I’m off on a bit of a tangent this time, mainly because there’s no news on all fronts, I’m yet to arrange a trip to Coventry to take extra photos for Volume 2 and I’ve not chased Key up about a publishing timescale either. I have however booked a holiday and as a result, the logistics of transporting cameras, lenses, filters and all the rest of the paraphernalia has loomed large in the thought process.
A common problem many photographers have is commonly known as GAS, no not that sort, but Gear Acquisition Syndrome, buying new (or used) kit because they think it will make life easier or help them take better photos; musicians are also know to suffer the same problem. Too a point I’m guilty of this at times, swapping the Z5 for the Zf a prime example, not because it was massively better, but because after loving using the lighter, classically styled Zfc, it seemed a reasonable thing to do. Selling the Z5 covered the cost (roughly) for a Zf which has the same 35mm styling as a 35mm Nikon F3, only to find the Z5’s ergonomics to be better than the Zf, mainly due to the weight of the Zf camera body and 35-70mm lens as a unit and a grip that doesn’t seem big enough. Let’s say that’s a situation yet to be resolved. On the other hand, I appear to have another problem, BAS, Bag Aquisition Syndrome!
Camera gadget bags are a bit of a personal thing with photographers, some like backpacks, others messenger type bags and more recently, sling bags have become popular. For years I used a set of pouches attached to a dedicated belt from a UK company called Camera Care Systems, CCS for short, but sadly for a number of reasons, they fell into administration in the late 1990s and as pouch systems also fell out of favour, I moved on. Then there’s what they’re made of. Billingham have made what I suppose could be called “old school” canvas bags for decades, they have a reputation for wearing well (they cost enough, so they should do!), and usually gain a nice patina in the process. Ballistic nylon, recycled plastics, aluminium cases, leather, the choice is huge.
Other than the obvious, securely carrying or storing your kit, as well as keeping the elements out, sometimes you want a specific style of bag for a specific task. For street or travel photography, having a bag that doesn’t shout “Expensive Camera” is generally advisable, whilst those heading out into the wilds usually need a backpack, preferably with space to store non-photographic essentials, like food or dry clothes. However, it’s possible I’ve adopted a scatter gun approach…
So why so many? Having a full frame camera plus lenses, new APS-C travel camera and lenses, as well as a couple of old 35mm camera and a few lenses, doesn’t help. But storing them all safely is the top priority, with silica sachets in all the bags to help keep moisture out and reduce the chances of lens fungus amongst other things, is a must, as well as having the space for the other bits and pieces you collect. Everything in its place and its own bag means it’s all kept relatively tidy.
Going clockwise from the blue Think Tank sling bag in the bottom left, which houses my new Fujifilm kit, the black Kata backpack is empty and its the only backpack I have; swapping whatever kit I want to use into there on demand. The bottom section accepts any of my cameras and lenses, whilst the top half has enough space for nourishment, etc, plus side pouches take a water bottle and a trippod. Top middle, that’s a Nikon bag which is home to my 35mm Nikon FG and lenses, plus a couple of Tamron Adaptall lenses I can use on the Nikon or the Olympus OM40 (stored elsewhere). Top right, the nice and anonymous grey bag is my Think Tank Retrospective 5 which has the Nikon Zf and lenses in, ,it’s also got plenty of room for a laptop if needed and any other bits.
Bottom right, an Ona “The Bowrey”, which is a lovely bag, expensive when new (which it wasn’t) but its the least used and its the bag which might depart; its not as efficient(?) storage wise as the others, plus the strap has a habit of falling off my shoulder regardless of what I try. The small rectangular cube centre bottom, is a Tenba BYOB bag whose role in life it simply to keep your camera kit safe within another bag, usually within whatever my cabin luggage is, while the daily driver gadget bag is in the main luggage. Finally, in the centre, is a Manfrotto bag that’s usually used to store everything else, straps, inserts, filter adaptors, etc, etc, but it’s a really good bag to use as well, some nice features like a zip in the main flap for easy access.
Can you guess which of these are going on holiday? Ok, fair cop, you’re right, none of them. I may finally have found a travel bag that’s big enough to take the new small Fuji X-E5 plus lenses, be sufficiently incognito around the streets of wherever once I get there, as well have space for cabin essentials like an iPad or MacBook, Kobo eReader (less fussy than a Kindle…), my noise cancelling Sennheiser headphones (which have a battery life vastly better than AirPods, about 70 hours!) and other odds and sods. Emptied of cabin essentials also means I’ve space for a jacket if needed on my travels, or purchases along the way, with the jacket relegated to being secured to straps on the outside. It’s waterproof, so no separate cover needed and so many other neat little tricks to it that it makes you smile. Better still, this was a nearly new bargain off eBay that saved me £150!
