Camera Bag Fetish...

G

George Bonanno

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Jul 7, 2006
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561
Greetings,

Ya know, there's been threads here and there about camera bags. All this stuff about material, compartments, Velcro, color, straps, snaps, etc., etc., etc., and what's best. Well it got me thinking in sort of an abstract way that I should go out shooting today with a camera bag loaded with stuff. Since the weather was excellent here in NNJ I decided to put my camera in a generic camera bag along with a light meter, a 35mm lens, a few rolls of film, screw on self timer, a few other useless trinkets along with an extra pack of cigarettes and a brass Zippo lighter in case the wind kicked up. So, I headed out with all this stuff through my neighborhood and then venturing into another neighborhood knowing there were these inverted bathtubs with statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary I wanted to photograph. Hopefully with the homeowner in sight so I could get a person in the snap. Well, walking around I saw a lot of things to take pictures of. Every time I saw a picture to take I would ask myself for a fraction of a second "is it really worth the effort to pull the camera out of the bag and take that pic or just keep on walking". Ninety percent of the time I kept on walking. The effort was a task I just did not want to deal with. In essence I was truly restricted from taking pictures with the camera in the bag so I only exposed half a roll. However, after a grilled salmon and lentil soup dinner, the sun was still up for a few so I went out again for half an hour with camera in hand and finished the roll. Let me tell you that having camera in hand is total freedom compared to dragging all that other mind and body restricting crap around. Having to make those ridiculous decisions was insane. Since my camera was in hand I was up front and the remaining half roll included people. Tomorrow I'm going to retrace today's afternoon footsteps and take the snaps I had to think about.

I know some of you gadget guys will totally disagree with me because you need to change a lens or whatever to get that perfect perspective and or exposure. For your purpose that's all well and good. But for me the bottom line is... not having a camera bag is where it's at. Think about it.

Now the wash is finished and I'm out of photoflow.

Best,
George
 
Hmmmm.....

For me, at least, a camera bag isn't for carrying the camera, as much as it is for carrying the "stuff" that goes with it. I also will use one for long-distance transport, just to protect the camera (and all the other "stuff"). Once I'm wherever I intend to shoot, the camera goes on the neck, the bag is slung on the shoulder, and I'm on the prowl. I'm pretty careful to limit the "stuff" to what I might actually use, 'cause I don't want to pack much. When I'm in DSLR mode, using a zoom further shrinks my total load.

Regards!
Don
 
For myself the bag hides and protects the camera, and makes it easier to carry everything. I don't use neckstraps either.

Clarence
 
I have a small Tamrac bag for my stuff but I usually plan my day beforehand so I don't have to tote around alot of stuff. I try to stick to one lens. I don't like to switch off too much. I may & usually carry 2 cameras. The bessa L with the 25/4 & one more w/a 50. I usually leave my bag in the car when I get to my location. & cram my pockets with film & reserve my back pocket for a pouch of some good pipe tobacco.
 
wrist straps and grips on the camera...camera in hand...bag is for stuff, extra lens, film etc...and for transport to and fro.

why keep the camera in the bag if your goal is to shoot pics?

joe
 
My only camera bag is the one that came with my Canon SLR. I used it once, but decided its too uncomfortable to have something big hanging on my shoulder all the time. It also has Canon written on it in big red letters, so its an invitation to robbers. I keep my RF's hanging around my neck, under my jacket, when I go shooting. My Zorki-6 is also happy in my jacket's pocket. Film is in other pockets. If I realy need a bag, then I use a regular backbag.
 
I need a bag because I use primes and lots of film. With bayonet lenses changes are very quick so you are definitely flexible. However I only use a camera bag on weekends/vacations. The rest of the time it is one camera/one lens out of necessity. I like being luxurious though... ;)
 
My bag is to put the camera in when I am not shooting. For leisurely walks near the house or car, it may not be as important. It is more useful when you are walking from awning to awning in the pouring rain, when the TSA inspector slams your bag down coming out of the airport xray machine, or when a passenger crams a large rolling carryon beside your camera bag in the overhead bin. Then I am thankful I am not using any improvised surplus or diaper bags.

But walking about for pictures, I agree with you, the camera should be in hand.
 
