💫QUESTION: Do you carry an EDC Kit in your camera bag?

A great tip I learned from Henry Turner is to pack a wide elastic band. It’s cheap, almost weightless and takes up virtually no space, but can be used to provide some extra grip when trying to unscrew a stuck filter. Another common item is a disposable shower cap that can be used to cover your camera when it’s raining.

Instead of a flashlight I have a small, but strong head lamp. It has a chargeable battery, so I can always recharge it (eg via power bank) if necessary. This is not only handy if you need it during a hike, but the red light option is beneficial for nightly photo adventures.

One thing I would add is an old, expired, credit card with a load of gaff tape wrapped around it. Neat, small, tidy and super useful

I just went to Amazon to look at the cable ties. "Frequently Bought Together" were your Knipex pliers and Zeiss lens wipes. You made a dent on Amazon. Bravo.

I've done the same thing too... have a general EDC pack, and then ones for specific things (like landscape, where I might have some step-up ring adapters, remote cable release, batteries for the remote, GpS unit, rubber bands -- for removing stuck lens filters, etc). The general kit that goes on every shoot has basic stuff like lens cleaning supplies, spare memory cards, a spare battery, and a few other things that would be applicable to any shoot. I found doing this helps me quickly prepare for various shoots and helps prevent me from forgetting stuff (for example, when I go on vacation, I tend to double check all of the packs that I've created that I plan on taking, and it helps me keep things organized so I know where something is located if I need it).

Great little set up Mark - but where did you buy the actual ' pouch ' that your store yr EDC stuff in ???

I thought this was a super cool video, full of super tools, all gathered together in a super case. It would be super and cool to have this with me on my next super cool photography trip. Really super, really cool.

The pencil is a great item to carry especially a short one with a the pink eraser at the end. If you ever have a problem with dirty electrical contacts on your lens and the lens is not communicating with the camera body properly, the mild abrasive in the eraser will clean them quickly. Finish off with a couple shots from your rocket blower.

I have found that carrying a set of circular lens filter removal tools is also handy.

Moleskin patches are golden for foot blisters. Have used them hikes a number of times.

For the blister problem, I’d add a patch of moleskin padding to the kit. The scissors will also come in handy for cutting the moleskin into strips for your heels.

Great video! I'm going to put a kit like that together. One thing I've always carried in my backpack is a small plastic whistle with a built in compass. Have never really had to use it, but it's nice to have for some peace of mind.

I have a Cybertool M from Victorinox to replace a lot of tools; pliers, (the best!) scissors, knife, few bits, even a little pen! Very compact and top quality!

Hi Mark, Do you have a vendor and model number for the bag? Thanks.

Yes I do, its actually two kits… *One* for camera, with tools screws and monitor brackets, *all hard parts in one case* *One* for electronics, as charging cables, power bank and adapters *all soft electronics things in case* For bag/case I went with a small fishing and a small hunter case with durable material for outdoor use, as you can put tools on outside when it is in use. Tip, I have the exact plier (knipex) as you have, but I have added “hockey stick tape” to griping area, works better in outdoor conditions (wet)and don’t make marks. I also have “nippers piler” (a knipex 26 11 200 type but with longer jaws) for “fine tuning”.

I'm more of a nature lover than a pro photographer; I take some alright photos sometimes but really, I'm out there to enjoy the nature and any nice captures are an added bonus in my view. Because of this, I carry a whole number of things I may need throughout the day. At times, I leave well before sunrise and stay out 'til at least dinner time. Which brings me to things I may carry and some that are musts: Camera Gear Small Lowepro bag, just large enough for my long lens setup, 2nd body and landscape lenses. Usually stays in the vehicle and my 2nd camera goes into my hiking pack for the day. lens wipes/cloth( I also carry those Zeiss glasses ones, 3-6 of them) spare batteries/cards A tripod A monopod(I keep both in vehicle but only carry 1, if any) 2 camera bodies, 100-400mm lens for wildlife, 18-200mm and 50mm for landscapes Hiking/survival type of gear to carry Headlamp and flashlight, always carry multiple light sources that are not your phone in case 1 gets dropped off a ledge, into water, dies, etc. Battery bank on extra-long days mostly for the phone First aid kit; always a must if going more than a mile or so IMO, especially in unfamiliar areas. I keep painkillers, sting and burn relief, alcohol pads, bandages and gauze, medical tape Bug-spray, sunscreen, shades , maybe a sunhat(I don't carry one but should get one) Waterproof matches or a lighter. Or both. Whistle+compass. Can be heard from way further than your yell and isn't so exhausting. Knife with waist clip: maybe controversial, but I go into super rural or desolate areas for hours without seeing a single person at times. If something were to happen with a human or animal, it's easier to just feel prepared. Plenty of food and water, don't skimp on this. A lot of the time I end up being out 2-4 hours longer than I intended. Less important in familiar area if you aren't going too far and won't get lost. I find it easier to get my food set the night before so I can wake up early to catch sunrise without trying to get food together at 4-5AM. Sometimes I prepare breakfast sandwiches the night before, or cook all but the eggs the night before at least. Rain-jacket if bad weather is likely, along with a drybag for my main camera, otherwise a cheap poncho is always in my pack. In cold weather I carry 2 beanies, a balaclava, fingerless gloves, down jacket that compacts into itself, extra long sleeve-T and 1-2 pair of hiking socks. I'm in wide open areas often and even light wind can be a killer out there, I swear. Monocular for birding and spotting distant larger animals without killing camera batteries or in low light situations. I keep an 8 oz one. I think this covers it haha. This was longer than I realized, but I swear it is a very light load usually. User discretion, lots of days a lot of this can stay in your car, with the occasional day it is necessary. Hope this helps any fellow nature freak reading.

