Finding the Right Gear

Camera Equipment

Part 2 of the series Finding the Right Gear. Part 1 - Finding the Right Gear - Clothing

Another prime consideration for many people, especially women, is the weight of the gear itself.  Since my primary lens for wildlife photography is the Nikkor 600 AF-S, which weighs over 13 pounds, I am very much aware of the combined weight of the camera, lens, Wimberly head, tripod & camera vest or waist pacek loaded with film, lenses and accessories.

Tripod

Several of years ago I switched from the Gitzo G410 to the Gitzo G1548 Carbon Fiber tripod.  The difference in weight between these two tripods more than makes up for the difference in price when I'm sloshing through the tundra or walking up and down foothills. 

Camera Bag

For my camera bag/backpack, I use the WRP MP-1. I normally load my WRP MP-1 with 1 Nikon D1h, 1 Nikon D2h, Nikkor 600 AF-S, RRS Flash Arm for 600, Nikkor 70-200AF-S VR, Nikkor 24-85AF-S II, Nikkor 60 macro & Tokina 17mm. All of this weighs in at close to 35 pounds and easily fits in the overhead compartment or under the most seats on the full-size airplanes. Now if they just had a stepping stool on the plane, it would be a lot easier for me to actually put it in the overhead! 

Note: Since September 11, 2001, I've been packing the MP-1 in a Pelican Case and checking it as luggage. Refer to On the Road Again.

How do I pack my tripod and ball head?  Separately and very carefully.  The High Sierra 36 inch drop bottom duffel works very nicely. I place my tripod & Wimberley head in the drop bottom portion of the bag along with my hiking boots. This makes it easy to grab the tripod quickly once at a location and start shooting right away without having to unpack my entire suitcase. It has enough support and reinforcement in it to protect my gear, While it is heavy when fully loaded with the rest of my camera gear and clothes, it still comes in under the maximum allowed weight limit of 80 pounds.

Traveling Essentials

• Camera Bag/Backpack: WRP MP-1 (designed and sold by Moose Peterson).
• Ballhead: Wimberley (for the Nikkor 600 f/4 AF-S and the Nikkor 400 f/2.8 AF-S); Arca-Swiss B1 & Wimberley Sidekick for everything else.
• Tripod: Gitzo Fiber G1548
• Suitcase: High Sierra 36 inch drop bottom duffel. (Available at Bentley's)
• Laptop case/ camera backpack: Lowepro Stealth AW - Great for carrying your laptop, a camera body & a couple of lenses
• DigitalPro Wimberley tripod head cover - Great for protecting your Wimberley - on or off the tripod. Avaliable from Moose Peterson.

Copyright © 2004 Jan A. Allinder. All Rights Reserved.