It is now two days until I leave for London and the Olympics. Typically, I pack before the day before I head out to a race, but this time – it is my first Olympics and I want to make sure I have all of the right stuff, and just the right stuff and as such I have been working on this for a couple days.
Not only do I have to carry everything with me at the race, but it is almost more complicated to get it from Minneapolis to London with as little as stress as possible.
There are a couple of major differences between what I am bringing to London versus other events, instead of bringing my 400 mm f/2.8, I recently added a 300 mm f/2.8. Both the 400 and the 300 are fabulous lens, but the good news is the 300 travels much easier than it’s big brother. It is substantially smaller and has about half of the weight. I am also bringing 4 camera bodies instead of 2 and a couple of extra lens.
Here is the challenge:
For the last 7 years I have used Think Tank Photo gear. Its well made, really well thought out and it is always there when I need it.
Usually I use an Airport International and my Shape Shifter on the plane and then packed the Glass Taxi in my luggage. On site, I use my modular set / belt system and my glass taxi. I started using my Airport international, when I went to China to shoot the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup Soccer Tournament. My rough guess is that it has logged about 250,000 miles. It is served me well, but gee, I want to look good at the Olympics!
Although I have never visited the Think Tank facility, my guess that they sit around saying wouldn’t it be cool if we had a product that did _____? And, then they make it.
A few of the cool things they have come up with are the Street Walker Pro, an updated Airport International 2.0, with a low divider set so a laptop can be included and then there is the entire Retrospective product line.
WOW – it all fits!
Now with the Artificial Intelligence Laptop bag on top for my Mac & iPad.
Zipped and ready to go!
Heading to the race venue I will add my Modular Pack and belt, which will be all that I use during the event, with the 300mm carried over my shoulder. My lap top and cases will be parked in the Photo Workroom at the Venue. (Oh yea, the guy on the moto photo on the Modular Set box is me).
The Street Walker Pro is great, holds a lot and is comfortable to carry, but what about when you just want to ramble around and take a few happy snaps. Sometimes there is fine line between locations scouting and sightseeing. When I ramble around, I generally carry 1 camera, 1 lens and take 1 shot at a time. I love to carry the 5D because of its size and it doesn’t really look like a Pro body. Here is my Retrospective 7, which also easily holds my iPad.
Rambling in London, I think will require more than one lens!
Here I am in the Arabian Desert with my Retrospective 10, I am still trying to vacuum the sand out of it!
Competitive Image 
Have a great time Paul!!!!