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Camera backpack advice

RuleOfThirds said:
Yeah, I know how it is to have to sell your gear because due to injuries you can’t use them anymore. Luckily it got much better with my shattered fingers over the years and can now fully use them, without any problems. But for years I had to be careful with heavy stuff. Otherwise they got irritated and swollen-up. It took like 7 years for the swelling not happening anymore when using them with constant weight.

But luckily m43 was there to keep me company and enjoying my hobby at that time.
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Yeah, I very much get it; for me, it's MG weakness in the arms and ocular MG causing both double vision and inability to keep the eye off the viewfinder completely closed.

Life's grinding the body down kinda sucks, doesn't it? ^^;;
 
I have bought or received gifted (not by brands!) many camera bags over the years...
... most of them are now stored in the cellar. A couple of them have been given away...

For me the bag must achieve its goal. So:
1- Small bag that does not look like a camera bag, it looks cool, it holds 1 camera with a small lens + 2 other (primes) or 1 + a LED light. Perfect for going around in a city, or going out with family or friends, when you dont want to be "that boomer camera guy". Dörr Kapstadt, great! it carries my S9 90% of the time.
2- Bigger bag but in the same style. Key point is to be able to carry two bodies next to each other. I dont remember the brand now, I went to a couple camera shops and I tested until I found one that held both S5ii with 20-60 and G9ii with 50-200. Killer for more serious tourism, but it does not look as nice and it can be identified as photo bag, so I have to be even more pickpocket aware.
3- Rucksack. Sorry photo rucksack manufacturers, ALL I have tried from you is garbage. So I use a decent hiking rucksack (currently from Decathlon) that has straps where I can put my camera clips and good access to the interior, which I have filled with padded compartments. I hike a lot so I need a hiking rucksack that is actually good for that hiking, or XC ski. Photo rucksack typically fail in the ergonomies of the back.
 
CH_CH said:
For me the bag must achieve its goal. So:
1- Small bag that does not look like a camera bag, it looks cool, it holds 1 camera with a small lens + 2 other (primes) or 1 + a LED light. Perfect for going around in a city, or going out with family or friends, when you dont want to be "that boomer camera guy". Dörr Kapstadt, great! it carries my S9 90% of the time.
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I used to think the same, but if someone's scoping you out, -well in my case anyway, they're going to see the camera appear if they watch me for any more than about a minute anyway. Most of the time I've got my camera in hand -not flapping around on a strap from my neck, as I'm wandering around strange cities/places, so it takes even less powers of deduction to figure out what's in the bag.
A camera is no use for getting interesting shot's of the unusual or interesting, if it's bundled safely away in a bag. I've switched back and forth between kid's school backpacks and camera bags on multi month overseas trips, yet to be mugged.
Comfort and ease of access are my main priorities now. Looks, I couldn't care less. That's for the Wife to concern herself with LoL
 
CH_CH said:
. I hike a lot so I need a hiking rucksack that is actually good for that hiking,
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I still use this one for hikings:

www.thinktankphoto.com

Rotation 22L

Never miss another shot! Quickly access your camera without taking off the backpack. Simply rotate the integrated belt pack to the front of your body and your camera is at your fingertips. Built for outdoor adventure with weather resistant materials and a 10-point adjustable harness for all-day...
www.thinktankphoto.com www.thinktankphoto.com



There are 3 sizes: 22l, 34l and 50+. I have the 34l versión with a Peak Design Capture clip and it is great to carry 2 cameras, a small one and a big one inside the rotation bag.
 
Markuswelder said:
I used to think the same, but if someone's scoping you out, -well in my case anyway, they're going to see the camera appear if they watch me for any more than about a minute anyway. Most of the time I've got my camera in hand -not flapping around on a strap from my neck, as I'm wandering around strange cities/places, so it takes even less powers of deduction to figure out what's in the bag.
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The way I deal with it is using old bags I pick up at sales; I figure if the bag looks old and worn, it’s much less tempting than something shiny and new.
 
I have multiple bags but it's been many years since I bought one new rather than used. Like exercise equipment, camera bags fall into the category of people buy them and then barely use them, then sell them on years later in good-as-new condition.
 
xaviergut said:
I still use this one for hikings:

www.thinktankphoto.com

Rotation 22L

Never miss another shot! Quickly access your camera without taking off the backpack. Simply rotate the integrated belt pack to the front of your body and your camera is at your fingertips. Built for outdoor adventure with weather resistant materials and a 10-point adjustable harness for all-day...
www.thinktankphoto.com www.thinktankphoto.com



There are 3 sizes: 22l, 34l and 50+. I have the 34l versión with a Peak Design Capture clip and it is great to carry 2 cameras, a small one and a big one inside the rotation bag.
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Pretty cool idea, but it's a big backpack to only hold a little bit of camera gear. I suppose you could try and stack stuff inside the other main compartment, but then you're back to packing lenses in sleeves etc, and dropping the bag to the ground to access them.
 
