Canon 5D & 50mm f1.4 - Traveling Light?
Traveling light is something I like to do, its a mantra that sets the pace I like when on a holiday. I have always battled though with my photography gear. Is it possible to travel light?
My last attempt involved a Nikon D70 and 18-200mm VR lens and Flash, that was light, I thought. But one experience of hiking up a mountain later only to take one shot when I got there changed my mind.
This year after talking with many many photographers I believe I may just have the solution.
1. Canon EOS 5D,
2. Canon EF 50mm F1.4 USM
3. BlackRapid R-Strap.
My reasoning, which I will test as I travel, is this:
Canon 5D – excellent full-frame camera – handles high ISO’s well enabling me to shoot low light without a need for flash.
50mm 1.4 – I like photojournalistic photography – 50mm is “as we see it” photography (when on a full frame camera). f1.4 Nice big aperture giving me: 1) Shooting in low light. 2) Flexibility of Depth of field
BlackRapid R-Strap – An easy to use camera strap that doesn’t strain the neck, no backpack required – yipeeee.
I must also say that I am looking forward to being forced to use my feet, with a prime lens at 50mm there is NO zoom, so I must make my feet move to be creative. This will, hopefully, give me a lot more experience at this focal length, teach me some things about depth of field and stop me from being a zoom nazi.
So, my aim over the next 3 weeks while traveling Laos & Thailand is to see if this is the perfect setup for traveling light and still having good camera gear on hand to capture those special moments.
I am going to shoot in RAW & Med Quality JPG to enable me to easily download to the web while traveling and giving me a RAW copy just in case I take a good photo…I have just discovered the power of Picaso – Googles Image handling software that is web based. Together with utilising Googles online document storage i should be totally mobile as long as i have an internet connection.
I’ll also take 2 camera batteries and charger, an 8GB and 4GB Compact Flash Extreme III memory Card, memory card Reader & lens cleaning kit (I won’t take a sensor cleaning kit as I won’t be changing lenses) I am also going to try and get some Camera Armor for the 5D if there are any left.
See you in Laos
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I am the General Manager at CamerasDirect.com.au
Under the orange umbrella I also look after the PrinterCartridges & CameraTalk websites.
My Photography experience started in 2003/4 with a Nikon D70 passed onto me by my father. At first it was definitely the gadget that caught my attention. The art grew on me later. This passion mixed in with my Online Marketing and Web Development background will be the focus of my posts on CameraTalk.
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Hey David,
Thanks for your reportage. Just wondering what was your choice of camera bag?
I’m going nuts with the range to choose from. Looks to me like Lowepro has a few solutions, but I’m interested in what works for you.
cheers
Peter
Camera Bag – just using an old Nikon backpack i got when i was in Japan – Though i am only using this when traveling, i am finding the R-Strap to be a good way to carry the camera during the day – its there by your side ready to go and doesn’t urt your neck like the standard neck strap.
Well, on that motion I will see how the Lowepro 200 with my Nikon gear is handling, climbing up the Merapi (2900 metre Volcano on central Java)in 3 weeks. I feel that if you like to take good pictures you have to move out of the comfort zone as with many things.
If the gear feels heavy after a while(not uncommon), it’s maybe time for a regular workout in the gym, otherwise it could be frustrating.
Happy Days, Axel