I, too, learned years ago to have a black cloth in my camera bag for shading glass at zoo exhibits. I have gone through several photo backpacks over the years, but my latest is the best made by far - Kata HB-205. Kata is headquartered in Israel and makes camera bags and body armour, which is why their bags are so sturdy. Black on the outside, but their bags are yellow on the inside to make it easier to see black cameras, lenses, accessories. How come no one else thought of this? I used to carry color correction filters for reptile houses when I shot film, but those have all been given away now and the only filter I use is a polarizer. Handy for eliminating reflections on glass (when you can't get close enough to use the black cloth). Of course a lens cleaning cloth is a necessity. The Spudz Cloth mentioned above is great because it is sewn into a pouch with a small clip, so you just attach it to your camera strap or camera bag zipper. Also a small LED flashlight, which you Brits call a torch. (This is a hilarious phrase to us Americans, because a torch to us is a large club with fire, like what the villagers would carry in Frankenstein). Also a cable release for slow exposures with tripod. Yes, I do use a tripod most of the time (recently bought a carbon fiber model, which may be the best purchase of my life). However, with the high ISO capabilities of new digital cameras, I must confess a tripod is not as critical as it was when I shot 100 slide film (which I still do occasionally). When I did a quick weekend trip to Dallas recently, I flew with carryon only so I had to leave the tripod at home and it was fine. Sometimes take a flash and sometimes not. When I do, I have a small fitted plastic diffuser that goes on it. However, it is not as effective as I had hoped and I may have to look for a different type. Slightly off topic, but has the other Canon 5D mkII user on this thread noticed that the camera tends to overexpose with flash?
I have a Sony a350 (love the live view saves crawling around on the floor) Sony 1.8/50 lens Tamron 70-300mm lens 2 spare memory cards blower, camera cleaning cloth Sony handycam (recent addition loving the fact it uses memory cards) Storm jacket camera cover Tiny fold up umbrella fold up rain hat Bag for life and elastic bands (for covering bag in rain) Antibacterial handwipes Antibacterial gel (hanging off side of bag) Rebreath mouth to mouth shielf (for cpr) work for NHS necessaties for day out lol
when i go to the zoo i just take my canon 1d mark ii n (bought used im not that rich ) and imo the best zoo lens - the canon 100-400. and i also take a polarizing filter, memory card, and spare battey(s)
The Canon 100-400 is interesting and perhaps the most argued about L series lens. Popular Photography, which does very thorough lens tests (almost to the point of absurdity) gave this lens an F rating at 16x20 and bigger. However, several professional photographers have used it with good results. Certainly the zoom range is ideal. What is NOT ideal, besides being potentially not as sharp as some lenses, is the maximum aperture of only f/5.6 at the long end of the zoom range. That is why I opted for the non-zoom 300 f/4L (which I also bought used - I am not that rich either). Although a zoom would be nice (I do have a couple shorter range zooms), the ability to blur out fences with the narrower depth of field of an f/4 is great. Plus it is actually a bit smaller physically than the 100-400. And man is it sharp - I have a 40x60 inch enlargement at home of a snow leopard (taken on 100 slide film) and you cannot believe how clear the eyes look, even at that size. BTW, I have the older version that does NOT have Image Stabilization. According to tests, which I have verified with side-by-side sample photos on the internet, this older version is actually sharper than the newer IS version (assuming camera shake is not a factor).
I agree, although I really prefer walking around the zoo with one lens and being able to zoom in and out
However, this lens will be sharp as some lenses but it needs a lot of light.. Saying this, you go to the zoo mostly on sunny days. Also, I don't use my pictures as prints, so I am happy with my equipment and seeing that a lot of people use the 100-400 for the zoo i know i am not alone P.S. The equipment won't make you a better photographer, it can only slightly improve a photographer's photos.
Of course I go to the zoo on mostly sunny days - I live in Arizona . But how can someone in England say that???
Well... I think England has a bit of a reputation for weather. But its actually not that bad to be honest! Yeah it rains a lot but not like 24/7. I actually have never went to the Zoo when it was raining, probably because I have been lucky
Since I last came on here I have updated my equipement a little I now carry some of the following in my camera bag just according to where and what I want to photograph Nikon D300S or D60 Sigma 135 - 400mm Tameron 70 - 300mm macro Nikon 28 - 70mm Nikon 70 - 300mm Nikon X2 Converter Monopod or Tripod Accessories 6X 4 or 8gb memory cards / 2X Spare Batteries / Laptop / Filters / Mini - tripod / black clothe / 4X A4 black card with different diameter holes in the middle / cleaning clothe / pencil / ball point pen / note book / sun hat and of course my must have Turkey Sarnies
Right I think it’s time to update my equipment list as I have had a major overhaul in the last 2 months as I have decided to spend some money for a change on NEW equipment Camera – Nikon D300s with a second D300s as standby (my old one) Also have a D60 in case of emergencies Lenses – Nikon – 16mm – 35mm 24mm – 85mm 70mm – 200mm 55mm – 300mm Sigma – 135mm – 400mm 170mm – 500mm Flashgun – Nikon speed light SB-910 Tripod – Manfrotto 055CXPR04 Carbon Fibre with a Manfrotto 498 Midi Ball Head RC4 Monopod - Manfrotto Video Monopod Black 558B with a Manfroot 498 Midi Ball Head RC4 Memory Cards – 6 x 8GB 6 x 16GB Batteries – Battery grip Nikon MB – 10 6 X EN – EL3e Spotting Scope – T/S 20mm – 80mm Spotting Scope adapter for Nikon Camera Please note don’t carry all equipment with me just take the appropriate Equipment for the day’s photography Also carry the following just in case – Black Towel Cleaning Clothe Pens Note Books Pen Knife Hand Torch Normal Batteries Plastic Bag Old Tea Towel (too clean glass when photography through)
Ooh I'll join in! Depending on where I'm going this is my staple kit; - Nikon D5000 - Nikon 80-400 VR f4.5-5.6 (best thing since sliced bread) + Hoya polarising filter - Tamron 90 - Sigma 12-24 - Black rapid RS-W1 women's sling - Manfrotto MMC3-02 compact monopod (fits in a bag or easily in the hand) - Nikon SB-400 speedlight (incredibly fast and powerful, tiny flash ) - Raynox 250 "supermacro" attachment for Tamron 90. - 32GB card (usually in the camera, unless I'm doing sports as it's only a (4)) - Spare cards 16GB (10) and 8GB (6). - Three spare batteries (I've had random failures before that ruined my day, I like to overkill now! ) - Cleaning cloth
ha ha ha I must go and live by you then! its always raining when I go to the zoo, say the words " going to zoo" and it rains! All the animals in Chester Zoo have been given waterproofs!
Maybe you should go to a zoo in the south like Howletts. Unless things have changed in the last couple weeks (I haven't checked lately), I hear the south of England is suffering a terrible drought and water rationing is in effect.
Yes, it's terrible - since the drought was declared, April's rainfall has been double the average for the month! You can never rely on the British weather Alan
I need a bigger camera bag, having purchased this expensive little bugger today. Maybe those of you in complaining about the UK weather should think about getting one! Hix
