Getting by without a bag?

Markok765 · Nov 30, 2008

How would you guys suggest getting by without a camera bag for:
Nikon F5
50mm
28mm
SB 600
films?

JBrunner · Nov 30, 2008

http://www.surplusandadventure.com/...r/south-african-army-assault-vest-303122.html

Pinholemaster · Nov 30, 2008

How about a simple map case shoulder bag? You won't look like a SWAT Team member.

http://www.gr8gear.com/catalog/Bags/Shoulder-Bags/Map-Case-Black/

If you insist on the military look: http://www.gr8gear.com/catalog/Bags/Shoulder-Bags/Israeli-Style-Paratrooper-Bag-Olive-Drab/

Or perhaps German: http://www.gr8gear.com/catalog/Bags/Shoulder-Bags/German-Style-Medic-Bag-Olive-Drab/

Or something that doesn't scream out 'cameras inside': http://www.gr8gear.com/catalog/Bags/Shoulder-Bags/Classic-Correspondents-Carry-Bag/

Markok765 · Nov 30, 2008

I'm more thinking stuff in pockets, like just using your regular clothing to accommodate the stuff.

Curt · Nov 30, 2008

http://www.surplusandadventure.com/s...st-303122.html
__________________

Marko, if you join the South African Army they will probably give you one for free.

BTW, there is nothing wrong with coat pockets if it works for you. In other words there is no right or wrong, just what works for you.

bdial · Nov 30, 2008

Most regular clothing doesn't accommodate that stuff very well. During jacket weather, I'll occasionally stick a lens into a pocket, and quite often a few rolls of film in a pants pocket, especially during times when I'm only toting the camera. But it's not very practical if you're carrying any serious kit. Generally I prefer a small shoulder bag of some sort.

Given your list, presumably one lens will be on the camera, which can live on your shoulder or around your neck. A 50 or a 28 could fit in a cargo sort of pants pocket easily enough. Not sure about that flash. My handle mount certainly couldn't fit in a pocket. Film can stow easily enough.
There are also little film pouches or even a small digi or cell phone case that could go on the camera strap for holding film, maybe even the 28 if you're inclined.

A plain bike jersey might work for you, the pockets are pretty large, and out of your way, yet easy to get to. Sitting might be a problem though.

darinwc · Dec 1, 2008

Keep the flash on the camera. Give the extra lenses and film to your wife/gf/so/bff and have her keep them in her purse.

AutumnJazz · Dec 1, 2008

Cargo pants.

walter23 · Dec 1, 2008

Markok765 said:
I'm more thinking stuff in pockets, like just using your regular clothing to accommodate the stuff.

I'm thinking pocket lint and dust.

Some padding and a relatively lint-free shoulder bag, even just some canvas surplus-type, would probably be a better idea.

jd callow · Dec 1, 2008

JBrunner said:
http://www.surplusandadventure.com/...r/south-african-army-assault-vest-303122.html

I want one of these:

sly · Dec 1, 2008

I've got a Tamron camera vest - 17 pockets in all. Little ones for car keys and the cell phone. Meduim sized for granola bar, small water bottle, bug dope - what-have-you. 4 are big enough for 4x5 film holders. All with zipper or velcro to close. If you load up all the pockets, it'll be much too heavy and your shoulders will let you know. The weight is distributed fairly well if the zipper is done up. I wear it much more often than carrying a camera bag, whether I am shooting 35mm, MF, or 4x5. The one I have is extra large so it fits over my winter coat, or I wear it over a t-shirt in the summer. I like that my lenses, light meter, or whatever is handy without having to sling a bag off my back. I carry the camera and tripod over my shoulder and set off. I've delegated a couple of pockets as collecting pockets as I've been known to bring home pebbles, shells, botanical specimens, mushrooms.... I don't put camera stuff in those pockets as they can be gritty. I've got camera bags - for travelling, or going to a shoot at someone's house, but if I'm heading into the woods or up a beach it's the vest the majority of the time.

It was a gift form George Blumel - I never thanked him enough!

MattKing · Dec 1, 2008

I spent a couple of years of my youth wandering around with two lens cases for my Olympus lenses - the hard padded kind in leather look vinyl - kept together by a piece of inner tube (essentially a large rubber band), and hanging over my shoulder using a narrow Olympus camera strap.

I used another camera strap to hold the camera (generally on my chest) and pockets for film, etc.

It worked, and the geekiness went really well with the rest of my late-teens style, hair and attire choices.

Matt

pelerin · Dec 1, 2008

jd callow said:
I want one of these:

Really brings home the term shooting eh? On the other hand it might eliminate the minor annoyance of people accosting you and demanding you alter your aesthetic quest. (or not)

Soeren · Dec 1, 2008

I bought a small shoulder bag originaly intended for Digicams for next to nothing in Bilka (kind of danish Walmart)
It takes a 85mm f/1,4 20mm f/2,8 and a F3 with 50mm 1,8 + shade atached. I carry that and have my F100 ready for shooting with the 50mm f/1,4 AFD. Apparently the intended purpose of the bag does not do any harm to my cameras or film
So such a small thing will hold your flash, 2-3 lenses and plenty of film.
Kind regards

Joe Grodis · Dec 1, 2008

I saw this "Lens Sling " in PCPhoto (my daughters copy). It's an over the shoulder sling that can carry like 4 lens. It was in I think the Oct issue?

