I started shooting with a large format camera a couple of years ago. I have been hooked by the incredible detail and rich colors from large format film, and I find myself wanting to bring it with me wherever I go.

I repacked the large camera bag that used to house my 500mm lens and made it my large format bag. In that bag I fit the camera and all accessories, as well as three lenses and lensboards. It is a little bit bulky, but is carry-on legal and not so big that I mind hiking with it.

This works well, but there is no room left in the bag for my DSLR and lenses. As a result, when I go shooting now, I have to decide: landscapes and scenics or wildlife? Invariably, I cannot make up my mind before I go, so I throw my smaller bag with the DSLR in the trunk, too.

Yet every time I arrive at the location before a hike, I find myself taking only the large format camera with me. It is too much fun and provides such outstanding quality that I cannot leave it behind.

I brought the large format camera with me to Colorado, and hiked all over Rocky Mountain National Park with it. It was wonderful, and I am glad I brought it.

At some point within the next few years, I hope to bring the large format camera with me to Ireland, possibly with a point and shoot digital camera for those "less serious" travel photos.