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Photographers: What do you take with you on the mountain?

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Burrito
Posts: 1864 - Karma: 930
I am just starting to get in to amateur photography and was hoping to get some nice mountain/action shots when winter rolls around.  I was wondering what you real photographers take with you for a day on the mountain (mostly pertaining to types of lenses.)  Off the top of my head I figured a small zoom, telephoto, wide angle, flash (or if you're lucky enough a wireless flash system), tripod, batteries and memory cards.

What's in your bag?
Sep 2 2009 2:53PM
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freezed
Posts: 12973 - Karma: 500
50mm 1.8 and sigma 10-20 f4-5.6, I don't bother carrying my tele because I never use it when I do carry it.
Sep 2 2009 3:06PM
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liaosongfang
Posts: 385 - Karma: 43
I like to be prepared.  All Canon:
EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM
EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
Speedlite 580EX II
Sep 2 2009 3:29PM
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skinnylove
Posts: 6807 - Karma: 167
out of curiosity, what type of shots do you use this lens for? i'm considering it.
Sep 2 2009 4:20PM
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Big_Spence
Posts: 16177 - Karma: 4,352
Canon 30D. I want to upgrade to a 50.
Canon 70-200 2.8f. Most amazing lens of all time.
Canon 17-85 4-5.6. Good mid range.
Canon 18-55 stock w/ cheapass fisheye adapter. Nice for fun, mess around shots.

Decent variety.
Sep 2 2009 4:33PM
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benk
Posts: 1342 - Karma: 988
i try to keep it small because I like skiing better than switching lenses all the time

sigma 17-70mm
nikkor 10.5mm
sb-600
tripod

sometimes 55-200mm but rarely use it like said above.
Sep 2 2009 5:27PM
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LBJJ
Posts: 683 - Karma: 1,730
Everything you can fit, theres always gunna be ideas that pop into your head that you need a different lense for what you are thinking.

but anyways i bring:

nikon 50mm f1.8 (this is no doubt a must for any photography)
Sigma 18-35mm f2.8-4 ( wide angle rail shots or just if you want all the scene in one shot)
Sigma 50-150mm f2.8 (A little zoom doesnt hurt incase you are far away and want to get two jumps in one run)

Nikon 80-200mm f2.8(little bit bigger lense for the farther away shots incase your at an event and they wont let you get up close, or for strictly air shots)

Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 (Kinda a ski walk around lense, lets you get in close and at the same time zoom in to get all the other shots you need)
Sep 2 2009 6:28PM
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chipkalback
Posts: 2255 - Karma: 30
my dakine sequence bag which holds the following gear:

- canon 5D mkII
- canon 70-200mm f/4L IS
- canon 17-40mm f/4L
- canon 50mm f/1.8
- sigma 15mm f/2.8
- 3 pocket wizard plus II's
- 2 alienbees b400 strobes
- 2 paul c. buff light stands
- paul c. buff vagabond II power unit

on top of that stuff, there's also an assortment of cables, batteries, lens wipes, maybe some gels, nalgene full of water, free ticket window granola bars, etc. etc.

Sep 2 2009 6:53PM
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davedinuzzo
Posts: 232 - Karma: 36
Burton Zoom Pack 28L containing the following:

Nikon d300
Nikon MDB-10 Battery Grip

Nikon 10.5/f2.8
Nikon 35-70/f2.8
Nikon 50/f1.8
NIkon 85/f1.8
Nikon 80-200/f2.8

(2) Nikon SB-28 Flashes
Elinchrom Skyports
Impact Light Stands
Sep 2 2009 7:59PM
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Jordan
Posts: 4079 - Karma: 2,122
Burton Zoom Pro 30L

Manfrotto Tripod/Head

Nikon D200 w/ grip
Nikon 10.5 f/2.8 fish eye
Nikon 12-24 f/4
Nikon 50 f/1.4
Nikon 50 f/1.8
Nikon 70-200 f/ 2.8 VR

SB-800
Expo Disk
Extra batteries
Polarizing filters for all lenses
ND filters
Card Reader


