Blog Post # 2
How many bags is enough?
Today I want to talk about camera bags. Ever since I started on my photography journey back in 1975 I have never found a camera equipment bag that suited my requirements, until now.
Am I alone in this? I don’t think so because many photographers I know have a stash of bags in a cupboard somewhere or up in the loft.
My first real camera bag was basically a black box with a shoulder strap, the type press photographers were using at the time. It had some sections in it but looking back it was totally useless. I was using a Zenith E camera at the time and due to the weight of it, it needed a strong bag but I think I went over the top on choosing the bag I did at the time. I was falling into the trap some amateur photographers do by tending to think that their bag is a statement of their competency.
Cameras used to come (and some still do), with hard leather tight fitting cases and although they protected the camera, they were fiddly to use, flopping around below the camera, and useless for grabbing shots quickly. I ditched my first camera case almost immediately and continued my quest for the holly grail, a practical camera bag. Over the years I have tried just about every design there has been without success. I’ve tried shoulder bags, sling bags, backpacks, bags with gimicky features that are useless and even those Capture Clip and lens holding devices from Peak Design. I have also tried bag inserts, where you can fit a divide insert into a bag of your choice. Still no joy.
My dilemma seemed to be around access. I wanted something that didn’t require the release of lots of buckles, zips and noisy Velcro pads in order to get to my camera. I also wanted something that would carry just what I needed, and no more. Some bags were too small, others were too big. It also depended on what I was photographing. If I was going out to take landscapes my Lee filters and a tripod had to be packed. If it was sports or transport photography I had to pack various lenses including the 600mm! Something had to change, but I don’t think it was yet another camera bag! I realised that I was trying to select one bag that would suit all photographing scenarios and this was impossible. I reflected on what photography genre gave me most satisfaction and what equipment would be needed, focusing on what I needed rather than what was nice to have in order to support all genres. In the end my love of Street and Documentary Photography was to determine some major changes in my choice of equipment and bag.
The bag I have settled on is not from a recognised camera bag or equipment manufacturer but a leather bag maker who has made one specificaly for photography. The make is “Scaramanga” and it feels, looks and functions perfectly for me. It has a single front clip access and the camera is in and out quickly. I have also dispensed with a camera shoulder strap in favour of a “Muflon” wrist strap. This makes carrying the camera easier and doesn’t take up the same space in the bag as a belt type strap. I can get my Fuji X-T3 with battery pack and 23mm lens, a 35 mm lens, small flash, cloths, wipes business cards etc inside comfortably with some room to spare.
I also like the fact that it looks more like a Man Bag, rather than one that shouts out photographer! This is a great benefit for street photography and helps me to blend in better with my surroundings.
The Scaramanga camera bag can be found here:
https://www.scaramangashop.co.uk/men-s-leather-camera-bag.html
( Ignore the URL description, they are ideally suited for women also ! )
The Muflon wrist strap can be found here:
