Camera bag versus a non Camera bag

[seakayaker1]

I normally use a Artisans and Artist 7100 camera bag when out and about. It is small and comfortable with a comfortable shoulder strap.

I also use a F-stop backpack when traveling since it can hold camera gear and clothing when taking longer trips.

Camera bags are a personal choice and the market place certainly reflects that.

 

[Contarama]

The continuous discussion about stealth camera bags is mostly misunderstood. If and when you are in an unfamiliar country/area it's not the bag that attracts attention. It's you.

Potential robbers on the prowl will take take anything from you, whether it looks like a tote bag, a diaper bag, a plastic bag, or a camera bag.

I agree...it is easy to spot a tourist/outsider and if you are of the criminal persuasion well then...

 

[Doug]

I agree...it is easy to spot a tourist/outsider and if you are of the criminal persuasion well then...

Yes, I agree. This reminds me of one event in a self-defense class I took some years ago called "Street and Vehicle Tactics"... We took a little field trip in the city to check out vulnerable ATMs and also sauntered through an area known for street criminals. There were about 8 of us all discreetly carrying cell phones, knives and guns. It was interesting to see these guys come to full alert as we entered their domain, and walk curved paths that brought them casually past us to check us out more closely, as we observed them... 😉

 

[35mmdelux]

For street use an old Domke F-5XB in black that I tore off the top flap and velcro. One camera, two lenses, flashmaster meter!

 

[nightfly]

As others have said, I don't really think the point is stealth, it's more that many camera bags are overbuilt and don't fit the needs of rangefinder or compact camera users.

Once you pull a camera out the jig is up. I just don't care for how ugly and unwieldy most camera bags are. Easier to throw my camera with one lens attached into my regular bag in a little Crumpler insert thingy and go. Beats endlessly searching for the perfect bag.

 

[mexipike]

I lived in Mexico City for a long time and mostly carried a small Domke or small dome F2. For the most part I figured that it wasn't necessarily inconspicuous but wasn't drawing a lot of attention either. In a lot of big cities like D.F. people that commute carry lots of bags so bags don't necessarily draw a lot of attention. That said like a previous poster commented regarding rio things do get stolen.
When I want to be the most inconspicuous I throw whatever I want into a crappy jansport backpack. However, last year I left that bag twice in bars with my leica in it. I just was too used to having a domke on my shoulder or in front of me at all times! Both times the bartender had already put it behind the bar to keep safe for me.

 

[ellisson]

The 'pros' have some creative methods to get at tourist bags. Theatre is one of the more interesting ones I've fallen victim to.

Dining outside with a small group in Madrid, a small camera bag between my feet, a man and woman walked down the street and had a raucous altercation. The woman threw down a heavy book that made a cracking noise and then ran off, her companion trailing. It startled us and while we were distracted, my bag disappeared. It took only a few seconds to lose my DSLR and lenses in a well orchestrated theft with behind the scenes people getting the goods. An expensive way to learn a lesson!

Awareness of the surroundings and holding on to whatever is with you, labelled or not, is the best defense short of leaving things behind in your locked room(safe).

 

[Big Ursus]

Like, it'sawhat? I also use non camera bags for my gear because of their convenience.

I very often use an ancient, small, and often-repaired, Eddy Bauer canvas bag that can easily hold my Fuji X-T1, an extra lens, spare batteries, etc, as well as a paper note book, phone, and my meds.

When I need more photo gear for a specific event, I have many (too many) bags in too many sizes. But the soft canvas, general purpose bag is what I reach for almost every day.

If I'm going to be mugged, or targeted by a snatcher of man-purses, I don't think disguises will help much. In fact, when I lived in Nicaragua, during the years of the Contra war, I used a big, blue Lowe Pro bag, full of my Nikon equipment, and lots of film. Never had any difficulties with thieves, probably because I knew great people there, and followed their advice.

Yes, thieves carry razors to slice open your bag, but you can use something simple like chicken wire to foil them. And, you can keep your arm around a big shoulder bag.

If I know I'm going somewhere hairy, I do keep the stuff I carry to a minimum, and I wrap either the bag's strap, or the camera's, around my wrist. But - if I'm ever confronted, they can have it all - its insured.