Do you have your camera with you most of the time?

[qveda]

Regardless of which camera or lenses you have, you can't take that great shot if you don't have your camera with you. I have a looong commute (90min each way) but much of it on beautiful country roads. I bring a point & shoot with me every day. But sometimes I really wish I had a full frame DSLR for those great early morn. and early eve. moments.

Not sure I'm comfortable with bringing expensive and somewhat bulky gear with me everyday... leave it in the car? bring it into the office? how to secure it?

How do you safely keep your camera with you?

[Phrasikleia]

I just don't. I use those times when I see a great shot and have no camera as food for thought. I imagine what I would do. I stop and ponder it, frame it mentally. And if it's a location I can return to, I make note of the time of day and plan to return with my camera.

I've made those return trips on numerous occasions, and they are always very rewarding because then I can go with the right gear and a good relaxed attitude, as opposed to trying to squeeze in a shot when I'm really busy doing something else.

[Doylem]

I take my DSLR everywhere. If I missed a great shot, it would drive me nuts... :eek:

[qveda]

I must admit, I am usually a little rushed and hasty when I take pictures on the way to/from work. Often their is no good place to pull off the road. But over time I've scoped out rural driveways etc that work. I'm always more rushed than I'd like
On the other hand, I've captured some beautiful shots depending on weather etc that I would not be likely to get if I came back to that spot at sunrise or sunset on another day.

[qveda]

I take my DSLR everywhere. If I missed a great shot, it would drive me nuts... :eek:

How do you carry it? Do you bring it into your workplace , school, etc along with your lunch, laptop, etc ?

[Doylem]

How do you carry it? Do you bring it into your workplace , school, etc along with your lunch, laptop, etc ?

I'm self-employed, so my workplace is wherever I am. The camera's either over my shoulder, attached to a tripod or in the car...

[wheelhot]

I take my DSLR everywhere. If I missed a great shot, it would drive me nuts...

Yup, couldn't agree more, I have 3 bags, one is dSLR + notebook bag, one is a free camera bag given when I bought my camera and the last one is a DIY camera bag if I want to go places where I don't want to be screamed as Camera Man!

I have experience numerous occasion where I regretted not bringing my dSLR so now I bring it like almost everywhere. If I were to get a more pro body, I will use it specific events or such while the shall follow me everywhere will be my current 1000D

[seattle]

I normally bring my DLSR but I will at least bring my Canon G9 and just put it in my pocket. I too would also hate to miss a cool shot.

[sushi]

This talk reminded me of my 35mm film days.

Back in the 35mm days, I used to fly around Japan with a Canon A-1. One day, took a friend up but forgot to take my camera along -- left it in the car by mistake. We flew around Mt. Fuji. It was one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen. We were slightly above and looking down with the sun behind us.

If you can imagine a very black mountain, with a little snow top that is wearing a mink coat (made from pure white clouds) on a crystal clear type day.

I circled back around for another look. It was gone. The clouds had moved.

I almost cried. That was 15 years ago. Still pissed that I missed that shot.

Since that time, I always have carried a camera with me, even if it is only a point and shoot type. Picked up some neat shots over time. Never again will I forget my camera.

[advan031]

It's just way too big to lug around all the time but I do carry my LX3 95% of the time.

[Keebler]

i have a camera almost everywhere I go. Definitely try to take the dslr as much as possible, but the p & s is great when I can't haul my bigger bag around.

[Little HZ]

I have my p&s camera w/ me probably 97% of the time. I also carry my DSLR w/ a 55-200 lens in a nice, compact bag about 20% of the time, and the full DSLR kit about 20% of the time (meaning I have my DSLR w/ me about 40% of the time). My biggest constraint is time--sometimes, even when I have my camera w/ me, I just don't have time to stop and shoot. Looking forward to retirement to solve that problem! (Too bad it is many years away ... :p)

[Phrasikleia]

This talk reminded me of my 35mm film days.