I was out this morning with the OM-1 (sorry!), 50/1.4 & 28/2.8 in the F5-XB. Most of the time I carried the camera in hand, the bag was only for the extra lens, walking to/from the car, or when I needed everything in the bag for protection.

That bag is really nice for its size, but I really, really wish they would redesign it to be like the F6. I.e., I want it to open and have a top flap just like the F6; the current set-up with zipper, stiff flap and velcro is not optimal, IMO.
 
I second Back Alley! Camera on the wrist strap or around the neck on a strap and the extra lenses, filters, cleaning stuff, whatever, in the bag. I keep my camera ready with film advanced and ready to go. Don't have the question of "is it worth the bother". Rather take it and discard it.
 
I tend to pack the bag, then arrive to shoot and take the 2 bodies out for this very reason George. I have the other stuff in the bag if I need it- I usually don't- but when I do need something else I'm always glad when I have it. FIlm is in the end pockets of my F2 or in the front pockets of the 803. I have had the same experience of -not worth the trouble to yank it all out' my fix works for me.
 
Aside from agreeing with the others about the camera being out while shooting and only in the bag during transport, here's another aspect: perhaps it is a good thing to ask yourself, "Is this really worth taking a picture of?" Consider the LF photographer with tripod/film holders/movements etc. For sure they consider whether each scene they come upon is worth a "snap." There's nothing wrong with being selective in your shooting.
 
Another perspective, I was an avid bag-carrier even before I got into photography (especially street-photography). I don't know why, carrying a bag makes me feel more comfortable on the streets. Maybe at heart I'm still a high-schooler :)

Only the content of the bag changes over the years. Now I carry a noname black photo bag everywhere containing a small P&S, a rangefinder (Oly 35 SP or Konica S3), and my "panda" OM-1 withan extra lens or two.
 
Possibly it is as simple as the photo was not worth taking in the first place if the very little effort required to get the camera from the bag puts you off?

Bob
 
If I am going out ot play with lenses, I bring the stuff in a Domke F6 [little bit smaller] when I arrive the bag gets stored in another bag [on the wheelchair] camera around the neck, and one lens in a pouch on each hip. the bag is for the trip to location, then all is out [well the extra film is located in a bag on the arm of the chair]
 
You will remember the value of a case or bag next time you
are outside with your camera and the weather turns bad,
or when you have to make a sudden stop and the camera
goes tumbling off the car seat.

I too prefer to travel light, usually with just a pocket 35mm...

Chris
 
Guess I fall somewhere in the middle on this one. Either that or I'm enjoying it both ways. What I mean to say is that I carry a Domke F-5xb with a camera and a couple of lens, film, mini-portfolio, and CV II light meter. Everything is nice and tidy, as well as protected, when the top is zipped up and the flap is over the top. However, when I want to be ready to shoot, assuming the camera is not already in my hand, then it's simply sitting on end in the middle slot of the Domke with the zipper open and flap flipped open and hanging down the backside of the bag. That way the camera is "at the ready" for anything interesting yet my hands are still free. Takes nothing to get the camera out to take a shot so I don't feel it slows me down a bit. Clearly not as fast as having the camera in my hand and pre-set to shoot, but lots of times I want to just be walking around doing whatever yet still have my camera very handy should I decide to take a shot.

-Randy
 
back alley said:
randy
what is this mini portfolio...?

joe
Click to expand...

Sorry, Joe, for not responding earlier, but I just now saw your post above. All I meant by "mini portfolio" is a cheap, lightweight photo album (it cost about $5 or $6 at the local photo store) into which I placed something like 60 of my shots in a 4x6 format. It's enough shots to sorta show the range of work I do (architecture, street, informal portraits, whatever). It's very thin so it slips right into my Domke F-5XB between the padded interior and the canvas bag itself. You almost have to look to find it nestled in there. The reason I carry the mini portfolio is for those times when someone wonders what I'm doing taking pictures or when people are interested in seeing some of my work. Either way, I can slip out this mini portfolio and they can see for themselves that I'm just a harmless (and admittedly mediocre) photographer. Haven't ever really been challenged in any significant way for taking pictures in public/of strangers but figured this would be a good way to diffuse any stated concerns.

-Randy
 
I take camera hill walking, when you fallover and go down the slope, you land on the bag or the bag lands on you, not had a miss yet.

Success is when you only need to stick the bag in the front loader. Dont take a leather bag hill walking.

Noel
 
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