I got mine at 12k clicks, and I think I've put about 6k clicks of my own on it. Still going strong (crossing fingers).

**paulh** · 03-28-2012, 07:45 PM

I'm a bit like you in that I almost always carry a PnS with me. It's there to grab those random shots I might encounter at any time. But the DSLR usually only goes when I *know* I'll be using it, and have something somewhat specific in mind. I guess I don't like the idea of the DSLR bouncing around in the car unnecessarily.

dmeadows85 · 03-28-2012, 07:57 PM

I bought a murse-ish camera bag solely so I could always have my K-x by my side, because you never know.

**tcbubbleleo** · 03-28-2012, 08:03 PM

take the K-5 along and take more picture, a camera is not HAPPY sitting in a glass case on a shelf not being used.

RioRico · 03-28-2012, 08:11 PM

Photography is difficult if a camera isn't at hand.

My K20D and its usual minimal-plus kit are in my Ameribag constantly; that's in the car when I'm driving (with the camera on the dashboard) or slung over my shoulder when I'm walking. A P&S is always in my pocket when I'm outside my home -- a thin camera (Olympus 770-SW) if I'm looking dressy, a fatter one (Sony DSC-V1) otherwise.

Film cameras are sometimes along for the ride. A small film P&S (Canon SS-80u) is handy in case of untoward events that need to be documented legally, or if I just want to burn film. I'll also have a FF film SLR (ZX-M usually) with me if I feel like exploiting wider primes.

I was never a Boy Scout but I try to Be Prepared.

photolady95 · 03-28-2012, 08:12 PM

My K-x goes where ever I go. I'm lucky that my car has an actual trunk so I hide it there in its bag along with three lenses until I've carried out my other business.

Macario · 03-28-2012, 08:16 PM

I carry my K-7 with the DA35 2.4 almost everywhere everyday. Most of the days I don't even take a shot, but it is with me.

stormtech · 03-28-2012, 08:37 PM

Thanks for all the replies so far!

Originally posted by tcbubbleleo

take the K-5 along and take more picture, a camera is not HAPPY sitting in a glass case on a shelf not being used.

This hit home for me - why am I not taking the K-5 with me? What am I afraid of?

I was just settling down for the night with this on my mind, and it hit me after reading this. I have a very nice Kata 3N1-20 backpack/sling pack that I have never used. Also I always like to have my 9" tablet with me which will fit nicely in the top compartment. I bought this certain tablet especially since it has an integrated SD card slot for viewing my photos on the go. Then thinking about not wanting to take a bunch of lenses along all the time, it also hit me that me new DA* 60-250 is on it's way to me - what a perfect lens to have with me for a one lens solution.

That does it! I'm so glad I posted my quandary here - I often get tunnel vision about a lot of things with this being one of them. Once I get my K-5 back from CRIS I will be setting up the Kata bag with a nice travel kit.

pezmaker · 03-28-2012, 08:47 PM

Originally posted by stormtech

This hit home for me - why am I not taking the K-5 with me? What am I afraid of?

Indeed, First and only DSLR is my K200d that I got refurb'd last july. Initially I never took it anywhere, now it's alwyas in my backpack or on my car seat or in my camera bag, but it's almost always with me.

**blackcloudbrew** · 03-28-2012, 09:01 PM

I started carrying a camera (no matter what it is) everywhere with me two years ago. I did this because I realized that you can't take a picture if you don't have a camera.

Docrwm · 03-28-2012, 09:18 PM

I have the K-x with a 28-105 on it pretty much every day. I use the K5 and lens assortment in a more premeditated way.

cmohr · 03-28-2012, 09:35 PM

I've always had my slr with me, be it back in the film days or now with the Dslrs, actually the car has quite an expensive rear storage unit in it to safely hold my gear, and I have had my more expensive lenses insured to travel with me out side the home so if anything did happen, they are covered.

Raffwal · 03-28-2012, 09:52 PM

I'm experiencing the same with my DSLR as I did with my SLR in the 80s: it tends to stay at home. Not because I'm worried about damaging it but because it's too big and heavy and makes too big a number of the photography. So if I have something with me, it's either my Canon S90 or my Samsung NX10. So I'd definitely get something smaller than a K-x. But that's just my opinion.

03-28-2012, 07:37 PM	#1
stormtech Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: In the boonies (NW Penna) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,744	Do you have a DSLR with you all the time? I am seeing more photographic opportunities while I am working but don't have a DSLR with me. Let me briefly explain...... I travel from Pennsylvania to Ohio for my work doing a US Mail contract. Although I don't have any time to stop to take pics, I have down time in Ohio. I am in/near a big city which doesn't appeal to me, and can't travel around while I am there. But as I progress with my photographic abilities, I am now "seeing" image taking opportunities all around me. I have a P&S with me all the time, but never grab it to shoot anything since I am so used to using my DSLR (K-5). I just won't take my K-5 with me on a trip - don't know exactly why, but that is my baby and don't want anything to happen to it. I also have a K-x at home which my wife uses when I am away (sorry - the K-5 is mine mine mine!). So now I am thinking of getting a 3rd body - probably another K-x or K-r to have with me when I am working. I am thinking of possibly just putting an 18-135 on it and call it good. But, this is another "investment" of $700 or so - trying to come to grips with if it is worth it to me or not. So the questions comes to mind while thinking about this: How many of you have a DSLR with you at all times?