Back in the 35mm days, I used to fly around Japan with a Canon A-1. One day, took a friend up but forgot to take my camera along -- left it in the car by mistake. We flew around Mt. Fuji. It was one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen. We were slightly above and looking down with the sun behind us.

If you can imagine a very black mountain, with a little snow top that is wearing a mink coat (made from pure white clouds) on a crystal clear type day.

I circled back around for another look. It was gone. The clouds had moved.

I almost cried. That was 15 years ago. Still pissed that I missed that shot.

Since that time, I always have carried a camera with me, even if it is only a point and shoot type. Picked up some neat shots over time. Never again will I forget my camera.

Well, OK, but this anecdote is hardly an example of a time when most people would not think to bring a camera. Indeed, you merely forgot; you didn't forgo the camera intentionally.

I most certainly bring my camera with me anytime I go somewhere unusual and I think there might be some photo ops, and I often seriously inconvenience myself to do so. But most of my Fall and Spring days I'm traveling back and forth along the same old routes. I walk almost everywhere I go, and my habit is to make these urban treks entertaining by being in "photographer mode" sans camera. I almost never see anything worth photographing, mostly because I tend to be out during the wrong hours of the day, when the light is bad. Nonetheless, I know that if I brought a point-and-shoot camera along, I would be disappointed at having gotten a merely OK shot that would have been better with my "real" camera. That's just how I am. If I'm going to do something, I want to do it "right."

[gr8tfly]

Always. Usually I have my DSLR and tripod, but at a minimum I have my ELPH (and as a backup to that, my iPhone, of course ;) )

[sangosimo]

I would if I had a prime. 40d with prime can fit in my bag easily and I would bring that with my every where.

[wheelhot]

I would if I had a prime. 40d with prime can fit in my bag easily and I would bring that with my every where.

had a prime? as in you don't have any prime right now? 50mm 1.8 is a very cheap and good prime :D

[grizzlybrice]

Every once in a while, I'll be on a walk or driving along, and see a great sight... then just say "click" out loud. Hehe.

gB

[miles01110]

I bought a P&S to carry around with me everywhere.

[peskaa]

Yes. I bought a camera shoulder bag to make sure I always had at least some semblance of camera kit with me - usually a 1D Mark III, 16-35L and 50L. The bag also then holds my other day-to-day bits and pieces.

[Tosser]

No, not always. 50 percent of the time, perhaps, I carry a D-Lux 4.
However, 95 percent of the time, I'm carrying an audio recorder.

[jodelli]

On a nice day I'll grab a P&S on my way out. But then someday I'll be looking up at a funnel cloud again and cursing not having it.

[Kronie]

I used to but found I never had time to stop or couldn't. I'm either late to be somewhere or I have my 3 year old with me and cant stop on the side of the road or drag him around to shoot. When he is a little older I will be able to.

When I go somewhere that's not business or just me I do take my camera and a few lenses most of the time.

[thr33face]

it would've been nice if this had a poll attached.

anyways: i have my dslr with me all the time. because of weight and space reason i do not take additional lenses or accessories for it with me.

as for "keeping the camera safe": i just put in my bag, but i make sure i put keys and other sharp objects in a separate compartment.
my method has a dust-attracting downside ;)

[SimD]

Get a Lumix LX-3 or Leica D-Lux 4.. or if you've got the dough, a Leica M8.
:)

[qveda]

Yes. I bought a camera shoulder bag to make sure I always had at least some semblance of camera kit with me - usually a 1D Mark III, 16-35L and 50L. The bag also then holds my other day-to-day bits and pieces.

I am concerned about leaving lenses in a car when the temperature could get too hot. At my office it should be OK if I can fit the bag into a drawer or cabinet.
How do you safeguard or store your gear when you are not with your bag?

