I'm NOT done buying camera bags

Rod McD wrote:

Hi again,

I'm not done buying bags either. I've got a closet full of rejects. The perfect one has worn out. I can't find another one I'd call good.

I guess bags are more personal than cameras and lenses because we all organize our kits differently. I like separate zipped compartments for 1) main compartment for body and lenses, 2) accessories like cards and batteries, 3) accessories like filters, and 4) accessories like caps and hoods. A few years back, it seemed to be easy to find cases with a main compartment and three zipped pockets - one on the front and one on each end - all zipped. Now they've all got one front pocket and dumb elasticated mesh on the ends if they've got anything at all. Useless. I'd pay well for a good bag but it doesn't exist....

Pet hates from the university of experience...

1. Bags with flimsy structure that offer little protection from a) crush pressures and b) serious bumps
2. Bags without every compartment being sealed closed by a zip. Not zipped? - No sale. Sorry Billingham.
3. Stupid mesh pockets with no closure at all. (Lowe are you listening?)
4. Expensive bags with straps sewn all over the outside to attach expensive extra pockets that tell us we should have bought a bigger bag in the first place. (Lowe again.)
5. Pockets with no actual depth (flat pockets that can't take anything three dimensional).
6. Leather bags. - Posh and stylish new but look like garbage once dragged through a desert or forest. Turn to slime when drenched in seriously wet weather. Take an epoch to dry out. Never look the same again.
7. Bags with enough brass buckles for Indiana Jones but don't actually seal well enough to stop small items getting out when the bag gets rolled around in the aircraft overhead locker or you take a tumble. Zips were invented in the 1890's - time to move on.
8. Bags with a flap that covers the top closure and gets in the way when the bag is open. What the heck is it FOR? What does it ACHIEVE?
9. There are probably many more but I can't think of them at the moment.

Some years back, I found the perfect bag (used) in a charity shop for $5 . The brand was called PAQ. It appeared to be an unknown emerging brand bag. I bought it and thrashed it til it and its zips wore out. I've never seen them available new and I've never seen another. I'm still waiting for a replacement. Of course when it comes along, they'll change the design as soon as possible and offer something new and fashionable that isn't actually as good..... So if and when I see it, I'll buy three - one to use and a couple of back ups.:-)

Cheers, Rod

All good points with an important but seemingly overlooked point in this ongoing thread - what's the bag for? Air travel, car travel, camping/hiking, transport to a shoot, carry along for street shooting, etc.

There is, in nearly all instances, no one right bag especially if you're carrying multiple bodies/lenses. Going back to my prior post, after decades of shooting I find it more practical/cost effective/efficient to configure your own bag/bags from totes, gym bags, slings, briefcases, shopping bags and backpacks.

This allows you to specifically tailor your bag/bags to the desired purpose with minimal, if any, compromise.

Craig268 wrote:

There is, in nearly all instances, no one right bag especially if you're carrying multiple bodies/lenses. Going back to my prior post, after decades of shooting I find it more practical/cost effective/efficient to configure your own bag/bags from totes, gym bags, slings, briefcases, shopping bags and backpacks.

This allows you to specifically tailor your bag/bags to the desired purpose with minimal, if any, compromise.

I guess I'm not following this - how do you configure a gym bag or hiking backpack to be more useful than a dedicated camera bag that was designed to carry lenses and camera bodies?

As a specific example - how would you turn any bag you mention into something more convient to carry and use than my Domke F2 that comes with padded inserts that fit my camera gear perfectly?

imnotmarvin wrote:

On a lighter note to put yesterday's rant behind me, I'll tell you I have a problem that many of you likely have. I'm on the eternal quest for the perfect bag for my Fuji kit. Of course there is no perfect bag and most of us likely have at least a couple for different types of outings.
i just sold a Vanguard Alta Sky 45D. Nice bag but after selling my drone, it was too big. My Tenba Fulton arrived yesterday. I'm moving things from my Lowepro Slingshot into it. Both of them are nice bags for different outings.
What are you packing your kit in?

I've found Vanguard to be highly underrated on camera forums - their products seem to have really good cost-performance, though are neither the highest quality nor the cheapest. Perhaps why they get ignored.

