What's in YOUR wall—er...camera bag?

[staceylking]

I'm curious what kinds of things other photographers keep in the camera bag (essential take-everywhere stuff)? And what things do you keep with your strobe/backdrop/posing gear that weren't originally designed for use in photography?

For instance, here's my list:

Camera bag:
--WB target
--Extra lens
--CAMERA!
--Battery charger
--Speedlite
--Extra battery
--several 1/2" and 1-1/4" binder clips

Stuff I keep in a huge plastic tote for location portrait shoots:
--Two nested kid step-stools from IKEA
--lots of 2", 1-1/4" and 1/2" binder clips
--Black twin-size flat sheet, also from IKEA
--Folding stool from Walmart (the kind designed for sitting)
--a dozen or so large claw-style hair clips
--Cheap fabric steamer
--Clamp lamp from the hardware section (used with or without reflector bowl)
--Daylight CFL bulbs of various brightness
--Straw hat, string of pearls, and a black feather boa :)

Can't think of anything else at the moment. I'm curious to see what y'all consider essential, too.

[HotHolly]

camera bag - lenses, xtra body, batteries, flashes, filters, triggers, pony rings, biz cards, pen, tissues, nasty instant dissolving Excedrin - you dump it on your tongue and swallow...yuck! & advil.

[texxter]

Interesting things I carry in my camera bag in addition to bodies and lenses - Sekonic L358 light meter, couple of folding reflectors (in the laptop compartment), model release forms, bubble level, small LED flashlight, wireless shutter trigger, circular polarizer filter, Thinktank Pixel Pocket Rocket CF card holder full of cards, lens cleaner, emergency poncho for rain.

In my portable flash suitcase (Pelican 1510) I carry 4 portable flashes, 2 umbrellas, 2 light stands, 6 pocket wizards, folded cinefoil sheets to make snoots, bungee cords, gels, small lightboxes, 1 superclamp, 3 swivel flash adapters, lots of small hardware for connecting flashes to stands, 32 rechargeable batteries and charger, and probably a few other small things I forgot.

[ChristopherCoy]

Long story, but I have tampons in mine....

[debbry531]

Dehydrated chicken chips, liver snacks, squeaky toys, extra squeakers, duck call, poop bags, 30' leash, tennis balls, peanut butter, drool towel, bottle of water and bowl, etc.

[DoublyDan]

Stacey, What and where can I purchase a Cheap fabric steamer?

[staceylking]

Holly: Sorry about the Excedrin! That stuff's awful!

Paco: I want a Pelican case! Someday....

Chris: Not sure I want to know, but dare I ask?

Debbie: LOL After looking at your site, that makes complete sense :)

Daniel: I got mine for $20 at walmart in the aisle with the irons. It's the blue conair one six items down on this page, but the water reservoir is very small. If they'd had the SteamFast one in my store (first on that page), I probably would have gotten that one. For as infrequently as I use it, it's fine, though.

[DoublyDan]

Wally World!

I should have guessed. I do a lt of shopping at Amazon and couldn't find a reasonably Priced one there....

[lyncca]

In my shootsac: macro lens, ultra-wide lens, telephoto lens, extra camera battery, 4 sets of extra flash batteries, chapstick, water, license, credit card, business cards, memory cards, lens cleaners, and doggie treats for families bringing their dogs (and I carry my camera with flash and 24-70 f2.8 on it)

In my "backup" bag, extra camera, extra flash, umbrellas, lightstands, tripod, remote trigger. I only carry my backdrops/stand, etc. if I know I will need it in advance. I am generally shooting outside.

lyncca added 1 Minutes and 2 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Originally Posted by debbry531

Dehydrated chicken chips, liver snacks, squeaky toys, extra squeakers, duck call, poop bags, 30' leash, tennis balls, peanut butter, drool towel, bottle of water and bowl, etc.

LOL, that's funny.

[toverman]

I had to check my bag to see what non-photographic thing was in there and it turned out to be only a Swiss Army knife. After cramming in my laptop, two camera bodies, up to four lenses, two speedlites, off-camera shoe cord, power cords, extra batteries and extra memory ... there's not room for anything else. That's why the tripod and reflectors won't fit IN my bag.

[andyz]

What don't I carry?

In addition to 2 bodies and various lenses, a flash, a Hoodman eyepiece for looking at my screen in the sun, cables, cards raincoat for my cameras, plamp, reflectors, manuals, releases, the photogs rights linked here so often, filters, and a monopod or tripod if I'm hiking.

[utdbear]

For me

40D
Extra battery and charger
10-22mm lens
24-85 lens
70-200mm lens
100-400mm lens
Lowepro card wallet with 4 4GB cards
Small reflector
Grey card
Tripod adapters for my Bogen
Ear plugs
Handheld scanner

Also,
If I'm shooting north of 635....
S&W 9mm subcompact
if I'm shooting south of 635....
Taurus PT945 .45

[DoublyDan]

Originally Posted by utdbear

For me
Also,
If I'm shooting north of 635....
S&W 9mm subcompact
if I'm shooting south of 635....
Taurus PT945 .45

Nice Barry.
With the hard times, its a good idea to protect yourself.

[utdbear]

Fortunately, I've only had one issue while out shooting, but it was enough to sear it into my brain that protecting myself and my client while out in some of the more unsavory areas of the metroplex is a must.

[staceylking]

Originally Posted by utdbear

Ear plugs
Handheld scanner

Why ear plugs? And what sort of handheld scanner?

Never had the need for serious artillery, thankfully, though I once had to threaten a goat with my tripod. (He was intent on nibbling the foam pad on the strap to my old camera bag.)