I think das it?
Sep 2 2009 8:02PM
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basedjase
Posts: 2510 - Karma: 640
Canon camera bag [(cant really remember what the model but it holds a shitload. (also a nessecity)]
i like to be prepared cause im a boyscout:

*Nikon D60 body
*Nikkor AF 18-55mm VR f/3.5-5.6
*Nikkor AF 55-200mm VR f/4-5.6
*Nikkor AF Fisheye16mm f/2.8D
*Nikkor AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D
*tripod maybes if i'm doing jump sections usually
*and a buch of lens cleaning chemicals and swabs, some food, extra batteries and an extra SDx card just in case.
hope this helps man.
Sep 2 2009 8:18PM
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basedjase
Posts: 2510 - Karma: 640
and also my Nikon SB-600 AF speedlight.
Sep 2 2009 8:20PM
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powday
Posts: 3055 - Karma: 326
dang you guys carry a lot of gear...

I just have a d40 w/ kit lens..nothing special at all...and If i dont bring that then I just rock my trusty Canon Powershot SD750.
Sep 2 2009 8:23PM
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freezed
Posts: 12973 - Karma: 500
Pretty much anything other than wide angle-type shots. I shoot on a 10D, so there is the 1.6 crop factor, so the 50mm actually functions more like an 80mm. I use to shoot jumps, rails, powder (from the middle or bottom of a line) or whatever.
Sep 2 2009 9:32PM
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LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
D700
16
24
50
85 and/or 180, or 70-200 (might sell the 70-200 soon)

Flash(es) sometimes

Batteries, hand warmers, Dachstein mitts

All in a Sequence. I don't like the bag too much but it can hold 3 light stands, an umbrella and a tripod on the outside which I've not seen any other ski-photo bag do. F-Stop bags have a good rep just now.
Sep 2 2009 9:54PM
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Snowcase
Posts: 11456 - Karma: 634
Dakine Sequence

D2h
Nikkor 50mm
Nikkor 10mm
Nikkor 18-70mm
Nikkor 70-300mm

Vivitar 285
Vivitar 285hv
Sunpak 555
Homemade battery's
Rechargeable
Cybersyncs
Remote camera trigger
2 light stands
Bogen 501 sometimes

Duct/Gaffer/Electrical Tape
Inhaler
Extra Gloves
Business cards
Food/Water
Sep 2 2009 10:04PM
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chipkalback
Posts: 2255 - Karma: 30
i'm not a fan of mine either really. as soon as i have the cash flow i am going to pull the trigger on an f-stop bag as well. the thing i like best about f-stop is they listen to their users and routinely make adjustments based on user feedback. i doubt dakine/burton/anyone else would cater that much to their users!
Sep 3 2009 9:17AM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,272
when im going all out for photos i take a dakine mission with:
40d
70-200f/4
24-105
10-20
50mm 1.8
extra batteries
filters
memory cards

mostly i just take a camera and 1 lens in a toploader
Sep 3 2009 9:57AM
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Burrito
Posts: 1864 - Karma: 930
Seems like most of you guys are using the Dakine Sequence/Mission or the Burton Zoom.  Any other recommendations for a stylish bag?
Sep 3 2009 10:12AM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,272
f-stop is by far the best but crazy expensive

i think dakine is so common because they're cheap...at least that's why i got a dakine pack, but unless you have a ton of photo gear they're not great. the camera blocks in them are massive leaving not much room for other stuff
Sep 3 2009 10:17AM
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Snowcase
Posts: 11456 - Karma: 634
First thing I'm going to be buying this winter is an f-stop bag. The sequence isn't deep enough to fit my d2h comfortably and I could use the extra room also.
Sep 3 2009 11:13AM
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chipkalback
Posts: 2255 - Karma: 30
yah as others have said i think most of us are using the sequence or some variation of it, but that's probably cue to cost, not by choice ; )

i think f-stop would be about everyone's 1st choice if money grew on trees. and i saw a plant called a money tree at whole foods the other day, so now i dunno what to think.
Sep 3 2009 1:44PM
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Blandct
Posts: 1858 - Karma: 37
are you pleased with the alienbees?