It may sound a bit extreme, but I always carry a tourniquet with me. I carry a knife with me for various things and a tourniquet takes care of the worst case scenario. If you somehow suffer a cat bleed it’s all over quick. I know a lot of people who use a knife when venturing into the wilds and I’m always amazed how many don’t have one.

Thanks Mark! You are a treasure! Instead of the Channelock type of mini plier, I bring a mini ViseGrip. I've had things break on my tripod and was able to "fix" it by clamping with the Visegrip.

Already mentioned but definitely a small Field Notes book. But something I just saw in a post recently is a small canister (35mm film type) full of dryer lint and some flint/matches. Never know when you need to make an emergency fire if stranded in the woods.

A small Leatherman might eliminate the need for the pliers and the scissors. Maxpedition makes a good line of bags called pocket organizers that are good for EDC needs. Might also consider sunscreen as an item to go into the kit.

Those ear plugs look much more comfortable then mine. Love the portable scissors idea. I have that SmallRig tool and it is so handy. I use a small (smaller than a lighter) folding utility knife as well.

Great idea! I have 6 different hex keys for various RRS clamps, tripods and gimbles....

I use the Zeiss lens wipes to. I found that I don’t need scissors to open them though. LOL!

I really like that leather bag for your EDC case. Where did you get that one? Thank you for your time!

Bug spray and sunblock. You can find ones in the "moist towlette" form factor like the lens wipes, or small pump vials about the diameter of a sharpie pen. Handy if you forget the normal cans. I also find something to wrap some gaffers tape around - maybe the handle of your pliers. And I keep some of those cheap emergency space blankets in every camera bag. Handy if you need to lay down on wet ground, keep rain off your gear, etc... Swiping a hotel shower cap makes a decent camera rain cover in a pinch also.

I have the Zeus’s lens wipes. $8.99 for a 200 count box. Also, they can be used with the band aid if you need to clean prior to adhesion. It will burn somewhat but reduce the chance of infection.

I can vouch for the SmallRig tool- I love mine. I might have to check out those earplugs. Nothing worse that a roomful of partiers next door.

This is awesome Mark, didn't know about the travel scissors or the Knipex pliers. Great ideas. Huge fan of the Zeiss lens wipes. I carry too many.

This is really brilliant. I too have various tools and utility items squirreled away, or sometimes forget, and I never considered putting them into a kit. Thanks!

I always carry an edc kit that covers some general 'always carry' like advil, tumms, bandaids, flashlight, then items that would be trip specific. In particular since i am often in the bush (chasing small birds) an emergency blanket can serve multiple purposes and a fero rod should an unplanned night under the stars occur. I also treat my edc as less of a what happens to me that this will aid and consider what if i run into someone requiring aid.

A lighter wrapped in gaffer tape is a must. I also carry a Victorinox huntsman tool as the scissors on that are incredible and it has a ton of other tools too. Antiseptic wipes also as easy to cut yourself out there and good to wipe a wound clean before dressing it. I am also into my EDC and have two pouches, one for my camera bag and another I carry every day. Beware it’s a slippery slope lol as you have already experienced with the tactile turn pen 😂

Thats a really great idea! I do that for other travel items but hadn't though of doing that for my camera gear. I would also suggest including business cards.

thanks for the video! The travel scissors is a revelation. I use the Small Rig multi tool and it drives me crazy. Every time I get to the point of max torc, the bit bends, no matter how much I tighten the joint. I keep using it bc it is so small and well made, and has all the heads I need.

