Camera Topics Weight and size of camera gear.

[Woofmix]

How many folk find the size and weight of camera gear to be an issue?

Personally I'm not bothered at all, I happily carry the E3 with the 7-14, 14-35 or 35-100. I have 5 camera bags that each have their own purpose and enable me to carry any combination of camera and lenses from the E3 with 1 lens to everything.
My favourite combo is the Lowepro Slingshot 100 bag with the E3, 14-35 and 7-14, I don't find it heavy or obtrusive at all, access and changing lenses is easy.

I like the ergonomics of the E3 and wouldn't want to sacrifice that for say m4/3's gear.

Paul

[tomsi42]

Depends on what I do. When am I walking for a few hours, I want my kit to be light.

But if I don't have to carry stuff; then the camera and lenses can be heavy.

[bg2b]

I'll carry a pile of gear in the car somewhere, but when actually out taking pictures, I've got the camera (usually my G1), the lens on it, and in some cases a pocket with another lens or teleconverter or filter(s). If slow shuter speeds are needed, I'll also carry either a pocket or travel tripod. The only time I'm willing to carry more is when I'm using the G1 and Canon FD 500mm, which is obviously a beast. Then I've usually got a heavy tripod too. While I don't really mind carrying the weight, it's not my idea of a walk in the park.

Size and weight are big issues for me, and I want things as small and light as possible.

[sagar]

I am not a pro photographer more of a hobby that I want to keep improving. Have leared a very bad lesson where weight almost killed my photography.

I started as a hobby photographer with smallish cameras like Canon A70/S50 and used to carry it every where and any where. As I started getting good comments from forums and friends, I thought I "must" upgrade to DSLR. So I bought then just released Nikon D70, a fantastic camera in its own sense but and BIG BUT, I got too cautious of weight and people around stopped carrying camera missing probably thousands of opportunities till I moved to m4/3. I am back to enjoying photography again

[Arbib]

Got a lot of gear....
But, when I go out for photos. I decide ahead of time what I want to photograph, and bring what I need. It may be my K20d and 16-45, 24-70 (studio lens) or my 105 macro, or my Leica with the 28, 35 or 50, or my G1 with 17mm...Just depends on the subject, and do I want it on Film or File.

[LanceM]

I've never have had a problem with gear weight. Typically for my kind of shooting my gripped E-30 w/12-60 are the standard and I may carry one other lens, but usually not. I usually have a plan when I go out and try not to carry anything I'm not going to use.

Lance

[zippski]

I have never been able to figure out the obsession with itty-bitty cameras. I like my gear ergonomic, not little.

For example, today was a typical hiking day for me. I decided to drive from my home near Niagara Falls up to a reasonably rugged section of the Niagara Escarpment near Burlington, Ontario. The hike was about five or six fairly leisurely miles, stopping to shoot some rock faces, Ospreys in anest, and a buffalo herd. As usual, I was carrying my Lowe Pro Nature Trekker AV bag full of gear, using a bunch of lens combinations throughout the day.

Tonight, after reading the umpteenth "light gear rules" post, I decided to pull apart my gear bag and compile MY list for this list, just to show how little size and weight mean to some Olympus shooters.

So, les'see what do I have here*

(*Note: this is the actual bag contents today):

E-3 and Grip;
300/2.8
150/2.0
35-100/2.0
14-35/2.0
7-14/4.0
PL25/1.4
35/macro
50/macro
TC2.0
TC1.4
EX25
B+H polarizer and clear filters for every lens w/protective cases (ceptin' the 7-14 of course)
4 BLM batteries
Remote release cable
3 spare CF cards/cases
2 spare front and back lens/body caps
Lens Pen
lens cloths (2) with cases
fliptop compass
trailbook
and
Manfrotto monopod and fabric cover stuffed in the LowePro's tripod carrier*

*Note: sometimes I carry the big Manfrotto tripod with Manfrotto pistol grip head, but it makes the pack a bit top heavy)

All in all, I feel pretty good tonight. Got some good shots. Legs are a bit tired, but I guess that's to be expected at age 51. BTW, I'm not an aerobic freak of nature either.

