… still looking for the perfect camera bag? 😂 A quick google search for “perfect camera bag” gives me 118,000,000 hits. There is always someone suggesting the best camera bag for travel, backpacking, street photography, weddings and so forth. But I’m afraid we are all going to be disappointed because there ain’t one.
Daily, I normally carry a camera with a lens attached, a journal, my fountain pens, a kindle paperwhite, sometimes a book, a smartphone, spare battery and SD cards. I seldom carry my 13″ Macbook Pro anymore. If’n I’m going to the coffee shop with the above then all I need is camera bag A or A1 or A2. If’n I’m going to a natural area for nature photos then a camera body with two lens and binoculars are what I need and fits in camera bag B, or B1 or B2 or B3. Maybe what I need is a bag that morphs into what I want for that day. I just put in what I’m going to carry for the day and it shapes itself to my needs. And all for only $49. Or maybe I need to give up. But I’m still looking. Sigh!
8 Comments
Faye
Good luck with that search. When I packed up my house to move I donated at least ten camera bags, including a very pricey one. The one I use now is a Kelly Moore (it doesn’tlook like a camera bag), but there’s no room for anything extra. I have a larger one if I’m traveling and packing extra lenses.
Monte Stevens
Wow, I checked out the Kelly Moore bags and they are sweet. I now have 3 bags I use. One is a Lowepro backpack, a Topo backpack and a Timbuktu messenger bag. Both the Timbuktu and the Topo bags I use with a camera insert. I honestly seldom use the Timbuktu bag and switch between the two backpacks. Switching between the two bags is not what I want. Not sure I will find that one bag. With aging and a bad back I may just want to settle for a simple shoulder bag with minimal room that limits me from trying to carry too much. I also do not hike as much but short simple walks.
Joe
I think we carry close to the same kit and I’ve found the Think Tank line perfect for me. The Urban Approach model is especially nice for my mirrorless kit. For the D800 and a heavier lens, filters etc I use the Think Tank Retrospective 7. Both have been with me for years now. I’ve had 5-6 other bags over the years but these two are as close to perfect as I need.
Monte Stevens
I have looked at the Retrospective 7. I think it would meet most of my needs. I like how it looks and it’s price is comfortable for my wallet. At one time I had the Retrospective 10 and loved it. I used it when I worked as a flight attendant, placing it over my carry-on bag. When I went to the smaller Fujifilm cameras I felt that bag was more than I needed and thus started using the Timbuktu messenger bag. The backpack is probably more comfortable, especially when hiking. But I do little hiking anymore, mostly walking nature trails with less gear. I’m intrigued by Peak Designs Everyday Backpack but it is way too pricey for me and may be larger than I need. Yet if its the only bag I have, rather than two, it may be cheaper. If I pull the trigger and buy another bag I’ll let you know. Of course, we all know that a better bag will make us a better photographer.
Faye
The Retrospective 7 looks very nice. One requirement I have is NO VELCRO. It’s like nails on a blackboard to me. 😄
Monte Stevens
I totally relate however they have a couple ways to eliminate that issue which I probably would use.
Tom Dills
When I’m carrying all my gear I have an ancient Tamrac backpack that holds everything except a laptop (it was designed before laptops could fit in a backpack!). I have a Think Tank shoulder bag (forget the name and it’s at home) that holds a body and 2-4 lenses, depending on which lenses. My most used approach these days is a Tenba insert that goes in a boring, cheap, black Case Logic backpack that also holds my laptop. The insert holds a body with lens with two extra compartments for lenses or binoculars and there is a separate outer bag that turns it into a shoulder bag in a pinch. The best approach for me is to not use a bag at all, since having the camera in a bag makes it hard to take pictures!
Monte Stevens
Seems we all have similar ways of carrying our gear. The insert I have now is not quite big enough to fit the X-T3 but does fit my X-T10. I so agree that the best way is to have the camera in my hands or around my neck. When working as a flight attendant I had a small 11L backpack that carried my journal, kindle and fountain pens while the camera was across my chest. It really does work well. Glad you reminded me of that setup. Have a wonderful weekend!