Camera bags you love? Hasselblad 500 rig

ChrisBCS · Aug 9, 2017

Hi guys, so, we are going to the Cook Islands for our honeymoon and that means I finally have to make a long dreaded decision: buying a camera bag for the Hassy.

What I'm carrying:

500c body
80mm Zeiss Planar with metal lens hood
Bay 50 red
Bay 50 polarizer
50mm Zeiss Distagon with Lee 100mm x 100mm foundation kit attached.
2 A12 film backs
2 remote releases
Benro Travel Angel tripod
5 mounted polyester filters and a 105mm Lee circular polarizer

I usually carry the camera with a back and a lens attached. I kinda dread something that screams "I'M A CAMERA BAG, STEAL ME!"

Additional requirements are that it be small/backpack enough to do airline "pry it from my cold dead hands under the seat in front of me". No gate checking.

I'll also be traveling to India and Andaman + Nicobar later this year, so rugged international travel will be the name of the game for this bag.

Gerald C Koch · Aug 9, 2017

I have two camera bags that are used only for storage. They spend their entire existence in a closet, The problem with camera bags is that they scream "Steal Me!" They are also bulky and get in the way. When I am photographing less is more. Take a small bag to use in the field but keep your gear distributed among your luggage. Then if a particular suitcase is lost or stolen only a few things are lost.

hashtagquack · Aug 9, 2017

I have just returned from a trip to Portugal with a similar set up but add in a 6x9 folder and 35mm rf. Had the same dilemma and settled on the Lowepro Flipside 400. Enough room to fit all the gear although found the tripod to put a bit too much strain on my back when on the bag. The biggest pro is that you dont need to remove the bag to access the equipment and can leave the padded waist straps attached, simply swinging the bag to the front and access the gear from the rear of the bag. Very quick and handy. Used this feature a lot as it also provides a platform for changing lenses on the go. Better not to do this with the tripod attached though Re: size; I was fortunate enough to be able to fit it under the plane seat but you may wish to check your own airlines specifications for this.

ChrisBCS · Aug 9, 2017

Gerald C Koch said:
I have two camera bags that are used only for storage. They spend their entire existence in a closet, The problem with camera bags is that they scream "Steal Me!"

I am also thinking of using inserts inside a normal looking backpack.

mgb74 · Aug 9, 2017

I have an old Kiwi brand bag shaped like a loaf of bread. Just enough room for my 500c with attached 80mm and back, 50mm C. There are 2 pockets in the end; a 2nd back goes in one and a meter in the other. I have, at times, put the entire bag inside a small backpack. These style bags are long out of favor, so you may have to find something used. But only works with WLF;

Inserts are great, too. I use them with a "non-photo" messenger style bag. But the Timbuk2 insert I have is pretty inefficient (space wise) unless I pack the Hasselblad vertically.

Sirius Glass · Aug 9, 2017

I have several choices:

Tamarac 750 Camera Backpack
Tamarac 752 Camera Backpack
Choice of two Photoback packs from Dead Link Removed

JOR · Aug 9, 2017

ChrisBCS said:
Hi guys, so, we are going to the Cook Islands for our honeymoon and that means I finally have to make a long dreaded decision: buying a camera bag for the Hassy.

What I'm carrying:

500c body
80mm Zeiss Planar with metal lens hood
Bay 50 red
Bay 50 polarizer
50mm Zeiss Distagon with Lee 100mm x 100mm foundation kit attached.
2 A12 film backs
2 remote releases
Benro Travel Angel tripod
5 mounted polyester filters and a 105mm Lee circular polarizer

I usually carry the camera with a back and a lens attached. I kinda dread something that screams "I'M A CAMERA BAG, STEAL ME!"

Additional requirements are that it be small/backpack enough to do airline "pry it from my cold dead hands under the seat in front of me". No gate checking.

I'll also be traveling to India and Andaman + Nicobar later this year, so rugged international travel will be the name of the game for this bag.

