I read my fair share of photography magazines and articles, and get perplexed by all the recommendations for camera gear bags. it’s a minefield of variations of shoulder bags, holsters and backpacks for your camera and gear.
For walking or hiking, my backpack is mostly full of my walking gear, including spare clothes, a first aid kit, emergency gear, food, a flask and water. I do, however, leave room in the sack for my camera bag in case the weather turns bad.
For my camera, for many years, I have used a holster-styled bag that has a built-in showerproof cover. I adjust the shoulder strap so that it goes around my neck and it hangs just above waist level on my front. I then tie the bag in with the waist strap of my backpack, which keeps it still.
When the camera is being used, the strap is also adjusted so that it also goes around my neck, but allows the camera to sit on top of the closed camera bag.
With the camera on top of the bag and strapped around my neck, the bag acts as a cushion that absorbs my movements. Rather than the camera swinging all over the place, the bag does a pretty good job of cradling it, even when I’m clambering up and down rocky terrains.
Time for a new Camera Gear Bag
Around a year ago, my camera gear holster bag was very worn out, so I invested in a new one. It’s not one of the mega-bucks recommendations from the photography magazines. Rather, a much simpler affair, from Decathlon.
My new camera gear bag is actually a traditional shoulder bag, so it has a little more room for a spare lens and a few other goodies like filters and cleaning gear.
I’m able to strap the bag to my front as with the holster. Although I feel it’s a little too protruding sometimes, especially with all my winter hiking kit on. The thing is, though, it works very well for me. I have everything right where I need it – in front of me! I don’t need to be taking my backpack off to get the camera out and find the spare lens or other gear.
The accessory I haven’t been able to find is a showerproof cover. The covers available from hiking suppliers are too big. While I was out a couple of weeks ago, in all the elements, I had a light bulb moment. I asked my wife if we have a shower cap. It’s just the job to slip over the bag and protect it from a downpour. There is still room in the backpack, just, if the weather worsens.
What do you use as a camera gear bag?