I use(d) a Vanguard ziin 21 when I carried (or carry) my X-S10 and two lenses (formerly the 15-45 and the 50-230, more recently the 16-80 and 70-300) or just my film SLR and a couple extra lenses. It's small, light, discreet-ish, and supposedly weather-proof, though I'm hesitant to put that to too much of a test. The pockets on the inside and frontside also have a surprising amount of room in them, being enough to carry lens filters and a couple extra batteries.

More recently I got the Vanguard Veo Range 38, a considerably larger bag that allows me to carry (nearly) my full kit with me wherever I go. I can fit my X-S10 and the three lenses I keep on it as well as my film SLR and the lenses I use for it, along with plenty of space for accessories for both and can even strap my tripod to the outside of it. It's got room to spare on top of that as well, which I'm hoping to fill with the Sigma 16 and 56 when I have the spare cash to reasonably afford them. While this one itself doesn't claim weatherproofing it does also have a rain cover that tucks away in a back pocket too. I'm very happy with it overall!

I really have to STOP reading message threads about camera bags!  I am weak ... yes, a few more bags  than I 'need', but I do have a reason to use most of them at least once doing the  year   As most of my photography is indoor events, I use a Think Tank roller .... for other personal photography, or events in which a roller is inconvenient, I have several shoulder bags, a 13l sling.  As we don't travel very often via airplane (about once a year) I use a small samsonite roller with an insert - fits nicely in the overhead.  Anyway - one of my shoulder bags is the Think Tank Retrospective 30 - wonderful bag .. but rather large and I don't use it very often.  So, as a result of this message thread I started to look at alternatives (I over analyze everything I purchase).  Narrowed down to Tenba DNA 13, Think Tank Vision 15 or 13, Retrospective 30, Wotancraft Pilot 10L.  Because B&H has a sale on the Vision 13 (over 25 off) I added that to the cart, then had second thoughts.... .got out the Retrospective 30 and realized that other than being too big for many of my outings, it fit all my needs!  Deleted the bag in B&H cart.  Oh yeah ... I have a couple of backpacks, however, because of several hip surgeries and last year back surgery, a backpack really isn't convenient.  Oh - also looked at the Bevisgear TopShelf - looks great .. but geez .. $350 - I'll pass for now.

sprouty115 wrote:

Craig268 wrote:

There is, in nearly all instances, no one right bag especially if you're carrying multiple bodies/lenses. Going back to my prior post, after decades of shooting I find it more practical/cost effective/efficient to configure your own bag/bags from totes, gym bags, slings, briefcases, shopping bags and backpacks.

This allows you to specifically tailor your bag/bags to the desired purpose with minimal, if any, compromise.

I guess I'm not following this - how do you configure a gym bag or hiking backpack to be more useful than a dedicated camera bag that was designed to carry lenses and camera bodies?

As a specific example - how would you turn any bag you mention into something more convient to carry and use than my Domke F2 that comes with padded inserts that fit my camera gear perfectly?

That's exactly my point - why buy a bag "designed" for cameras which doesn't work for you? If off-the-shelf bags check all the boxes, fine. They don't for me thus I create/customize my own.

BillCPA wrote:

Canyongazer wrote:

For me, the Think Tank Retrospective 7 version 2 is THE perfect bag for my Fuji gear. Two bodies, four lenses, ... see ya later.

https://photographylife.com/reviews/think-tank-retrospective-7

I have the Retrospective 30 v2 .. too big .. and the Retrospective 4 (too small, except for my X100V and flash) .. maybe the 7 will be 'just right' .. will take a look.

Bill, I can get 2 bodies, 4 lenses into the 7 but should point out that the four lenses are not large, the fatty 16mm 1.4 being the largest...no zooms.

Bodies are two X Pro2's.

Craig268 wrote:

That's exactly my point - why buy a bag "designed" for cameras which doesn't work for you? If off-the-shelf bags check all the boxes, fine. They don't for me thus I create/customize my own.

I'm not trying to prove you wrong, I asking a question:  so what "doesn't work" and how do you customize them?

sprouty115 wrote:

Craig268 wrote:

That's exactly my point - why buy a bag "designed" for cameras which doesn't work for you? If off-the-shelf bags check all the boxes, fine. They don't for me thus I create/customize my own.

