Pack Your Bag

[Bill Pierce]

I wonder how people carry their cameras. I know most rangefinder photographers just sling a camera over their shoulder and go shoot. But how do you carry gear when you have a lot to carry?

When I used to get on a plane, I shipped gear as luggage in Haliburtons; I even had a case that held 4 smaller cases. Tipping a skycap was insurance enough. But that isn’t enough today, and if I can’t carry it on board - cameras, clothes, whatever - I get shipped by FedEx to meet me at my destination.

I find that I get the most on to a plane by using a backpack and a fisherman’s vest.

And that philosophy has extended to when I’m shooting. Rather than a gadget bag, when I’m out shooting with more than a single camera I find myself using a smaller backpack and perhaps a fishing vest.

I love gadget bags. I must have a zillion of them. But I’m not using them anymore. Am I an idiot? What is everybody else doing? And why?

[Pickett Wilson]

I usually use one of the belts with the attached pouches to hold lenses, etc and the cameras around my neck or on my shoulder when out shooting something specific. Otherwise, it a single M with a single lens. I really love the Luigi strap, but I also use Domke's and Upstraps.

[photobizzz]

I end up carrying my gear in a Naneu Pro Lima (everything except the FSUs in my sig line) and just taking a camera with lens mounted and maybe another in my pocket when I leave my car. The bag isn't too big or heavy but I just dont like the feeling of walking around all day with a bag on my shoulder, especially in the heat. When I was down in Mexico walking around town on my last vacation I did carry it with the gear I had at the time, but ended up wishing I hadn't several hours in.

[newsgrunt]

Travelling=Think Tank Airport Int'l holding a 200-400, D3, 14-24 and accessories. Domke F2 has second D3, 24-70, 70-200, 85 1.4 and Pixelpocket full of cards, lots of spare camera batteries etc.. Would love to go lighter but ya gotta carry on enough gear to work if baggage goes awol.

For carrying the MP, Domke 802 that holds 35,50 and heaps of film. 21 is on the camera.

[Freakscene]

I carry my gear (usually 35/1.4, 50/2, 50/1, 75/1.4 + MP, M7, M8 + batteries and chargers) onto aircraft in a Crumpler 'Keystone' back pack along with my 13" Macbook. Film goes separately in clear ziplock bags in a bag that I also put a warm garment into.

Walking around or travelling light I carry 2 bodies and 2-3 lenses in a Crumpler 'Quarfie' with the matching bucket padded insert. I travel a lot.

Marty

[Nando]

I use a ThinkTank Airport Antidote when travelling by air and take it with me as a carry-on. My M-Classics bag will be inside. I usually have other stuff in there besides camera gear. When I get to my destination, I just use my M-Classics bag.

[craygc]

If its a Leica M system then just a Domke FX5B - nice and easy. However, this year Ive been diligently working on how to carry a 35mm system and the Mamiya 7s.

Personally, I don't use the two systems for the same things so I don't get have a problem of which system to have in hand. Its more about how do I carry the Mamiya's and allow myself the speed and flexibility to use the 35mm system.

The best solution Ive found so far is with a Think Tank Airport Antidote backpack in conjunction with one of their belt systems. Firstly, everything fits into the backpack for traveling, but the clincher for me was that the Mamiya 7s fit in edge ways. That means I can carry 2 M7II bodies with the lenses attached and keep the external finder for the 43mm attached to the body.

With the belt system, I have two pouches on each side around the kidney area. This allows reach access to swap lenses into and carry film yet doesn't really interfere with natural arm swing. This works for either a Leica M system (21mm f/2.8, 35mm f/1.4, 90mm f/2 & light meter) or the Nikon F3HP with (20mm f/2.8, VC 40mm f/2, 85mm f/1.4 AIS lens)

Nothing is perfect but so far this seems to be working ok...

[kbg32]

I mostly use a very small Timbuk2 bag. Holds a M8 body with lens attached and an extra lens or two, 2 extra batteries, phone, and sunglasses.

[marke]

If traveling light (one lens/one body), it's just as you said, Bill...slung over my shoulder. Sometimes even an extra lens in a coat pocket, with film in the opposite pocket. And to carry more, I've also given up on the bags. They are great for carrying things from one place to another, but no matter which one I use, they just end up being a pain.

I'm pretty much been using my old beaten up and tattered Domke vest. I might look geeky, but I find it's still the most comfortable to carry gear and to shoot from.

[Frank Petronio]

I gave up on camera and computer bags and bought a $39 EMS student backpack (1800 ci) with a computer sleeve. It takes a 15" MacBook Pro; a 4x5 Crown Graphic with a dozen holders; a 35mm rangefinder; Pany G1 w kit lens (waiting on that 20mm) and all the associated cables, cards, chargers, film, a spare t-shirt, socks and drawers, toiletries, book, a flask of good bourbon and various office supplies.

When I go through security I learned to just pull the laptop and the cameras and film out ahead of time and put it all in the trays. I get searched no matter what (I'm dark) so it actually saves time.

