What you use to carry your equipment.

[Pixeldust Fairy]

Just curious what everyone used to carry their camera equipment. Last year I used a small bag that attached to my belt and wore my Canon Rebel on my waist along with the lenses. Only problem was that it got heavy on my waist.
Any suggestions?

 

[Master Mason]

I have a lowepro mini trekker aw that carries everything I need

 

[Steve's Girl]

Just curious what everyone used to carry their camera equipment. Any suggestions?

Ummm...a camera bag! Beyond that, you will get a multitude of opinions and preferences. Personally, I like a messenger style bag so my stuff is easily accessible. Others will prefer backpacks, holsters and the highly fashion conscious will sport a photo vest. The best thing is to go to a local camera store with your gear and try different bags. Take into account any extra non-camera stuff you may need to carry as well (sweatshirt, kid stuff, etc.)

 

[boBQuincy]

I like Crumpler's "Million Dollar Home" series. The $4M is good for a Rebel, the $5M works well for a Rebel and extra lens. I usually wear it messenger style and it has been on all the wild rides at WDW (except Mission Ralph) with no problem.

 

[jann1033]

i have a backpack to put everything in but it's to heavy to carry so i put what i need in a messenger type bag...however, don't think my new lens and flash will fit so i am thinking of getting a couple of those holster type bags and hub will wear them( it's funny how he loves to hold my camera but doesn't want to use it...or more likely he's afraid to ask to use it )...

i saw a type of cover for my camera that basically just covers it like a skin( including attached lens) and i was considering getting one of those for when we go someplace like disney that i want it around my neck but might want some protection for it. the only reason i don't care for the messenger bag is it's a pain to get lenses in and out of when i want to change a lens. however,
camera bags are my enemy....
imo it's harder to find a bag i like than any other equipment..hope this is related enough but where does anyone go to try bags out...know of any national chain stores that sell lowepro or crumpler?

 

[zagafi]

Another Crumpler fan here. I have a $5 mil and a $7 mil that I carry depending on what I need to take with me. I *love* them.

 

[MICKEY88]

and the highly fashion conscious will sport a photo vest. )

hey...I resemble that remark...LOL

I used to be self concious about wearing the vest, but then I decided..hey I'm not here for a fashion show, nor to judge others or be judged...I'm here to get the best possible pictures.. I figure if people choose to talk about me at WDW, they are missing out on the fun of disney..

a vest is just so much more convenient, carries everything and it's easily accesible, no need to figure out where to put a bag on rides..nor worry about forgetting it somewhere..

the only semi annoying, yet amusing thing about the vest last feb. was all the people that thought I was a photo pass photog.

even cast members including a few phot pass photogs thought i was one of them...

 

[YEKCIM]

 

[donaldduck1967]

Lowepro sling back 200

 

[Pixeldust Fairy]

Wow thanks for that photo. I never thought of a vest. Is that a mono pod?

 

[Pixeldust Fairy]

Lowepro sling back 200

I was looking at this, do you like it? I have a lowepro backpack type camera bag, I do like it but it is heavy. I was reading that the slingback in geared towards digital.

 

[handicap18]

I keep my equipent (except the tripods) in a Tarmac Adventure 9. Hold my camera body (Nikon D50) and 18-135mm lens attached, along with my 3 other lenses, speedlight flash and Gary Fong lightsphere II diffuser. It also holds my extra batteries, SD cards, battery charger and a few other small things. I do have room for 1 more lens and could fit as many as 3 more if I take out the diffuser. It also has a laptop compartment and a small section at the top to hold a change of clothes or a small jacket or some other smaller items. I also have 2 lens cases that attach to the backpack and can also attach to my belt for "walk-around" time when I don't need to carry the whole backpack. I also have a vest, but haven't really put it to the test yet.

 

[YEKCIM]

Wow thanks for that photo. I never thought of a vest. Is that a mono pod?

Yes, a lightweight monopod that I found to be lots more useful for videography than still photography, by the way. The vest is a Banana Republic that I've had for several years. BR no longer carries them, AFAIK, but other online merchants do. I have found that the vest is perfect for WDW and I agree with Mickey88 on the fashion aspect. Anyone going to WDW who bases how they dress on anything except comfort and utility is just plain nuts!

The vest has numerous pockets, as you can see, and can be used to carry all sorts of items, photographic and non. It has the distinct advantage, IMO, of providing quick access to whatever you need (provided you can remember which pocket it is in!) while at the same time, more or less evenly distributing the weight. I have a large Tamrac padded bag that I keep all my gear in, but for shooting on the go, I have not found anything that beats this vest.

~YEKCIM

 

[0bli0]

i've got lots of different bags for lots of different occasions

crumpler:
-karachi outpost (when i need a non rolling backpack on a trip, body and quite a few lenses and a flash) generally carried in addition to my laptop bag. can also attach tripod
-7 million dollar home if i'm going to someplace where a backpack isn't appropriate but i need 3 or 4 lenses
-3 million dollar home (if i'm only carrying rangefinder and 2 extra lenses)
-seedybar (if i want a small backpack to carry laptop and rangefinder)
-december quarter (great for carrying laptop, body or two, flash, lenses) great for long trips in the car or if it's the only thing i'm carrying on a plane. very heavy
-tallee (my dw's bag that she carries her dslr and up to 3 lenses in)


lowepro:
-street and field system belt&harness combo (used when shooting sports to carry extra 1 series batteries, lenses and lens pouches, teleconverter water bottles). i often carry a second body in a 65aw on the belt. this is my usual weekend 'bag' in the winter sports season. it's also perfect at disney parks
-75aw (sometimes on s&f belt or just by itself. you can attach 2 lens pouches. it holds 1 series body & 24-70 with hood in shooting position, so it's good for street shooting or carried with laptop bag on trips where i don't take heaps of kit with me)
-mini rolling trekker aw (if i need a small rolling backpack. perfect for japan where i'm spending lots of time walking through subway stations and other trips where i'm walking lots. good for body, several lenses, range finder, flash)
-road runner mini aw (when i need to carry lots of gear overseas or on a plane. can carry several bodies, lenses, flash, etc.)