Sad thing is, I carry all this crap even when I'm shooting at, say, a State Fair. The only time I go light is when I'm backcountry ski mountaineering out west. That's when I break down and carry the SP-350 or the wife's E410 and two kit lenses.

Gear geek,

Leigh
zippski

[TomServoCA]

It really depends what I'm doing.

If I'm shooting a hockey game weight doesn't matter so everything goes in the bag (E-3, E-510, E300, LX2, EP-2, sundry lenses).

If I get a request ahead of time for aircraft shots for a ground school, I pack according to what I need to shoot, usually the E-3, 12-60, 50-200 (for those detail shots on a T-Tail) and the P2. For cockpit interiors I don't bother taking lighting, I use the AME's LED worklights and tape them into position with gaffer tape and soften the light with an old pillow case. For "Geez, can you take a picture of this right now" when I'm at work, well, the P2 is always with me so...

If I'm just wandering about for the day, I usually leave the E-3 at home and take the EP-2 with the kit lens and my OM lenses (the 50 and 100 fit very nicely in te cargo pockets of my pants/shorts) . I find that if I walk around for 3 or 4 hours with the E-3 and attendant lenses my back starts to hurt (probably coz I'm out of shape and perhaps my camera back isn't hanging correctly).

However, because of it's size, the EP-2 is always with me, so, like yesterday when one of the AME's tells me to jump in the truck, we're going for a drive and we end up on the ramp at the Avitat looking at a Corsair that's doing runups to clear an engine snag, I'm good to go. (I'll have some pix of that when I get a chance)

[Michael Meissner]

Originally Posted by Woofmix

How many folk find the size and weight of camera gear to be an issue?

Personally I'm not bothered at all, I happily carry the E3 with the 7-14, 14-35 or 35-100. I have 5 camera bags that each have their own purpose and enable me to carry any combination of camera and lenses from the E3 with 1 lens to everything.
My favourite combo is the Lowepro Slingshot 100 bag with the E3, 14-35 and 7-14, I don't find it heavy or obtrusive at all, access and changing lenses is easy.

I like the ergonomics of the E3 and wouldn't want to sacrifice that for say m4/3's gear.

Paul

I'm not as good shape as that.

About two years ago, I passed the point where I no longer wanted to carry the full 17 pound bag all day long that contains all of my gear. So now, I always pick and choose what I want to carry for a day. My normal kit in E-3, 14-54mm, 50-200mm, FL-36, and E-P2, but at times, I just go down to the E-P2, and possibly with the FL-36 in my pocket.

As I post this, my neck and back are in pain due to moving my stuff out of the porch and wife's sewing stuff upstairs to the porch so she can sew again. At the moment, I would not be able to carry a shoulder bag at all, or an E-3 on a neck strap.

Another issue is carry on space or space in the car. On our last 3-4 vacations, I found myself removing gear from the bag to meet various space and/or weight requirements. Even in our last driving trip, I found I had packed the car too much, and needed to lose some camera gear.

[PdO]

My current mostly-used bag is a Lowepro Slingshot 300 with an E-3/grip mounted to a 50-200mm, an E-520, a 12-60mm, both the EC-20 and EC-14 with an FL-50R in the upper compartment that also holds the 25mm and a Better Beamer. The outer compartment holds a couple of spare batteries, cable remote, a pair of filters and a few odds and socks. This is a fairly comfortable kit.

[nickthetasmaniac]

As with everything, there's pros and cons to weight and size...

I feel very comfortable using my 50-200 @ 200mm with my E-3, likewise the weight and sure grip is handy when using the 12-60 in windy and horrid conditions...

But then, I spent 4 days carrying my full 4/3rds kit through international airports and don't wish to repeat the experience. Also, the sheer physical size can be problematic when shooting certain subjects, like candids and so on...

[flipmack]

I have an issue with carrying a lot of gear.

Most of the time, I carry my E-1 with the 14-54 or the ZD 35 macro - and that's it. I have an Op-Tech case that the E-1 and lens can fit in and that case goes in my backpack with other important things like a light jacket, water, etc.

