TECH TIPS October 1996
by Wayne R. Palmer
Do you wish, like me, to have the perfect carrying system for your equipment? My quest for such a system has been renewed after my recent trip to New Orleans. Considering the possible photographic opportunities, I took as much equipment as I could squeeze into my regular camera bag: 1 body, 4 lenses, a flash, a weeks worth of film and a backup point & shoot. This was my carry on bag for the flight. However two additional pieces, a lightweight tripod and a 500mm lens, 10" in length provided obstacles for easy carry. The tripod, with carrying strap, stowed in my regular luggage. But I had my misgivings about what to do with the 500mm. The carrying case that came with the lens was one of those basic ones with a side-opening, flap door and "spaghetti string" strap. I opted to just tote it over the shoulder along with my regular camera bag. It worked for transporting but was less than ideal for photo taking situatuations.
(Side note: I had all my film in a clear plastic ziploc bag without film cannisters and had no problem with a request for hand inspection. They did however take a second look at the 500mm lens. If your flying anytime soon, be sure to have a photo ID…it’s required now.)
Those misgivings came true one morning while visiting a swamp in nearby Jean LaFitte National Park. I had aspirations of obtaining some real close-up shots of a wild gator which would require several miles of hiking. Instead of carrying the big lens in its own case, I opted to squeeze it into my regular case and carry the camera around my neck. Crossing over a foot bridge overlooking a bayou, I spotted an egret in a picturesque setting and took several shots switching back and forth between the 500mm & a 75-300mm zoom. In my haste, I did not stow the 500mm very securely and quickly attempted to take several more shots with the zoom before the bird took flight. If you’re with me so far, you probably can guess what happened next. What a sickening feeling you get when you hear the whump….crrack of a lens hitting the ground. You instinctively know what happened before you even look down. Ironically, I was grateful to hear the whump instead of a splash. Had the lens fallen a foot in a different direction, it would have dropped 8 feet into the watery home of the gators. Retrieving the lens would not have been possible.
Upon inspection, the only damage to the lens was a crack in the built-in lens shade. And fortunately the gator photos I took with the lens did turn out.
Did I learn some lessons…oh yeah!
The age old saying of "haste makes waste" rang loud and clear.
Also , when exchanging equipment in and out of a camera bag, secure the cover of the bag.
Use the right type of bag for your equipment in the first place.
So now I am in pursuit of a lens case that loads from one end and has a heavy duty carrying strap.
Borrowing from another old expression of "take time to smell the roses," you sometimes come across interesting photo opportunities by simply keeping your eyes open. This little creature, a spider of some type, nearly landed in my face while walking back to the car from the alligator safari. And no, I did not manipulate him.