What do you carry in your camera bag?

After finding out Zol carries scissors to manicure scenes when necessary (yep, he does) I thought it would be interesting to find out what others carry with them on shoots. Do you add or subtract items depending on indoor or outdoor occasions, or how far afield you're going?
Aside from the basics of camera, lens and filters I carry:
a mini tripod besides my regular one
stiff black matboard I sometimes use for isolating things like flowers
a dish towel (multiple uses but added after getting a wet lens)
small plastic bag (multiple uses but rain protection for camera mainly)
ring flash
small camera manual (I've had camera since Oct and still refer to it sometimes)

I'm adding a small manicure scissors after laughing alot, then realizing how useful Zol's scissors would have been on occasion.

Being a woman who carries a fairly large purse, I'll also admit to transferring a few things out of my purse and stuffing them into a backpack along with my water and granola bars when I'm going to be hiking for awhile. To be honest, when my husband is along and carrying the backpack, I might not be as careful about how much I add to it since I'm not shouldering it along with my camera bag.

What others items do you carry in your bag?

Cindy



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I also carry some lipstick and …..er, umm…oops!
……sorry, I thought this was the cross-dressers’ forum.

zol

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great thread!

I carry my lenses, camera, flash, extra batteries, my battery speedpack for my flash, my battery chargers- both for camera and flash, a plastic bag in case it starts to rain (serves as a cheap rain shield for my camera), a monopod (I mainly shoot sports), business cards, fliers to give out to the 3 dozen parents who ask me who I shoot for, my owners manual for lenses and camera, several pens, my press passes, water, gum, my zoom lens case, my lens hood, my filters, and last but not least my clutch wallet and my two cell phones get thrown in there too.

yes, my bag weighs a ton. I have to upgrade to one of those wheeled luggage ones since I got my zoom lens.

curious to see what others bring...and oh! I will add model releases to my bag as well!



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R!Ta
See my cHaOs

"It's all about positions."

My bag ain't big enough so I carry 2. And I wouldn't want my water linking on my camera!
One with all the camera stuff.Camera,lens,filters,batteries,laptop,tripod,etc..
Since we have gotten into hiking the other is sandwiches,water,pain reliever[for those long hikes & we're out of shape,lol] cell phone for help of course, toilet paper,trap to keep 2 dry or for a picnic,pepper spray to use on anything unfriendly,lol.Local togo maps when I can find them.I usually carry a pocket knife,all purpose.A thermos of coffee goes on cold morning hikes.

I'll be keeping on eye on this thread to see what else I may need to fit in my bags,lol!!



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Well, my husband got up this morning and read my post and divulged the contents of the backpack he takes with us. He adds a large plastic trashbag, binoculars, disposable ponchos, and a flashlight if it's dark out.
Glad someone mentioned the pepper spray. My husband has mentioned wanting to buy some recently, as we've gotten farther afield and sometimes find ourselves out quite late at night in isolated areas. When he brought up the subject I realized it was something I should have in my bag all the time as I'm often out alone shooting during the day, in many different settings.
Since someone liked the matboard idea, I forgot that I've covered it. After getting some raindrops and having the background spotted requiring later editing, I decided to cover it in black velvet. The darker black doesn't show a raindrop or two and is less likely to pick up a shadow. I just folded the fabric over the edges and glued. I'm planning on making reflectors this spring in a simlar manner. Thought I'd try gold and silver.
I also forgot, in the summer I stick a tiny water misting bottle in a side pocket of my bag. I found it handy to add a raindrop effect or remove dirt from foliage on macro shots. You can find very small bottles like this in the travel toiletries section of stores like Kmart or Walmart.

Thanks for adding model releases and pencils or pens, and business cards. I tend to think towards gear and shots, I'll be adding these.

Keep the content lists coming, this is helpful and fun to what everyone has

Cindy

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Three tripods,3 camera bodies 6 lenses,full set of filters,filter holders for 2 lenses,assorted back drops and props,a toolkit, lenses 19mm to 600 mm a cane and stool.---oh did I mention my camera bag is an SUV since the arthritis limits my hiking to about 100yds. In the words of Phylis Diller "old age ain't for sissies"
Mel

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I am sure the next step will be the electronic image, and hope I shall live to see it. I trust that the creative eye will continue to function ,whatever technological innovations may develop.
Ansel Adams-1983

Edited: 01/17/2008 at 03:25 PM by Mel Milne

I didn't think I needed to mention the TP or paper towels
Mel

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http://www.hiwestern.com
I am sure the next step will be the electronic image, and hope I shall live to see it. I trust that the creative eye will continue to function ,whatever technological innovations may develop.
Ansel Adams-1983

Cool topic Cindi. I carry a lot of the same things mentioned here and will add a few of the ideas I got here. A recent addition for me is a small beanbag to nestle my camera in when the shot is really low, can't use a tripod.
Barbara

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I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence i can strive for; perfection is God's business. Michael J Fox

Edited: 01/18/2008 at 12:04 AM by Barbara Brown

I often carry my small camera and a small tripod in my handbag when I go out.

Or I take everything iI have if I am going to shoot photos.

I need to get something for my knees they always get wet and stiff. Garden shop may have something soft and comfortable than plastic bag, hum..will check it out.

Nil

No more flashes for me. I flashed once and got arrested!

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