Camera Bags and what you expect from them

[chrlimsy123]

It's really a personal preference. For me, I look for a bag with adequate protection. Personally, I think lenses and body must not be compromised at the expense of asethetics. As for size, a set of 2 lenses, body and flashhead will weigh down on you; this is probably the most I'll carry, otherwise, I'll be exhausted. I thought a small/medium one for the majority, and large for the rest. SGD120 - 200 is a reasonable range.

 

[ziggy]

I usually shoot with 2 Ricoh GXR bodies or with a Fuji XE1 and a GXR, with lenses attached + 2 to 3 other M lenses. They sort of squeeze into a Think Thank Hubba Hiney waist pouch. Just a little longer, sort of an elongated waist pouch would be ideal.

As many are switching to mirrorless systems, I would design camera bags for this segment - stylish yet small, and remember to make them women-friendly (they usually buy more stuff than men, even if they don't need them).

 

[devilry]

no matter how good and how much protection ur bag can provide, it would be useless if it is heavy.

For comparison, I normally carry 15kg worth of gear everywhere I go, so if the bag is > 2kg, 3kg, 4kg, it's out of my purchase list.

I will only take it if the bag is less than 2kg, and best if it is less than 1 kg.

this is why companies like lowepro are stupid. Take their 600mm lens trekker cases for example. Ur 600mm lens + Two 1DXes + medium telephoto + wide angle + decent tripod with wimberley head and tripod + water is already going to break ur back, but yet stupid lowepro still designed the 600mm lens trekker casing to be 3kg+.

Obviously, the bags are designed by ppl who never carry such heavy loads before.

So before u go into even designing anything, or think abt watever fancy stuffs, u must think abt how to make the bag ultra light (<1kg).

Quote of the day from me: The bag is an unnecessary burden that doesn't add to ur photographic output. Minimise the burden as much as possible.

 

[Shinsengumi999]

What would be nice: a Logistics Manager type of bag that's slightly longer (to take longer lightstands - if it can be long enough to take a collapsed lightstand with a small head on - that would be great) with bigger, sturdier wheels, more rugged construction, with a compartment sized for your typical 17/18 inch laptop - say an MX17 - and associated cables/chargers for knicknacks. nice if you can design the laptop compartment that it can be used as a shade for the laptop so you can still see the screen clearly on an outdoor shoot in broad daylight. Everything internal please - no need for the gobbledygook straps, fasteners and what not. Good zippers and carrying handle, water resistance like TT's, Don't care about style as long as its black, zippers, stitching, fabric are all good. Prefer a soft case over pelican - which has small dinky wheels anyway, and is quite wasteful in terms of the space taken up by all that foam. The long lightstand case with red trim (which I also have) which every online shop (tagotech, studiooutfitters, etc.) sells has lousy wheels, a lousy "handle", and has zippers that jam and do not inspire confidence. Essentially a longer off-road version of a Thinktank Logistics Mgr at about same or lower price - S$600-700 is alright as long as the warranty is just as good as TT's.

Alternatively, a smaller dedicated rolling lightstand bag with big solid wheels, sturdy plastic housing around the axle area of the wheels would be nice too, maybe holding 3 or 4 lightstands. Softcase please. $300 I think is fair. Built in cable lock to tie it to stuff will be nice but not needed if it takes up too much space.

Current bags are a TT Airport Takeoff, Navigator, UD 70, Bazooka, Lowepro Computrekker, two toploaders, 3 Nova 5s - mix of lens cases and various smaller bags, TT and Lowepro belt systems.

 

[daredevil123]

What would be nice: a Logistics Manager type of bag that's slightly longer (to take longer lightstands - if it can be long enough to take a collapsed lightstand with a small head on - that would be great) with bigger, sturdier wheels, more rugged construction, with a compartment sized for your typical 17/18 inch laptop - say an MX17 - and associated cables/chargers for knicknacks. nice if you can design the laptop compartment that it can be used as a shade for the laptop so you can still see the screen clearly on an outdoor shoot in broad daylight. Everything internal please - no need for the gobbledygook straps, fasteners and what not. Good zippers and carrying handle, water resistance like TT's, Don't care about style as long as its black, zippers, stitching, fabric are all good. Prefer a soft case over pelican - which has small dinky wheels anyway, and is quite wasteful in terms of the space taken up by all that foam. The long lightstand case with red trim (which I also have) which every online shop (tagotech, studiooutfitters, etc.) sells has lousy wheels, a lousy "handle", and has zippers that jam and do not inspire confidence. Essentially a longer off-road version of a Thinktank Logistics Mgr at about same or lower price - S$600-700 is alright as long as the warranty is just as good as TT's.

Alternatively, a smaller dedicated rolling lightstand bag with big solid wheels, sturdy plastic housing around the axle area of the wheels would be nice too, maybe holding 3 or 4 lightstands. Softcase please. $300 I think is fair. Built in cable lock to tie it to stuff will be nice but not needed if it takes up too much space.

Current bags are a TT Airport Takeoff, Navigator, UD 70, Bazooka, Lowepro Computrekker, two toploaders, 3 Nova 5s - mix of lens cases and various smaller bags, TT and Lowepro belt systems.

Sometimes we want everything to be perfect, and meet all our requirements, but in the end, we need to understand that manufacturers are in business as well. What meets our specific needs may not be economically viable to make. What I say is, improvise.

 

[dodgethis]

no matter how good and how much protection ur bag can provide, it would be useless if it is heavy.

