Unpacking our Creative Director’s camera bag
If you’ve ever encountered me in the wild, you’ve probably noticed that I am almost always lugging around my camera bag. Though many have seen it, few know what’s actually inside it. Today, I’m unpacking my bag and showing the world what tools I use to make my magic!
- This is my favorite camera bag I’ve ever had. I love the bottom camera compartment and the space for a laptop. I also like that it is back pack style because it’s heavy when it’s full and if I carried it around all the time with one shoulder I’d turn into Quasimodo. The version I have is discontinued but this one is pretty close to it.
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Body + manual & 2 extra batteries and charger
- With a 30.4 Megapixel full-frame sensor, refined 61-point AF system, DIGIC 6+ Image Processor (for continuous shooting at up to 7.0 fps), built-in Wi-Fi, GPS and a touch-panel LCD, this thing is really too fancy for me. (yes, I copied all that from Canon). I carry the manual with me everywhere I go because sometimes I want to utilize some of those fancy features that I use less often so I need to know how to do it. (Google works too.) And extra batteries and a charger are just smart to have.
Tuenne Build Your Own Storm Strap 42” in Eco Confetti 9.8mm
- This is my most recent purchase. I’m a sucker for a custom camera strap because personality is important. But, I’ve always struggled with them twisting and getting in the way or strangling me. I’m definitely not brave enough to go without a strap and a wrist strap gets in my way. I found these made with real climbing rope and I love them. Since they are round rather than flat, there is no twisting and there is much less friction and tangling with my hair and clothes around my neck. The only downside is that if you have a heavy lens attached the narrow strap doesn’t disperse the weight well. But- then again- if the lens is that heavy, you should probably be supporting it with your hands anyway.
Compact Flash Cards
- SanDisk 16GB Extreme Pro CompactFlash Memory Card
- This one is old. I fill it up every time. Buy a bigger one.
- Lexar 64GB Professional CompactFlash Memory Card
- This is what I use most of the time. It’s fast, reliable and holds a lot.
- This was one of my first lens purchases years ago. While this is not an L lens, it is a fast lens, opening to 1.8. I originally purchased it for portraits but also used it for sports photos for a long time before purchasing what I use now. I currently use it for portraits, headshots and studio product photos.
EF 50mm f/1.2L USM + hood
- When I was still learning photography I purchased a nifty fifty. It was super affordable and perfect for all kinds of “playing”. I used it for everything from creative personal projects to portraits. I loved it so much that I upgraded to the L version. For a long long time, this was my favorite lens. I enjoyed being able to be close to my subjects and talk to them while shooting. However, unless you’re right up in your subjects face, your bokeh will suffer. I still love this lens. I use it for all kinds of creative shooting and shooting in tight spaces. It’s also super fast to it’s great for kids and beautiful low light images.
- I use this wide angle lens every single week. It’s mostly used to shoot the inside of luxury RVs, but I’ve also used it to shoot cars, event spaces, architecture, group shots in a small space and so much more! This lens does distort images even at 35, but that’s to be expected and it’s not necessarily a bad thing.
EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM + hood
- THIS is my favorite lens. I bought this as a Christmas gift for myself in 2020 and while it was slightly painfully expensive, I’m soooooo glad it did it. I use this lens whenever possible. It is so sharp and the bokeh is so creamy. I adore what it does for my portraits and I also love it for sports and wildlife photos.
Canon Extender EF 2x II
- I purchased this extender with my 70-200 so that I could extend its reach for sports and wildlife photos. It’s definitely a more wallet friendly alternative to purchasing a longer lens and it make the shorter lens more versatile.
Lensbaby Composer Pro II + edge 35 Optic + sweet 50 Optic
- These are my most recent lens purchases and they are purely for creative fun! I had a Lensbaby a few years ago that was stolen and I never bothered to replace it, but I recently decided that I wanted to ramp up my creative abilities and shoot more for myself so I invested in these fun little lenses and I’m in love. Both lenses offer different focal options than traditional lenses. With traditional lenses, the focal plane is a flat and parallel to your camera. With the edge 35 the focal plane is an edge to edge slice, and with the sweet 50 the focal plane is a single sweet spot.
Lensbaby OMNI Color Expansion Pack
- I haven’t even used these yet! I purchased these with my Lensbaby lenses to create fun effects in camera. While I’ve not used them, I do have a project planned for them.....
Movo 3-Piece AF Chrome Macro Extension Tube Set for Canon EOS
- These allow me to turn another lens into a macro lens. I typically use them with my 85.
- This is a camera bag must-have to safely get the dust and dirt off without leaving smudges or fingerprints.
Cash
- Ya know, just in case.
Canon 72mm Circular Polarizing Filter x2
- Circular polarizing filters are useful for reducing glare and reflection as well as haze. Honestly, I don’t use them often, but I’m happy I have them if I get into a glary situation.
72mm Variable Neutral Density Filter
- Neutral Density Filters are comparable to an adjustable tint for your car windows. They allow you to control the amount of light entering through your lens so that you can also slow your shutter speed or reduce your depth of field (or both) in bright light situation.
Premium Microfiber Lens Cloths
- These are another option for removing smudges and fingerprints.
Obulb MC Multi-Color Bulb Light + charger
- Now this little dude is cool. It emits just enough light for a little bit of fill in a darker situation or for a fun effect. It’s also handy for distracting youngsters.
