Everyday bag on a tight budget

[Dinis Figueira]

Hi guy's,

First of all, don't know If I'm posting on the right section since I can't find much about these round here - but here goes.

So I've decided to take my photography hobby on an everyday basis and for this, I need to change some things for me.

Right now, the equipment I'm using consists of a fixed lens rangefinder (Petri 7s) and a Praktica TL1000.
To carry them around, I see myself forced to bring a backpack everywhere so that I have something with space to properly acommodate the cameras but lately I've got into thinking and decided to switch to something more practical on a long shot.
Seeing that my prefered type of bag to carry around is a shoulder bag (messenger bag?), what bags could I look into to accomodate the following things.

- 2 Cameras (The above for now but in the near future I may swap the Petri for a more capable rangefinder and swap the Praktica, either for my Nikon fm2 - needs to be repaired - or for a medium format camera. Something between a Fuji 690 or a TLR. Only in a few months I'll know for sure.) Considering this, all my cameras will always have 1 lens, something between 35mm to 50mm;
- 2 Cellphones;
- Notepad
- Tablet
- Film (I have a mini lens bag to carry for now);
- Cleaning accessories;
- Mini tripod? Not essential since I've only used a tripod once but might get into it if I stick with the Nikon;
- A bottle of water;
- Keys, wallet, tissues and reading glasses.

So, it might seem too much, and even I don't know if there's a bag out there that may carry all of these but I would like to hear some opinions and see if anyone have found something around these requirements with a low value.

Thank you all!

 

[juan]

I don't know what is available in Portugal, but in the US I use bags that are sold to carry electric tools such as saws, drills, etc. Here they are heavy duty and available at much lower prices than camera bags.

 

[Dinis Figueira]

I don't know what is available in Portugal, but in the US I use bags that are sold to carry electric tools such as saws, drills, etc. Here they are heavy duty and available at much lower prices than camera bags.

And do they come with a padded inside?

 

[grahamp]

In California we are usually presented with a range of cheap cooler bags at the start of the summer. A six-can type would hold the camera and most of the clutter, except possibly the water. I have a couple of these that hold 5x4 film holders and other film. Lightly padded, some thermal protection, and fairly nondescript shoulder bags. I have larger ones that hold full camera outfits (5x4 kits), and I found one the other day that is big enough to take 8x10 film holders.

Of course the middle of winter is not the best time to hunt for these. They don't normally come into 'season' until March/April in the n. hemisphere!

 

[mynewcolour]

If you search online for 'padded insert for cameras' you'll find a variety of inserts to match to your preferred bag(s). Whilst I own a nice Billingham bag, the combination of a normal* bag and an insert (or two) is lighter and far cheaper. It's flexible too — I can use the insert in a lightweight shoulder bag for a day, or hike over a weekend with the same insert in backpack, or cycle-tour with it in a pannier/bar-bag.

* Camera-bags seem to carry a premium over perfectly good non-camera-bags.

Just a thought.

 

[John Koehrer]

There are literally dozens if not hundreds of bags that will do what you want.
The smaller limits are determined by the tablet & water bottle. I'd look for a ammunition bag or
medics bag. Pick a country, they've all got something.
Right now I'm using a Chinese ammunition bag for a Leica + an extra lens & finder.

Messenger bags of course come in all sizes. Personally I don't bother with padding but when I do,
simple fabric with a cushioned center works.. I've done that the hard way(DIY)
but a tailor could whip some out in no time.

 

[jeffreyg]

If the backpack works I would stick with a backpack. Many camera backpacks can also accommodate a shoulder strap so you would have both in one unit. Remember the more you put in it the heavier it gets so over the shoulder can become uncomfortable after a while. My Tamrac camera backpack has been in service now for twenty years and has proved to be a good investment especially when traveling.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

 

[piffey]

I've discovered recently it's best just to reduce and use something simple. I used to have a Everyday Backpack from Peak Design. After it was stolen I decided I'd get something that doesn't say "steal my cameras please". I found the $15 Amazon classic backpack to be perfect, fits 2 cameras plus laptop and is perfectly comfortable. I just buy sleeves for my cameras and put them in the main compartment. Have also used it to haul around my large format gear as well. I like it because it has no distinguishing marks and is water resistant. No logos, just cheap black backpack that hopefully no one will want to steal.

 

[JimCee]

If you don't object to the color the Tenba Photo/Laptop Messenger Bag available from B&H Photo is a nice and very inexpensive bag (U.S. $39.95). I purchased one back in November in a dark brown color, which was available at the time. It's a very nicely made bag that holds quite a bit of camera gear along with a laptop or tablet.

Here's a link to the B&H Photo website: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/742839-REG/Tenba_638_366_Photo_Laptop_Messenger_Bag_Mini.html

Jim

 

[Sirius Glass]

I agree that a backpack is more comfortable than a shoulder bag. A shoulder bag throws the back out of alignment and can cause back problems. I used the Tamrac camera backpacks for years.

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

If you already have a big or backpack, you can convert any bag into a camera bag with an insert. I converted my Osprey backpack that I take to work into a bag that holds a 4x5 camera and 6 film holders with inserts.

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...fNHA4iCglymndDi8k5-CPhoCbILw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Dinis Figueira]

Bought a 3 slot padded inside for my backpack to see if I can adapt to it.
If not, I got a cheap messenger bag and Ill only have to insert the padded inside.
I hope it has enought space for what I need...

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

Bought a 3 slot padded inside for my backpack to see if I can adapt to it.
If not, I got a cheap messenger bag and Ill only have to insert the padded inside.
I hope it has enought space for what I need...

Great idea. A backpacks and a messenger bags don't look like a camera bags. Some photographers have even converted diaper bags into camera bags. There's a lot of thievery going on and camera bags are a constant target.

 

[Kilgallb]

Lowepro: means steal me.

I've discovered recently it's best just to reduce and use something simple. I used to have a Everyday Backpack from Peak Design. After it was stolen I decided I'd get something that doesn't say "steal my cameras please". I found the $15 Amazon classic backpack to be perfect, fits 2 cameras plus laptop and is perfectly comfortable. I just buy sleeves for my cameras and put them in the main compartment. Have also used it to haul around my large format gear as well. I like it because it has no distinguishing marks and is water resistant. No logos, just cheap black backpack that hopefully no one will want to steal.

Lowepro = steal me!