Great Non-Camera Bag Camera Bag

I like the way your sling looks. I had a backpack that I put an insert in for carrying the oly 12-100 and 300f4 plus camera Em1 ii. I always had to set it down to change lenses, which is a hassle if you have used either a sling or messenger.

I just got the tenba solstice 10L which looks a lot like what you are showing - long and narrow and relatively flat sling - with attachment points for small tripod, etc It holds all 3 quite nicely along with the batteries and 1.4 tc.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1408190-REG/tenba_636_423_solstice_sling_bag_10l.html

Thanks for sharing. It is good to see what others are using.

brent
 
The last few years I've been using a Patagonia Atom Stealth Sling fly fishing sling pack. It's served me well, but there were a few things that weren't quite right. The teardrop shape was okay, but the big blobby pouch on the back bothered me. I really wanted something more svelte and discreet.
That does look pretty darn bulbous! But I'm not sure I get the obsession with being discreet if you are walking around in a blaze orange vest. ;-)
People are so stunned by the orange they can't fathom anything else. Shock and awe!
So, going to Patagonia again, I saw a new version of the Stealth Sling. More flat and rectangular than the older version. Plus, more interior slots to keep stuff organized.
I'm a fan of Think Tank's sling bags. Their "20" has dimensions close to your new $160 Patagonia, and it costs only $100: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod..._photo_466_turnstyle_20_v2_0_convertible.html
I just don't like ThinkTank's aesthetics. I look at their stuff, but their designs do nothing for me.
You and others profess a preference for non-camera-bag bags for cameras, and I'm just not sure why. Is it that you think thieves have memorized all the brands of camera bags and go after them, but they'll look at you and think, "Ah, just some fishing line and hooks in there, nothing worth stealing," even though you also have a visible camera on a sling strap?
I never carry my camera in a bag. Maybe at the airport. Sometimes I carry one, or two or three or more lenses. Anyway, it's more of a thing that I can carry my lenses in ANY bag I have whenever I feel like it. I'm not limited to one bag or two. I don't like being limited.
Hey, buy whatever bag you like, it's no problem for me. I'm just commenting that I don't see that you have made a strong case for the Patagonia in any criteria: cost, weight, stealth, comfort, or photography features and functionality.
It's really a great bag. Great size, capacity carry comfort, accessibility and pretty nondescript. Perfect for me. It's not black! zzzzzzzzzzzzz AND it's not 6 inches deep like most camera bags I've seen, so it's flat, rides close to the body and stays out of the way.
I agree with another poster's comment that for backpackers hiking with a lot of non-photography gear, buying a true hiking backpack may make more sense than buying a photography backpack. But for just walking around during the day taking photos, I've found that bags designed for camera gear work great. My two cents.
To each his own . Exactly.
 
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Can you pay US$12 for a new camera bag designed for M43?

🙂😁
If you already own a suitable insert (Tenba BYOB or similar). then this makes for a good combination at no great expense...

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08G8H51P4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

(The material used for the currently-unavailable grey version is better, but the black's OK as well!)

Worked so nicely for our trip to Rome this last October - convenient way to carry mixes such as E-M10iv, Lumix 12-60 and 9-18 + 15mm - that I bought a second!
The bag looks interesting, I have small and large backpacks for travel but both have to be taken off to access a change of lens. Is it possible to rotate the bag to access kit, without taking the bag off? I see there are different Tenba BYOB inserts, what size do you use? I’d probably stick with separate items in neoprene pouches, including camera in Optech case.
That's the great thing about sling bags, you can quickly and easily swing it around in front to access lenses or to keep it secure.
Same as waist/fanny/butt packs,and very true. One big difference though is where the packs' weight puts the most pressure on your body: hips with a fanny pack (perfectly centered whether you swing it to the front or to the beack) and on one shoulder (off-axis) with a sling. The latter tends to cause pain after more than a short stroll, just as shoulder bags do. Note that a good waist pack can easily be used as a sling.
I used Mountainsmith Classic Tour lumbar packs for years as my photo bag, carried sling style. Unfortunately, the waist strap was unpadded and just little too short so the load wasn't distributed well. I got tired of those and switched to the fly fishing bags.
There's no need to stop and take it off, like with a backpack.
FWIW this is all a matter of technique. When I shoot ILC (often MFT these days) I often swap lenses and cams without dropping my pack.
I usually hike or bike with a hydration pack, too. I have a few Deuter cycling packs with different capacities. What I do is attach a lens case on the waist strap for quick lens swapping. No need to take the pack off then, either. ;-)
 
