h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Following on from Bob Stafford's excellent series on cameras, lenses etc I wondered what researchers use, camera wise, and what they take with them on a photographic jaunt.

I am looking at things like lenses, filters, bags, tripods, cleaners, tools, reflectors, hides, etc.

I know I take out an excessive amount but I am lucky in that I don't usually have to carry it about.

I would be interested. The more detail the better, and possibly in the order it is most used? Maybe Bob Stafford could then follow up with a top ten list of 'photographic kit every photographer should have'?

Hi MMF I am very pleased you find the entries helpful, but first let's start with the camera(s) you either have or planning to buy as recommendations will start with that first important choice.

They were well written.

My interest was in the brand and type of camera, to see whether there was a tendency towards compact, bridge or dSLR and brand preference.

My fiancée uses a Nikon whereas I am a dyed in the wool Canon user (6 to date).

i think it is a given that the first item would be the camera, as no point going out without it, although I realise that mobile (cell) phones have advanced so far that many people use them instead of a camera. Personally I am a dedicated camera user, only using my phone for instant (poor quality) social media postings. And only the one taken, or a variety? (I now carry two on met occasions).

Next would be the standard lens that comes with the camera. However this is a given for compact and bridge cameras. However, what is grabbed next will vary from person to person.

A telephoto, wide angle or macro lens? And which? Or all?

Tripod? Monopod? Mini pod?

Filters? if so, UV? Polarising? Graduating?

Cleaning equipment?

Shoulder bag, pouch or backpack?

Remote control or quick release cable?

Flash?

Reflectors?

Spare batteries? Battery attachment?

GPS adaptor?

Memory cards? Number and storage capacity?

Spirit level?

Removable or different camera strap or the one that came with the camera?

The list is endless.

Hence my question…


MMF

Ah
well for casual walking.

Olympus DSLR or Fuji bridge
50 to 250 zoom. Screw on stylight filter, with Cokin polarizing and graduated filters.

More serious/going out to take photos.

Minolta XD7 DSLR
Lenses 50 to 250 zoom, 500 mirror and fixed plus 2X converter.

Very serious and studio work.
Bronica medium format with 50 100 and wide angle lens 120 Roll film.

Tripod is a Benbo a 3 leg multi adjustable camera support system rather than a tripod. It will not move but it is heavy. So good for night sky shots

The cokin filters are the best for landscape as they are square and slid in their holder which will hold 2 filters for extra effects.

Shoulder bag with adjustable internal partitions top opening.
Flash very occasionally.

Cleaning blower brushes lenses don't need cleaning as all have screw on filters.

Reflectors?

Spare batteries Yes rechargeable

GPS adaptor no garmin sat nav it has a location memory with time and date

Memory cards, 6 largest available all work transferred to portable hard drives, cards recycled.

Spirit level, don't use one no problems as yet

Removable strap is better the camera strap came with the cameras are normally to narrow.


Please feel free to comment

Yes, but is there anything out there worth photographing?

I use my phone camera for landscapes and close ups of flowers. It's very good in low light situations as well.

I use a bridge camera with a built-in 24-1200mm lens for general shots. It's a bit more cumbersome to carry around but worth it for bringing things close enough to make them worth photographing.

Both cameras are 12 megapixel.
I also carry lens-cleaning cloth.

There is always something worth photographing Icy, its just being in the right mood and having the time.

Thanks, Gnomon.

Out of interest, do lens cloths need replacing, and if so, how often? I have a couple, one of which is attached to my camera, but appears to do very little now.

Do you have a preference with memory card brands and capacity? Some advocate low capacity, such as 4mb, while others suggest 16 or 32 mb.

I have an iPhone 6S which is ok in bright light and will work in low light up to around 10' but is no good in low light with zoom.

However I am still struggling to work out settings for night photography.

MMF

I agree, Bob.

I usually carry my camera when going out, although I don't always use it. However I have had occasions where I could have done with it.

MMF

It's always the way, take loads of kit and see nowt, take nothing and a helicopter lands on the motorway in front of you! I kid you not.

I have a little canon sx170 tied to the inside pocket of my bike jacket, never ride without it, but still waiting for another chopper! A Sony alpha dslr lives on my windowsill now thanks to the bloody cats, never know what you'll find in my back garden!

Modern phones are great too for that spur of the moment event.

Sadly the only film camera I have left is an old Chinnon from the 80s,
Happy clicking.

The Bronica medium format can be fitted with a digital back no problem apart from the £5,000 price tag

lens cloths do need replacing, throw them out every 6 to 12 months keep it in a self sealing mini plastic bag to keep it clean. If you use a screw on filter to protect the lens you will not ever have to touch the lens just take it off occasionally and wash it with a good detergent.

Memory card brands - I prefer Samsung and FUJI and Sandisk filled and emptied many times with no problems. Capacity 16 and 32 is best and always have a spare. Big cards have a problem if you want to find something and have forgotten the date you took the photo. Store by date and clearly number each card and keep a log. 4mb cards are fine but if you take a lot of photos the number of cards mounts up.


Still struggling to work out settings at night. Remember even a skylight filter and the lens type will make a difference, and always use the viewfinder not the rear screen. The viewfinder give ts a more accurate view the glare from the screen will take away your night vision. It's also a job for a tripod and cable release.

However I am still struggling to work out settings for night photography.

Thanks Bob. Must admit I made the mistake of cleaning my UV filter with a proprietary lens cleaning tissue. Not a good idea. Most of the smearing came off with a wash in diluted detergent.

I have a whole mix of SD cards from 128mb to 64Gb. I calculated I have 300Gb worth of cards. Flash (pardon the pun) sales at 7dayshop around midnight. Had three fail, two due to the lock clip falling off. Most are Kingston or Sandisk.

Useful info re: lens cloths. Thanks.

MMF

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What specification of selfie stick do you recommend, Bob?

A nice heavy one to clout the narcissistic user round the lug ole.

For cleaning lenses I use this method.

http://youtu.be/yH-N6-lzOgM

The guy can be a bit irritating and he might use some NSFW language, but this is an excellent method for lens cleaning.

He also has a video on how to clean microfiber lens cloths. Just first wash them in a grease cutting dish detergent (I use Dawn), rinse thoroughly and wring them out, then wash them in a bowl of rubbing alcohol. Note this might make dark dyes run.

I get a new lens-cleaning cloth every time I get a new pair of glasses which is about every 2 years

I have a huge memory card which can hold a few thousand photos, but I upload photos to the computer any time I can. All pictures on my computer are automatically backed up to Flickr with a private setting.

Keeping track of photos is not easy. If I'm wandering around a museum, I'll usually take photos of the signs as well as the exhibits to remind me later what they were.

I'm always taking pictures of signs and things, too. People think I'm mad.

Useful ones are:

1. Route maps when you go on a waymarked walk. I've also been known to photograph an Ordnance Survey map before I go out.

2. Restaurant menus (as posted outside) when you're with fussy companions and trying to choose somewhere to eat. You can instantly compare them.