how much does an alienbee setup cost with the pw and the stands?
seems like essential items when trying to take your photos to the next level
Sep 3 2009 3:29PM
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LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
Wait, AB's fit in a Sequence with the rest of that gear?
Sep 3 2009 5:07PM
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Big_Spence
Posts: 16177 - Karma: 4,352
You, my friend, win.
Sep 3 2009 5:31PM
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chipkalback
Posts: 2255 - Karma: 30
VERY pleased with the ab's. their customer service is absolutely top notch every time i've dealt with them. last season they overnighted me a brand new vagabond power unit on their dime the day before dew tour started in breck because mine was giving me problems. and if ab's are good enough for Erik Seo, they're definitely good enough for me or anyone else on this site!

the 'cost' is a pretty subjective question, but if you were to get the same setup as me, before the cost of shipping, you'd be paying $225 for each b400, $200 for each PW plus II, and $70 for each paul c. buff/alienbees 13 ft. heavy duty light stand. also don't forget the vagabond II power unit which is $300. in my opinion off camera flash is definitely something that will help take your photo's to another level. i'm still learning alot about using strobes and flash durations etc etc, but i'm loving it and seriously can't wait to get at it as soon as the snow falls in CO!
Sep 3 2009 5:35PM
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chipkalback
Posts: 2255 - Karma: 30
nope, i have the ab's each in an ab carrying bag and attach them to the outside of the bag with carabiners, along with lightstands which i attach to the bag with the side straps, and occasionally a monopod or tripod. it's heavy and shitty to ski with, but worth it to me.
Sep 3 2009 5:38PM
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chipkalback
Posts: 2255 - Karma: 30
awesome, what do i win?! hopefully a massage from asian_allen.
Sep 3 2009 5:39PM
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Big_Spence
Posts: 16177 - Karma: 4,352
I can give you his address. ;-)
Sep 3 2009 5:40PM
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chipkalback
Posts: 2255 - Karma: 30
eek, no thanks!
Sep 3 2009 6:32PM
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Snowcase
Posts: 11456 - Karma: 634
I've been looking at the ab's for a year now. Still haven't pulled the trigger though. I was really hoping the quadra system would be cheaper but unfortunately it's not. Pretty close to the rx series actually. I do love the portability though.

I'm about 10 minutes away from ordering the ab's right now actually. Can't decide which ones though.
Sep 3 2009 6:46PM
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Blandct
Posts: 1858 - Karma: 37
Thanks for that legit response +K
saw someone's facebook profile pic (goost or someone) and it was one of your photos and i thought it was pretty nasty. I'm pretty sure you had the bees set up somewhere just off frame
Sep 3 2009 6:51PM
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Jordan
Posts: 4079 - Karma: 2,122
Nope, wait a bit they are releasing a new lighting system with flash durations far superior to a Ranger system.

Pretty close in price too. That's what I am waiting for.

They were up for a bit then they took em' down to change some stuff around
Sep 3 2009 7:10PM
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chipkalback
Posts: 2255 - Karma: 30
if you're trying to shoot action your only choice pretty much are the b400's because of their flash duration, unless you got the 800's and ran them at half power.. which is weird to me. i learned the hard way starting out and thought 'well the b1600 must be the best choice cause it's the most powerful'! how wrong i was.
Sep 3 2009 7:33PM
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chipkalback
Posts: 2255 - Karma: 30
no problem, yah i was trying to shoot two in slave mode but couldn't get one to 'see' the other, so i was shooting those skate shots with 1 flash. fun but would've been tighter with 2.
Sep 3 2009 7:34PM
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dergblerp
Posts: 1303 - Karma: 77
For casual shooting, I usually take a wheeled suitcase containing the following:

Canon 1D mkIII
Canon 1V (film)
Canon 5D mkII
Hasselblad 503CW (with CF-39MS Digital Back)