Sweet! I always carry a "space blanket" (can double as a silver reflector) and water purification tablets (silver preferred) as travel in our rural areas can be a tad hazardous. More serious gear is needed if going "outback" such as the desert regions but that is a different scenario to those expected for your EDC.

I always carry a Leatherman Charge with me everywhere. I do have a TSA friendly multi tool as well in case I do travel, which is rarely. Bandages are a must with me in case my kids or I need a bandage, which is always a must. When you don’t have one on hand, you always with you did. Also, I remember Nick Page saying he uses Kimtech Science wipes to absorb moisture from his lens glass and they apparently work extremely well. That’s something I thought about adding to my kit since they’re very cheap and easy to store.

For scissors and knipex I would have a travel alternative if travelling as even if travel scissors gets confiscated on some airports(non US especially)

WOW wonderderful vidéo ,very interesting ,can you tell me the name of your leather poch ? thank so much

Great video Mike, those Gear Ties are amazing!!

Love the kit! And yes, tactile turn. Best pens…I have 3 so I get it. Ha. They make knives now which are also very well made.

On your suggestion, I just received a pack of those gear ties. Wow, are they useful. Simple design, but brilliantly executed.

Great ideas! No dust blower or brush?

Two comments ... My favorite flashlight is the ThruNite Archer 1A V3. This has a very low light 'firefly' mode that works well for the dark-adapted eye. I've even used that firefly setting for night hikes. Think Tank Photo now has some EDC bags for sale...

Hi Mark, some useful tips there, thankyou... If I might add a couple more items that take no space and cost almost nothing ... a shower cap ( for if it starts to rain and your gear isn't the most waterproof in the world ), and an elastic band ( in case a lens filter gets stuck.)

Nice stealthy scissors, best for TSA. Good stuff. 👍🥂

All my charging stuff is Anker.

Do you have a link for the pouch you were showing?

Love the EDC kit but I’ll have to specifically shout out the Knipex pliers… I’ve found knipex tools to be of very high quality.

Many thanks, very useful info, Already purchased a couple of your recommended items. Any info on the case? Can't seem to find anything similar in leather on line.

Oh no! You caught the EDC Bug! It’s a slippery and expensive slope; many pouches, various sizes of similar tools, torches, and for some unfathomable reason, the EDC-ers penchant for pens, notebooks, pry-bars and a million ways to start fires. Get well soon.

I would recommend eye glasses screw driver I have one handy for the tiny tiny screws on my lens.

Many of these things I wouldn’t carry in an everyday photography kit …. But in my travel bag for toiletries … e.g. ear plugs (not needed for everyday photography). For my photography everyday … I have my filters (4 stop and 10 stop nd filters plus CPL, with end caps screwed on), step up rings, spare camera batteries, and filter wrenches in case my filters get stuck. I do carry some toilet paper in case nature calls when I’m in nature… and a tiny bottle of hand sanitiser! I carry a head torch, so if I need to use it, both hands are free to operate my camera. Also lens wipes, small multi tool.

Helpful video, Mark, thanks! Tip - wrap some Gaff tape around your flashlight (or pen). Not a lot, just some so you don’t have to bring the whole roll.

These are all great ideas! Do all those tools make it through TSA in a carryon?

I've got a travel edc kit that has a lot of the things your photo edc has. One thing it doesn't have is that camera tool. I think I need to pick one of those up! I've got a small multi tool, but it doesn't have all the specialty bits that tool does. I need to stick some lens wipes in my kit, too.

I use those lens wipes also. They work great and are pretty inexpensive.

You mentioned putting this in your carryon. Do you get any push back from the airlines re some of the items such as the scissors?

I have all this stuff loose trough my bag so a good idea to get it all in one place. My advice is to add a tick remove thing just in case some of those nasty things bytes you. It's small, lightweight and cheap. I also have a little pump device that can I can use in case an insect or anything else bytes me. Put the pump over it and it will suck out the poison. Also cheap small and very lightweight. I like that little medicine box you have. Since medication is essential for me that looks realy cool. I have one on my keys but in case I loose it this is a good idea. Grt guido

Another great video, Mark. I didn't even know half of those tools existed. Thanks for sharing and inspiring me to spend more $$. lol.

just a blower of some description, ive been looking at the nitecore elec blowers but even a rocket style blower is a def must in the bag

Add a small field notebook to write in with that pencil!

My photography EDC kit is almost identical, except I carry a Leatherman Signal multitool, a Bic lighter in a protective case, a Sharpie, a container of Aleives, a small compass, a mini-strobe light, and a Tick remover. I also have $60 in a small zip-lock bag. Everything is in a MaxPediton Medium zip case. If traveling, I move the Leatherman and the lighter to check on baggage.