I carry a similar kit in an insulated picnic bag. It has the size and shape of a large camera bag but is covered in pale brown and green vinyl, with a zipped pocket and two net pockets. I had to make an internal divider and I placed decoy soft-drink cans in the net pockets. I robbed an old (genuine) camera bag of its strap to replace the original strap, which was a joke. Its principal advantage, apart from not saying 'steal me', is that it does not harbour grit or sand, worst enemy of a Compur or Prontor.

Don Harpold · Aug 9, 2017

Hello Chris
I use a Lowepro back pack that works for me
Has everything I need and then some
Here are a couple pic's
Doesn't sound like you need on this big but better to have more room than less.

Gerald C Koch · Aug 9, 2017

A photographers or fishing vest can also be very handy. The numerous very large pockets easy store equipment and supply ready access.

Kevin Caulfield · Aug 9, 2017

I love my Billingham but it screams photo gear, but I find the Lowepro backpacks very practical, well designed and hard wearing and they don't scream photo gear.

craigclu · Aug 9, 2017

Even after a 12 step program, I continue to be bag addicted.... A simple looking bag that has become my favorite is the Filson Magnum. Very configurable, protective but very flexible and comfortable against the body because of that. It holds an incredible amount if you want to stuff it but for a general outing, it's extremely handy for access with a sensible amount of gear. It has a tapered opening that allows confident rummaging without fear of gear tumbling out. Front and side pockets hold meters, flash, etc and there's a zippered inner pocket on the back side. I use it for medium format and 35mm gear. I keep lenses in wraps and stack them 2 high in the slots.

guangong · Aug 9, 2017

I have a Billingham that I use as my everyday bag and I doubt if it shouts "camera bag". Only once did anyone notice that it was a camera bag and that person was a former camera salesman. I usually use my bag to carry a camera, a small sketch book, a notebook and something to read if I have to sit somewhere and wait.
People schlepp so much these days that a camera bag is hardly noticed at all. If traveling light with Hassy and perhaps a spare back I use the Billingham. If traveling heavy by car I use my official Hassy leather case that has enough organized space for extra lenses, backs, filters, etc. Traveling by plane, for medium format I take a folder such as a Super Ikonta B of Fuji gf670 and a couple filters. We in apug live in a photographic bubble but people nowadays would rather steal you iPhone than your camera.

Soeren · Aug 9, 2017

Ive never head my F-stop bags say or scream anything. A medium PRO ICU holds my RZ67PROII, 3 lenses, ekstra back, fim and accessorisk.

Arklatexian · Aug 9, 2017

ChrisBCS said:
Hi guys, so, we are going to the Cook Islands for our honeymoon and that means I finally have to make a long dreaded decision: buying a camera bag for the Hassy.

What I'm carrying:

500c body
80mm Zeiss Planar with metal lens hood
Bay 50 red
Bay 50 polarizer
50mm Zeiss Distagon with Lee 100mm x 100mm foundation kit attached.
2 A12 film backs
2 remote releases
Benro Travel Angel tripod
5 mounted polyester filters and a 105mm Lee circular polarizer

I usually carry the camera with a back and a lens attached. I kinda dread something that screams "I'M A CAMERA BAG, STEAL ME!"

Additional requirements are that it be small/backpack enough to do airline "pry it from my cold dead hands under the seat in front of me". No gate checking.

I'll also be traveling to India and Andaman + Nicobar later this year, so rugged international travel will be the name of the game for this bag.

I don't know about the other places you plan to visit and may be completely wrong about the Cook Islands but you chances of getting your gear stolen are probably much greater in any medium to large city in the USA or Europe than in the Cook Islands. Maybe even in College Station. My experience in other countries is if you show genuine interest in where you are, you will be treated as a guest rather than a victim. But why the Cook Islands when College Station and A&M have so much to offer?.......Regards and Congratulations!

ChrisBCS · Aug 10, 2017

Thanks everyone! Oldtimermetoo, I lived in the South Pacific for a bit doing fieldwork for my Ph.D. I am definitely not afraid of having anything stolen there locally, my worry of screaming camera gear is pretty much everywhere the bag will be EXCEPT there!

brent8927 · Aug 10, 2017

I use a Billingham Hadley Pro (probably too small for your gear) for when I bring my light kit (501c, 120mm, extra A12 back), and no one has ever noticed it as a camera bag. People would need to be familiar with camera gear to think that, so most people think it's a messenger bag.

