frankie c Loc: Lake Havasu CIty, AZ

How I Travel Light:
Sometimes I don’t want to carry heavy. I leave my Nikon D300s and D600 at home.
I carry my D5100 with the newest version of the kit lens (18-55 VR Nikkor G II) and use my SB400 instead My Heavy SB 700 or 600.
I can carry this all day and not get tired from lugging that extra weight.
I really like this newer version of the Kit lens mostly because it allows me to focus down to around 6 inches for when I want to shoot close. I also came up with a simple way to use a bounce card on my SB400 using cut outs of some glossy photo paper which fits nicely when you tilt the swivel head up to bounce position. I no longer use a neck strap (so no pain in the neck). I use wrist straps. The one here is inexpensive and simple, is comfortable and works well. I rarely carry a bag, if I do I can keep it small and light because of the size of this equipment. I am out to shoot pictures so not having the camera in my hand would cause me to miss shots. Sometimes I will switch out the lens for my Sigma 18-200 (no vibration reduction) lens (keeps it light and has a small footprint) and sharp as a tac.
I miss some of the features on my Larger Camera’s (like Auto FP, speed, etc.) but I am on a walk about not a specific shooting project of event. So it works out just fine and I can bring home some nice pics.
Also, the D5100 makes it real easy to slip in a video clip should something cool happens. Anyways, just something I thought I would share.

My Walk About Set up

(Download)

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Yes...that's' smaller than the average gear that photogs lug around but still too much for me...I use a mirrorless fixed lens or a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. probably about half that size or less.

I'll never go back to DSLR's.

MtnMan Loc: ID

I went for a Sony NEX-7. I leave the D800 and kit at home or in the truck more and more often.

Planning a once-in-a-lifetime river cruise in Eastern Europe next June. Already decided the D800 is staying home. I'll get it a T-shirt. :lol:

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Keeping it light and simple is great. But the camera on a wrist strap and no bag - I don't think I'd like that very much over a long period. You don't get to rest your hand unless you put the camera down somewhere, which isn't always practical. I prefer to keep my camera slung over my shoulder; it takes only seconds to get the camera into action if I see something interesting, and I won't have to deal with possible neck pain or hand fatigue.

jack schade Loc: La Pine Oregon

I think less weight is great. A few weeks ago I went with some camera club friends to photograph waterfalls. I used a bridge camera. Great focal length range and no extra gear. I loved it. When I got home and reviewed the phktos I told myself that I would never do that again. I will take the D810 and the gear quality matters more to me than the light weight.

SonyA580 Loc: FL in the winter & MN in the summer

Love the wrist strap. I can carry my a580 with 16-80mm all day without a problem.

Mr PC Loc: Austin, TX

I love my D5200 for all the same reasons. You can work around not having every feature in the world. I know I'll move up to a more full featured body like the D7100 or the D610, but I'm betting I'll keep the D5200 for a walking around camera and maybe still take it on my international travels to travel as light as I can.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

:thumbup:
Same here!

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

There is a place for a DSLR but I agree, for traveling light a ML camera is the way to do.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Nice. I've always wondered about those little tripods. I've gotten several free when I bought something else, but I've never used one.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Yep, much the same. I like the wrist strap, good feel. Also use "Allen Company Deluxe Binocular Strap" from EBaby vender for $16 including shipping. Bought a low cost vest to carry a few filters, 4 extra batteries for flash, extension cord for flash. My back pack with multi lenses etc is for neatness on the closet shelf.

Humm, sounding like Steve Martin in "The Jerk" who was leaving home without any thing.... except for that... except for that... except for that....and on and on....

My 24/7 Camera is a Pany ZS20, I have a belt pack that contains my ID, cards etc in one of the aluminium packs "as seen on TV" couple of years ago, my cell.. for the camera extra battery, memory. All my filters (11) for that camera (adapted) measure 1.5" dia x 4" tall. Very small super zooms are not as good in IQ, but can be cleaned up quite well with software.

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

My solution is to use a very good backpack. I carry up to twenty pounds in it all day and do not feel a thing. The key is to distribute the weight evenly on your back rather than one side of your body and then the other as with a case. I include snacks, water and a few other non-camera items. This is worth it and makes up for the hassle of getting it on and off and bumping into things. The backpack does not get in my way of shooting as does a case. I wear pants with spacious cargo pockets for the very few items I need while shooting. And I have retired my vest.

djenrette Loc: Philadelphia

I like the idea of traveling light. In a few weeks I will be hitting the road and it will be with a D7100 and the AF-S 18-300mm f/3.5~5.6 which is an amazingly good lens and even focuses down to 18". I am thinking of including the 35mm f/1.8 (for low light) and/or the 10.5/2.8 fisheye (as a super wide), but I hope I don't. I went through Italy with a back pack, D800, 14-24/2.8, 24-70/2.8, and 70-200/2.8 and it was more trouble than it was worth. The back pack worked out OK, but switching lenses for just the right one was too much.

And that 18-300mm is amazingly good, but you probably won't believe it until you try it for yourself.

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

I had a similar experience in Israel last month. I opted for my 70-200 only once over my 18-200. My only concern for carrying a second lens is in case something happens to the primary lens. Hard to beat something like the 18-200 for convenience.

MarkD Loc: NYC

My travel light outfit is a D5200, Sigma 10-20 f/4-5.6, and Sigma 18-200 Macro OS HSM. Together they weigh three pounds. Sometimes I add my Nikon 10.5mm FF FE. Altogether it weighs under four pounds. I considered a MILC system, but a comparable kit would only save 1-1.5 pounds.

My every day carry camera is either my Nikon P7800 or Panasonic LF-1. The P7800 is the better camera, but the LF-1 is still very good, and it's smaller and lighter.