Canon Intervalometer
I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve headed out into the field to do some nightscape photography, only to find once I’m there, that I’ve forgotten something. I’ve never forgotten something critical like the camera and tripod, but it’s usually something that makes it much easier, or more comfortable. Like a headlamp, or insect repellent, or dew prevention, or spare batteries.
So I’ve created this checklist that I’ve now printed out and keep handy in my camera bag, so I can check it off before I head out into the field. I hope you find it useful, please feel free to share and of course please print out your own copy.
Printable version (opens in new window).
Camera Equipment
- DSLR camera body
- Tripod
- Lenses
- Memory cards
- Batteries and spare batteries
Accessories
- Intervalometer (or shutter release, self-timer)
- Dew Prevention (hoteez pads, USB hand warmer, dew shields, 12v powered dew strips, 12v hair dryer)
- Torch or head torch. Red light torch is best as it helps preserve night vision.
- Lens cleaning cloth
- Notepad / pen, or voice recorder (for remembering the best settings!)
Comfort
- Inspect repellent
- Snacks (food, drink, coffee thermos)
- Warm clothes, light jacket
- Good shoes
- Gloves / Beanie / Scarf
- Seat
Printable version (opens in new window).
Is there anything missing? Please feel free to comment and let me know if there’s something else that I should add to the list.
Hawkesbury River Sunrise (Vertical) 
Hawkesbury River Sunrise 
Layers 
Mitchell Falls Vertical A 
Mitchell Falls Vertical B
Tripod head and don’t forget the mounting plate!
Ah yes, good points. I assumed that the tripod head is always connected to the tripod, and the mounting plate is always attached to the bottom of the camera
A second on the mounting plate. I once hauled my hasselblad kit and tripod several kilometers to realise that the plate was missing from the bottom of the camera. Time to buy a third mounting plate.
haha yeh, I’ve got 2 or 3 as well. One on the bottom of each camera body (that stays there) and another for the Vixen Polarie!
Thanks for commenting, Roger!
BTW, nice site.
Mike, from personal experience. Trek down to Sydney Vivid Festival 2012, set up my tripod, go to mount my Nikon D3. S#@t! No mounting plate! It is still attached to my Exilim digital camera I used earlier in the week in Wagga for the “Transit of Venus”. Lesson learned…
yeh it’s something you only do once!
That’s why I created this checklist – after scratching mosquito bites for over a week, and missing out on taking some photos because of constant dew, I vowed to never again forget stuff!