For longer treks/heavier gearloads, I use a F-Stop Lotus with large ICU. It holds everything I need, gives extra space to throw food/clothing/gear in, is very comfortable, and also doesn't look much like a photo bag--it looks more like a small backpacking backpack.

Unfortunately, both cost a fair amount. I did purchase an older model Lotus (before they became "UL") off ebay, so that made it more affordable.

I never liked the large Lowepro packs (Nature/Trekker/etc) as they were very uncomfortable, heavy, and bulky. I loved my Rover AWII, but it couldn't fit much more than the Billingham could, which is why I replaced it with the F-Stop. That Rover was super comfortable though!

Kodachromeguy · Aug 11, 2017

Don Harpold said:
Hello Chris
I use a Lowepro back pack that works for me
Has everything I need and then some
Here are a couple pic's
Doesn't sound like you need on this big but better to have more room than less.

Which model is this? Nice item and your Hasselblad fits perfectly. Lowepro and the other companies are so oriented to the DSLR thing, they no longer show pictures in their advertising of medium format cameras.

film_man · Aug 11, 2017

I like the ThinkTank Retrospective 30. It will take a RB67 and some accessories. It should fit the 'blad and what you want easily and doesn't look too much as a camera bag.

philipus · Aug 25, 2017

I went the insert route and am very happy. I bought the Billingham Eventer insert, which perfectly fits my non-descript canvas bag. It easily holds my 203FE with 80 Planar, 40 Distagon, spare magazine, a couple of extension tubes, 2x converter. My bag has two leather straps on the lid so I put my small tripod under them. Oh there's space for film too. And a small camera and lens, like a Leica M or small SLR. The Eventer insert also has a sleeve for a 13" Macbook but if you don't need that Billingham has other inserts without a laptop pocket.

Dead Link Removed

jerrybro · Aug 25, 2017

1 body, 2 lenses, 2 backs, 1 PME, Metz 54 flash, film and filters all in a Domke F2. Tripod or monopod is carried, sometimes by my lovely assistant.

Eric Rose · Aug 25, 2017

ChrisBCS said:
I am also thinking of using inserts inside a normal looking backpack.

I have done extensive international travel with a similar setup. I bought several Lowe "tubs" that fit into some of their backpacks. I configure the tubs for either 35mm, MF or LF and pack the one I will be using into a normal looking backpack. Sometimes I change things around a bit if I want to take a combination of say MF and 35mm. Works great. I also use a fishing vest once I'm actually shooting and put whatever lenses etc. I need in the pockets. I find the fishing vests better than purpose built photo vests.

If I am doing a lot of moving around in vehicles to different locations I just take off the vest once I get into the vehicle and put it on again once there. Everything is handy and in my opinion more secure than using a backpack or traditional camera bag once "in country". Naturally the vest setup doesn't work for LF.

Have fun on your trip and be sure to share your photos with us upon your return!

John_Nikon_F · Aug 29, 2017

Back when I owned my 500c/cm, I usually slid it into one of the divided pockets in the stock insert sold with my Domke F-2. Body, lens, and back. Still had room for two Nikon bodies (sometimes three) and a few Nikkors. Didn't scream steal me anywhere. I have the olive green bag. The Domke logos on the side pockets are very subtle, compared to the black, blue, brown, and tan bags.

-J

GRHazelton · Aug 29, 2017

I've seen a diaper bag suggested. Since they rarely contain valuables, and may contain nasties I imagine that no one would steal them!

Don Harpold · Aug 29, 2017

Kodachromeguy said:
Which model is this? Nice item and your Hasselblad fits perfectly. Lowepro and the other companies are so oriented to the DSLR thing, they no longer show pictures in their advertising of medium format cameras.

Sorry to take so long
It is a Lowepro Mini Trekker

GRHazelton · Aug 29, 2017

Don Harpold said:
Sorry to take so long
It is a Lowepro Mini Trekker

I use the same backpack for my Pentax 645n kit. Works very well. I also have from Amazon a serviceable backpack and a sling bag. Both are inexpensive and seem well-made.

Camera bags you love? Hasselblad 500 rig

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