Loomis' Gear

This is a partial list of the gear that I carry overseas. Obviously, it depends where I am going and what kind of situations I can anticipate getting into. In general, I try to bring everything I need and nothing that I don't. I travel as light as I can but try to be self-sufficient and not depend on anyone else to provide me with the things that I need.

I bring just a couple of changes of clothes that look clean when they are dirty, dry fast when they are wet and don't draw attention to me while I am wearing them.

For gear I bring two camera bodies, currently Canon EOS 1D Mark IINs, in case one breaks down. I bring a variety of lenses ranging from 17mm to 400mm and a flash. I bring a laptop computer and a small, external hard drive to store my images. I also bring communication gear, such as a handheld satellite phone, a cell phone and another satellite device used primarily for transmitting images back to the newspaper. At times I also carry a professional audio recording device and/or a video camera.

In a rolling duffle bag I carry a bulletproof vest, Kevlar helmet, a small medical kit including a tornaquet, a minimum of toiletries, maps, and a Leatherman utility tool.

I carry copies of my passports and visas, enough cash to get me through the assignment if I am in a place where there are not ATMs, and maybe one book. Oh, and an iPod, that's a must-have item.

- Rick Loomis