I used Mountainsmith Classic Tour lumbar packs for years as my photo bag, carried sling style. Unfortunately, the waist strap was unpadded and just little too short so the load wasn't distributed well. I got tired of those and switched to the fly fishing bags.
I understand. The new ones have a more comfortable waist belt and other improvements but these packs are definitely best used at belt levels for long durations.
There's no need to stop and take it off, like with a backpack.
FWIW this is all a matter of technique. When I shoot ILC (often MFT these days) I often swap lenses and cams without dropping my pack.
I usually hike or bike with a hydration pack, too. I have a few Deuter cycling packs with different capacities. What I do is attach a lens case on the waist strap for quick lens swapping. No need to take the pack off then, either. ;-)
Nice.
 
Excellent post. I have a couple of good camera bags that get a lot of use. But they don’t always suit. For a recent trip I realised that I didn’t need a backpack so a converted a lightweight cabin luggage bag was divided up and nicely held all my gear.

I am very fortunate to have the 150-400 which will fit in all my bags with the hood reversed. But that is a pain when I need to shoot as I have to take it out and fix the lens hood the right way. I can probably get a camera bag to take it ready to shoot but it would be huge and super expensive. So I am going to check out an outdoor store that has hundreds of bags to get one that will take the big lens on the body and with the lens hood mounted ready to shoot. This will be perfect for an outing where I will have a landscape lens and the birding lens. If I get something I will post images and a description.


Carol
 
Excellent post. I have a couple of good camera bags that get a lot of use. But they don’t always suit. For a recent trip I realised that I didn’t need a backpack so a converted a lightweight cabin luggage bag was divided up and nicely held all my gear.
Coolio.
I am very fortunate to have the 150-400
Indeed! Some people in my photo community also own it and they all say it's a stunner, well worth the money.
which will fit in all my bags with the hood reversed. But that is a pain when I need to shoot as I have to take it out and fix the lens hood the right way. I can probably get a camera bag to take it ready to shoot but it would be huge and super expensive. So I am going to check out an outdoor store that has hundreds of bags to get one that will take the big lens on the body and with the lens hood mounted ready to shoot. This will be perfect for an outing where I will have a landscape lens and the birding lens. If I get something I will post images and a description.

Carol
Hi Carol,

Sounds like you should find the right pack in that store but just in case you need some reference points or other ideas concerning which ones would fit your rig for sure, feel free to check link R1 below my siggy, article 6, FAQ 7.
 
Excellent post. I have a couple of good camera bags that get a lot of use. But they don’t always suit. For a recent trip I realised that I didn’t need a backpack so a converted a lightweight cabin luggage bag was divided up and nicely held all my gear.
Coolio.
I am very fortunate to have the 150-400
Indeed! Some people in my photo community also own it and they all say it's a stunner, well worth the money.
which will fit in all my bags with the hood reversed. But that is a pain when I need to shoot as I have to take it out and fix the lens hood the right way. I can probably get a camera bag to take it ready to shoot but it would be huge and super expensive. So I am going to check out an outdoor store that has hundreds of bags to get one that will take the big lens on the body and with the lens hood mounted ready to shoot. This will be perfect for an outing where I will have a landscape lens and the birding lens. If I get something I will post images and a description.

Carol
Hi Carol,

Sounds like you should find the right pack in that store but just in case you need some reference points or other ideas concerning which ones would fit your rig for sure, feel free to check link R1 below my siggy, article 6, FAQ 7.
Hi Chris, thanks for the reply and links. Santa (aka husband) gave me a voucher to an outdoor store so I have just braved the post Christmas sales crowd and a 44.C scorcher and found what I hope will be perfect for my needs.

Rather than post photos here I will take some in a bit and start a new thread as it maybe of interest to other owners of the monster lens.

