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Friday, January 30, 2009

My Necessities

While bags, straps, and lenses are just tools, good ones sure do make a difference during a photography session! So I thought I'd share some of my favorites with you.

One thing I always disliked about my camera strap was that if you didn't want to wear it around your neck like a tourist, you had to somehow balance it on your shoulder or across your chest. It's not the most conducive to being able to take pictures quickly and can be very uncomfortable. Enter the R-Strap! After just one week I loved it so much I had to get a replacement when mine was stolen. It allows me to engage my clients without having to worry about my camera, yet it's always there, ready to shoot! Here's an example of how it works:




If you're not into getting a R-Strap, I just discovered the cutest camera strap slip covers! Yes, there are quite a few businesses out there making something like this, but *Shey*[B] has the best fabrics I've seen, along with some cool add-ons.



Another must have is a good camera bag. I have a Crumpler backpack that fits my laptop and gear, but it's not something I'd want to carry around during a shoot. On goes my Shootsac! This bag can hold all my lenses comfortably along with a flash, extra batteries, granola bar, and more! One of the neat things about it is that it doesn't look like a camera bag. With its replaceable cover, guys and girls can make it fit their style. I have a collection of covers, most of which I made for less than $3 each, though gifts of covers are always appreciated! ;-) I can't go to a session without this bag!



Into my Shootsac goes my newest favorite lens, the Canon 50 1.4. Well, it would if it weren't on my camera most of the time! I got this baby back in May and loved it so much that it was also immediately replaced when the original was stolen. It's fast, light, and incredibly sharp!

Here's a sneak peek from last week's wedding using the 50 1.4. The rest of the pictures will be up as soon as I receive the song for the slideshow that a friend wrote and sang at the wedding.


Update:
Want to know what 24 of the hottest photographers do when they're not shooting? Check out The Longest Day sponsored by Wedding & Portrait Photographers International.





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8 comments:

Chenoa said...

Thanks for sharing Lydia. Sad to hear that you had some gear stolen, I can imagine how terrible that must have been. I just got the same lense(just pentax style) for Christmas and I love the sharpness and the DOF atF1.4. A shootsac is on my wishlist. Can't wait to see the rest of the Wedding!

Jordan Boesch said...

I want a Shootsac SO bad! And the 50mm...it's on my list to purchase when we get our tax return. ;)

Christina said...

I love love love my Shootsac as well. It has saved my back and legs tremendously while shooting all day events. Not to mention I don't have to set down my gear and worry about it while I concentrate on shooting. :) Not to mention its just cute!

Michaela said...

Holy cow! Those are pimped out camera accessories. I'm so jealous!

Lucia Photography said...

that seems to be the basic photographer uniform...all black ;)

Anonymous said...

i really want to check out the r strap. john michael cooper had one, but he said he had issues with it coming loose. do you have that issue? how long have you had it? sorry with all the questions :)

Lydia said...

I did at first, which scared me to death! I had been just twisting the screw into the bottom as one piece. Then I found that if you twist it in then tighten it fully with the round tightener, it doesn't come loose. When writing this post I found, what do you know, an instruction video they just made explaining it all:

http://www.blackrapid.com/video.php?id=4

You can also clip it onto your tripod quick-release-plate if that seems more secure to you. I've been using mine about 3-4 months. I hope that helps!

Anonymous said...

I LOVE my Shootsac and 50mm 1.4, too! :) I could shoot with my 50mm all day, every day! I'm hoping to get my hands on a 28mm soon! Great info- I'm going to have to look into the R-Strap! Thanks for the info!