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03-28-2012, 07:40 PM	#2
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,632	I carry my k-x and Tamron 70-200 everywhere

03-28-2012, 07:44 PM	#3
icywindow Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 303	I take mine with me every day. I originally bought a K-x then said "Man, I want something I can take with me everywhere!" so purchased the K20D to put in the car. After about a year, it is the only body I own and I'm happy with it. It's pretty inexpensive ($400 or less) and rugged. All very similar controls to the K-5 too. I got mine at 12k clicks, and I think I've put about 6k clicks of my own on it. Still going strong (crossing fingers).

03-28-2012, 07:45 PM	#4
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 30,103	I'm a bit like you in that I almost always carry a PnS with me. It's there to grab those random shots I might encounter at any time. But the DSLR usually only goes when I know I'll be using it, and have something somewhat specific in mind. I guess I don't like the idea of the DSLR bouncing around in the car unnecessarily.

03-28-2012, 07:57 PM	#5
dmeadows85 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Decatur, GA Photos: Gallery Posts: 69	I bought a murse-ish camera bag solely so I could always have my K-x by my side, because you never know.

03-28-2012, 08:03 PM	#6
tcbubbleleo Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Temple City CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 726	take the K-5 along and take more picture, a camera is not HAPPY sitting in a glass case on a shelf not being used.

03-28-2012, 08:11 PM	#7
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Photography is difficult if a camera isn't at hand. My K20D and its usual minimal-plus kit are in my Ameribag constantly; that's in the car when I'm driving (with the camera on the dashboard) or slung over my shoulder when I'm walking. A P&S is always in my pocket when I'm outside my home -- a thin camera (Olympus 770-SW) if I'm looking dressy, a fatter one (Sony DSC-V1) otherwise. Film cameras are sometimes along for the ride. A small film P&S (Canon SS-80u) is handy in case of untoward events that need to be documented legally, or if I just want to burn film. I'll also have a FF film SLR (ZX-M usually) with me if I feel like exploiting wider primes. I was never a Boy Scout but I try to Be Prepared.

03-28-2012, 08:12 PM	#8
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,721	My K-x goes where ever I go. I'm lucky that my car has an actual trunk so I hide it there in its bag along with three lenses until I've carried out my other business.

03-28-2012, 08:16 PM	#9
Macario Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Hoek van Holland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,385	I carry my K-7 with the DA35 2.4 almost everywhere everyday. Most of the days I don't even take a shot, but it is with me.

03-28-2012, 08:37 PM	#10
stormtech Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: In the boonies (NW Penna) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,744 Original Poster	Thanks for all the replies so far! Originally posted by tcbubbleleo take the K-5 along and take more picture, a camera is not HAPPY sitting in a glass case on a shelf not being used. This hit home for me - why am I not taking the K-5 with me? What am I afraid of? I was just settling down for the night with this on my mind, and it hit me after reading this. I have a very nice Kata 3N1-20 backpack/sling pack that I have never used. Also I always like to have my 9" tablet with me which will fit nicely in the top compartment. I bought this certain tablet especially since it has an integrated SD card slot for viewing my photos on the go. Then thinking about not wanting to take a bunch of lenses along all the time, it also hit me that me new DA* 60-250 is on it's way to me - what a perfect lens to have with me for a one lens solution. That does it! I'm so glad I posted my quandary here - I often get tunnel vision about a lot of things with this being one of them. Once I get my K-5 back from CRIS I will be setting up the Kata bag with a nice travel kit.

03-28-2012, 08:47 PM	#11
pezmaker Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 276	Originally posted by stormtech This hit home for me - why am I not taking the K-5 with me? What am I afraid of? Indeed, First and only DSLR is my K200d that I got refurb'd last july. Initially I never took it anywhere, now it's alwyas in my backpack or on my car seat or in my camera bag, but it's almost always with me.

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03-28-2012, 09:01 PM	#12
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,397	I started carrying a camera (no matter what it is) everywhere with me two years ago. I did this because I realized that you can't take a picture if you don't have a camera.

03-28-2012, 09:18 PM	#13
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	I have the K-x with a 28-105 on it pretty much every day. I use the K5 and lens assortment in a more premeditated way.

03-28-2012, 09:35 PM	#14
cmohr Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Brisbane. Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,747	I've always had my slr with me, be it back in the film days or now with the Dslrs, actually the car has quite an expensive rear storage unit in it to safely hold my gear, and I have had my more expensive lenses insured to travel with me out side the home so if anything did happen, they are covered.

03-28-2012, 09:52 PM	#15
Raffwal Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: The North Posts: 877	I'm experiencing the same with my DSLR as I did with my SLR in the 80s: it tends to stay at home. Not because I'm worried about damaging it but because it's too big and heavy and makes too big a number of the photography. So if I have something with me, it's either my Canon S90 or my Samsung NX10. So I'd definitely get something smaller than a K-x. But that's just my opinion.