Thread: Bags, carrying cases and straps! How do you carry your gear?

Everyone who carries a camera with more than one lens needs a way to carry, right?

What's your preferred method?

When I had my E-P2 and then it morphed into an E-PL1, I did have a small bag I used, however I really preferred just to have the camera and one lens on it with me... In bad weather I just carried under my coat...

I'm currently using a Kodak bag that came as part of a kit. I had bought several of the kits as a gifts to friends using bridge or larger compact cameras and makeshift bags. I had one left and when the E-PL2 arrived, everything I had was TOO BIG!

I'm using this bag for now as my carry bag. I have a Boblbe Apak coming from ebags (used a credit) that I intended to stick in my messenger bag. It should hold everything I need, along with some non-photo stuff that I don't want just floating around in the bag.

I'm also going to switch to either the small or medium Op/Tech wrist strap rather than the neck strap.

I really like this bag. It's the Kata DR467i. It can be expanded with different Kata bags/gear and there is a place on the back where you can easily connect a trolley.
There are three main compartments: one for the computer (which easily fits a 15inch and I think could fit a 17 as well); and the other two are a generalized top compartment and a divided lower compartment. There is a divider between these two and it can be removed by unzipping. I really like this backpack because it is super light, has plenty of space for the size, and can be made to fit whatever you are trying to carry. I also like to have my computer sometimes when I go on short trips so that I can dump out my memory cards and look at my pics.
The bag also has a rain cover which has come in handy a couple of times.
All in all it is a very comfortable bag, with tons of options and it's so light that I actually like using it.
I don't like any other kind of a bag for my cameras as backpacks are the best at leaving my two hands clear and comfortable for shooting and they don't hinder walking or running.
Also, I have two op/tech shoulder holsters which I attach across my chest in X-formation. One GF1 dangles from my left, and one dangles from my right. The two don't dangle too much and allow me to have two lenses with very fast easy access.
Loopit is another strap that people seem to like. I couldn't get one in time for my recent trip (even though the loopit people were quite nice and tried to help me out as much as possible) so I went for the op/tech. But the loopit seems to be smaller and better for GF1 sized cameras (although I haven't actually tried one).
All in all I really like my kata, and the op/techs work fine; although you need to purchase op/techs smaller "mini qd loops" ($6 for set of four) for a easier fit into the GF1's tiny brackets.

I typically carry a small canvas messenger bag from Fossil with a camera and maybe one additional lens. The canvas bag will never be mistaken for a camera bag, so it's very incognito. Sometimes, if I need some padding, I'll stick in a Billingham paded insert to provide additional protection to the gear. I also have a cheapo looking nylon messenger style camera bag. It may be a Lowepro. I unstiched the tag when I first bought it to make it more discrete. Padding is pretty thin on it, but I can also stick the Billingham insert into it. When I was at the Smithsonian, I just carried the NEX + 18-55 in my ski jacket. That was in December, that's why I was wearing a ski jacket! :)

I'm "in between" bags. :)

I have around 10 bags - one for every occasion and depending on what gear I want to carry. Latest arrived today - a in parachute silk with memory foam liner for the EX1.

This thread makes me laugh; just a bit..serious compact cameras! and bags!
Yes I have small bag left over from another camera which is great for the Sony Nex and I will I hope; when I get the blessed thing be able get a macro lens in it as well.
I also have another very small bag which I bought for the OLY with its kit lens, I can get my NEX plus its lens hood separately just neatly in that.
A couple of defunct compact cases are lying around in draws .

Originally Posted by Pennyann

This thread makes me laugh; just a bit..serious compact cameras! and bags!

haha I like your Seinfeld-esque observation.

I really like the case I got for my LX5 quite cheap from eBay:





I used to walk around with that over my shoulder everywhere. The cover is held down by a strong magnet so whenever a photo opportunity popped up, it was really easy to slide the camera out of the case with just one hand. No zips, no buttons but still feels secure.

With the Leica though, I went through three bags before settling on a black Lowepro bag which was really designed for a 4/3 sized mini-DSLR. I carry that over my shoulder everywhere now but it's not as convenient as the LX5 case and the zips are a bit troublesome on occasion. What I really want is that holster that came with the M9, does anyone know where I can get something similar to this:

I forgot to mention, I also carry my GF2 with 14mm in an ankle high sock. The sock is small, doesn't add weight/size to the camera, looks good and protects the camera from getting scratched in my pockets.

In cold weather, I've been known to pack my GF1 inside a rabbit fur hat. Adds protection. So I can understand the value of a good sock.