Markuswelder said:
Pretty cool idea, but it's a big backpack to only hold a little bit of camera gear. I suppose you could try and stack stuff inside the other main compartment, but then you're back to packing lenses in sleeves etc, and dropping the bag to the ground to access them.
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Yes, in the 34l version I was able to put 1 camera with the 24-70mm and the 14-28mm in the extra compartment of the rotation bag. But as you say, if you want to carry extra gear you have to use the main compartment. It has an extra mini bag to carry the tripod outside the bag.
 
The Rigger said:
I'm constantly saying that I f I'd known it was gonna hurt this much to get this old, I'd've taken a lot better care of myself back when I was young 'n' pretty.
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It would be nice if I'd actually had any control over mine, unfortunately my worst injuries have been completely and totally of my control.
 
Man, how reassuring to see that every photographer seems to struggle with finding the perfect backpack. I've gone and taken the route of Dirk most days - Slide Lite and that's it. Most times, I wanna shoot with my 35mm F1.2 anyway, so I don't need much else.

But boy when I do wanna use "more" equipment things tend to get... very complicated. Like, my typical kit on a day where I wanna be a bit more flexible, like attending an event, might look like this:
- AD200 Pro x 2
- Normal Sized Light stand (so something like 1,50-2m when fully extended)
- optionally also a smaller light stand (Less than 1,50m when fully extended)
- Inflatable bulb softbox (surprisingly good!) + pump
- Batteries of all kinds
- Various modifiers for the AD200 Pro like gels, different kinds of heads for the unit etc.
- Why not throw in another lens just in case? 24 - 70 S Pro, here we go!
- What about something to stay hydrated or a snack or two?

And suddenly I look at a logistical nightmare that just can't be handled without hiring a whole freight company. I don't really wanna schlepp a 10 kg backpack when I am going to be out for several hours, walking around and doing god knows what. Most times I just end up grabbing one of those huge blue IKEA bags and throwing everything inside while hoping that I won't actually do al that much carrying. At least I don't have to think too much about packing and getting everything to fit in such a scenario.
But I am still searching for the optimal solution. Maybe in the future I can get a drone that'll follow me and carry all my equipment for me?
 
Last trip I wished I had brought my too small for three but big enough for 2 lenses messenger bag.

I have a non photo gear messenger style canvas, and I like how that goes around your body. So I researched a Domke F-3X. Found one as good as new for 75€ and collected it today after trying it out. What a nice bag is that. And it holds the 16-35, 24-60 and 100 macro at a breeze. Love how it forms comfortable around your body. This one is gonna stay, and doesn’t scream photobag either. IMG_6816.jpegIMG_6815.jpegO
 
As to follow-up to my last message, I’ve been using this Domke F-3X during my current trip, and finally landed on a bag I really like. For this current trip in the Vosges, France. i brought the S5ii with me, together with 16-35, 24-60 and 28-200. They fit all three easily but that would also have been the case with my old messenger bag.

My old Lowepro was a more rigid kind of messenger bag, thick padding all around and on the bottom. It was wider but smaller. The Domke is the opposite. Thick quality canvas and a padded bottom, and two sown in canvas non removable lens pockets which fall flat if empty. Those two pockets have Velcro on them to insert some bag insertions if you like.

I added two padding, one through the middle to help the camera stay top dow,, lens pointed to the bottom. And one to the back of the bag, between my hip and the camera, to protect me :cool: .

Anyway, on a day trip I most of the time pick two lenses and a 700ml water bottle to take with me. City trip the 16-35 + 28-200, museum 24-60 + 16-35. What I like the most is that it is not rigid. It form around the body/hip. With old rigid messenger bag all the weight was pushing to one particular point on the hip. Making it sore on that point half way through a day trip. This Domke distributes it so much better and not creating a sore spot.
Wish I had this bag with me to Italy. Yesterday we had like 33 celsius and no problem carrying this bag.

Just before the trip I bought This camera strap. It can be used on the same Peak Design anchors, High quality nylon, leather and metal connection points and much better for me then the peak design leash I already had. But the PD Slide and PD Slide lite are now way way overpriced at €65 and €80. If I leave the camera bag in the car I use this strap and I love it. If I take the bag I use the PD Cuff.

I bought the leash/cuff combo when I had the much smaller/lighter Fuji X- S10. The leash was just a bit too small for the S5ii with a 500+ gram lens to carry all day before getting annoying.
 
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