Backpack vs. shoulder bag?

M

M like Leica M6

Guest
:confused:

I am looking for a new bag as mine is too small and too old.

But I think I am looking for something impossible... a perfect combination. :bang:

I carry my M6 with 4 lenses, small flash and films and filters etc. in a small Lowepro Nova 3... but I have much more equipment (2 SLRs with 4 lenses, sorry, but sometimes I need that stuff...) and most of the time it stays at home, even if I am on a long trip abroad.

My equipment is pretty heavy, so I would like to carry it like a backpack when I do not use it, otherwise my shoulder will break off.

But when I want to use the equipment I want to access it really quickly. All backpacks I have seen so far have a long zipper, and I have to put the bag on the ground or on a table to access it without having to fear I drop some of the precious toys.

All shoulder bags I have seen allow average or good access to the contents, but will kill my shoulder and cannot be carried other than as a shoulder bag. I like especially the very flat bags. The tall ones always require fiddling in the basement compartments and do not allow to just open and grab a lens or ther piece.

In other words: what I have seen so far from Tamrac, Lowepro, Domke is not what I am looking for.

The essentials: very, very easy access to all contents, easy carrying on the back when not needed or over the shoulder when in action.

I would buy a "Street & Field" or similar system if it would not look that ridiculous, but this looks to me like the Sci-Fi/US Marines/Reuters correspondent version of the old photog vests - it will not suit so well when I wear a suit and tie. :cool:

Any suggestions?
 
Sound more like you are looking for a Sherpa than a camera bag. In addition to the M6 and 4 lenses what else exactly will you be toting in this bag?
 
Hey, no, in the new bag I will NOT put my M6, it is just meant for the heavy SLRs... they are like cats and dogs, I would not put them in one place. For the M I do have a good bag.
 
How about the Domke Postal Service strap on one of their big bags? Op Tech also makes a very comfortable bag strap to help reduce the stress of carrying.

You may be able to find a non camera harness that may adapt to a camera bag. I am thinking of hiking or backpack gear. I have a large Mountainsmith waist pack, too big actually to be worn around the waiste. I bought accessory shoulder straps for it. It hangs loosely on my back, not like a backpack and can be swung around. Also there are those two arm straps for golf bags now. Very effective in reducing the pains of carrying a golf bag. The golf straps I am thinking of are perhaps too bulky, but there may be some "lighter" versions.

Maybe what you are looking for is a strap and not a bag?
 
maybe one of those 'slinger' style bags?

i have a bad back and i don't like the weight on one shoulder either, what i do is make sure all my shoulder bags have long straps, i hang the bag across my chest, over the neck and when not in use i have the bag rest against the small of my back. with the long strap i can pull the bag to the side or front, get what i need or put it back in then, around again to the small of my back.

hope this makes sense, i'm on my first coffee this morning.

joe
 
Backpacks I have tried before and dont work for me..They usually get set down in dirt
mud, dew then put back on...They do hold a lot of stuff...No way would I carry all that
stuff you have at one time. Maybe a hard pelican case with wheels?

The essentials: very, very easy access to all contents, easy carrying on the back when not needed or over the shoulder when in action.

Well, if you can invent one, everyone will want one! With very very very easy access
the pickpocket behind you will lighten the load quickly..
 
I second that, check out crumpler first.. They have some very nice backpacks in their lineup too.

Also, the lowepro orion AW (not the trekker) is worth a look, it looks weird but works well in the field..

But I guess what you are looking for is this: http://holst-direct.com
The concept seems worth a try and I've heard only good things from the people who handled one. They are cheaper than any lowepro/tamrac/tenba and you can even buy inserts for the upper part of the rucksack.
Even the carrying system looks comfy.. and of course you have access to your camera within seconds..
If you decide to buy one would you write up a little review? :)

Hope this helps,
cheers,
Phil
 
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Look into the KATA Rucksack. In terms of photo backpacks, I think it is as good as it gets. Straps and supports are absolutely top notch in comfort and weight distribution.

It's also modular in that you can buy and attach smaller accessories such as hip packs, etc, to it. There is also a center access area that lets you open just the center of the pack to gain access instead of using the long-throw of the outer closure zipper.

It's not that heavy, but there's a lot of protection for gear - it's not for everyone, but it works for me when I out for a hike and want to bring a couple of bodies and their lenses or when I'm traveling with the whole kit.
 
I use the Tamrac Velocity 6 sling pack for my digital camera and the Velocity 7 for my SLR outfit. They work great if you're only using one camera body but have several lenses. Easy to carry on the back, easy to pull around and access the gear without worrying about spilling it all over the place. Best compromise between a backpack and a traditional camera bag I've seen.
 
backalley photo said:
maybe one of those 'slinger' style bags?

i have a bad back and i don't like the weight on one shoulder either, what i do is make sure all my shoulder bags have long straps, i hang the bag across my chest, over the neck and when not in use i have the bag rest against the small of my back. with the long strap i can pull the bag to the side or front, get what i need or put it back in then, around again to the small of my back.

hope this makes sense, i'm on my first coffee this morning.

joe
Click to expand...