On location and socializing I just walk around with the G1. I use the 35mm in the hotel room and in the car. And when I really shoot I use the 4x5.

Lights and tripod and my other clothes are all checked into a lightweight >45 lb Liteware 33 x 12 x 12" cargo bag. It even holds a fat skateboard and pads for trips to SoCal.

I really like the Thinktank line but the unpadded daypacks are even lighter and less conspicuous. If I had a lot of slr lenses they are the way to go but I am a camera with one lens sort of guy.

[Trius]

I don't like working out of backpacks, and I have a hard time with them (physically) anyway. The last time I sucessfully used a backpack was > 20 years ago, when I took a medium to large EastPak internal frame pack, fitted it with a foam insert that I cut to acccommodate my Toyo 45A, three lenses and holders. Working with 4x5 in the field is a whole different thing from 35mm/M, of course. It would have been too large for a plane, however.

I travel with and use a Domke F6, aka "Little Bit Smaller" in canvas. It nicely accomodates two RFs with lenses, another lens or two, film, small notebook, gadgets, etc. For a DSLR (horror), I would probably have an F5 available as well. However, I am considering the Domke F802 to accommodate a one or two body kit and a laptop. I'll have a good look at Frank's and see what I think.

On my belt I have a Tamrac SAS MXS5336 pouch, which carries my iPod Touch with in-ear headset, business cards, two pens and a single AAA cell LED flashlight. It is oversized for the iTouch, but all those items fit nicely, and it would easily accommodate a larger PDA, a smartphone, etc. The only negatives are that it is nylon (I prefer canvas) and black -- I don't care for black; all my Domke cases are sand colour. But it is terrifically well made, with the belt loop having both velcro and a snap;it is made to attach to camera bag straps, hence the loop is not sewn in.

I have a nice photo vest, but I don't use it much. I find I tend to fill up all the pockets (my fault, not the vest's!), which weighs me down and makes me hot. Maybe I should give it another shot, exercise some self-discipline and not fill every one of the 23 pockets. :D

[Rob-F]

I've taken my Domke 803 on the last half-dozen airline trips. Sometimes I fill it with 2 or even 3 M bodies and 4 lenses. On the last trip (Europe) I had 2 IIIc bodies and 4 lenses for them in the 803, which goes under the seat. Then I had an M body with 40mm in my carryon bag, which also held a couple of P&S digitals. I put an empty F5XB in my checked bag, as some days I prefer the smaller bag for walking around with.

I've reached the same conclusion as Frank fro getting through security. I lay a ziplock bag full of film in the tray. That way they know what they are looking at, and don't have to run a heavily stuffed bag back and forth through the X-ray, with the film in it, while they try to figure out what's in there. It's OK for the unloaded cameras to be in the bag, they can zap them as much as they want and it won't hurt.

At CDG airport the French girl at the X-ray machine questioned my putting the film in the tray. I said, "Oui, ca va" and she ran it through. When I developed the film, everything was fine.

There are some good ideas above. I'll be reading back through them carefully!

[35mmdelux]

I carry a small Tamrac Adventurer 7 daypack. Carries a couple cameras, lots of film, cell, maps, plenty of room and because its small/light I can take long treks through the city or wilderness.

[back alley]

i'm old and rarely carry lots of gear.
mostly 2 bodies with lenses attached, maybe a third lens seperate along with extra batteries...all in a domke 5xb, and i use wrist straps too.

i have 2 domke f6 bags that are mostly used for storage lately. if i were to ever get on a plane i would use them also. i sometimes carry a dell netbook, very small.

[wjlapier]

Domke F-5XB. If I take my full RFer kit it's too heavy. If I leave the Nikkor 13.5/3.5 and Leica 90/2 I'm just about rght weight-wise. Two M bodies and two lenses, film and extra goodies and it's a perfect setup.

But typically, I have one body on my chest and another in the bag. I actually find it difficult to use two bodies and different lenses. If both bodies were the same maybe not.

[kermaier]

I use a small LL Bean cross-body one-shoulder sling bag containing my R-D1 in an A&A Rina zip case, plus a few lenses in individual cases -- I like the Voigtlander two-part cases to hold a lens and matching hood (after I pull the molded foam finder insert out of the top compartment) -- and I throw into the pockets my extra batteries, SD cards, wipe cloth, etc.

::Ari

[35mmdelux]

i'm old and rarely carry lots of gear.


Old at 58? Dont think so.

[back alley]

i feel old...

[dufffader]

I usually use one of the belts with the attached pouches to hold lenses, etc and the cameras around my neck or on my shoulder when out shooting something specific. Otherwise, it a single M with a single lens. I really love the Luigi strap, but I also use Domke's and Upstraps.

One of those thinktank lens pouches make a very good case for an M with a mid sized lens (think summicrons). I either attach that to one of the loops in my backpack or just attach it to my belt. Allows me to keep the rangefinder out of the way when I have plenty others to carry.

