So what'cha packing? (camera bags)

[MrSquished]

since I went mirrorless and everything is sized much smaller weighs some fractions less than a DSLR setup I switched to two Tenba bags, the DNA-8 and DNA-13. The DNA-13 will hold both my bodies plus all 4 lenses, and a large Metz flash. The DNA-8 holds just one body, the flash and another lens or two. The Tenba stuff is super high quality, easily organizable and does not scream CAMERA BAG!

But I rarely use them. Instead I bought a camera pouch for my Olympus OM-D bodies, and then lens pouches for my four lenses. I'll take what I need with me in my TimBuk2 Classic Messenger bag.

Thank god my styles of shooting lend themselves to mirrorless. I will never miss lugging around all that DSLR heavy gear. At all. Luckily I don't shoot weddings, fast sports or birds/wildlife, or need more than 20MP, cause for everything else micro four-thirds is just as good IMO.

The camera pouch:

AAA=

The two Tenbas:

The TimBuk2 Messenger:

 

[tdawg]

I have the DNA 10 and so far really like it. Perfect to travel with and walk around new cities and such. Very nice bags that seem very "feature complete".

 

[slashbinslashbash]

I've got a bunch... different purposes/uses. I've tried/owned a lot more.

1) Pelican PCS-283. Big rolling suitcase/carryon style bag with a lot of room and dividers. This is for carrying ALL of my gear; 2 bodies, lenses, flashes, laptop, etc. in one bag. It is heavy, it is big. But easily transported in car and great for storage around the house.

2) Kata R-103 backpack. Extremely sturdy and also carries a 15" laptop. It will carry 1 body with a decent selection of lenses comfortably, but it will not carry all of my gear. This is the bag that I usually take with me for air travel.

3) Crumpler 7 Million Dollar Home clones. The real 7MDH is $100. I had one, until I found some identical clones cheaply online (like $20). A decent looking shoulder bag that has good protection and can carry a surprising amount. If I had smaller bodies and lenses (Rebel/kit lenses/etc.) then I would step down to a 6 or even 5MDH.

Note: All 3 of the above are big enough to carry some extra, non-camera gear as well. Like I could carry a rain jacket or hoodie plus a body and 2 lenses in the 7MDH. Obviously the bigger bags could carry more.

4) Think Tank Digital Holster 20 + modular belt system. This is a tremendously flexible system. The Digital Holster 20 on its own will hold my 5D and any lens up to a 70-200 f/2.8 (or 2 lenses if they are smaller, e.g. 17-40 zoom plus 50mm prime). It can be carried on its shoulder strap or velcro'd onto any normal belt. Add on a couple of Lens Changer pouches in various sizes, plus the Padded Belt, and I've got a system that will let me carry a lot of gear, well-protected, ready-at-hand, and the belt keeps it from wearing me out (if you've ever spent a day "touristing" with a heavy shoulder bag like the 7MDH then you know it starts to drag on you after a couple of hours). If you have a go-to, all-purpose lens (like my 24-105 f/4L on my 5D) then the holster by itself will get you through a day's hike or whatever with minimal weight and bulk. If you are doing some heavy shooting (wedding or similar events) then the complete belt system is a Godsend. And it can be tossed into a normal backpack (I've got a trusty Jansport from the late '90s) or suitcase, messenger bag, whatever and still provide protection for your gear.

 

[Anubis]

.

which crumpler clone?

 

[slashbinslashbash]

Ha, I found a HD thread I posted about it in 2009:

http://www.portvapes.co.uk/?id=Latest-exam-1Z0-876-Dumps&exid=thread...rs-crumpler-7mdh-clone-for-30-shipped.327686/

Sadly I don't think they are available any more.

 

[Syborg1211]

The amount of ya'll that use camera bags as your storage is concerning to me. I hope you at least have silica gel packs in those bags (and are changing them regularly). The cloth/padding/leather in bags is the perfect breeding place for fungus/mold with the moisture the bag can absorb in regular use. If you care about your lenses, take care to keep the humidity level down for them. Fungus isn't as rare as many think as the fungus feeds on lens coatings!

 

[CuriousMike]

The amount of ya'll that use camera bags as your storage is concerning to me. I hope you at least have silica gel packs in those bags (and are changing them regularly). The cloth/padding/leather in bags is the perfect breeding place for fungus/mold with the moisture the bag can absorb in regular use. If you care about your lenses, take care to keep the humidity level down for them. Fungus isn't as rare as many think as the fungus feeds on lens coatings!

I must be naive because I've never thought about this until you've said it.
I figured fungus was simply a function of people shooting in high humidity, then throwing the gear in a sealed plastic bag.

How should we be storing our gear?
Are you suggesting it's better to have the gear sitting out ( perhaps on a shelf ) ?

 

[FeuerFrei]

Hmm ... I live sans AC. What can I do to minimize fungus?

 

[Anubis]

The amount of ya'll that use camera bags as your storage is concerning to me. I hope you at least have silica gel packs in those bags (and are changing them regularly). The cloth/padding/leather in bags is the perfect breeding place for fungus/mold with the moisture the bag can absorb in regular use. If you care about your lenses, take care to keep the humidity level down for them. Fungus isn't as rare as many think as the fungus feeds on lens coatings!

meh

ive been storing my stuff in a bag for like 15 years
never had fungus

 

[CuriousMike]

meh

ive been storing my stuff in a bag for like 15 years
never had fungus

Well, to be fair, your FB profile photo shows you might not have the most sensitivity to fungus.
/s

 

[repoman0]

Damn, and I just bought that Amazon basics 25 dollar backpack to store my gear after reading this thread. Guess I'll load it up with those silica packets ...

 

[Raduque]

I keep my gear (T5i body, two kit lenses, 50mm lens, Elph PnS, batteries, charger, memory cards, card reader) in a Canon bag that can hold 4 lenses, and 3 bodies.

I'm definitely considering a different bag now, a messenger style one.

 

[Anubis]

Damn, and I just bought that Amazon basics 25 dollar backpack to store my gear after reading this thread. Guess I'll load it up with those silica packets ...

unless your bag gets very wet very often it wont be an issue, unless you live in hell (florida)

 

[Syborg1211]

I don't think you can be so sure about how much humidity is needed to cause fungus. I look at used lenses all the time, and haze/fungus is a real concern. There's a lot more out there than you think. Silica packs are an inexpensive way to make sure you protect your investment. You may not need to worry about it as much if your lens is weather sealed, but beyond that I would say it's a healthy concern to have.

 

[corkyg]

Fungus is also present in dry areas. We have Valley Fever here caused by a fungus in the soil, and it gets spread by dust. But apparently dry fungus doesn't stick to lenses.

 

[jtvang125]

I have a sling type bag when I just need the very essentials and an extra lens. I have a lunch type bag for when I need all my gear. When I fly I use this one and I carry it as my carry-on. I don't trust my gear as checked.

 

[guachi]

I have a Billingham Hadley Pro. I love it because you can take the insert out by unsnapping one snap and now you have a messenger bag and your camera gear is still all organized.

My wife has a Think Tank Trifecta 8 for Mirrorless. It's a great, small backpack. It's rigid so stuff doesn't bounce around but soft and padded so things don't get damaged if you drop it. Completely unemcumbered when toting a camera, lenses, and gear.