From top left, clockwise spiral:
- Monopod
- Tripod
- Remote trigger
- Pacsafe medium bag
- Polarized filter and K3 warm filter
- Fujifilm 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 with UV haze filter
- Fujifilm 60mm f/2.4 with UV haze filter
- Fujifilm 18-55mm f/2.8-4 with clear filter
- Storm jacket for protecting lenses (the body is already sealed)
- Charging kit
- USB stick with 16GB storage carrying projects for printer
- Fujifilm X-T2 with 23mm f/1.4 lens
- Pen (associated notepad/diary not shown)
- Cleaning kit: brush, blower, cleaning liquid and cloth
- Two spare batteries, only one really useful, and rarely
- Snap-on flash, rarely used
That’s the full kit. On any given day, I usually carry only a subset of those.
For example, night photography will require the tripod and remote trigger, while the monopod is better for action and demonstrations. And I haven’t really used the storm jacket yet, to be really honest. Also, I only carry the full set of lenses on special occasions. These days I carry the 23mm and the 55-200mm as that gives me good flexibility. Otherwise I might go with the 18-55mm instead of the 23mm if I know I’ll be in full light and without too many portraits shots. I rarely use the filters, but the polarized gives good results with bright skies. I only bring the charging kit on long travels.
Not shown is the tiny 27mm lens for traveling ultra-light, in which case I don’t even bring the bag at all. I’ve carried the camera and that lens in a pelican case for canoe trips with good results. Also not shown is the Canon Powershot G12 which took the picture, along with a whole slew of older cameras and cell phones I rarely use now that I got that fantastic X-T2.
I like the Pacsafe bag, but I have become doubtful of its “safety” properties after seeing how fast TSA agents are able to open it. I suspect a skilled pickpocket will have no trouble working around those clips that supposedly keep the bag closed… I also find the shoulder straps to be too long and the bag bouncy when running.
Every lens has a protective filter and a pouch so they don’t bang into each other in the bag - which has limited “lens slots”. I recently got glue-on cap holders so I can just remove a cap and leave it dangling instead of losing it in who knows which pocket.
I have a disease that many here probably share which is that I am constantly thinking about new gear instead of actually improving my photography skills. Next in line, lens-wise, is a 2x teleconverter to help me with animal photography and a macro tube for electronics. I’m also wondering how I could improve my astronomy shots, maybe with some telescope adapter? I would also like a sealed lens like the Fujifilm 35mm f/2.
I am also considering eventually getting a second Fujifilm body for better action coverage as swapping lenses is always a little slow. In the meantime, I am considering a lens flipper and shoulder/“breathe” strap. Finally, I should eventually figure out flash photography, which I’ve always avoided, but I don’t know where to start. I’m curious to see what I could do with a reflector, for example…
Phew! So much gear! Now back to taking pictures. 