What's in my camera bag?

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This is an inclusive list of my camera gear. I rarely carry all of it at any given time. I got my first "real" DSLR camera around 2010 when I was in high school. I got that first model to match the one I had been using for over a year at school from the local Colorado photography store, Mike's Camera. Over the years I added to my collection piece by piece, until I final upgraded my camera and lenses in 2024 from the same photography retailer.

For impromptu sessions I will take just the camera body, a small lens and an extra battery (with a fresh memory card). For more dedicated photography sessions I will take multiple lenses and memory cards. When and where I photography determines what other bits and bobs I will pack along.

Canon set

My main camera

Canon EOS R8

Lens: Canon 24-50

Lens: Canon 100-400

Canon Speedlite EL-5 and charger

Extra battery and charger

Nikon set

My back-up camera (and first camera)

Nikon D3200

AF-S Nikkor lens 55-200

AF-S Nikkor lens 18-55

Extra battery & charger

Protective filter

Polarizing lens

On camera flash & AA batteries

Camera bags

Bags

Svatin insert bag (light grey) - This bag can be carried on its own or fit intoa regular backpack. It works best when I am hiking to protect my camera from elements and other things I pack along in my hiking backpack.

LowePro Flipside 200 backpack - My bag was bought in 2010, upgrades have been made to the product

Lowepro Nova 160 sling bag - Basic carrying bag for everyday use; fits a camera body and one lens easily.

makeup bag (not pictured) - When all else is not an option, go with what is on hand and/or free. I got a makeup bag as a free gift with a cosmetic purchase, but perfectly fits camera body, small lens and extra battery.

clear toiletry bags (not picture) - I bought these clear bags somewhere like Target or Walmart to hold liquids when traveling, but found them to be useful to hold smaller camera supplies.

Extra equipment

memory card holder & reader

memory card holder - I used to a small mint tin (red), but recently upgraded to something that could hold more cards and protect them a little.

extra memory cards

card reader - I used to have a computer that had a built it card reader, but then I changed computers and had an urgent need to upload pictures, so I stopped at Walmart one day and picked up what was available.

miscellaneous camera supplies

memory card adapter for iPhone - When I went to Europe I wanted to regularly upload photos from my camera to share with family and friends back home without having to wait to be back at my computer in the hotel. Enter the adapter. There are several options online and at retail stores.

flash drives & external hard drives - I have four external hard drives and a handful of flash drives that I back up my files on and dedicate to certain projects.

cleaning supplies - cleaning dry cloth, cleaning tissues, lens cleaner solution, Promaster cleaning set, air blaster with brush

tripod

cleaning supplies

phone

map/ shot list

pen and/or marker

snacks and water