Photographer’s DSLR Checklist
Thursday, February 7th, 2008
Almost everyone who gets into DSLR photography and learns how to use their gear makes a mental checklist to run through before they push the shutter button. Or do they? How many times have you forgotten to lower the ISO when you’re out in daylight or change the meter from it’s last setting? Have you ever left the self-timer on and then wondered why your camera wasn’t working correctly? Duh.
Here is the beginning of a checklist that I’m sure others will add to over time. These are things I consider before I shoot (when I remember). This is in no particular order.
- Is the sensor clean?
- Are all lenses being used clean (both glass and contacts)?
- What lens is on the camera?
- Is the lens properly attached?
- Are the lens’s switches set correctly (AF/MF, focus limiters, IS)?
- What filter is on the lens?
- Do you have extra filters with you?
- If the lens has a hood that you use, is it with you?
- Check battery level and bring extra battery
- Is there a memory card in the camera?
- Is the memory card erased?
- Bring extra memory card(s)
- Check mode dial setting
- Is the diopter adjustment on the viewfinder in focus?
- Check ISO setting
- Check meter mode setting
- Check file type: RAW or jpg
- Check picture style setting (if meaningful)?
- Drive mode set as you like it: one shot, continuous, timer
- Self-timer off?
- Check white balance if it’s been changed from default
- Check auto focus points to make sure they’re what you want
- Do you need a tripod?
- Do you have a cable release packed?
- Do you have your detachable shoulder strap with you?
- Do you have rain protection for your gear with you?
If you’ve got ideas that need to be added to this list, please leave them below in comments.
Here’s a couple more not so common but can cause issues.
Do you need to adjust the LCD brightness?
Is your lens properly seated?
Is your viewfinder in focus?
Do you have a notebook and pen?
If Landscape shooting…
Do you need a remote or cable and if so is it with you?
Do you have your ND Grads and holder?
Do you have the proper adapter rings for the filter holder?
If Kayaking…
Do you have our pelican dry-case?
If done for the day…
Do you have that bottle of wine and acoustic guitar?
Greg: The last one is most important, I’ll add them now, thanks.
I thought you’d appreciate that.
One more I forgot about which is a MUST!
Do you have a plastic bag in case it rains?
I keep a 2 gallon ziplock back in my camera bag just in case.
Another great idea. I do have a small zip lock but not one big enough for the camera. My two LowePro packs have rain covers built in but they don’t do a lot of good if the camera is in your hands. Excellent. Keep ‘em coming.
Maybe more important than the “Is memory card erased” would be “Is memory card present?” I have gone out twice before only to get the “No CF Card” message on my camera when turning it on.
Good one Joe, absolutely.
Maybe this needs to be split up into what you check before you push the shutter button, and what you check before you leave home (or wherever your equipment and computer are)
Before leaving, I’d also check which lenses I’m carrying. But I wouldn’t check for those (or a tripod, memory cards, etc) before pressing the button.
Now that I think about it, there would probably be a checklist for packing equipment, one for the session, and a fast, small one for every shot. But that’s me. I like to make it complicated :-)
Manish, you’re right, I was going to break it up, either sequentially or in some other way but I thought I’d let comments come in first to see if folks add significant things to it I’m forgetting. I’ll get there, thanks for the push.