My 4x5 Camera Kit

What's in my bag?

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Depending on where I am going and how long I plan to be out, this is typically what I would pack for a day's shooting with the large format kit.

All of this fits into my backpack which is a Naneu Pro KL3. I'm not sure if these are still on the market but I really like this one. It has a laptop sleeve which is perfect for storing dark slides. As well as a hip strap, the backpack features a suspended, mesh screen that prevents the pack coming into contact with your back. This makes lugging a heavy kit around so much easier, especially in hot weather. The material is tear and weather resistant and it has a separate rain cover.

In addition to the items listed below I'll usually carry at least one water bottle/bag, sometimes a small thermos of coffee (sometimes a hip flask), a couple of protein bars, sandwiches if I'll be gone all day, and some spare batteries for the light meter. These days I usually have a mask stuffed in there as well.

• Tripod
• Toyo 45A camera
• Schneider-Kreuznach Super-Angulon 90mm f/5.6
• Schneider-Kreuznach Symmar-S 150mm f/5.6 lenses
• Minolta Spotmeter F
• Filters: orange, 4 stop ND, CPL
• Film holders, if it will be a long day I'll sometimes take a changing bag, spare film, and extra holders. I keep the film holders in re-sealable freezer bags
• Dark cloth and loupe for focusing
• Horseman 6x9 roll film back
• Various other accouterments: sunscreen, lip balm, a little fold-up towel, lens cleaner and cloth, blower, spare freezer bags, spare cable release. If it's going to be much of a hike I'll also take a light weight, extendable walking pole.

This is what I carry on a landscape shoot

In the car I will always keep a pair of rain pants, a towel, dry shoes and socks, a pair of tracksuit pants, and a spare tee shirt in a bag. I keep a couple of spare bags as well for my dirty clothes or muddy boots. I've learned from experience that it's well worth the trouble of packing this stuff.