Lenses (for canon)
16-35mm f2.8
17-40mm f/4
24-105mm f/4
24-70mm f2.8
17-55mm f/2.8
14mm f/2.8
24mm f1.4
35mm f1.4
50mm f1.2
85mm f1.2
100mm f/2
180mm f3.5L Macro
70-200mm f2.8 IS
100-400mm f4.5-5.6
600mm f/4
800mm f5.6

Lenses (For Hasselblad)
40mm f/4
50mm f/4
60mm f/3.5
80mm f2.8
100mm f/3.5
150mm f/4

Accessories
Tilt Shift 45mm f/2.8
Speedlite 580EX II with Lightsphere II Inverted dome Flash Diffusion
Macro Twin Lite MT24EX
Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2
Arri 12KW/18KW HMI Fresnel Light Kit with Barn Doors & Gels
DeSisti Rembrant 20" Fresnel 6/12KW HMI kit.
Hazylight 40x40" Softbox
Sachtler System 75 Tripod with Manfrotto Video 75 studio fluid head

Viper Filmstream Camera
Sony F23 Cinealta Camera
Matthews 20'x30' Greenscreen (With PVC frame that I built myself to save money)
Sep 3 2009 11:00PM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,272
hahaha i see what you did there

if you're not joking, then you win at life
Sep 3 2009 11:58PM
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1337
Posts: 31054 - Karma: 29,240
shenanigans?
Sep 4 2009 12:14AM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,272
i really hope nobody would buy a 17-40 and a 16-35 or a 24-105 and a 24-70
Sep 4 2009 12:51AM
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Black-Bandanna
Posts: 6680 - Karma: 1,603
Canon 50D
Sigma 18-80 f3.5
Sigma 28-200 f3.5 (my girlfriend's)
Tripod
Cleaning supplies
Extra gloves
Food/Water
Duct tape

Sep 4 2009 1:09AM
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Tw33k3d
Posts: 158 - Karma: 27
Nice. That's a quality set up.
Sep 4 2009 1:21AM
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dergblerp
Posts: 1303 - Karma: 77
sometimes i need to go as wide as 16 and 17 won't cut it, whereas other times i need to reach as far as 40 and 35's no good. It makes perfect sense. Photography is an art, and the more money I spend on gear, the better an artist I will be. Fact.
Sep 4 2009 1:21AM
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I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
you're a loltroll arent you?!
Sep 4 2009 7:42AM
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Pippin
Posts: 4846 - Karma: 661
You and Annie Leibovitz haaaaa.
Sep 4 2009 12:37PM
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Cam-ron.
Posts: 427 - Karma: 54
im a beginner myself, i have a cannon rebel xsi body, a cannon 28-90mm, and a sigma 70-300mm witch works great on the mountain. thats about all i need to get some silod shots.
Sep 4 2009 1:09PM
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chipkalback
Posts: 2255 - Karma: 30
caNon ; )

and how do you like that XSI? looks like a pretty impressive entry level camera, i've been suggesting it to all of my friends who are looking at getting their first dslr. any complaints?

Sep 4 2009 5:58PM
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ChronicLines
Posts: 951 - Karma: 61
Flash durations get longer when you power them down.  So an 800 at half would be inferior to a 400 at full.
Sep 4 2009 6:14PM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,272
i used the xsi as an entry level camera and loved it, so easy to use yet totally able to do as manual as you want up to a certain point

i got that and basically taught myself how to use it and i learned super quick, then upgraded to a 40d

but the xsi was a great cam to bridge the gap between a point and shoot and a much more advanced cam
Sep 4 2009 6:45PM
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LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
The Quadras look sick, the heads are tiny. That's what I have my eye on once I can justify them.
Sep 4 2009 7:13PM
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DrZoidberg
Posts: 5675 - Karma: 4,268
You go up in a snow cat or a heli? And why don't you have the 30mm fish for the hassy? Something's weird here...

I bring:
T90
50mm f1.8
28mm f2.8
70-210 f4
300mm f5.6
yashicamat
lightmeter
film, filters, all the lenses are canon fd mount.
Sep 4 2009 7:52PM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,272
i heard he just teleports to the top of the hill
Sep 4 2009 8:18PM
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