Which small daypack for street photography?

[psychokiller]

Hi RFFers,

I currently use a Crumpler shoulder bag for street shooting but I find it is not so great on your back having weight only on one side for most of the time whilst walking (and I tend to walk for a couple of hours when shooting).

Hence, I am looking for a small, slim design backpack/ daypack which could hold my M7with lens attached, one additional lens (OR bottle of water) and a very lightweight jacket crumpled up.

I know Lowepro used to make their 'micro trekker' but I have a mini trekker and it is not comfortable on your back.

Any ideas?

 

[Jamie Pillers]

I use the Crumpler "5-million dollar" bag for similar duty. I find that it doesn't bother me at all if I lengthen the strap and then put the strap over my head. Then the bag essentially hangs behind me and doesn't feel like its weighing down one side over the other. I carry two Bessa's and some film... great bag! 🙂

 

[Pablito]

Lowepro micro trekker is EXTREMELY comfortable but it took a while to get it adjusted properly. Once properly adjusted, it's amazing how little you feel the weight. BUT ...you said, "street photography". To get at your equipment inside a backpack you have to take it off. By then your shot is gone. Backbacks are useless for steet shooting, IMO.

 

[alan davus]

Now do you want a backpack or do you want a Backpack? Mention R.M.Williams to any Aussie and they'll say yes, one of our great icons. I was in their shop here in Adelaide this morning to buy a pair of leather dress boots and I saw The Backpack. Just gobsmackingly gorgeous to see in the flesh, or leather so to speak. It was a case of I wanna,I wanna, I wanna. And because my wife was with me and it's my birthday next month I know ther's a better than even chance it will end up in my birthday stocking. Try www. rmwilliams.com.au

 

[Graham Line]

Tamrac's Adventure 6 might suit your needs, but you have to stop and take the thing off to get anything out of it. It's the smallest of four sizes they make.

 

[majid]

The proper way to carry a messenger bag is to sling it over your back so it rests against the small of your back, the way bike messengers do. You have to get one with a quick-adjust clasp (like Timbuk2 or Crumpler) for best effect, allowing you to swing it around in one quick motion. I like the Crumpler Ugly Divorce, it is classier than the nylon Crumplers and has room for a laptop and a Nikon D3 (just barely), thus enough for a RF. If you want something really stylish, you can go with Billingham, Fogg or Vaja.

In a pure backpack, I use a Timbuk2 Underground, the side pockets are full-length, not vestigial, one of them is long enough to hold a Gitzo Traveler. The main compartment is cavernous, large enough for a D3 and slim laptop, even though the laptop itself is fairly slim, smaller than a Micro Trekker.

 

[Doug]

For street work I'd suggest no bag at all... the camera slung over one shoulder and kept from swinging about by your elbow. This kind of carry is surprisingly discreet. Put the spare lens and film in your pocket, and the windbreaker folded up in a hip pocket. I don't think you want to take the time to open your bag and dig out your camera for a shot, and I suspect you'll pass on more opportunities than if the camera is already at the ready.

 

[ZebGoesZeiss]

Hey, you're like me! 🙂

I must have gone through just about every backpack out there, and I always felt that they didn't get it right. Like you, I just wanted something *small*.

So, to skip to the point: I highly recommend the new Flipside 200 from Lowepro. It really is a very compact backpack, almost to the point of feeling that it is a bit small (not a problem for me, but it feel a bit weird putting on such a slim backpack. Room enough for a camera, a couple of lenses, some film - and a light weight goretex-jacket (nothing more though). Room for a bottle in the outside pocket. What's better: at $60 it will not ruin you. The padding is very good for something this small.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/531348-REG/Lowepro_35182_Flipside_200_Backpack_Black_.html

 

[89rzweig]

That's what I use:
http://shop.nationalgeographic.com/product/178/3566/122.html

Other pictures:
http://www.ea-bags.com/#earth_explorer

It is relatively small and doesn't look like a camera bag on a first sight. The only weird thing about it is, that it has a sort of "cube" shape. When needed it can be "stuffed" with a rangefinder camera with lens attached and four additional lenses. A small water bottle or folded windbreaker will fit in it. I'm not sure, however, if you can put both in it.

 

[Olsen]

I do more and more of down-town-stroll street photography. Either when I am home in Oslo or on business trips around the world. On these street walks I make a point of just carrying one camera - either my M8 or my Canon 1Ds II (and now III) with one lens. This would be a typical afternoon stroll just before sunset. Some of my best streetscapes have been taken during these strolls. Highly recommended. It's both good for your health and you will happen to come across some excellent photo scenes.

For me; no bag, just a camera and a chosen lens.

 

[Arvay]

Domke FX-5 I would suggest

 

[psychokiller]

Hey, you're like me! 🙂

I must have gone through just about every backpack out there, and I always felt that they didn't get it right. Like you, I just wanted something *small*.

So, to skip to the point: I highly recommend the new Flipside 200 from Lowepro. It really is a very compact backpack, almost to the point of feeling that it is a bit small (not a problem for me, but it feel a bit weird putting on such a slim backpack. Room enough for a camera, a couple of lenses, some film - and a light weight goretex-jacket (nothing more though). Room for a bottle in the outside pocket. What's better: at $60 it will not ruin you. The padding is very good for something this small.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/531348-REG/Lowepro_35182_Flipside_200_Backpack_Black_.html

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions. Much appreciated!

Zeb, I did have a look at the Flipside 100 (smaller than the 200) and I think this is the one.

I should've also explained, when I do street photography I usually just hold the camera with a wrist strap and do not keep it in the pack all the time. The pack is mainly for the additional lens, jacket as well as the camera at the end of the day, when shooting is over.

Cheers again!