How ready is your camera gear usually?

[Dylan777]

I don't have much, therefore, both camera bodies and lenses are always in Lowepro Pro Roller x200 Case, station @ home office & ready to roll at anytime.

As always, I have 24-70 II on one body and 70-200 on another. Rest of prime lenses are there in stand by mode, ready as needed.

 

[wsmith96]

I've got all of my gear in a canon backpack ready to go at a moments notice. It's not fancy, but for $30 it holds everything I need.

 

[mrsfotografie]

I like to take time to think about what and how I'm going to shoot. I'm convinced that a good shoot starts with good preparation and it is extremely important to consider the expected conditions. Sometimes I'll be doing research and considering what to take well ahead of the shoot so no rushing out of the door for me.

Aside from this principle, I have too much gear to fit in my bag so in a very practical way I have to tailor my kit to what I'm going to shoot. The time needed to be 'ready' therefore depends on what I have in the bag already, but given that I always have 1 battery that is full and two that are down to 40% at the most, no need to charge up before going out 'ad hoc'. 10-15 minutes is what I need in a rush.

 

[Chris Geiger]

I keep everything in a think tank roller bag. All the equipment stays in the bag all time. The day before a wedding, I recharge all the batteries, format the cards, clean the bodies and set the clocks.

 

[Don Haines]

There is always a tripod in the car. The bag(s) are always packed and ready to go. The camera bag (when home) rests on top of a pelican case so if I am heading somewhere wet, I grab that as well. As well, there is a change of dry clothing/towel/umbrella/raincoat sitting in the trunk.

 

[LuCoOc]

To quote Roger from lensrentels.com:

10. Your favorite lens

Is never in your camera bag because it’s always mounted to your camera
Is always in your camera bag in case you need it for that special shot
Is on your desk near the computer where you can look at it while thrashing those who make negative comments about it in the forums

Source: The gear-head/pixel-peeper quiz. (http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2011/12/the-gear-head-pixel-peeper-quiz)

I usually keep my camera and lenses in a glass cabinet to the left of my desk. When I go out to shoot I usually grab just my camera and one lens. If I need more I also have to customize my Lowepro Flipside 300 because I use this as my college bag.

<10min for me then

attached is a nasty pic (the glass removed)

 

[randym77]

For me, it depends. Usually there's a tripod in the trunk of my car, and usually I have a camera body and a "walkaround" lens in a small backpack that I can easily grab.

But mostly, I do not bring all my camera gear anywhere. Instead, I have lists on my computer of the equipment I need for specific kinds of outings. That way I can quickly pack what I need without worrying about forgetting something, and without overpacking and bringing stuff I don't need that will just weigh me down.

For a day baseball game, it might be a long lens, a monopod, and a raincover. For long exposures at night, I'll bring a tripod, my wired remote shutter release, a manual-focus lens, a red LED flashlight to see by, and other flashlights for light-painting. For a nature hike, a macro lens and a wild-angle zoom.

I have several different camera bags, and sometimes leave a couple packed with different gear for different situations. Some venues limit the type or size of bag they allow (a lot of places are "no backpacks" since Boston), so I consider that, too.

 

[Rienzphotoz]

Where's the option for "I'm currently holding it" :

The toilet at our local cinema house has a graffiti that aptly describes "I'm currently holding it" as 'Your future is in your hands' ;D

 

[RGF]

If I only need a body and lens or two, 2 -3 minutes. If I need major stuff, packing the bag will take more time than gathering the equipment.

 

[PhotographAdventure]

Is there a rush to get to a session or catch that squirrel/deer running through the yard?

 

[distant.star]

.
My only rush job is when I hear the train whistle/horn. Then I've got 15 to 45 seconds to get out and in position to get train pictures. Camera is on the table on the way out. I enjoy the challenge of setting it up for the train with whatever lens happens to be on it before the train passes.

The possibility of anyone calling me with some emergency shoot is nil. When I go out it's on foot, on bicycle or bus. So I tend to give a thought to where I'm going and what pictures I might find -- and what equipment I'll need for any likely scenario. Obviously, I rob from oil companies to pay Canon!

 

[lholmes549]

All my camera gear is within 6 feet of each other.
All my bodies and lenses sit on top of my chest of drawers; filters and miscellaneous items such as cards, cleaning equipments, triggers, waterproof covers etc. stay in the bag which is beside the drawers and tripods and stands are beside the bag also.

I chose <10 mins because I rarely have my bag completely backed and ready to lift, but it's always there so I can pack what I need but in reality it takes <5 mins.

 

[The Bad Duck]

Camera and lenses would be ready in 1 minute but (ofc. spare batteries and cards always ready) but to actually get it all in the car would take another 1-2 minute. Then if lightstands, flashes and such gear is needed, another few minutes. So usually 5 minutes is needed. For getting coffee in the thermos and all clothes on for winter photography, add another 10 minutes.

 

[Zv]

I have two bags. One for long term storage and one is a day trip backpack. The latter is always ready with a 7D and 17-55 and a 430ex2 all charged up an ready to use. However I usually pack the night before if I have plans.

 

[bholliman]

Everything stays in my bag ready to roll. I keep a charged battery along with a empty or nearly empty SD card in my 6D at all times and generally my 50 1.4 lens installed. Generally, at home the most "urgent" need is a cute situation with our 14-month old, so the nifty fifty is a great option for indoor, low light shots when I don't have time to set up flash.

I keep my S100 in my car for photo opportunities that come up during my daily commute or on the road, but those are rare. An occasional sunrise/sunset (generally without anything too great in the foreground) or wildlife shot.

 

[JBeckwith]

I would say <5 minutes. Everything I have is in one location but I have to corral everything together, pack it in the bag, and make sure batteries are charged and everything. Although with only a few lenses and accessories to gather it's not terribly difficult.

 

[Hobby Shooter]

I don't have that much gear. 3 L lenses and one body. It's normally all in the same bag. But I prefer to put together the stuff I need in an adequate bag and maybe, filters spare battery etc depending on what I will be doing. But rarely takes more than a couple of minutes.

 

[Pandypix]

My backpack is always packed this is where may camera lives the only extras I might pick up are tripod/monopod and my flash I don't carry the flash all the time as it takes up too much space. Keeping everything in one bag ready to go is how I have to store everything for when we are on a road trip and hubby really has no idea what I have. :