[Macrovertigo]

I carry my Sony A100 dslr everywhere I go, even if the trip is only to the grocery store. I use a simple molded case from Staples that is designed for any generic dslr machine. If I want to "dress down", I just put the whole thing in a brown paper bag (with a good grip on the real strap of course!). While driving I usually avoid the temptation to shoot while in motion, but when I do it is from the hip and without the viewfinder, taking as little attention from the road as possible - of course I also will just stop and pull over for a shot when I can do so safely. I keep the short handle of the case in my seat belt so that the cam rests at the ready at my side during any drive.
When you can afford the luxury, try simply waiting in one spot for half an hour to see what surprises pop up - it is amazing to see how unexpected occurrences can suddenly arise in the most innocent places, to provide excellent material for a photograph.

[bobert83]

I am a project manager, and I never know when I will need it, so I try to take my camera with me every day.

[peskaa]

I am concerned about leaving lenses in a car when the temperature could get too hot. At my office it should be OK if I can fit the bag into a drawer or cabinet.
How do you safeguard or store your gear when you are not with your bag?

I don't leave it anywhere I don't trust basically. At work it lives under my desk, but my office is swipe-card controlled and very very restricted access due to the material we deal with, so I'll frequently leave it there all day.

Elsewhere, it just stays with me. As for car temps, camera kit won't melt, but then it'd have to be somewhere out of sight in the car for peace of mind (somewhat). My camera bag also holds my "general" rubbish, such as headphones, wallet, pens, paper, discs etc, so it doesn't serve to just leave it anywhere.

[tvp]

I always have my P&S with me wherever I go. My DSLR doesn't go anywhere unless I'm planning to use it. I'd hate to leave it in the car for a long time and I don't have an interesting enough commute to see anything I'd really want to shoot while just driving around.

[anubis]

Wow, you people are troopers :p

Considering the weight and size of my camera kit, and the fact that it's not just something i can just "throw" in my pocket or bag, I very rarely take my dSLR with me. If I know ahead of time that I'll want to take pictures (wedding, vacation, trip, etc) then of course I'll bring it. But it's not like I bring it with me when I go grocery shopping. I cannot bring it to work because cameras are not allowed where I work (and yes my car gets searched every time I go to work). Maybe my life isn't as spontaneous and crazy as everyone else's, but very rarely do I think "it would be worth it to lug all 20 pounds of my camera with me everywhere I go" ;)

[jbernie]

DSLR? no
P&S ? no, but it is almost DLSR in size so maybe if I get around to replacing it with a smaller one.

Another issue I have is that most of my drives are either very short <3 miles, at night, or 99.99% of the time I am the driver so I don't have as much freedom to take a photo, let alone ensure I am actually focused on the intended subject :)

An addition of a much smaller P&S would definately change things though.

[jalagl]

Not my DSLR, but I normally have my "pocket-sized" Panasonic FX3 either in my bag or in the car (and, every once in a while, in my pocket :D).
I travel a lot for business, and normally only take the Panasonic camera with me. The exception is when I stay for a long period of time or if I'll go to place where I know it'll be worth it (like the time I went to Jordan for business and stayed an extra day to go to Petra).

[doubleohseven]

Depends where I'm going. For example, if I'm going out shopping I wouldn't bring my camera everywhere, but if I were going on a road trip or a social event, then yes.

[Clix Pix]

Yes. My D40 lives in my bag that I carry with me everywhere. It doesn't look at all like a camera bag, since it's not, and people are always surprised when I reach in and pull out a small DSLR! For a long time I kept the 18-55 kit lens on it but more recently I've taken to leaving the 35 f/1.8 on it. When I am going on more serious, planned photo shoots, then of course I load up the full gear: D3 (and/or D300) and lenses appropriate for the situation.

[Chappers]

I try and take it everywhere but just not always possible. I kick myself every time I decide not to take it out and I see something great to shoot.

Must try harder

[Doylem]

I kick myself every time I decide not to take it out and I see something great to shoot.

I made a promise to myself that whenever I saw the possibility of a shot, I'd stop and investigate (unless I had an inflexible schedule or a meeting to attend).