I'm not trying to prove you wrong, I asking a question: so what "doesn't work" and how do you customize them?

I tend to work backwards; rather than finding a bag to fit my gear, I think to myself when I'm out shooting, how can I construct a better bag for that particular venue?

If I had a single body with a lens, an off the shelf case would probably work. However since I often go out with multiple bodies/lenses, I find it easier to assemble my own bags. I do a lot of street and thus keep my bags low key and non-descript. A casual gym bag or tote with some added padding works.

Another key item is I nearly always have lenses on the body and want rapid access. Reaching into an easily accessible but inconspicuous tote is quick and easy. And depending on the venue, perhaps I'll have two or three rigs ready to go in that tote or gym bag.

There are certainly folks here that in their many years of shooting, swear by an off the shelf bag. However in all my years, I've found customizing my own bags is better for me.

Camera bags are like camera lenses, or bodies, or tripods, or....

It seems I can never have enough. Is there a help line for such hoarding activities?

Canyongazer wrote:

BillCPA wrote:

Canyongazer wrote:

For me, the Think Tank Retrospective 7 version 2 is THE perfect bag for my Fuji gear. Two bodies, four lenses, ... see ya later.

https://photographylife.com/reviews/think-tank-retrospective-7

I have the Retrospective 30 v2 .. too big .. and the Retrospective 4 (too small, except for my X100V and flash) .. maybe the 7 will be 'just right' .. will take a look.

Bill, I can get 2 bodies, 4 lenses into the 7 but should point out that the four lenses are not large, the fatty 16mm 1.4 being the largest...no zooms.

Bodies are two X Pro2's.

Almost ordered the Think Tank Vision 13 - had it in the cart at B&H .. $122 on sale.  But dug out my Retrospective 30 and realized that although it's too big for many of my excursions, I really should start using it more.  Now I've saved $122 I can apply to some other gear

yardcoyote wrote:

The best asset any amateur photographer can have is a spouse or partner with an expensive personal interest of their own. You can then exist in a state best described as a peaceful version of mutually assured destruction.

This has to be one of the best statements I've ever read on DPR. Chapeau.

Steve

Hi, Sprouty and Craig,

Love the battered look Sprouty. Glad it works for you, but I wouldn't buy one - no zip closure of the main compartment or pockets. I've had bags with flaps that cover the pockets and lost small things out of them. Never again.

I think Craig's point is a good one - maybe different bags for different uses. My own foray into customizing something is for overnight hiking. I modified a top loading Underwater Kinetics 609 hard case for my XT body, 3 small lenses and accessories. It's crushproof, bash-proof, waterproof and dust-proof. Far better than any soft bag. Unfortunately the empty shell starts off at around 770g and it weighs a kilo by the time you build in dividers, foam, etc, so it's heavier than a soft bag of similar size, even before you put anything it.

It's a funny thing about camera bags - they are subject to constant evolution and regression in design. I've been doing photography for 50 years, and the designs continually turn over, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. I'm currently in the phase of waiting for one that suits me to reappear on the market.....

Cheers, Rod

I can't tell you how much money I've wasted on camera bags. The local Goodwill loves me!

What I settled on is camera bag insert that I slide inside my North Face backpack and away I go.

Something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Ape-Case-Interior-Cameras-ACQB33/dp/B009GA6D2Y/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3HM9WBQ6CN6LR&keywords=ape+case+camera+insert&qid=1678666067&sprefix=ape+case+camera+insert%2Caps%2C97&sr=8-1

This is actually the one I bought, but looks like it is not available right now:

https://www.amazon.com/Ape-Case-Interior-Cameras-ACQB33/dp/B009KY60BU/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3HM9WBQ6CN6LR&keywords=ape%2Bcase%2Bcamera%2Binsert&qid=1678666067&sprefix=ape%2Bcase%2Bcamera%2Binsert%2Caps%2C97&sr=8-1&th=1

All this bag talk got me thinking about how many camera bags I purchased over the years. A quick search in Apple's iPhoto app. revealed I'm a bag junkie. One example below! 

I think this was from 2013.