In 2 days Staci is full term so you never know when she'll go into labor. Since she's a planner, which is good, we've packed a bag, prepared all info for how to get our dog Kalli to the spa, it's actually called a spa, and packed her bag as well.
In Staci's bag is the usual things you'd see in birth bag or whatever it's called. I only have a pair of sweats and a shirt in there. I could get in to all of the contents but other people on the interweb have written that better than I can so I suggest a little Goggle search. I do however have what I consider to be the most important bag packed. My camera bag.
In that I have:
...it's in there now...wonder if I'm missing anything else.
To quell any thoughts that I'm going to be too busy shooting and not paying attention to Staci I can tell you that won't be the case. I just want to be prepared for some good pics. I will try to photograph some of the birth...no naughty bits...just emotion on folks faces, environment and so on. But if it gets in the way the camera will be put down.
However I gotta say that I'm completely able to take photos while paying attention to something else...it's probably a gift from my ADD...I actually take some of my best photos when I know what I want to shoot but then barely pay attention to what I'm doing while I shoot.
In writing this I already changed the bag. My XTi is now out of the bag and will be in the car with me if I'm driving around the city. On it will be the craptastic 18-55mm lens. I don't want all of my gear with me at all times as it's about 15° (Fahrenheit) outside and I don't want my good stuff exposed to extremes. I'm just carrying this around in case we're totally surprised. My in-laws who are bringing the dog to the spa can grab my camera bag on the way.
Maybe once I'm back at work, we're of until the 4th, I'll start carrying the 7D around with a nice lens then have the plan be that the in-laws grab what's left of the bag when they grab Kalli...or maybe I just give them the bag to bring to the hospital.
Shit...what to have in the bag and what to have with me at all times might be the hardest decision we need to make about having this kid.
P.S. in case you;re wondering I use a Naneu Pro Alpha
bag...it get's bad reviews on Amazon, but there are only a couple reviewers. I love it and mine has held up really well in the three years I've used it. I love that it opens in the back for security. Burton and Dakine make great bags that open the same way. I'd link to them but I have to run and take the car to the auto body place to get that dent knocked out.
In Staci's bag is the usual things you'd see in birth bag or whatever it's called. I only have a pair of sweats and a shirt in there. I could get in to all of the contents but other people on the interweb have written that better than I can so I suggest a little Goggle search. I do however have what I consider to be the most important bag packed. My camera bag.
In that I have:
- 2 bodies (Canon XTi and 7D)
- 3 lenses (the nifty 50 f/1.8, Tokina 12-24 f/4.0 and the Sigma 24-70 f/2.8...I had the craptastic 18-55 kit lens in there but as I was writing this I realized it's so bad and I don't need it.)
- 580EX II
flash
- Kodak Zx1
HD video camera
- 2 back up batteries for the XTi plus 1 in camera
- 1 back up battery for the 7D plus 1 in camera
- 10 AAs for the flash
- 2x 4gb CompactFlash cards, 2x 2gb CompactFlash cards
- 1x 256mb SD card for the video cam (need more memory)
- Chargers for the Canon batteries
- an extra pair of pants
- a sweatshirt
- a pack of cards (always in there)
- a tiny bottle of Tobasco sauce (always in there)
- an X-Games wrist band from when I shot the X-Games (always in there/never used)
- thumb drive (always in there)
...it's in there now...wonder if I'm missing anything else.
To quell any thoughts that I'm going to be too busy shooting and not paying attention to Staci I can tell you that won't be the case. I just want to be prepared for some good pics. I will try to photograph some of the birth...no naughty bits...just emotion on folks faces, environment and so on. But if it gets in the way the camera will be put down.
However I gotta say that I'm completely able to take photos while paying attention to something else...it's probably a gift from my ADD...I actually take some of my best photos when I know what I want to shoot but then barely pay attention to what I'm doing while I shoot.