If I really want to go light, I use the E-410, which also has its own Op-Tech case.

I was in Quebec City a few months back with a full kit including a 10-pound tripod...and guess what, I only used one lens and one body the whole time. Even though I used the tripod, I don't think it really made a difference.

So, never again.

BUT, is a PEN for me? nope - at least, not yet.

[Petephoto1]

It simply depends what category one is taking photos for the day
In selection of the kit . Some have two kits some just one that they work out of . When going out birding etc it's the 50-200mm 1.4 , 90-250 with 2x tuck in front pocket and TT lens pouch attached to that, the stick aka monopod / jens beanbag in the back seat if I choose that lens . Weight is not usually a factor less your hiking high country and using a pack. You can only use one lens at a time . Cheers Pete

[DavidL]

I'm tired of lugging heavy stuff around and with only two years until retirement have just made tentative steps into to 4/3dsmicro for microstock and snaps of grandchildren. Shot on E1's professionally a few years back, but like many others couldn't wait for the E3. Still love Nikons flash system though, it's all I use these days, studio stuff all went about a year ago.
A friend has just trades all his original 4/3ds stuff in for 4/3dsmicro

[matthew]

I used to happily carry the E3+grip+35-100, with a tangle of other lenses in my Domke F1x, for a day walking around town. But these days I'm less concerned with being 'covered' and more comfortable with the idea that it's okay for me to capture some photos really well and just enjoy watching others go by.

If it's for work, then I'll happily lug fifteen or twenty pounds of camera, lens, and speedlights. But if it's for fun, then carrying that much is just too much like work.

My usual camera is either a GH1 with 20/1.7 and 7-14, or a Zeiss Ikon with a lens or two and a spare roll of film. But I refuse to carry a camera bag that's over ten pounds, and eight pounds is a much more desirable number - and that has to include my audio recorder, wallet, water, and anything else that I'll need.

[okla]

For me the 7-14mm, 14-35mm, the 50-200mm, EC-1.4 and the 50mm macro is what I take on a hike outdoors. I don't take the 35-100mm, though mostly due to its space requirements. Doesn't fit well into my bag. That lens is mostly used for shooting events. For an outing into a city for sightseeing I'll drop the 50-200mm as well.

The weight of that gear doesn't bother me. I'm more bothered by carrying odd shaped stuff like a tripod.

Ottmar

[WRYphoto]

I typically carry only my E30 + EC20 + 150mm f2.0 in my hand and my ep2 + 12-60 in the bag and sometimes i'll carry the 50-200 and sometimes I wont. I don't use it that often for birds but i don't want to sell it.

I don't find any of the gear overly heavy i typically care the E30 +EC20 and 150 in one hand for several hours.

I do find it funny when i see posts saying the 12-60 is big and heavy.

I saw an Olympus rep Saturday at a camera store and he let me play with the 90-250 on an E30, it was surprisingly hand holdable and it was lighter than i thought it would be after hearing so many say they are surprised by the size and weight of the 90-250 and 300f2.8's


@ Woofmix - did you sell your 90-250? I remember reading you had bought one when i used to lurk here.

[Woofmix]

Originally Posted by WRYphoto

@ Woofmix - did you sell your 90-250? I remember reading you had bought one when i used to lurk here.

It's in a shop being sold on my behalf as I didn't use it enough to justify the cost of it but I'm having second thoughts and have told them if it's not sold by next Monday I'll pick it up and start using it again.

[Godfrey]

How many folk find the size and weight of camera gear to be an issue?

It's only common sense to suggest that whether the size and weight of the camera gear you are carrying is an issue depends on what you are doing. EG:

- Do you go to a wedding as a photographer hired for the occasion? You carry a lot of gear.
- Are you attending a friend's wedding as a member of the wedding party? You carry a minimum of gear.
- Are you on a family vacation and minimizing what you carry to allow for easy transit through trains, planes and unknown places? You carry a minimum of gear.
- Are you on a photo expedition to the Kenyan highlands to photograph the fabulous goo-goo bird? You carry a lot of gear.
- Are you trying to make inconspicuous street photographs? you carry a lightweight kit of gear.
- Are you on a sports shoot at the race track? You'll carry whatever long lenses and monopods you need to capture your subject.

