Badu Didn't Exclude Photographers When Singing About "Bag Ladies"

Equipment - mobile version early 2011 (to be updated)

While some let their liqueur leak and fill the ever so enormous belly, we still sport the gear pr0n w/ this eyecandy. At least me, that is. What you see above is my core working tool collection, stripped down from the bags and nags. Ye know, to create that stuff others call work on the fly and on the road. Consisting of the following:

*Macbook (C2D'08; 2,4Ghz; 4GB RAM; 320GB HDD)

...to be replaced with a bigger sibling and mos' def' a ssd!

*peripherical I/O stuff:

HSDPA-USB device, card reader, Wacom tablett

*handy tools, such as:

Leatherman Wave, LED Maglite, lock, BB Curve, iPod nano w/ enough digitzed mixtapes and LPs to keep me going or contemplating...

*capturing device:

Canon DSLR 50D w/ 10-22mm EF-S, 35mm EF & 60mm macro EF-S lenses

...to be backed up soon wether by a 600D (aka T3i) or a G12 as their SOS partners in crime.

*strobes:

Canon 540EZ, 2x Canon 340EX, Cactus V4 radio trigger and receivers w/ backup e-TTL cable

...to be expanded w/ further EXs and the new Cactus V5s.

*lightning / modulation:

Latolite EzyBox (40x40cm), DIY neopren tube as snoot for 430EXs, assorted gel sheets, 5-way circular reflector

*stands:

Manfrotto 055 Pro B w/ 3-way head, 2x Manfrotto 001B nano stands, Manfrotto 1051BAC, 2x Cullmann 40150 ball heads

...I really love the nano stands, but will expand on the 1051s mainly because of their stackability for transport (read: mobility convenience). Furthermore, in 9 out of 10 times the tripod stays unused as I rock the DSLR in my hands - therefor I am sometimes switching the big one with a considerably smaller carbon tripod or ditch the camera tripod accessory completely to stay as light as possible

* various items such as:

Phottix camera trigger - which is going to become obsolete due to the new Cactus V5s.

Polarizing filter, clamps, spare battery packs (can't stop emphasizing the Eneloops!), unbearable duct tape (readymade and apportioned in black and white variant for high versatility), gloves, cleaning kit (leather and brush), small bags for organizing the stuff and therefor finding things easier while also securing their health when in travel-mode, notebook & pen, chocolate and mint drops.

Of course, some may utter that the equipment is too small / too big / too heavy / too light / too cheap /too expensive. But I am still on my way to find the right combination to get maximum usability and stay as mobile as possible. Because being able to travel light with a small assortment of quality gear is still the way to go for me - to be able to create without worrying too much on reliability and weight.

But always remember to complete the physical part (gear) with the right state of mind, the open eye, or lets just use the cheased-out term spirit. Without knowledge how to tweak and use your stuff, it will become (guess what) useless.

So, what's in your bag?