In writing this I already changed the bag. My XTi is now out of the bag and will be in the car with me if I'm driving around the city. On it will be the craptastic 18-55mm lens. I don't want all of my gear with me at all times as it's about 15° (Fahrenheit) outside and I don't want my good stuff exposed to extremes. I'm just carrying this around in case we're totally surprised. My in-laws who are bringing the dog to the spa can grab my camera bag on the way.
Maybe once I'm back at work, we're of until the 4th, I'll start carrying the 7D around with a nice lens then have the plan be that the in-laws grab what's left of the bag when they grab Kalli...or maybe I just give them the bag to bring to the hospital.
Shit...what to have in the bag and what to have with me at all times might be the hardest decision we need to make about having this kid.
P.S. in case you;re wondering I use a Naneu Pro Alpha
bag...it get's bad reviews on Amazon, but there are only a couple reviewers. I love it and mine has held up really well in the three years I've used it. I love that it opens in the back for security. Burton and Dakine make great bags that open the same way. I'd link to them but I have to run and take the car to the auto body place to get that dent knocked out.
Tobasco???
ReplyDeletere: Tobasco...you're out in location having a lunch at some place you'd usually never step foot in but you have to go there because it's the only place open...and the food sucks so you have to cover it up somehow...Tobasco.
ReplyDeleteIs the XTi just for backup or do you still use it since you got the 7d? Do you just keep it loaded for other lenses?
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to decide on DSLRs myself. (Our baby is due in March.)
Steve, i haven't used the XTi much since I got the 7D...it's on the list because I just want backup in case of some catastrophic fail...but now I'm thinking that it will stay packed in my bag and I'll have the 7D with the 24-70 with me all the time.
ReplyDeleteThat's because if she goes to the hospital while we're both at work and my camera bag is at home I want my good setup with me at all times.
If you can throw the cash down for the 7D I think it's awesome, much better in low light. If not I, based on my experience with the XTi, I think you'd love the XS, XSi or Ti.
When it comes down to it lenses are so important so my thought is if you have a budget and could great a great camera but eh lenses or a good camera and nice lenses you're better off with the latter.
oh, and congrats!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kenny. Congrats to you as well.
ReplyDeleteI know what you are saying about the lenses. I used to shoot with a Nikon D70 (work camera, not mine). It made a big difference when using the right lenses. I guess I am concerned about low light situations - you know, the crib shots and all - but I'll have to revisit the budget. :-) Thanks for your help.
Steve check out my post on cameras http://www.smonkyou.com/2009/12/gear-thursday-my-thoughts-on-cameras.html specifically the Canon G11 Leica D-Lux or even the Panasonic LX3 (it's basically the same as the Leica)
ReplyDeleteAl three are fantastic point and shoots with great low light ability.
ok... so maybe overkill, but I am loving the image I am getting as Staci grabs your 7D and smacks you over the head with it as she is trying to push your baby out! I actually think you have packed right.... it is important to get those shots. The best ones are when Staci has your baby on her chest for the first cuddle, both nude and there really is nothing like it.... the emotions are amazing and an image worth capturing. Then of course, I am a fan of the image where they weigh your baby, the image of you all together.... it is funny to watch the midwife try to figure out how to hold such a big camera! The other must have if of course your first cuddle too. Whatever you capture on the day will be amazing and lovely. Make sure you grab that one last photo of Staci being full term! Yay...so exciting! xx
ReplyDeleteok... so maybe overkill, but I am loving the image I am getting as Staci grabs your 7D and smacks you over the head with it as she is trying to push your baby out! I actually think you have packed right.... it is important to get those shots. The best ones are when Staci has your baby on her chest for the first cuddle, both nude and there really is nothing like it.... the emotions are amazing and an image worth capturing. Then of course, I am a fan of the image where they weigh your baby, the image of you all together.... it is funny to watch the midwife try to figure out how to hold such a big camera! The other must have if of course your first cuddle too. Whatever you capture on the day will be amazing and lovely. Make sure you grab that one last photo of Staci being full term! Yay...so exciting! xx
ReplyDelete