What’s in My Camera Bag II

In the previous blog (http://drt3d.blogspot.com/2017/07/whats-in-my-camera-bag-i.html) I discussed the contents of my camera bag from 2009 (“Last Great Film Vacation”) to 2016. I also discussed the reasons why one stereo camera is not enough for me. I need a variety of stereo bases and close-focusing abilities. So my camera bag contained a standard stereo camera (Fuji W3 or Panasonic 3D1, which also allows for hyperstereos and close ups), a twin camera rig for mild hyperstereos, a single camera for single camera 3D, and a Panasonic camera with the 3D lens for macro pictures.

Things changed in 2016 when I discovered the twin Samsung NX1000 cameras (see: http://drt3d.blogspot.com/2016/10/twin-samsung-nx1000-for-stereo-part-i.html)

Because of the normal spacing in the z-configuration (68mm) and good synchronization, this pair serves both as a normal stereo camera and also twin camera with a wider stereo base. It is also possible to use one camera for single camera stereo. This changed the contents and size of my camera bag, in a good way.

So, what am I carrying in my camera bag today?

The answer depends on the length, purpose and importance of the trip, vacation, outing, etc.  There are different levels:

• Level 0: No stereo camera, just the phone for 2d pictures.

• Level 1: Panasonic 3D1 camera. Even though this camera has a narrow lens spacing, it is easy to use, more compact than the Fuji and gives better pictures overall. If I only take one stereo camera with me, this is it.

• Level 2: This is most often my “to go” camera bag. Here is a picture of it:

It consists of the following:

• Twin Samsung NX1000 rig on adjustable z-bar and twin remote, plus grip. This is described here: http://drt3d.blogspot.com/2017/08/adjustable-z-bar-for-twin-nx1000-cameras.html

• (Optional) Extra set of lenses. For general photography I use the 20mm (fixed focal length) lenses. I might carry other lenses, depending on what I plan to shoot. For example: 10mm (ultra wide), 16mm (wide), 45mm (shown here, for portraits or other pictures where a slightly longer focal length works better - if I carry a second pair of lenses, this is usually it). Any extra lenses are carried and stored as I describe in this blog: http://drt3d.blogspot.com/2017/07/lenses-for-twin-samsung-nx-camera-rigs.html

• Panasonic 3D1 camera (and platform to carry it better). Great for close-ups, one of my favorite type of pictures.

• (Optional) Compact flash. I am showing the Sunpak flash. Other options are possible, see: http://drt3d.blogspot.com/2017/07/flash-with-samsung-nx1000-twin-camera.html

• Small supplies: Pair of extra batteries, SD cards, cleaning tissue.

• All that stuff fits inside the LowePro AW bag. I like this bag a lot because it fits the completely assembled NX1000 rig, without having to take the handle off. There is room in the main compartment for an extra pair of lenses. Small accessories (batteries, etc.) fit in a little pocket at the top. The 3D1 and flash fit in the front pocket. There are also two straps on each side that can hold one or two longer twin camera bars vertically, see: http://drt3d.blogspot.com/2016/10/connecting-pair-of-twin-camera-bars.html

• Level 3: In addition to Level 2, I might carry equipment for specialized use such us remote/high perspective photography, wide base hyperstereo, macro 3d, bird/wildlife/zoo photography, underwater photography.

Macro pictures: I carry a Panasonic GX7 camera with the 3d lens. Possibly two lenses with 0.5mm and 1.0mm extensions. Possibly one or two more compact flashes, or the Chinese double flash. This requires its own separate camera bag. I am working on finding a similar system that works with the Samsung cameras so I do not have to carry the Panasonic. Then I will be able to take macro pictures with less equipment.

Extensive Flash: If I plan to do more flash photography, I might carry more flashes, slaves, or related equipment.

Hyperstereos: I can shoot hyperstereos (up to 8 inches) with the Samsung rig, or non-synchronized hyperstereos with one camera and shift. If I am planning to shoot synchronized hyperstereos with a longer base, I will take one or two camera bars (two bars can be connected to form a longer bar).

