Photo Equipment: What’s In The Bag?

It’s the most frequently-asked question and perhaps the least important. “What’s in the bag?”

I say it’s the least important since it’s usually the first (and easiest) avenue beginning photographers take to try and improve their photography work. They believe that better and more expensive gear will create a better photographer but more often than not, it only leads to disappointment. A better investment would be in time – time spent practicing their technique and honing their personal vision. Still, photo equipment is not unimportant either. if you’re not convinced, just try doing photography without it!

So with that said, let’s have a look into my photo bag (all links to Amazon):

Photo Equipment

Camera Bag: One of several MindShift Gear bags, depending on the trip or assignment. Moose Peterson MP-1 V2.0, FirstLight 40L, or Backlight Elite 45L

Currently, my favorite photo backpack is the MindShift Backlight Elite 45L Camera Backpack. Just Superb in every way!

In addition to the actual bag that I choose for a particular trip, the contents in the bag also depend on where I am going, what I will be shooting, how remote the area, and how much hiking there will be. Here is some of my basic photo equipment:

Canon EOS R5
Canon EOS R

Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM

Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Lens with Internal 1.4x Extender
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM (when weight is an issue or for bird-in-flight images)
Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L USM

Canon Extender EF 1.4X III
Canon Drop-in Filter Mount Adapter EF-EOS R
Canon 600EX-RT Speedlite Flash (2)
MagMod 2 Basic Flash Modifier Kit
Lee Filter Holder with polarizing filter
Breakthrough Photography’s ND Filters (no color cast)
Really Right Stuff TVC-24L Tripod
Really Right Stuff TQC-14 Tripod
Really Right Stuff BH40 ball head (2)
Really Right Stuff BH35 ball head

Wimberley WH-200 Gimbal Head II
Lexar digital media
Mac Book Pro 15.4″ Computer with Retina Display, Touch Bar, 2.9GHz Intel Core i7 Quad Core…
LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt USB-C 4TB Portable Hard Drive

* Post includes affiliate link*

12 Comments

A. Laurel on December 2, 2017 at 6:36 pm

I think, nice as well. Good enough for Canon EF 800 and more.
Regards

Karen on January 6, 2018 at 11:51 pm

I am SO guilty of this! – I went from a Nikon 3300 to a Canon 5D Mk 3. I was way over my head! The mechanics of this jump still challenges me today but I think more importantly – it’s what you said about “time” invested. If we don’t participate in the passion the passion will leave us…like everything in life we have to actually ENGAGE in the event! We have to work it, the assignment given, if we don’t…no fruit will come! We have to not only be present but participate! (And not with just the iPhone!!) Lol Thank you for sharing this. You’re awesome..appreciate the reminder of what’s truly important!

Cindy Clark on January 7, 2018 at 8:11 am

The 1st outing I went on with a camera/photography group I brought my only camera, a Canon A2200. They helped me frame pictures and gave me all kinds of tips. Those are some of my favorite photos. We went to one of my favorite places, the Appalachian Trail; Carver Gap & Round Bald. The pics turned out great and people are surprised they came from a point and shoot.

rick sammon on January 21, 2018 at 11:23 am

Wanna be on my new podcast. Would love to have you. Please email me at ricksammon@mac.com. All you need is skype and a good mic.

just saying on February 19, 2018 at 6:15 pm

I note 4 tripod heads but only 2 tripods listed (unless I am reading that wrong.)
Can you explain your process for which combination you choose, and what factors influence your decision? Thank you.

rbernabe on February 19, 2018 at 6:58 pm

Should I call you “Just” or “Mr Saying?” Anyway, one is a gimbal head for large telephoto lenses, one is a small lighter head (the BH-35) for my smaller travel tripod and I have two BH-40 heads. one older (a back up) and the newer one.
Reply

EJF on June 4, 2018 at 8:13 am

Hi Richard, really enjoy your work. I notice on this list the longest focal length is 400mm with 1.4 x extender, so no 500, 600, or 800mm lenses? Thank you

rbernabe on June 4, 2018 at 11:35 am

No, the Canon 200-400mm with built-in 1.4x teleconverter has replaced any primes. i like the flexibility of a zoom anyway.
Reply

londonphotography on July 29, 2019 at 5:53 am

Hi,

Good one. I really enjoy your work. Keep sharing such informative posts.

Doug Burke on August 5, 2019 at 10:50 am

Reading this was truly helpful and I look forward to reading more of your blogs.

Jesse Page on November 30, 2019 at 10:04 am

Fantastic tips! I hope to use some of this to hone my skill.

Subir Basak on January 28, 2020 at 4:13 pm

Enjoyed your work. Keep sharing such informative posts. Thanks.
Subir

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

A. Laurel on December 2, 2017 at 6:36 pm

I think, nice as well. Good enough for Canon EF 800 and more.
Regards
Karen on January 6, 2018 at 11:51 pm

I am SO guilty of this! – I went from a Nikon 3300 to a Canon 5D Mk 3. I was way over my head! The mechanics of this jump still challenges me today but I think more importantly – it’s what you said about “time” invested. If we don’t participate in the passion the passion will leave us…like everything in life we have to actually ENGAGE in the event! We have to work it, the assignment given, if we don’t…no fruit will come! We have to not only be present but participate! (And not with just the iPhone!!) Lol Thank you for sharing this. You’re awesome..appreciate the reminder of what’s truly important!
Cindy Clark on January 7, 2018 at 8:11 am

The 1st outing I went on with a camera/photography group I brought my only camera, a Canon A2200. They helped me frame pictures and gave me all kinds of tips. Those are some of my favorite photos. We went to one of my favorite places, the Appalachian Trail; Carver Gap & Round Bald. The pics turned out great and people are surprised they came from a point and shoot.
rick sammon on January 21, 2018 at 11:23 am

Wanna be on my new podcast. Would love to have you. Please email me at ricksammon@mac.com. All you need is skype and a good mic.
just saying on February 19, 2018 at 6:15 pm

I note 4 tripod heads but only 2 tripods listed (unless I am reading that wrong.)
Can you explain your process for which combination you choose, and what factors influence your decision? Thank you.
- rbernabe on February 19, 2018 at 6:58 pm
  
  Should I call you “Just” or “Mr Saying?” Anyway, one is a gimbal head for large telephoto lenses, one is a small lighter head (the BH-35) for my smaller travel tripod and I have two BH-40 heads. one older (a back up) and the newer one.
EJF on June 4, 2018 at 8:13 am

Hi Richard, really enjoy your work. I notice on this list the longest focal length is 400mm with 1.4 x extender, so no 500, 600, or 800mm lenses? Thank you
- rbernabe on June 4, 2018 at 11:35 am
  
  No, the Canon 200-400mm with built-in 1.4x teleconverter has replaced any primes. i like the flexibility of a zoom anyway.
londonphotography on July 29, 2019 at 5:53 am

Hi,

Good one. I really enjoy your work. Keep sharing such informative posts.
Doug Burke on August 5, 2019 at 10:50 am

Reading this was truly helpful and I look forward to reading more of your blogs.
Jesse Page on November 30, 2019 at 10:04 am

Fantastic tips! I hope to use some of this to hone my skill.
Subir Basak on January 28, 2020 at 4:13 pm

Enjoyed your work. Keep sharing such informative posts. Thanks.
Subir