It doesn't always work out: something glimpsed while travelling in the car may not turn out to be so interesting on further investigation. But it's also produced some shots I like.

Either way, I don't have those nagging feelings of 'what might have been'. :)

[georgemann]

At least one camera at all times.

The Nikon D300 with a 50mm f/1.8 Nikkor is actually pretty compact (when you are used to carrying it around with the 17-55mm f/2.8 Nikkor).

George

[wheelhot]

A beginner body (oh for now we got to exclude the D5000 because its bigger then normal beginner dSLR and I haven't seen it in real life yet so can't judge how big is it) + 50mm and a dSLR will be at a acceptable size.

[normwood]

Carry my D80 just about everywhere in Crumpler messenger bag with the rest of my stuff. Just kept the 50mm 1.8 on it until I got my 18-200 recently.

I rarely pull it out...but know I can if I need to.

Steve

[Shotglass]

I have at least one camera with me absolutely everywhere I go. I like to photograph people, not places, so going back later is not an option.

[TheReef]

I take my DSLR anywhere most of the time, to the beach, on the rocks, in (above) the water, on boats, on walks, rides, etc. Anywhere except the city :rolleyes:

Doesn't really matter what lens I take, it'll easily fit in my backpack. Most of the time it's my widest lens the 18-55mm.

I hate taking it to social events though, where you end up being designated photographer and you know how that turns out…


The simple answer is if I know at any time I'll need to separate with my backpack I won't take it.

OP, look into the Sigma DP1, if your into landscapes. It's basically a point and shoot with a dSLR sensor and fixed wide angle lens.

[JBmac]

I am concerned about leaving lenses in a car when the temperature could get too hot. At my office it should be OK if I can fit the bag into a drawer or cabinet.
How do you safeguard or store your gear when you are not with your bag?
You pray! I always have my iPhone camera available, and sometimes I forget I have that, then I have to think, oh man I could of taken a picture with my iPhone at least.

I have one old car with no trunk (suv) and one with a trunk, so when I do take my camera equipment to work I have to bring it in the office and lock it in my drawer. Same on days it is too hot or cold with the other car. I have to remember to take it home with me too. One time I was leaving for 3 weeks (elective surgery) and I had to drive back to the office just as I got home, because I left my camera equipment at work.

[SayCheese]

I don't unfortunately. There is no way that I can carry my camera with me at work and I don't want to leave all that kit in the back of a car. I have missed a good few shots but like a previous poster I think about what I can do to recreate it later.

[Steamie]

99% of the time !! The 1% is time is when I know that regardless of what happens I can't use it.
I normally leave home with my k10 with 18-55 on it in my Crumpler bag with my Macbook pro.
In the car I always have a Crumpler camera bag with my flash and other lenses, filters etc and my tripod and a reflector. I have other gear that I only take out if the need arises.

[Obsidian6]

If I know I'll be going somewhere I may be taking pictures I will lug my shoulder bag with my 5DmkII and lenses (usually the 16-35L / 24-70L / 70-200L / 50L) However, this is a heavy bag, lighter than when I had my 1DmkIII, but still, a heavy bag.

I now have 2 very fun compact cameras, I have the Leica D-Lux4 and the Sigma DP1. The leica is fantastic in a lot of scenarios with it's 24-60 f/2-2.8 lens it really is a stellar little camera (as is the panasonic counterpart the LX3)

Now the Sigma DP1, that is a very unique little camera, as it's the only compact camera to have a full-sized sensor. It's actually got the same size sensor as the Canon xxD and xxxD series. Which is ENORMOUS for a compact camera. It definitely takes getting used to because it isn't the speediest little thing, but amazing for landscapes.

I have a small Domke bag that I just carry with me everywhere. It looks like this.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3383/3488194170_f52e78f6e6.jpg

And this is what it looks like inside.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3354/3487379403_653e600340.jpg

*please excuse the iPhone pics ;)