What's in the Bag - David Akoubian

What's in the Bag - David Akoubian

June 11, 2014

When I prepare for a trip I get a lot of questions as to how do I decide to pack? There are different scenarios as to how to pack. Am I driving or flying? If I am driving my philosophy is "if I own it and can fit it in the car", I take it. If I am flying I have to consider the type of plane I am flying on first of all. I do not check in cameras! I carry on my equipment and laptop and I am respectful of the rules and of others, I put a bag in the overhead compartment and one under the seat.

For this trip to the Tetons, I wanted to carry a bag that didn't really look like a camera bag but was functional. When I say this I simply mean I don't want a camera to scream "expensive camera gear, Vanguard Sedona steal me"! The folks at Vanguard released a new series of bags this year, the Sedona series, that looks like a casual backpack but is very functional. I picked up the largest one which will fit easily under the seat on the plane. I chose a low key color, Khaki, to make it even less obvious.

When the bag arrived I was really impressed with the construction of the bag but honestly felt it would probably be too light to carry the load I hoped to take on the trip. I was very pleasantly surprised as to how much gear I could load into this thin. I actually ordered a smaller version to carry 2 camera bodies and a lens for each for some additional trips I have down the road.

Here is a list of what I have in the bag. I didn't pack the Tamron SP 150-600mm Di VC USD lens in the bag but instead, put it in the computer bag. I did this because once I arrive in Jackson Hole, that lens will stay attached to a tripod or monopod and it saves reconfiguring the bag later. Inside the bag is: a Nikon D-800 (full frame) body, Tamron SP 24-70mm f2.8 lens, Tamron SP 70-200mm f2.8 lens, Canon 7D (APS-C) with a Tamron 16-300mm Di-ii VC PZD lens, Sony a7R (mirrorless full frame) with FE 24-70mm lens, remote releases for all cameras, at least 2 extra batteries for each camera, circular polarizer for each lens, extra SD and CF memory cards, lens cleaning cloths, and a bubble level.

I think I am going to love this bag!

- David Akoubian