Jens C Krause What's in my bag

I often photograph on extensive hikes, and the gear below is on the edge of what I can carry several miles up the mountains. The Nikon D300s offers outstanding image quality and superb handling. For certain projects, I may modify my setup slightly.

Lenses (all Nikon): With some gaps in between, I cover everything from wide angle to tele-macro to super-tele for wildlife photography without big compromises. The TC-14E II and TC-17E II teleconverters accompany me on wildlife missions.

Accessories: For macro photography, at least a cable release and a reflector are essential. I am not using a macro focusing rail due to weight/space constraints. While I own an RRS pano kit, I only carry it with me when I have specific plans for its use and typically not the multi-row outfit---it's heavy! The CP filter is used exclusively with my wide angle zoom; I like my skies blue, my colors saturated, and flowing water blurred without reflections.

Support equipment: I have been using the RRS Groundpod for three years now. It does not weigh a lot, yet easily supports a 500mm lens. The compromise here is height, not stability. I usually have the Groundpod clipped to my belt on hikes. While I have RRS plates on all of my cameras and teles, I was disappointed with the BH-55 ballhead based on three years of experience. The Arca Swiss Z1 is smaller, lighter, smoother, cheaper, does not creep when tightened, and still carries huge loads with ease.

© J.C.Krause, 2002-2010, last changed: 03/05/10 – FAQ – Visitors since 11/22/05:
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