Etc. The question without a context of use is of no merit.

[Rick_D]

Have to say, choosing Oly-4/3 over the Usual Suspects was partly predicated on the size difference. I found/find the Canikon semi-pro and pro bodies and lenses comically large. I feel the slr form factor scales up poorly; I'd much rather shoot something modeled on the better mid-format designs of the past. FWIW I shot Hasselblad C-series and to this day find them better ergonomically than any FF dslr. Similarly, I feel the Contax 645 system was mid-format perfection.

As to the E-3, I passed precisely due to its bulk and heft and went with the E-30 instead. Yes, I'd prefer a weatherproof body but don't need to also drive framing nails with it. If I owned, say, the 35-100 I might change my tune due to sheer leverage issues but for my collection the E-30 is plenty large.

My backpacking hobby places great emphasis on selecting each piece of gear based on maximum performace at minimum weight and bulk, and that includes camera equipment. I rarely tote dslr stuff, presently prefering an LX3, and will eventually bridge them with some µ4/3 gear (next gen).

In sum, size makes a tremendous difference and the unexpected success of µ4/3 demonstrates the public thinks so too.

Cheers,

Rick

Originally Posted by Woofmix

How many folk find the size and weight of camera gear to be an issue?

Personally I'm not bothered at all, I happily carry the E3 with the 7-14, 14-35 or 35-100. I have 5 camera bags that each have their own purpose and enable me to carry any combination of camera and lenses from the E3 with 1 lens to everything.
My favourite combo is the Lowepro Slingshot 100 bag with the E3, 14-35 and 7-14, I don't find it heavy or obtrusive at all, access and changing lenses is easy.

I like the ergonomics of the E3 and wouldn't want to sacrifice that for say m4/3's gear.

Paul

[okla]

Originally Posted by Godfrey

The question without a context of use is of no merit.

Oh darn it. Looks like 16 of us, me included, wasted their time on this one. Why didn't one of moderators catch this right away?

[thx1138]

My Crumpler backpack sometimes is a bit too small to carry everthing I want. Or if you look at it the other way around, I carry too much to fit my Crumpler.

This is mostly the case when I want to put in other stuff, like some clothing or water. I need to drink a lot, since I start sweating the moment I lift the camera.

I really don't want a bigger bag, so at times I feel the gear is taking up to much space. I just need to learn to pack less and make due.

[kevins686]

Originally Posted by Woofmix

How many folk find the size and weight of camera gear to be an issue?

Personally I'm not bothered at all, I happily carry the E3 with the 7-14, 14-35 or 35-100. I have 5 camera bags that each have their own purpose and enable me to carry any combination of camera and lenses from the E3 with 1 lens to everything.
My favourite combo is the Lowepro Slingshot 100 bag with the E3, 14-35 and 7-14, I don't find it heavy or obtrusive at all, access and changing lenses is easy.

I like the ergonomics of the E3 and wouldn't want to sacrifice that for say m4/3's gear.

Paul

Last fall, I carried my E-3 & 50-200 eight hours a day for three days straight when the airshow came to town. I had no issue with the weight whatsoever. But even if I did....well, I didn't pay all that money for that body and glass to leave it at home in favor of my E-500 and 40-150, ergonomics notwithstanding.

[Godfrey]

Originally Posted by okla

Oh darn it. Looks like 16 of us, me included, wasted their time on this one. Why didn't one of moderators catch this right away?

As did I, it seems.

[Woofmix]

It was a general question asking whether folk generally find typical SLR gear burdensome. There seems to be a lot of folk migrating to micro 4/3's and I was curious how many people are prepared to put up with the weight and size penalty of DSLR gear preferring the ergonomics, lens selection and quality etc, pretty much everyone has answered in that spirit.

Paul