Posts that have the tag "bags"
Bags, Part II
I've chosen a pair of bags to purchase. The first a Kata DR-465 backpack. It's different from most camera backpacks insofar as it doesn't look like a camera backpack (and doesn't stick out like a sore thumb).
It's also differentiated further from other camera backpacks in that it's more accessible on the go. Many camera backpacks have a single large compartment and the rear of the pack is simple a cover. The zipper will extend all the way to the bottom on both sides so that the cover opens like a flap. This flap works best when the bag is lying down on the ground so that you can get to all the equipment from above. The Kata bag has pockets that are meant for swinging the bag around while it's still on the shoulders.
This sort of bag should be exactly what I need for taking my camera with me when I ride my bike around.
The other bag I've chosen is the Jansport Elefunk messenger bag. I wanted to a messenger bag to replace both of my other shoulder bags. One is a regular bag that I got for free at a bar back in college. My second bag is a cheapie laptop bag that is OK for carting a couple things with me, but easily becomes overfilled and isn't the most comfortable.
Posted on February 18, 2010 at 07:18 am. 0 comments. Tags: bags camera
A Bag
I've been on the prowl for a new bag for my camera crap. I've been unsuccessful in being able to carry my camera gear around while riding my bike. I can take it easily enough in the car, but I want to be able to ride out into the woods and stop at some of the more interesting scenic areas.
My current camera bag is a large rectangle with padded dividers that I can place where I want with velcro. This bag is good for packing a body, a selection of lenses, a flash and a few other doodads with relative ease. The problem is that it's bulky. It's OK for carrying to and from my vehicle to single destination, if I plan on setting the bag down or not going into it.
However, it is dreadful when I plan on being entirely mobile. While walking around, the flap makes on-the-go switching a pain in the butt. When I try to cinch the bag close to my body, the awkward shape of the bag makes it stick out from my body.
I have a plethora of other bags, but none of them have a particularly elegant mix of ease of access and capacity large enough to store my camera. I have a couple shoulder bags (1 laptop and 1 plain) that are fine for grabbing stuff while walking around, but have little space for a camera. I have a pair of backpacks. 1 is only just large enough to hold my camera, but is a bit thin and uncomfortable. The other is much larger and more comfortable. Neither gives me easy, quick access.
I've also decided NOT to get a camera bag. Most are too compartmentalized for my taste, making them difficult to use for other purposes. Moreover, they're ugly. They stick out like a sore thumb most of the time, making them easy targets for thieves or making people leery of me. I want something that blends in.
So, I was looking around at sling backpacks. I assume that they would be roomy, have ergonomics that would suit walking around and bike riding and would give me the ability to swing the bag around and pull a camera out. The problem is that the sling backpack selection is VERY low. There are a few out there, but of what I see, few are large enough or sturdy enough. Some look like they might work, but stick out like a sore thumb (typically with camo print).
So, I'm currently looking at messenger bags. A few messenger bags look attractive, but I'll take a look at REI tonight before I make a choice of which bag to eventually purchase. I know that it would not have the compartments like a typical camera bag, so I'll have to improvise how to carry my gear around without it whacking into each other. I'm thinking a combination of makeshift lens pouches (socks!) and foam should be enough. I'm hesitant to purchase lens and camera covers for now.