The quest for lower total weight - camera bags.

[ajohnw]

I just weighed mine. 1.3kg and then thought hang on there is a rather compact small umbrella in it. 150g. That makes it very similar to an OM1 with the 12-100 F4 on it.
I use a Troop shoulder bag as it's waterproof, Heavy canvas outer so gets heavier if wet.

I've no interest in bags that need a rain cover. Main reason I bought the Troop. Any suggestions where there is a range of sizes?

1.3kg is ~2.9lbs

I have been known to take photo's in the rain so easy access is important.

[Manfred M]

In my view, Think Tank photo make some of the best camera bags available.

https://www.thinktankphoto.com/

[DanK]

I haven't found any that I consider exactly what I want, but I've used a few LowePros of different sizes

[ajohnw]

The Think Tank look a better option than others I have looked at Manfred. Not forced to have black as well. PU lining does it for me on the Troop. it keeps the internals dry, The Vision 15 looks like it will hold camera with lens on plus 2 others especially compact mirrorless. Saves some weight too. Looks like a 100-400mm could fit not that I'd normally carry that around.

I'll take a look at LowerPro Dan but have done before and rain lets them down. I do think all makers could do better though.

[pnodrog]

I have a Safrotto small pack that can convert to a carry bag. It must be twenty years old now and is still going strong. However it won't hold my Nikon 200-500mm lens. ALDI were selling some small padded backpacks that looked sturdy and were ridiculously cheap (AUD$19). It may not be as waterproof as a top brand camera bag but so far (18 months) has served me well and the 200-500mm fits in with the lens hood in place.

Also I have a good quality smaller canvas side bag I find convenient for lighter day use when I am only taking the camera with my 24-200mm and 14-30mm lenses. It's not that well padded but reasonably waterproof, certainly doesn't draw attention to me and has the benefit of costing about half as much as a flash camera bag. I suggest unless you are going into the wilderness or are very clumsy there are plenty of very suitable alternatives to an expensive camera bag. You can always add as much padding as you deem necessary.

[ajohnw]

I'm not a fan of some bag's idea of padding. Too thick and lenses and cameras aren't that fragile really. Main risk is bits rubbing against each other.
None in my Troop bag so use a selection of woolly hats as needed.

So far the Vision 15 looks favourite but there seems to be some variation on the dividers provided. Probably down to looking for cheapest prices,

My current kt looks like this, grey came out a bit lighter than it actually is

Some years of use and it's loosing it's shape. I feel the partitions should help with this aspect especially when heaver stuff is put in.

Haven't posted on here for a long time so not sure where the photo will appear. The camera strap is a vintage guitar strap - maybe an odd choice but wide etc so suits me,

[DanK]

I like backpacks that have one compartment totally separate from the gear, to carry whatever you want keep separate, like lunch or bug spray. Not many photo bags have this.


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[Geoff F]

I am still using a Lowepro Vertex 200 backpack from several years ago. Lots of space but the empty bag is quite heavy and although it is showerproof it isn't totally waterproof.

Two compartments. Camera section is 16 x 14 x 5 inches plus another top section which is big enough for lunch or various tools, maps, gloves, spare spectacles etc. Also many little zip up pockets and straps for tripod carrying.

It has served me well but it has probably been replaced by a newer version now.

[ajohnw]

I've tried a number of bags since switching to M 4/3. Painful as mail order and may look ok but aren't in practice usually due to actual size inside also due to buying other lenses, On the Troop lenses go at the bottom and camera plus lens horizontal on top. It's worked out well really. It's also pretty stiff. I have a couple of Billingham's. Rather different and it amazes me how much attention the larger one attracts plus I don't see them as good bags. Larger than the Troop would be better at time so have ordered a Vision 15. It has enough depth to store the more usual way, It's a bit lighter as well but if too big I'll wish I had bought a smaller one,

[Geoff F]

Don't worry about going oversize, John, you will soon find plenty of extra stuff to carry.

[rpcrowe]

I limit the gear that I travel with to keep the weight as minimal as possible. Usually, I will carry a pair of bodies (now it they are Sony A6400 and A6600) along with a mid-range zoom that has an f/2.8 aperture and a 70-200mm f/4 zoom. I chose the f/4 because it is a heck of a lot lighter than an f/2.8 model. I sometimes carry a wider lens such as the very light weight 12mm Samyang f/2.0. I have the manual focus model which suits me just fine.

I carry my gear in two different ways...

1. In a photographer's vest with two cameras on an Optech strap around my neck.

2. In an original Domke F2 Bag which has been around since 1976. I bought my original F2 around 1980 and replaced it with a new F2 after 30 years. It was a little bit scruffy but, still a damn good bag and I only replaced it because my wife wanted me to cary a bag that was a bit less worn. I like the F2 because it is light in weight and is not bulky. While it doesn't have the extensive padding like many other types of camera bags, I have never damaged a camera in the more than 40 years that I have been using the Domke F2. I like this shoulder bag because it hangs flush with the contours of my body and because it is light in weight. The empty bag weighs slightly more than 3 pounds with padded inserts. I use the Domke Mail Carrier rubber pad to prevent the F2 from sliding off my shoulder. I also switched the clasps of this bag in order to open it easily single handed. The original Domke clasps were spring operated - this type is easier to work with...



I noticed that the present Domke F2 is a heck of a lot more expensive than the $50 or so U.S. Dollars I paid for my first Domke bag 40 or so years ago. But, what isn't more expensive?

One accessory I always have with me is a plastic Optech Rainsleeve for each camera to protect them from rain, and blowing sand, dust, or salt water spray...

[ajohnw]

Don't worry about going oversize, John, you will soon find plenty of extra stuff to carry.

LOL The Vision 15 arrived and I probably could have picked the 13 version. It does have some interesting features and saves a bit of weight over the Troop. What to carry? Bit of a problem with Olympus and I think it's time to compare pro with none pro. The bag may find it's way onto ebay if I decide it wasn't a good idea.

Small bags have proved to be a problem. I noticed a virtually new Think Tank one on ebay at a very low price. Worth a go so bought it. This one would be worth listing on ebay if of no use.

[rpcrowe]

One thing I always ascertain when buying a used item, like a camera bag, is that it comes from a smoke free environment. I once purchased a bag that had been used by a heavy smoker and despite every effort, I could not get rid of the cigarette smoke smell.