i also use an oakley vest when i just need to carry a few smaller items. i can attach lens casess to the back if i need

btw my DD is convinced the crumpler logo is her!!!!

 

[cryssi]

We also have the slingshot 200 aw, which looks like it would be great for WDW. However, now that it is looking more and more that DH will have his XH A1 (he's strongly leaning toward it), I will be the one to carry the D200 + gear... darn. Anyway, I like the slingshot, but it's kind of big for me to lug around. Depending on the price he gets that camcorder for, I may or may not get my 70-300, so I'm looking for something REALLY small now, just the camera w/kit 18-70. Maybe just a regular backpack or something that I can throw other stuff in and the sb800, maybe...

 

[Pixeldust Fairy]

Yes, a lightweight monopod that I found to be lots more useful for videography than still photography, by the way. The vest is a Banana Republic that I've had for several years. BR no longer carries them, AFAIK, but other online merchants do. I have found that the vest is perfect for WDW and I agree with Mickey88 on the fashion aspect. Anyone going to WDW who bases how they dress on anything except comfort and utility is just plain nuts!

The vest has numerous pockets, as you can see, and can be used to carry all sorts of items, photographic and non. It has the distinct advantage, IMO, of providing quick access to whatever you need (provided you can remember which pocket it is in!) while at the same time, more or less evenly distributing the weight. I have a large Tamrac padded bag that I keep all my gear in, but for shooting on the go, I have not found anything that beats this vest.

~YEKCIM

Hmmm. very informative. I wonder if I could find one of those vests in a sporting goods store. I am thinking of the possibilities now. I have 4 kids and need my hands free for other things. I totaly agree, comfort and accessibility is the main thing for me. I have often hooked my back pack over the bars of the stroller to have it more accessible. I am just on a mission this time around to get some good photos and try to fix the some of the problems I encountered last time. I take every photo venture as a learning lesson. Thank you for all your valuable information.

 

[MICKEY88]

looks like we use the exact same vest... except mine doesn't have all the patches...I have 2 khaki colored and one black for cooler weather...

 

[MICKEY88]

Yes, a lightweight monopod that I found to be lots more useful for videography than still photography, by the way. The vest is a Banana Republic that I've had for several years. BR no longer carries them, AFAIK, but other online merchants do. I have found that the vest is perfect for WDW and I agree with Mickey88 on the fashion aspect. Anyone going to WDW who bases how they dress on anything except comfort and utility is just plain nuts!

The vest has numerous pockets, as you can see, and can be used to carry all sorts of items, photographic and non. It has the distinct advantage, IMO, of providing quick access to whatever you need (provided you can remember which pocket it is in!) while at the same time, more or less evenly distributing the weight. I have a large Tamrac padded bag that I keep all my gear in, but for shooting on the go, I have not found anything that beats this vest.

~YEKCIM

I agree 100%.. I have a rolling backpack that I keep camera body, lenses and chargers in, when I get to my location the lenses go into the vest which is already fully loaded with batteries CF cards etc. camera around the neck, bag into the car trunk and I'm off shooting, for potential rainy days I have a large rain poncho that {folded up }fits nicely in the back pocket of the vest, when the need arises it fits nicely over the vest and camera, keeping all dry...at the end of the day camera and lenses go back into the back for the ride home..

 

[YEKCIM]

Here's a couple:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...s&Q=&sku=189123&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

http://shop.nationalgeographic.com/product/334/669/215.html

http://www.armysurplusworld.com/product.asp?ProductID=4771

http://www.walkabout.com/shop/coat-ff-vest.asp

...or just google "photojournalist vest" or "photographer's vest"

Let me hasten to add, too, that a vest is not a replacement for a good quality padded, sectioned bag, to hold and protect your stuff while in storage or in transit to your destination.

~YEKCIM

 

[MICKEY88]

Hmmm. very informative. I wonder if I could find one of those vests in a sporting goods store. I am thinking of the possibilities now. I have 4 kids and need my hands free for other things. I totaly agree, comfort and accessibility is the main thing for me. I have often hooked my back pack over the bars of the stroller to have it more accessible. I am just on a mission this time around to get some good photos and try to fix the some of the problems I encountered last time. I take every photo venture as a learning lesson. Thank you for all your valuable information.

having worked for Ritz camera in the past I can assure you that the camera bag or camcorder hung on the back of a stroller leads to more damaged cameras than you would like to know...we had weekly repairs during the summer due to that..it works well untill the child suddenly jumps out of the stroller, removing the counterbalance.causeing the stroller to tip backwards ..crashing cameras/camcorders to the ground..


if you'd like the info for where I bought my last 2 vests pm me... they were 35 a piece which is the absolut cheapest I could find them...

some places try to pass fishing or combat vests as photography vests, but I'd avoid them....the vests I have have 2 pockets just for lenses...