Packing the right gear is for me the last stage of a process where I try and understand the least I can use to get the look that I want.
In the pizzeria I wanted to achieve a good backlight effect. I had tried, without success, with a smaller and sturdier beauty dish, but eventually settled for my largest softbox, an Elinchrom Rotalux 90×110.
While in my studio, I would also add a second Rotalux for fill. However I made it do with just some reflecting foam board so that I could pack lighter. I described here and here the setup.
Packing-wise, the second problem for me is being as much redundant as possible so that, should something break, I have a replacement. In particular I worry that the camera or the data recording on the card may fail. I don’t like the idea of a backup camera for two reasons: first, it would be something that I need to carry with me and that I would only use is something goes wrong (so, in the best scenario, it would be useless); second, it is boring (if I already own, for instance, a Canon EOS 5D, I would find owning a 6D as well very uninteresting). Hence I prefer the route of a completely different camera body (and lens), that can serve me not only as a backup but also to achieve a different look while using it together.
This is why I chose to bring with me a Fujifilm X-T1 with the Fujinon XF 35mm f/1.4 (giving me fast autofocus and close perspective) together with a Canon EOS 5D with an adapted Zenzanon PS 110mm f/4 macro: each set-up can individually serve me well in case the other fails, but used together, they can give me two looks instead of one. At home, while reviewing the shot material, I find myself selecting either material as the best, according to the plate or pizza I had in front of me.
Said that, the packing list was:
- Fuji and 35mm
- Canon and 110 zenzanon
- Two Elinchrom Skyport transmitters (one mounted on each camera)
- Reflecting foamboard panels
- Spare battery for Fuji
- Spare battery for Canon Canon
- One softbox 90 X 110 fitted with its golden reflector and double (internal) diffusing baffle
- One D-Lite
- One Manfrotto boom stand
- Electrical cable
- Electrical Schuko adapter
- Sandbag
- Lastolite white balance panel
![](http://shade-of-light.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Italian-pasta-tortellini-with-placemat-and-copyspace-900x600.jpg)
![](http://shade-of-light.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Luxurious-plate-of-Italian-pasta-with-vegetables-900x591.jpg)
![](http://shade-of-light.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Ziti-pasta-with-asparagus-tomato-and-pistachios-900x560.jpg)
![](http://shade-of-light.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Lobster-and-red-rice-elegant-plate-900x566.jpg)
![](http://shade-of-light.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Spaghetti-with-clams-and-seafood-close-up-547x768.jpg)
![](http://shade-of-light.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Spaghetti-with-clams-and-seafood-900x628.jpg)
![](http://shade-of-light.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Rustic-bread-3-900x563.jpg)
![](http://shade-of-light.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Unusual-Italian-pizza-with-yellow-tomatoes-900x583.jpg)
![](http://shade-of-light.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Amazingly-good-pizza-margherita-900x571.jpg)
![](http://shade-of-light.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Edible-flowers-on-Neapolitan-style-pizza-900x600.jpg)
![](http://shade-of-light.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Italian-pizza-with-ham-tomatoes-mozzarella-and-basil-900x606.jpg)