-Joe

budrichard · Dec 1, 2008

I routinely carry two Leica M7's with Motor M's and three lenses or two Nikons and two lenses, one usually 300mm or more. Flash is in vehicle if needed. No bag.
Lenses, films, flash are stored in whatever pockets I have. Safari type garments make great carryalls. Its all a matter of ingenuity. Bag always stays in vehicle.
In your case is really simple, find three pockets and your done.-Dick

Nicholas Lindan · Dec 1, 2008

I have a Domke photo vest. Can't say I like it: too heavy, no epaulets, the pockets don't 'hang' well with lenses in them, patch pockets sewn over patch pockets and it's hard to tell under which patch something is hiding.

David Brown · Dec 1, 2008

photographer's vest

Anscojohn · Dec 1, 2008

I use a lightweight camping vest with lotsa pockets. For extra bodies, etc an old Jansport back pack, with a cold six-pack carrier in the bottom which provides support for the sides of the bag as well as a soft-cushion for equipment or insulation for film. With the top of the six pack carrier zipped shut, another level of light weight storage on top of it.

Paul Jenkin · Dec 2, 2008

Markok765 said:
How would you guys suggest getting by without a camera bag for:
Nikon F5
50mm
28mm
SB 600
films?

Hi Marko.

Please forgive my ignorance but why would you want to manage without a bag?

Like many photographers, I have a bag for every occasion. If I'm travelling light (which I will be doing tomorrow on an expedition around London) I'll take my F100, 24/f2.8, 50/f1.8 and 85/f1.8 + film and filters in a Lowepro Slingshot 200AW.

The Slingshot is extremely light and comfortable to carry and will:
- hold everything safely and not attract attention
- keep dust and water off the equipment
- swing round so I can take out gear and put it back while moving
- hold a few extra bits like a map, hat, sandwich, etc...

I've used it whilst walking up mountains in Scotland, around town and trekking through rainforest in Costa Rica. It washes up beautifully every time it gets dirty and has never let me down.

Steve Smith · Dec 2, 2008

I have a love/hate relationship with bags. I like buying them but I hate using them. If I am going out with a camera and just one lens or my Rolleicord, if I take a bag it usually ends up being carried empty so I don't usually bother now.

Steve.

df cardwell · Dec 2, 2008

Put the camera in a bag.
Carry it.
Want to take a picture ?
Take the camera out of the bag.
Put the camera BACK into the bag to carry it.

Neat, eh ?

Steve Smith · Dec 2, 2008

df cardwell said:
Put the camera in a bag.
Carry it.
Want to take a picture ?
Take the camera out of the bag.
Put the camera BACK into the bag to carry it.

Neat, eh ?

It's a nice theory but it never happens that way!

Steve.

Paul Howell · Dec 2, 2008

When I was a working PJ I modified a Puma gym bag by having a couple of lens cases for 28mm, 105mm and 200mm, later a pair of zooms sown in the bottom, had a wire cable run though the straps so it could not be easly cut for a cut and dash. Had enough room for my F3 and a second body, film and filters and flash. I never liked a vest and did not want to carry a big camera bag that screamed please steal me. I also had a jacket with large pockets that I could stash a couple of lens into. No really good answer other than carry one body with a good zoom.

mooseontheloose · Dec 2, 2008

How would you guys suggest getting by without a camera bag for:
Nikon F5
50mm
28mm
SB 600
films?

Hi Marko,

I've got various bags that I use for different reasons, but I have often found myself in a position where I need most of my equipment immediately accessible. You don't say why you don't want a bag. When I shoot at festivals or other locations where a bag is more of a hinderance, this is what I do.

I used to shoot with a FE which would be slung over my shoulder gunslinger style. Obviously your F5 it'll have a lens on it too, which means either the other lens can go into a jacket pocket or cargo pants pocket since they're both small enough. Alternatively I keep unexposed film in one (cargo leg) pocket (left) and exposed film in the other (right). The key is having big enough pockets for what you need. Filters and caps can go in the regular pockets, as long as you don't sit or bend too much. You also have a flash -- I used to carry a telephoto lens, similar problem. The answer -- you know those bags used to carry water bottles? You can get them in different sizes -- 500 mL, 1 L, etc. The 500 mL works great for moderate teles and flashes. I would just sling that over my other shoulder.

Obviously this is not an everyday shooting style, but it's worked for me for many, many years. I also have a backpack from Japan that can be worn on the front and the top end is easily accessed while wearing it (the bottom part a little less so, but not a big problem) -- no need to put it down. That might be another option. I really don't understand the majority of camera bags that require you put it down and unzip the whole thing to access the equipment -- not my style at all, at least, not with 35mm photography.

Getting by without a bag?

Markok765

JBrunner

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Pinholemaster

Markok765

Curt

bdial

darinwc

AutumnJazz

walter23

jd callow

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sly

MattKing

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pelerin

Soeren

Joe Grodis

budrichard

Nicholas Lindan

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David Brown

Anscojohn

Paul Jenkin

Steve Smith

df cardwell

Steve Smith

Paul Howell

mooseontheloose

Getting by without a bag?

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