The Problem With Camera Bags No One Talks About.

Use Code: Holden70

Not all camera bags are created equal and that's a problem we must face. While there are premium options out there, many of us fall into the trap that any camera bag is better than a good 'normal' bag. Street photographers, filmmakers and other creatives with cameras have more choices than they might think. But what is the problem and solution for today's camera bags?

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#streetphotography #camera #bag

[GeorgeHolden]

Check out MPB here and grab a used camera deal!

[alexcortez]

As someone who shoots for a living, I gravitate toward roller bags which contain every single equipment I could possibly need for the shoot. I don’t worry about weight at all since I’m not carrying anything on my back and I almost always drive to the location. Plus, I’ve broken a few equipment due to accidentally dropping bags. Carrying everything in a roller is both safer and more comfortable.

[PhotoTrekr]

First let me say that I'm as guilty as anyone of having purchased way more camera bags than I actually need. And this whole subject falls under the category of todays state of the art becoming tomorrows trash which is a pet peeve of mine. Just because something was made in the past, maybe even just last year, doesn't mean it's no longer useful today. But, as with any gear, find what works for you. And don't feel pressured to buy the latest and greatest just because it is the latest and greatest.

[RhettegettBorshow]

I've just reached this point in my photographic journey this year after a couple of years of messing about with gear. My misguided thinking was that I want to take my camera everywhere, so I wanted to find a camera bag that can also function as a regular bag. This is where I was wrong. Camera backpacks are only really good for hauling camera gear, they aren't very functional beyond that. So just as I've decided not to bring a lot of lenses with me all the time I no longer need a bag that can carry all of that in an everyday scenario. That's a relief!

[JoshSherrill]

I think an often overlooked downside of camera bags is that they advertise that you are carrying camera gear. So depending on where you live or are traveling, it may put you at a bit higher risk of not only losing your camera gear but also your $400 backpack. Great video that really resonated with me!

[internetquickie]

As someone who is into photography and coffee, I love the cutaway shots in the intro and yes both hobbies can be just as expensive...I chose poorly

[louisrafaelcom]

Thinktank and LowePro have been my go to brands for over 15 years now - they've always stood the test of time for me and I've only changed things up to adjust the way I carry things (Rolling suitcase vs. backpack) and due to expansion of what I take with me because I've become a hybrid shooter. If you're not shooting professionally, any bag will do, but if you're shooting events and things that require quick access to different lenses, battery replacements and so on, you really shouldn't rely on a normal bag. In addition, it would be negligent of anyone to just throw $20k of equipment into a bag without proper protection between individual items.

[batuhancokmar]

I also use camera bag/insert inside a normal backpack combination a lot. If I want more gear than usual, I put two camera inserts on top of each other and still have room for some snacks and a water bottle on top. One other "solution" for camera bags is knowing you don't even need a bag all the time. If I really want to travel light, a strap around the neck works just fine for me.

[GregInda]

I've had the same issues. But my biggest issue with camera bags is that... they are camera bags. They're specialized. They've got pockets for everything photography related, but often don't leave space for other items I need. That can be water, snacks, maps, hiking poles, first aid kit, etc. I find that outdoor bags conform better to accommodating photography kit than photography bags conforming to hiking and day to day kit.

So I end up having two hiking packs. One is large for when I'm out on a long hike. One is small for small hikes and walking through cities. And then I have one photography bag from Think Tank that I consider my filing cabinet. I generally store gear in there and pull it out depending on what project I'm working on.

[karmatraining]

I face a different issue: living in subtropical Australia, it rains OFTEN and it rains HARD, we get the edges of the monsoon troughs here so sometimes it will rain for 2 weeks continuously. And I'm on a bicycle. So I grabbed DECAMP watertight folding bag. It's actually designed for people who literally need to cross rivers during hikes, so it is airtight and made of really tough PVC. But it also has a laptop compartment and all that good stuff inside the watertight compartment. And obviously that's where my camera gear lives too. An absolute lifesaver.

[olekallovvild]

that is why I purchased an insulated padded lunch bag and it works great $30.

[fintux]

I guess it depends also a lot on what you photograph. I photograph in the nature. I want a bag that does not let in water (doesn't need to be waterproof, but anyways), that I can put on the ground without worrying too much of a rock happening to be there and that I can quickly get the camera out of (it is not practical to carry the camera on you in the nature as you can too easily hit something, it can throw you off balance, and a heavy lens quickly is straining your neck). So I prefer a bag that opens from the back side. I am not also that organized person, so I want to have my bag do the organization for me, so I really find the compartments coming in handy. Most of these qualities are not provided by a typical bag, but a good camera bag has these all. Perhaps if I did e.g. street photography, I would have chosen differently. But I started out with a shoulder bag, and after switching to a camera bag, I've not looked back.

[thomasuriarte]

Having a camera bag that doesn’t look like a camera bag! Very important piece of advice that a lot of photographers don’t think of very often. I ended of falling for the brevite marketing a couple of years back and got their black jumper. Love it for this purpose but I think I may even want to switch it up for a plain jansport or something comparable.

[billrudersdorf]

I’ve used diaper bags, a Hello Kitty branded bag, a trail running bag, but hardly ever a “camera bag”.

[evan]

I bring my PD everyday bag when I want to bring more lenses and my mic sure, but lots of times I just head out with a much smaller PD sling that fits my A7Iv and 50mm lens. Depends on what I’m capturing but I do really make use of all the lil pockets

[maxbembel]

Often enough I use a regular daypack with an insert as my camera bag. However one problem remains: The camera is always at the bottom and whenever you put something else in your bag you have to reach below it to grab your gear.

[vandalpaulius]

I recently shelled out a nice sum for Shimoda x70HD and honestly it's an amazing bag that fixed a lot of my issues with regular bags - when I'm on a trail grabbing drone or batteries or anything else it became 10 second job instead of 5 minute shuffle that makes main bag part - the one that goes on your back to roll in dirt. IMO that's the main feature of camera bags - back opening instead of front + ability to fit a camera cube at the bottom, to keep all the heavy stuff down low.

[justinmcdonald]

My first proper camera bag is the only one I need. It's built out of thick canvas, real leather, and has an interior of foam padding and what seems to be thick cotton. It wasn't expensive either! Less than $50!

[MSUTri]

It's nice to see all the talk about messenger bags where you just throw an organizer or small bag in, or a tiny bag with room for just a couple things. They're liberating as a photographer, to travel light and carry other things you need too. I even sometimes just carry a spare battery and hat in a musette bag!

I'm surprised I haven't read any comments about Domke yet. 50 years of basically unchanged production of durable, flexible canvas bags speaks for itself, I think.

I've had an F-3X for nearly 20 years, and the adaptability it has is amazing. Protection and flexible, foldable dividers where you need it, pockets that you need, and nothing you don't. I've never had the need for any other camera bag on the go, for any camera from a GR II or Rollei 35S to a D3 or even Pentax 645. An RB67 or large format camera would be a bit much though.

I eventually added a Domke F-2 for storage of gear I'm not carrying, but that's it. No more bags needed.

[stevenmassey]

What an absolutely great video. I have a LowePro Tactic 450. Nice bag, but certainly limited. I fell for the "camera bag" hypnosis. I have two cameras, and am now delving into astrophotography, so something more simple is tantamount to success. Thank you for such a truly inspiring revelation!