Cheers
Carol
 
Excellent post. I have a couple of good camera bags that get a lot of use. But they don’t always suit. For a recent trip I realised that I didn’t need a backpack so a converted a lightweight cabin luggage bag was divided up and nicely held all my gear.
Coolio.
I am very fortunate to have the 150-400
Indeed! Some people in my photo community also own it and they all say it's a stunner, well worth the money.
which will fit in all my bags with the hood reversed. But that is a pain when I need to shoot as I have to take it out and fix the lens hood the right way. I can probably get a camera bag to take it ready to shoot but it would be huge and super expensive. So I am going to check out an outdoor store that has hundreds of bags to get one that will take the big lens on the body and with the lens hood mounted ready to shoot. This will be perfect for an outing where I will have a landscape lens and the birding lens. If I get something I will post images and a description.

Carol
Hi Carol,

Sounds like you should find the right pack in that store but just in case you need some reference points or other ideas concerning which ones would fit your rig for sure, feel free to check link R1 below my siggy, article 6, FAQ 7.
Hi Chris, thanks for the reply and links.
My pleasure.
Santa (aka husband) gave me a voucher to an outdoor store so I have just braved the post Christmas sales crowd and a 44.C scorcher and found what I hope will be perfect for my needs.
Nice husby!
Rather than post photos here I will take some in a bit and start a new thread as it maybe of interest to other owners of the monster lens.

Cheers
Carol
A new thread sounds perfect. Please post a link to it here so that I don't miss it.
 
Hi Chris,

I don’t know how to post a link. Please let me know for future use. But I have started a new thread about the bag I did get. It is titled

Try this suggestion for a bag for the 150-400

Cheers
Carol
 
Hi Chris,

I don’t know how to post a link. Please let me know for future use. But I have started a new thread about the bag I did get. It is titled

Try this suggestion for a bag for the 150-400

Cheers
Carol
All you have to do is post the link you see in your browser. Here it is:

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4620253
Thanks Chris,

I was on my iPad and it doesn't show the link on that. I am now on my desktop computer and t shows.

Cheers Carol
 
Thanks for your post!

I was recently checking this sling out for the same purpose but thought it might not be large enough.

where did you get the padded insert? Thanks!
 
Thanks for your post!

I was recently checking this sling out for the same purpose but thought it might not be large enough.

where did you get the padded insert? Thanks!
Good question. I've had that for a while. It also has a removable padded top.

Maybe Amazon? Maybe B&H? Just checked Amazon and there are lots at different sizes.

It's 9"W x 3/12"D x 6"H (outside dimensions), so it's perfect for M4/3 lenses.

Padded inserts that are any deeper than 3 1/2" just too big for most M4/3 lenses.
 
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Right handed?

F.
Hey Frank,

Yeah, I'm right handed.

Patagonia sling packs hang on the right shoulder, riding on the left side. Like that photo of me in Trastevere in Rome. Keeps the right hand free, left manages the pack.

The small Atom Sling 8L I'll often carry in front, especially in stores or museums or walking in crowds. Makes for a nice camera platform, too.
 
Can you pay US$12 for a new camera bag designed for M43?

🙂😁
I got a brand new Peak Designs Everyday backpack 20L version 2 for free :-)
 
I'm not sure you can get anything 'good' for $12, but you can get something for just a little bit more that really does work. I've had one of these now for three months, and with a few little personal alterations it's proved to be a very good bag for my uses. It stands upright and it's stiff enough to provide good access and egress. Both the outer flap and inner lid can fold back really nicely to help get at your gear, too. I love the fact the interior is grey, as well. I appreciate the sturdy carry-handle, too.

In the bag I can stash my GX8 with the large eyecup and the PZ 45-175 attached, and alongside it in a padded compartment I have the P12-32 stacked on my Oly 60. In the same main compartment I also have a raincover, a small lighting kit (under the 45-175 lens), and a neck strap in a pouch.

In what might seem to be a small front pocket I actually have two spare batteries, the little FL-70 flash, a Raynox 250, cleaning cloth and some tiny stuff like a Covid mask, nail clippers etc.

I find it perfect for an EDC bag.

PS: I replaced the strap and added a solid ring to each end, and I also took off the rear velcro belt attachment point and the front cover logo.

158fc251ec3a402e9a9c01aaee386fa5.jpg



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I am left handed like 10-12% of the population . Many sling bags are right handed, so they are less than ideal for me.

F.
Courses for horses, as they say. There are no rules for slinging. I'm right handed but like my sling on my left. I know other right handers who like their sling on the right. If the Solstice were available for the right shouldered carrier I'd have bought one a long time ago. But some makers like the other shoulder, like Lowepro. It's a real mug's game!
 

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