[35mmdelux]

Fisherman vests yell, hey Im a lost fisherman or a photographer on location.

Shoulder bags just dont work for me because when I walk I walk. A shoulder bag would jack up my neck. My last shoulder bag was nothing more than storage. Ditto jumping a plane. Going down the aisle with a small case AND shoulder bag not good prescription.

[35mmdelux]

i feel old...

Mind over matter. At 57 (June 20) I refuse to grow up.

[back alley]

Mind over matter. At 57 (June 20) I refuse to grow up.

2 different things...

i often say that i am too old to be this immature ;)

[drewbarb]

If you're one of those "just a camera over my shoulder" folks, but want a small pouch to hold your camera in transit, check out the Delsey GoPix 20. It's a perfect carry pouch for a body and lens. I rarely carry it while shooting; but it's very often where my camera lives when it's not working.

It's lightly padded, has a zip top on it's one pocket; loops on the back allow you to put it on a belt, and it has a thin shoulder strap that attaches with clips- that's it. I can cram a surprising amount of gear in this thing. An M body and a 50 DR, maybe shove in a CV 21 Skopar, and a small meter, and shove this in my carry on when I fly.

[Tuolumne]

I have almost every bag made. Most of them don't work for me. My current favorite is a National Geographic small canvas shoulder bag. My current small kit: Lumix G1, kit lens, 45-200mm tele lens and Leica Summarit 75mm and 50mm Summicron all fit handily in it. With the light camera kit and light bag, it's easy for me to go all day, and I am not that athletic anymore. After using numerous camera bags, I discovered that the weight of many bags is a non-trivial issue. Hence, I now tend to eschew those bags in favor of smaller lighter ones.

/T

[kshapero]

If it doesn't fit into this bag then it doesn't go on the trip:
http://www.artisanandartist.com/bags/images/acam1100-main.jpg

http://www.artisanandartist.com/bags/images/acam1100-open.jpg

[rbiemer]

Four times a year I carry all my stuff from where I live to where I work--I maintain two residences and live one about ten months and the other about two--and so far have been using some store brand shoulder bag. Not a good solution, I am going to get a large Pelican case for the trips back and forth. Once I'm here, I rarely use any bag. Usually just carry the camera by its strap over my shoulder and the other stuff in my pocket(s). Typically that means one other lens and its hood, 3 or 4 rolls of film, and occasionally a few filters.
Rob

[kuvvy]

My 'flight bag' is usually my Billingham Hadley, think it's the smaller one. Holds my gear plus i-pod, book, passport etc then once at the hotel I tranfer the gear I want to use to something smaller. Used to be Domke 5xb but next time it will the Bare Bones Bag.

[Dogman]

I seldom fly anywhere so I can take as much equipment as I want when I travel by auto. But I don't carry much anymore. A single Canon DSLR has replaced two Canon film bodies and a big bag of Pentax medium format equipment. I'm still debating on leaving the M6's at home on my next trip and just using a Canon G10 and a tiny little Lumix FX37 that I've grown particularly fond of. Even when I carried 4-5 bags of equipment, I got to where I seldom used a bag when shooting, wearing my equipment in a photo vest instead. The only bags I've found that functioned well while shooting is a Billingham Pro-Hadley I used with the Leicas and a cheap, unbranded messenger bag with a Domke satchel insert stuffed inside.

[F456]

Bags? Unless it's for photographs close to where I start walking, I don't even take my small Billingham 225 because there's nothing worse than being overladen when moving briskly. I just take a small amateur Photax shoulder bag and squeeze in a Nikon F2 or F3HP with 35/1.4 mounted plus a 105/2.5 tucked on top in a Nikon no.61 leather drawstring pouch. If it's night time it will be the same set up but maybe a Noct instead of the other two lenses. The sort of photography I do doesn't normally need a tripod so even the Leitz table tripod gets left out of this set-up. I can squeeze in the Sekonic meter and 3 or 4 rolls of film with extras in my pockets if needed. Digging around usually throws up some spare button cells.

If it's a case of shorter distances, e.g. from a coach, then it is the Billingham 225, with a Leica M system (2 bodies with lenses plus maybe 2 or 3 spare lenses) and the small but stable Leitz table tripod. Maybe a small SF20 fixed head flash for receptions and that sort of thing. Film and some cells.

Why F3 for minimal kit but M cameras for the fuller system? i prefer the speed of handling an M but am fed up with the number of times rangefinder and even lens have gone out of alignment in the course of travel. The Nikons have had far fewer trips to the repair shop for adjustment, so I'm happier to let them take the jolts of travel in a lighter weight case and somehow I feel more confident they will keep working.

One Nikon with two 52mm thread lenses isn't heavy, but two bodies and four or five lenses are definitely more manageable if it's the compact M system.

And I like the excuse to use each of the systems!

HTH,
Tom



S

[notturtle]

domke F1. If I have more RF gear than I can fit in that then i remove things until they do fit. Any more than that and I will be losing more on maneuverability than I will gain from having more kit. I like to travel light. It opens doors.