Street photographers: how do you stay mean when going lean?

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Wiyum

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Hello all,

I'm curious about how everyone (especially street photographers) carries their gear around? I'd like to be able to carry my camera around with a small bag just for two or three extra lenses: something for a 24/35/50 and maybe 90. One of those will be on the body (which won't need to fit in the bag), so I just need something that'll carry 2 or 3 small lenses and be easy enough to ignore while I'm out.

I'm looking to go out with more than one lens without carrying a sizeable bag for a change. What do you use?

Thanks,

Will
 
Usually one camera / one lens only, a second roll of film in a pocket. If occasionally I have to carry a bag, than it is a messenger bag which fits the camera, very rarely a second lens, light meter and all the other stuff (mobile phone etc ...).
 
I use a little photobag from eastpack, which is just big enough for 2 rf cameras with 1 lense each or 1 camera and 1-2 extra lenses. I really like it because it doesnt look like a typical photobag. but i am not sure they still make them
 
I have a simple Matin black and olive canvas bag. I can stick my m6, film, GRD, Ipod touch, headphones, phone, keys, water bottle and a extra lens in there and still have room depending on how I use the Velcro dividers.
 
A small canvas bag (once used for a gasmask, cheap surplus) and/ or a light jacket (desert fatigue style) with wide pockets above my hips, so that whenever I have to change lenses one of them goes in there.
 
Just a thought: I find carrying extra lenses around to cause more problems than it solves. I spend more time thinking about what lens to use than taking pictures. You may be surprised at the versatility of 50mm and 35mm lenses.

I use a Domke 803 bag. It holds my camera and has room for other stuff (phone, film, batteries, etc.) and it's nice and compact.
 
Andrew Sowerby said:
Just a thought: I find carrying extra lenses around to cause more problems than it solves. I spend more time thinking about what lens to use than taking pictures. You may be surprised at the versatility of 50mm and 35mm lenses.

I use a Domke 803 bag. It holds my camera and has room for other stuff (phone, film, batteries, etc.) and it's nice and compact.
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ditto.

I have a great camera bag (OD green f-803) but i hate fumbling around for stuff. i enjoy myself more as a street shooter when I work with just one camera and one lens. this allows me to go unnoticed and does not advertise "photog working."

for alot of years my only lens was a 50mm. this was the only lens I knew and i feel i only missed a handful of shots, however i was happy with what i was able to capture.

in recent times my interests lay with the 28-35-50 trio. on my last big trips i took a 28mm/2.8 and 50mm/1.4. this allowed me to do some street shooting and landscapes as well.
 
Also one camera. I put the lens in my front pocket, and the body in the back pocket when needed. I have a scar on my leg from the diaphragm lever of one of my lenses from doing that. Maybe not always a good idea.
 
I have a little canvas military surplus type bag, and a similar one with some padding sewn in. I use both for everyday things, even if I don't have a camera with me, so if I am going out and not taking a lot of gear, I just pop it into the bag.

I rarely go out with more than one lens + another, even when shooting with my dSLR. I'm just not given to carrying lots of gear. With a rangefinder, I usually go out with just the camera with a single lens mounted.
 
Since switching camera systems from large Nikon DSLR's, this is what I carry around. A Lumix L1 with the Leica lens attached, a 40-150 Olympus zoom, and a Ricoh GRD II- all in a Kata waistpack that I converted to a shoulder bag. Very small and discreet and it protects the equipment very well. The Kata is well padded and slightly curved and rides my hip well and it is extremely lightweight. Also, while wearing the bag, the top of it opens away from me, not towards me like a lot of bags, so it is quick and easy to get to the gear.
 
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pesphoto said:
no bag, just one camera, a lens and filmed stuffed in my pockets
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Agree, bags are for girls ;) stuff your pockets full of film, mount your favorite lens and forget the rest... that's lean.

Todd
 
People and those watching the CCTV cameras are far more suspicious of the guy with a small camera in his hand and no bags who tries to be sneaky.

That's why I always carry a camera bag and I use a small DSLR because everyone carries a DSLR these days. And I try to be as conspicuous as possible.

When I photograph I like to be at peace not worried.
 
When I bother with a bag, it's a little domke f5xb or whatever the tiny ones is called.

The camera is in my hand our around my neck (always, there isn't room in the bag, even if I wanted to put it in).

The bag has a 21, 35, and a second 50 (1.8 on the camera, 1.2 in the bag). + 10 rolls of film, screwdriver to tweak the RF if needed, battery for meter, moleskine notebook and sharpie for marking the rolls when I'm done with em.

But more often than not, I just have the camera with one lens, meter, and two rolls of film in my pockets. No bag. No extra lenses.
 
rogue_designer said:
When I bother with a bag, it's a little domke f5xb or whatever the tiny ones is called.

The camera is in my hand our around my neck (always, there isn't room in the bag, even if I wanted to put it in).

The bag has a 21, 35, and a second 50 (1.8 on the camera, 1.2 in the bag). + 10 rolls of film, screwdriver to tweak the RF if needed, battery for meter, moleskine notebook and sharpie for marking the rolls when I'm done with em.

But more often than not, I just have the camera with one lens, meter, and two rolls of film in my pockets. No bag. No extra lenses.
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A little lowe bumbag (fanny pack for those west of the atlantic) made for running and hiking not photography. Lenses need wrapping in something soft.

Now I'mm off to take a few pictures with only an Ultron 35.

Mike
 
whether it's my dslr or rf i usually just use a fannypack with water bottle holders. i turn it towards the front and keep lenses or meters in the water bottle holders and bodies, film, lenses, etc in the pouch part. i like this better for when i'm shooting "light". shoulder bags always make me feel off balance and when you need to get into some weird position and they can fall off your shoulder or bump into people.

btw, these are also great for trips to disneyland or anytime you have lots of walking to do. grab some snacks and a few bottles of water and you're good to go.
 

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