Remote shooting: I carry an extra remote cable. I might carry the remote cable anyway, in case I want to separate the cameras longer supported on a ledge or even hand-held by two different people. Here is combination that allows for this:

High Perspective: In addition to the remote cable, I carry a pole for high perspective shooting. Here is an example (our house, with no tree to climb on sight):

Telestereo: For this I need longer focal length lenses plus a twin bar and possibly a tripod. Here is a possible outfit, consisting of 50-200mm zoom lenses:

Underwater Stereo: I have used a water tight camera bag for the Panasonic 3D1 camera in the past, with good results. This is flat and easy to carry. There is no excuse not to have one with me all the times if I am close to water or if there is a danger of the camera getting wet. Here is an example:

What’s in My Camera Bag - I

It’s an interesting question… What do stereo photographers carry in their camera bags? I have addressed this topic in two Stereogram Tutorials (a collection of 20 years of Tutorials, available for sale here: http://www.drt3d.com/ohio3d/stereogram/)

 

In March 2011 I published a 3 page Tutorial (click to enlarge):

You can download the entire Tutorial here: http://drt3d.com/tutorials/CameraBag1.pdf

 

In this Tutorial I describe three different times, my “Last Great Film Vacation” in 2009, a visit to New Orleans in 2010 with only the Fuji W1, and a return to New Orleans in 2011 with a lot more gear. Here is what I wrote:

 

Last Great Film Vacation (Summer 2009)

 

My last big film vacation was in the summer of 2009.  We went with my family to Orlando , FL.   For this vacation I carried a large camera bag loaded with film stereo equipment.  I had with me: Two RBT cameras (S1, X3), two regular SLR cameras (Pentax ZX-M) for single and twin camera hyperstereos, three pairs of Pentax lenses (20mm, 40mm, 100mm - these can be used with the X3 and the ZX-Ms), a heavy twin camera bar, a compact tripod, two flash units, cables, batteries, and plenty of film.  It was a heavy camera bag but I carried it with me without complaining, took lots of pictures and did very well in the Cleveland and Detroit stereo competitions the following year.

 

New Orleans 2010

 

In October 2009 I bought the Fuji W1 and in February 2010 we went (with my wife) to New Orleans to run the local marathon.  For that trip I only carried the Fuji .  I took hundreds of stereo pictures with the Fuji , had a great time and was pleased with the results.  Some of the types of pictures I took include:  1) Hyperstereos from the airplane, 2) Hypostereos at the Insectarium, 3) Pictures before, during, and after the race, 4) Pictures of the city during the day and night.

 

It was refreshing to travel with only one stereo camera in my pocket.  But that did not last long.  I soon discovered the wired Panasonic cameras, the Macrobox, and various attachments for the Fuji.  My photo camera bag started getting bigger and bigger.

 

New Orleans 2011

 

We went back to New Orelans in 2011.  This time I carried the following equipment:

• Fuji W3 camera with ALA attachment and fisheye lenses.
• Twin Panasonic TZ10 cameras, wired for stereo.
• Macrobox with another pair of Panasonic cameras.
• Panasonic GF1 camera with 40mm and 28mm lenses.
• Flash, cables, memory cards, batteries.

 

I then continue to describe why I carry these cameras, how I use them, and to show typical results.

 

Two years later (February 2013) I published another Tutorial on the same topic:

You can download the full Tutorial here: http://drt3d.com/tutorials/CameraBag2.pdf

 

 

In this Tutorial I explain why one stereo camera is not enough for me. For my personal needs I have found that, to cover most photo shooting situations, I need the following:

• A standard 3d camera for everyday use.
• A single camera for hand-held hyper- (mostly) or hypo-stereos.
• Two cameras on a bar for synchronized hyperstereos.
• A close focusing camera/lens or attachment for close-ups/macros.

 

Here is how my camera bag looked in 2012:

 

 

 

This table is taken from this Tutorial and summarizes the contents of my camera bag though the three points in time:

 

 

This last Tutorial concludes as follow:

"Different people have different expectations and equipment requirements.  As the situation stands right now, no single camera can take the variety of pictures, from macros to hyperstereos, that I like to take, so I elect to carry 4 different systems when I travel.  I did this back in the good old film days and today in the digital era.  One advantage with digital is that I can fit all the equipment in one compact camera bag that does not weigh too much."

From 2012 to Today

There were only minor changes from 2012 to 2016. The GF1 and GF2 bodies were replaced with the GX1 and then GX7. I also stopped carrying the Fuji, in favor of the Panasonic 3D1. I used to say that I do not take any normal stereo pictures. It is either hypo-stereo with the 3D1 or hyperstereo with twin cameras.

 

I continued along these lines until last year when I discovered the Samsung NX1000 cameras. With these cameras I rediscovered the beauty of “normal stereo photography”, i.e. stereo photography with a base approximately equal to the spacing of the eyes (68mm for this rig).

 

Because of their normal spacing in the z-configuration and good synchronization, this pair serves as a normal stereo camera and also twin camera with larger stereo base. It is also possible to use one camera for single camera stereo. This drastically changed the contents and size of my camera bag. I will describe this in the next blog.