Carrying Options

[Graeme]

As a rangefinder newbie, I'm trying to figure out the best way of carting my camera around. I've currently got one lens, but am going to be picking up a second in the New Year.

Right now, I'm considering three options:

1. Keep the lens(es) in the leather cases that they're supplied with, and pack the cases into a bag. I've got a Crumpler Home Stayer (about the size of a Hadley Small), and the lens plus case fits nicely into the space for an SLR lens. A variation on this theme would be to swap the bag with something like a Billingham, Domke, Carnier or other less "camera bag" looking design. Downsides are that it's bulky.
2. Leave the leather pouches at home, and pack everything into a small bag, such as the Hadley Digital or Domke FX5A. The concern then is that the lenses are less protected.
3. Forget about a camera. Get a Neoprene wrap or A&A Rina Case, and drop everything into any old bag that I've got lying around. The advantage here is that I don't have a obvious camera bag, and a wrap is cheaper than a decent bag. But my concern then would be about protection.

So this begs a few questions:

• Do the Leica leather cases provide much protection?
• Does anyone actually use them (my dealer suggested they tend to get left at home)?
• Am I being completely anal about carrying a lens in a pouch inside a camera bag? 🙂
• How much protection does a wrap offer? Is a bag a better option?
• How do requlars here carry their kit around?

Thanks!

Graeme

 

[cmogi10]

-The Leica case might provide some protection.
-Not that I've ever seen.
-It's very likely

Use a bag like the domke 5xb and just toss everything in there own pouch and throw some film in there and stop worrying about it.
🙂

 

[thomasw_]

domke fx5 a or b; a great side bag that doesn't scream 'camera bag'. perfect for a small rf kit. i use the a, and i notice it is available at bh* for 50 bucks🙂

 

[ferider]

Lens cases are too slow in use, for me.

Use as few lenses as you can manage, filters and rear caps, and
ignore scratches to equipment.

When you travel in planes, pack more carefully (lens cases, etc).

Cheers,

Roland.

 

[Rafael]

I'm a big fan of the double lens couplers that allow you to attach two lenses back to back (although you have to be careful with lenses that have rear elements that extend beyond the mount). With the lenses attached back to back, there is no danger of them banging into one another. A Domke bag provides plenty of protection. And you will be able to work more quickly than you would if the lenses were in separate cases.

 

[Roger Hicks]

I like a camera bag just big enough to hold one Leica with a lens on it, and another lens in a leather pouch (my wife makes the latter out of chamois leather). Then, for use, put the camera 'round your neck and take the lens out of its chamois bag.

Or, a clean, deep, zipped pocket.

Better still, 2 cameras, 2 lenses.

Cheers,

R.

 

[BillP]

I've done it all - belt pouches, backpacks, shoulder bags, pockets, etc. I've found the following holds true:

- One body and one lens can handle 80% of what I want to shoot
- Too many lenses = bad back
- The lens you want is usually the lens you have left at home
- If you don't have a lens with you, don't sweat it - ride what ya brung
- Film is lighter and cheaper than lenses
- backpacks are designed to be kind to your back, not to improve access to your gear
- shoulder bags should have a strap long enough to wear across your body

For general strolling about I have a small non-photo shoulder bag. At the bottom of the main compartment is a folded shemagh. I drop my camera with one lens on top. I drop a second lens in a pouch into the bag too. A couple of spare rolls of film go in a side pocket, and that's it. Occasionally - very occasionally - I'll take a third lens, held together with the second in a b2b coupler and a slightly larger pouch.

Regards,

Bill

 

[sepiareverb]

I use the Domke bags and inserts. I'll keep lenses in their cases when on the shelf to keep them from getting dusty, and sometimes use the cases in the bag if I'm going to carry a bunch of stuff to keep lenses from knocking about in the same Domke insert. Best part of the Domkes for me is that the padding can be added to or reduced as needed.

 

[steverett]

I have the Crumpler 4-million dollar home. It's just the right size for a RF & one extra lens, plus it has film holders on the outside, so you don't even have to open the bag to change film. I was deciding between the crumpler and the domke; I'm glad I went with the crumpler, because it's well padded and waterproof, so I can take it rock climbing or out in a snowstorm without worry.

 

[payasam]

Canvas "messenger" bags are also an option if kit is small.

 

[marke]

I'm a big fan of the double lens couplers that allow you to attach two lenses back to back (although you have to be careful with lenses that have rear elements that extend beyond the mount).

I bought one of these not realizing that I would have this problem. I can't put my Summicron 35/f2 ASPH on it without it hitting the opposite lens. Those double lens couplers are worthless as far as I'm concerned. Why couldn't they have made them just a little bit longer? I'm thinking of gluing together two separate rear lens caps. I just picked up a couple cheapies on the bay, 2 for $5.

As far as carrying bags go, often go without one, and just keep film and possibly an extra lens in my jacket pocket. Sometimes I only bring the lens that's on the camera. But I do have two bags I use with my rangefinders. My small one is marketed by Tamron and very similar to the Domke fx5. It's great for carrying an extra lens or two and a few rolls of film.

My larger bag is the "Sabastio's Reporter Special" by Artist and Artisan. It's a beautiful bag and made very well. It can hold: M6 TTL, Summicron 35/f2ASPH, Summicron 50/f2, VC 25/f4, Leica IIIf RD, Summitar 50/f2, Leica FL-20 flash, Zorki 1e, a small notebook and pen, and several rolls of film. Usually, if I carry the A&A bag while I shoot, I only have the M6 with the two extra lenses a bunch of film and the notebook.

 

[Doug]

For a photo stroll, I don't use cases or bags, just put a spare roll or two in a pocket, and sling over my shoulder just the one camera and lens. Rarely I'll have a second lens in a pouch in a pocket.

When traveling, or out in the car on a photo expedition, I use a LowePro bag that has velcro-retained partitions, and may have two bodies and several lenses, filters, batteries, etc. Generally I'll leave this bag in the trunk... and for a stroll see above!