In search of a Light weight bag pack for a safari

drmarkf wrote:

jeffharris wrote:

FrankS009 wrote:

Thanks. The Patagonia sling looks right handed to me. Always a problem with slings. Would have to try it.

The strap rests on the right shoulder and the bag hangs on the left side, so the right arm is free. Swing it under the left arm to the front to access.

I'll often hang a lens case off the strap when I'm using a 2-lens set, for quick lens swaps. Sets like 7-14mm and 14-140mm or 17.5mm and 42.5mm.

My trouble with travelling light is that the combination of GM5, 20mm/1.7, Laowa 7.5/2, and Sigma 60/2.8 (sometimes) is so small and seductive, I tend to leave the GX8 at home.

The GM5 was a compelling camera… until I looked through the EVF. It's okay for rough composition, but I would not give up an EVF with the sort of size and detail the GX8's EVF has, especially using manual lenses.

I have an even smaller bag… Patagonia Atom Sling 8L that can carry 2 lenses inside a Mountainsmith Zoom. Extra battery iPhone, etc. fit, too. I hang a liter of water on the outside.

https://www.patagonia.com/product/atom-sling-bag-8-liters/48261.html?dwvar_48261_color=CNY&cgid=luggage-messenger-bags#tile-4=&start=1&sz=24

GX8 + my favorite Voigtländer trio: 17.5mm, 42.5mm & 75mm f2.5 Color Heliar.

Good setup - I’ve got several similar options with generic camera inserts used inside small rucksacks and sling bags.

Yeah, I have some smaller bags that work with separate lens cases. It's great having that sort of flexibility to use ANY bag for minimal or a maximal kit depending on mood or activity.

I'll use some of my very small lenses… 20mm, Voigtländer 35mm f1.4, Jupiter 8 (50mm f2)… to cut down even further. I keep eying the Laowa 7.5 for the wide-end, too.

Yes, it’s such a shame that neither Oly nor Panasonic seem willing to recreate a slightly updated GM5 (or a proper m4/3 sensored compact). Combined with the GM5’s original lenses, or ideally a couple of weatherproof Pro quality primes/pancakes of modest aperture, I suspect a lot of us would buy one in a flash.

I'd be happy with a better EVF and a tilt screen, and I’d be perfectly happy with 16mp, and I’m not bothered about video (or really about IBIS). However, I suspect it’s pressure to include the latter two features that make it hard to achieve given current battery performance in something that’s small enough.

Indeed. A 2-way tilt screen and even a slightly better EVF would be great in the GM5 form factor.

A GX850 size is acceptable, but with 20MP sensor, a two-way tilt screen (not that idiotic "selfie" screen) and an EVF would be just fine. I much prefer the 4-way controller over the finicky dial, too. Good luck getting any of that.

We could fill out our camera wish lists forever and never get what we want. Oh well…