I do not have an EDC kit but need to start one!

Is the scissors allowed in your carry-on/camera backpack (when going on flights)?

I didn’t see the actual EDC leather organizer listed in the description. Apologies if I missed it. Do you have a link for that? I liked this video. A good list of some gadgets.

Nice kit. I am one who likes multi use items. You have a separate pen and flashlight. Olight makes a nice pen with a flashlight (120 lumens), plus certain models even have an additional laser pointer too. Two/three for one. Many Swiss Army knives have scissors, plus all the other multi benefits of an SAK. Maybe an SAK is problematic if this EDC pouch is part of an airline carryon.

I'm surprised that TSA hasn't taken your scissors from you - yet (since they are in your carry-on bag). Good video!

You may want to add a small lens blower and brush to your EDC kit.

Leatherman Tools may help to improve your kit. They're pretty compact and contain a lot of the essentials for the outdoor lifestyle

LRI FMRC Photon Freedom LED Keychain Micro-Light with Covert Nose, Red Beam, is great for night photography. Amazon $14.

galaxy buds, best earplugs ever

I would suggest a small tube of superglue or Gorilla glue. They sell them in a variety of bundles but one tiny tube would get you thru most situations where a quick repair is needed.

A bubble level for when you are pointing your camera downwards towards the ground and you need it to be level. The in-camera level doesn’t work when the lens points at the ground.

Good tips Mark. I was surprised that you said it goes into your carry-on. Has TSA ever said no to any of the tools or sharp things?

I include a couple of shower caps in my kit.

Could you please tell me some of your favorite Olympic peninsula spots to shoot? I’m going on a trip there next week. Thanks!

Where did you get the pouch?

I saw the title and was like, wait, you went to EDC? I'd love to see a landscape photographers take on massive EDM stages. Then I start to watch and realize, oh, not that EDC. LOL In case you're not sure what I mean, EDC is Electric Daisy Carnival and just happened this last weekend in Las Vegas and had 525k people over 3 days attend.

I like the leather pouch.. where can I get one?

Great kit and great idea. Ziess wips are the bomb!!! I take them everywhere!!! I too get blisters on the back of my heals when walking a lot. Can't fit this in you EDC but, if you can't fix something with duct tape, it can't be fixed. Lol !! I have found putting it on the back of my heals before putting on my socks and shoes prevents blisters. That sounds kind of redneck, but no one knows you.😂😂😂

The tool kit on sale for $16

A RovyVon G4 Aurora A8 USB-C LED Keychain Flashlight is a small, powerful, USB-C rechargeable alternative.

Suggest adding at least one business card. ID's kit if lost, spare card just in case supply is depleted.

The other thing I like to carry is a lens pen and a couple of spare batteries.

I would swap out the mechanical pencil for a plain wood #2. The reason being that you always have dry kindling with you in an emergency. Just a thought.

is that a walkman? The yellow thing under your screen?

Mark, screwdrivers, wrenches/ pliers, scissors.. TSA do not allow on board carry on bags! even small ones! You may end up having all that being confiscated. It did happened to me unless they changed the rules.

Tactile turn make fantastic products, worth the money if you find the quality is worth it. I didn’t see the link for the bag, but I’m assuming it is an Admin Pouch from Nutsac?

Hey Mark, I’ll reiterate my offer to work as your assistant on the Olympic peninsula pro bono, I’m in the neighborhood! As for EDC tools, a good multitool like a Leatherman Wave (or others) would replace all of those other things you like plus add a blade and many other features.

Is there a link to the leather pouch?

Holy smokes, Mark - someone is over thinking things! 🙂

Nice kit. From past experience, your Knipex and scissors have a really good chance of getting taken away by TSA if it's in your carry on.

Great video Mark and interesting to see what you have prioritised. I was surprised that you did not have a small notebook. "Write in the rain" make small notepads that you can write on even if they are wet. In Australia you cannot carry a hex key as carryon, bizarre, so not sure about screwdriver bits either. As you are out in nature a tick removal device would also be handy, don't want to get Lyme disease. Finally, I have included a link to my favourite EDC channel just in case you have not come across it. www.youtube.com/@JonGadget

Good idea, however, at one time carrying meds, even OTC meds, outside of the original container could get questions from "the authorities."

I hope those are affiliate links because I just filled my cart with items from your video!

A Swiss Army Knife

Wait.......Where do you store the chef knife??😂

I am surprised that the scissors are allowed through airport security checkpoints.

So, where did you get the pouch from?

I thought this was A kit for shooting music festivals.