Wednesday, May 21, 2008

How many gears can you carry?

Here's my list:

Nikon D80 body w/battery 1.3 lbs
Nikon 12-24/4 1.1 lbs
Nikon 24-70/2.8 2 lbs
Nikon 18-200VR DX 1.2 lbs
Nikon SB-600 + 4 Li-Ion rechargable AA 1 lbs+
The Bag itself: Lowepro Slingshot 200 2.2 lbs

Almost 9 pounds altogether - the list doesn't count filters, backup batteries, air-brush for sensor/lenses, etc...On a Slingshot bag where only 1 shoulder handles all the weight, it is quite a heavy load plus a great deal of torque all on one side of one's body.
Look at the lens list, there's not a single decent telephoto either. The lightest tele, 70-300VR, weights 1.5 lbs. All the 70/80-200 2.8s would further double that additional weight.

Upgrade the above kit to a D300 plus a 70-200 f/2.8 VR (completing exactly the DX pro lens kit - 12-24/24-70/70-200 - Thom Hogan suggested), take out the 18-200VR, the total weight would be around 12 pounds. Put that on a slingshot bag, and I would have a hard time even breathing for all the pressure on my chest...

Time to get a new bag for the full load, i guess.