For comparison, I normally carry 15kg worth of gear everywhere I go, so if the bag is > 2kg, 3kg, 4kg, it's out of my purchase list.

I will only take it if the bag is less than 2kg, and best if it is less than 1 kg.

this is why companies like lowepro are stupid. Take their 600mm lens trekker cases for example. Ur 600mm lens + Two 1DXes + medium telephoto + wide angle + decent tripod with wimberley head and tripod + water is already going to break ur back, but yet stupid lowepro still designed the 600mm lens trekker casing to be 3kg+.

Obviously, the bags are designed by ppl who never carry such heavy loads before.

So before u go into even designing anything, or think abt watever fancy stuffs, u must think abt how to make the bag ultra light (<1kg).

Quote of the day from me: The bag is an unnecessary burden that doesn't add to ur photographic output. Minimise the burden as much as possible.

You can't always have your cake and eat it.

 

[Turbonetics]

I hope we have a bag that is able to absorb shock effectively to protect the gears,with adjustable inserts,comfortable paddings,with trolley,work as a dry cabinet and cool design.

 

[Turbonetics]

no matter how good and how much protection ur bag can provide, it would be useless if it is heavy.

For comparison, I normally carry 15kg worth of gear everywhere I go, so if the bag is > 2kg, 3kg, 4kg, it's out of my purchase list.

I will only take it if the bag is less than 2kg, and best if it is less than 1 kg.

this is why companies like lowepro are stupid. Take their 600mm lens trekker cases for example. Ur 600mm lens + Two 1DXes + medium telephoto + wide angle + decent tripod with wimberley head and tripod + water is already going to break ur back, but yet stupid lowepro still designed the 600mm lens trekker casing to be 3kg+.

Obviously, the bags are designed by ppl who never carry such heavy loads before.

So before u go into even designing anything, or think abt watever fancy stuffs, u must think abt how to make the bag ultra light (<1kg).

Quote of the day from me: The bag is an unnecessary burden that doesn't add to ur photographic output. Minimise the burden as much as possible.

Not sure if trolley bags are in your list?
Iam using the Xcenior 62T,u may wish to take a look at it.

 

[felixcat8888]

I have used LowePro Mini Trekker AW, Crumpler 6MDH, Kata DL-210 BumbleBee and I recently got a Bilingham Hadley Pro and I find myself using the Bilingham and Kata more often. The Crumpler has followed me overseas 2X so far.

I am still trying to see which bag actually suits my style of shooting but have not really got a right fit as I only carry my tripod once in a while.

 

[Fieryeel]

If going by Cambridge satchel design, I would like a bag that screams, "I am a photographer!" (I don't mean literal words on the side)

Reason being, I am using a Mirrorless Camera, and I don't want people to assume I am simply holding a compact camera. I find that people take me more seriously, and pose better if I can at least give the impression of being a serious photographer, rather than a tourist. In short, I don't want people to go, "Why is that guy randomly shooting stuff with his camera, is he a tourist?" but instead I want, "Oh he's a photographer. Probably on a task, or his hobby I guess."

Aesthetics aside, the satchel should have a compartment for my mirrorless, at least 2 lens, cleaning kit/accessories, and at least 1 more compartment for stuff like water bottle/notebook/pencil etc.

 

[galovesongs]

I used a Lowerpro bag. But unfortunately for a beginner like me, it was way too big (i carry at most 2 lens and it's suitable for 3 lens), and somehow parts of it became worn out/rubbery after use

I would say the next bag I get would be something that looks aesthetically pleasing, but yet small enough for me to put everything I need.

One thing I noticed about myself is that I won't put other things in my camera bag (e.g. water bottle, wallet, etc) hence I have to make it is small enough to allow me to carry another bag.

 

[Berkins]

filson bags would be good style wise

Agree on this. After picking up a Filson, my billingham and domke are collecting dust.

 

[ckwomdem10]

i don't like to carry big heavy bags, reason i am using m43. small, discreet, good looking.

have a hadley small and ona bowery, they are good and does its job well, i also use them occassionally even when not carrying any camera.

but, still finds them to be lacking. either in looks and/or functionality...still searching for the perfect one...

 

[Berkins]

i don't like to carry big heavy bags, reason i am using m43. small, discreet, good looking.

have a hadley small and ona bowery, they are good and does its job well, i also use them occassionally even when not carrying any camera.

but, still finds them to be lacking. either in looks and/or functionality...still searching for the perfect one...

Tried Brady?

 

[ckwomdem10]

Tried Brady?

don't like the tapered bell shape of Brady and need to get separate inserts. if given a choice i'll choose the hadley small again.

 

[keithwee]

I've tried a lot of brands and now am down to just an Oberwerth München.

Why I picked that in the end:

1. It doesn't look like a camera bag, at all.
2. It has very practical compartments, like the Billingham Hadley Pro for example.
3. It is superbly well constructed: every single thread, seam, fold is hand made.
4. It's made of very good materials that I appreciate,
5. It is going to be very durable, I change cameras fast - but if I like a bag, i stick to it.
6. Most of all, it has very good protection for my equipment, think air-cushioned inserts - with even a cut resistant device built into the straps.

 

[Nikonzen]

I wanted something not so readily available so I had to resort to DIY tactics on my bag. I wanted a cross chest sling style bag that hangs right at my hip so what I did was went to Bass Pro Shop and bought a duck hunters fanny pack. I cut the straps off and replaced them with a shoulder strap. Holds my F2 and D5K or one camera and a couple of lenses. Would like to make one a tiny bit bigger to hold like a Df and 4 lenses.