I collect camera bags the way some people collect shoes. Perhaps the most common aspect is how often we get home with our acquisition, try it on, and go, ‘Well,that was a mistake!"
My bag census stands at 13. Most are over-the-shoulder jobs. Three are backpacks. One is a waterproof hard case, another is a fanny pack. I have this weird hybrid type that, apparently, is all the rage. You sling it over your neck and one shoulder, and whip it frontside to access the thing. I can’t make head or tails of it. I think I have to be under 30, or a former bike messenger. It’s my latest ‘well, that didn’t work’ bag.
The bag count doubled when I went digital. I thought I needed something that could accommodate camera equipment and a laptop. What I found was that any single bag that held both was too heavy to be practical in the field (I now separate those functions—a small backpack for just the laptop, and my shoulder bag for the cameras). Also, when I got the 1Ds Mark II, I struggled to find a field bag that it would fit in.
I have been obsessed with packing the last few days, as I am about to embark on a major work trip. Three assignments in three weeks, one after the other, on the East Coast. I had a brief fling with a new bag, a specialty airline carry-on sized bag that can hold everything. I figured, this could hold all my cameras, my laptop, and my clothes, in one big, heavy piece of luggage. When it dawned on me that I still had to bring the laptop pack and the camera bag I operate from during the day, I took it back.
I’m back to the kit that has served me well on all my out-of-town assignments this past year. An Eagle Creek carry-on bag for my clothes. My tripod fits into it, with my underwear and socks nestled between the legs. A matching Eagle Creek backpack that carries my laptop and accessories. It’s a bit tiny for air travel, once I get a couple books in there. And my camera bag: a Lowepro Stealth Reporter Bag. For travel it holds two 5D bodies, three lenses, a Speedlight, a light meter, CF card wallets, and various accessories. In the luggage is a 1.4x tele-extender, a Lensbaby, another Speedlight, and a ziplock bag of accessories. In the ziplock are my charger, several USB cables, extra batteries, and lens and sensor cleaning kits, and two 80gb portable hard drives. And an eastern birds field guide.
The best part is that I’m fully carry-on.
I certainly understand the growing collection of bags! We're always searching for that perfect bag.
I think you're on shaky ground thinking that a suitcase plus backpack plus camera bag makes you completely carry-on ready. Although seldom enforced, most airlines say two carry ons and if you get on a small regional jet you won't get that.
Posted by: Tom Judd | April 17, 2006 at 06:31 AM
I just got my second bag - backpack style. My sling bag starts to hurt after an hour or so carrying. Maybe I should take up sewing - I feel like I could make a better bag for the money than I could buy...
Posted by: Earl | April 17, 2006 at 07:46 AM
Tom,
Actually, there's a little known TSA ruling (http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?content=090005198006b11c) that allows pros to carry on a camera bag in addition to a carry on and personal item. ASMP negotiated this a few years ago. The times that I've been challenged boarding a plane, I say that it's professional camera equipment, and they let it on.
Posted by: Doug Plummer | April 17, 2006 at 08:00 AM
The TSA ruling's wording imples that the additional bag is allowed past the TSA security checkpoints, but, I thought, does not require an airline to allow the third bag to be carried into the passenger compartment. I'm surprised the crew allowed you a third carryon bag.
Bob
Posted by: Bob | April 17, 2006 at 01:57 PM