We’re expecting our second child in the next couple of weeks. With our first, my Wife packed her bag for the hospital a couple of centimetres dilated – she’s prepared a little earlier this time. It’s got me thinking as well. With Harry we got transferred from the birth centre at Lymington to Southampton, and I had to switch cars to follow the ambulance. Typically my D100 was in the other car… The shot above was the first picture I took of Harry the next day – I did take shots on my phone but it’s not quite the same! You’ll have to excuse the composition and shadows, even at this stage I was exhausted!

This time I’m putting together my bag to take with us to the hospital. I’ve pretty much decided on the contents. The D700 (obviously) with 24-70 f/2.8 lens is the mainstay. High ISO performance means no flash is needed, just as well – best not annoy the staff! Couple of 8Gb Sandisk CF cards, lens cleaning materials, Lowepro Topload Zoom Pro bag and job’s a good ‘un. My only (minor) worry is the EN-EL3e battery – it’s lasting far too well, and it’s bound to run out just when I need it. I do have a third party backup with alledgedly greater capacity, however so far it’s failed to live up to this expectation.