................
Joe,
Have you looked at Kata's #308S Sling bag?
You can even add other pouches to hold more goodies.
Just got mine yesterday, feels very comfortable. ;)
 
FWIW, I use a couple Chrome bike messenger bags (http://www.chromebags.com) w/Billingham & Tenba inserts. The Chrome's quick-release buckle lets you loosen & tighten the shoulder strap quickly to access gear. Closer to you & more "Euro-style" are the Swiss Freitag bags (http://www.freitag.ch/hauptframe.htm), which can also use w/your choice of photo inserts. However, they're still shoulder bags & aren't exactly compatible w/suit & tie (unless you work in SF, will work w/overcoat, etc., however). I also hardly ever carry nearly as much as you apparently do (usually just a couple 35mm or 120 bodies, each w/lens, & sometimes 1 other lens).

M like Leica M6 said:
:confused:

I am looking for a new bag as mine is too small and too old.

But I think I am looking for something impossible... a perfect combination. :bang:

I carry my M6 with 4 lenses, small flash and films and filters etc. in a small Lowepro Nova 3... but I have much more equipment (2 SLRs with 4 lenses, sorry, but sometimes I need that stuff...) and most of the time it stays at home, even if I am on a long trip abroad.

My equipment is pretty heavy, so I would like to carry it like a backpack when I do not use it, otherwise my shoulder will break off.

But when I want to use the equipment I want to access it really quickly. All backpacks I have seen so far have a long zipper, and I have to put the bag on the ground or on a table to access it without having to fear I drop some of the precious toys.

All shoulder bags I have seen allow average or good access to the contents, but will kill my shoulder and cannot be carried other than as a shoulder bag. I like especially the very flat bags. The tall ones always require fiddling in the basement compartments and do not allow to just open and grab a lens or ther piece.

In other words: what I have seen so far from Tamrac, Lowepro, Domke is not what I am looking for.

The essentials: very, very easy access to all contents, easy carrying on the back when not needed or over the shoulder when in action.

I would buy a "Street & Field" or similar system if it would not look that ridiculous, but this looks to me like the Sci-Fi/US Marines/Reuters correspondent version of the old photog vests - it will not suit so well when I wear a suit and tie. :cool:

Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
 
Forget camera backpacks, get a real backpack instead. I simply wrap my cameras in some kind of sock or soft cap and put it in. Each lens goes into its pouch. Then I throw in whatever else I need while out, lightmeter, money, rain gear or whatever.

Very comfortable and practical. When I site, take out what I need at the moment, camera in hand, extra lenses and lightmeter in pockets. Back when I used a shoulder bag I had trouble with my back, not anymore.

In situations where I need to have more gear easy reachable and do not move around much, I take some kind of camera bag instead.
 
looks ok.

thanks rover!

i only need a long strap to do the same thing though. and the less bulk the better, try using a bag of any kind when dressed like the michelin man to stay warm.

joe
 
Hm. I looked at those KATA bags. Nice stuff, and it seems they are crafted very well. I like very much the idea of the "Insertrolley" that can be attached to some of their bags, in case you have to walk a long distance.

But for four reasons I would not buy them:
- The sling bags are too small.
- Even the comparatively small "Banana-1" camera bag weighs almost 3kg itself... I thought my equipment ist heavy enough, right? Maybe Kata makes bullet-proof bags as they also manufacture body armor equipment?
- They use zippers for everything where other manufacturers have other possibilities to open and close bags securely.
- Even a comparativley small bag, the "Banana-1" costs more than 400 Euros (ca. 520 USD), These prices are ridiculous, at least here in Germany.
 
M like Leica M6,
I just got my Kata 308-S last week.
- It is small, that's why I wanted it. I already have BIG bags for other purposes.
- It wieghs just over ONE pound (half kilo?) and is built very sturdy. Maybe the 3kilos was a shipping weight?
-I like the zippers.
-This model cost me $35 at B&H in NYC - USA.
For me it's just right to carry an RF and lens, film, etc.
 
nwcanonman,

this sounds like a good solution... for my Leica M6 and stuff I do have a bag, I am looking for a monster bag for the big stuff.
 
Shoulder or Back

Shoulder or Back

I have a Lowepro backpack as a reulst of years of Billingham and Tenba shoulder bags.
Both are ideal for photojounalistic assignments, on the run, fast and easy access to equipment (my favorite but pricy is the billigham; Tenba is the best for your money, I can also include a 12" or even 15" laptop). Now for long walks there is nothing like a bagpack; your back and shoulder will thank you one day (like...soon!), and my Lowepro is perfect.
Best,
bruno
 
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