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Small Camera Bags—Love or Hate?

Pixelpuffin
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p.2 #1 · p.2 #1 · Small Camera Bags—Love or Hate?

Patrick Kolb wrote:
I have gone through a lot of bags, several already mentioned here. That all stopped my I purchased the
Bare Bones Bag by CourierWare. It has met all my needs for a travel bag, and after six years of constant use, it shows no signs of ware.

I just googled bare bones
Looks good 👍🏻
But I’m leaving well alone
Like most I have a loft full of bags Domke & ThinkTank plus a few lowepro too
Probably 30-40 in all.
I now just use my messenger or a old tatty Domke.

Feb 28, 2024 at 07:28 AM

jiannazzone
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p.2 #2 · p.2 #2 · Small Camera Bags—Love or Hate?

chez wrote:
I use an 22L Osprey backpack which holds 2 cameras and 3 small primes for travel. Plenty room for other things I need while travelling. I’d rather have more room than needed than stuffing a small bag to the gills.

I agree that some extra space is nice. The challenge is to not use that extra space as an excuse to fill it with something. It's a question of how you approach packing: get out a bag and put things in until it is full; or lay out just what you need and put in in bag that works for that load. That's why most photographers have so many bags.

Feb 28, 2024 at 12:49 PM

chez
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p.2 #3 · p.2 #3 · Small Camera Bags—Love or Hate?

jiannazzone wrote:
I agree that some extra space is nice. The challenge is to not use that extra space as an excuse to fill it with something. It's a question of how you approach packing: get out a bag and put things in until it is full; or lay out just what you need and put in in bag that works for that load. That's why most photographers have so many bags.

That’s nothing to do with the bag, but much to do with one’s knowledge of what to take on the trip.

Feb 28, 2024 at 01:31 PM

OregonSun
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p.2 #4 · p.2 #4 · Small Camera Bags—Love or Hate?

I don't like shooting out of a bag, no matter what size it is

Camera in hand or a Think Tank Speed Belt with Peak Capture clip and/or various pouches for me.

For transporting photo gear, whatever fits the trip, a giant camera bag in the car, Pelican case(s) on a canoe trip, daypack for hiking, etc.

Mar 01, 2024 at 06:18 PM

flash
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p.2 #5 · p.2 #5 · Small Camera Bags—Love or Hate?

The Wotancraft 2L takes a Q, just. 3.5 is a bit more comfortable.

https://www.wotancraft.tw/id/product/pilot-travel-camera-sling-bag-3.5L-blackC

Wandred makes the nicest sling/hip bags I have seen. The small sling takes a Q.

Personally I have my camera over my shoulder, if possible. Phones and cards in front pockets. I have a jacket for rain or a Davek micro umbrella.

Gordon

Mar 04, 2024 at 01:08 AM

BPsmith511
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p.2 #6 · p.2 #6 · Small Camera Bags—Love or Hate?

I've got plenty - WANDRD 9L and 6L sling when I'm ok with more bulk, a PD 6L(5L?) sling when I want more slime and not a giant box on me (although the WANDRD is 10x more comfortable and secure).

But most of the time these days I've got a Bellroy flexible 4L sling for essentials and an X100VI or a phone that lets me travel very light.

Mar 04, 2024 at 07:37 AM

Pindy
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p.2 #7 · p.2 #7 · Small Camera Bags—Love or Hate?

The Wandrd stuff seems nice and well thought out. I ended up ordering a Wotancraft 2 & 3.5L, but the hunt never really ends.

Mar 04, 2024 at 09:53 AM

Pindy
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p.2 #8 · p.2 #8 · Small Camera Bags—Love or Hate?

I wish I was seeing a photo version of the Camelbak Powderhound backpack, a much smaller backpack design that is skinny and just made for bare essentials.

Mar 04, 2024 at 09:58 AM

Craig Gillette
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p.2 #9 · p.2 #9 · Small Camera Bags—Love or Hate?

I like the looks of the first pictured bag. I really like the buckle and quick strap combo. It's probably smaller than I'd use. I'll look at that some more. My usual walk-around is a single camera/lens but I'm really looking to a 2 lens solution at times, whether it's the 28-200 and a wide or the 18-135 and a wide in aps-c.

We all have our own "perfect" ideas of what has to go versus too much. Then there is the accessibility of all the extra impedimentia in the car, at the room, etc., or has to be carried along because we don't have ready access to it all day. I'd prefer at least enough extra sizing to make it easy, not a struggle to get things out. I'm leaning towards softer, flexible "canvas" these days versus the stiffer, more padded sorts of things.

I like the idea of being able to swing the bag behind, bring it in front as needed for access, to move it for sitting down, or to hold for security. I'd rather my bag also not flop around if I bend over to examine something in a "market" or museum but I've never found a tighter sling comfortable or practical for me. I have a 6l Tenba that is rather stiff and structured that will easily hold a 3 lens aps-c kit with some room to spare but it struggles (I struggle with it) with an A7Riv and the 28-200 and a second lens.

Mar 04, 2024 at 01:55 PM

Pindy
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p.2 #10 · p.2 #10 · Small Camera Bags—Love or Hate?

I bought a Billingham Hadley Digital in all black off eBay, in pretty excellent condition and it arrived this morning. Immediately, I like it because it's just a small version of my Hadley Pro, but less of an encumbrance when you just want to show up somewhere with a camera with minimal stuff. But I can learn two things from this bag:

1. A Billingham bag can't be mistaken for a purse, but the form factor of the Digital could be misconstrued if worn wrong. It seems like getting it out of the purse zone means doing one of two things: lengthen the strap such that it hangs quite low, parallel to the hips; or you cinch it up to you wear it like a sling, in a tighter, cross-body fashion. Wearing it at the waist is where the trouble lies! The third, unspoken, option is simply to be comfortable and unconcerned with your bag-wearing, and not care what others might think. For many of us, easier said than done.

2. Style, in general, works to your advantage when you dress appropriately for the occasion, and the camera bag looks to follow those general rules. The Billingham look is sort of "classic"; you can dress it up and dress it down (well, to an extent). But I am supposing that the Wotancraft stuff (and others mentioned here) will dress down even further, and therefore might be the better option when dressed casually and I'm out on the street. But if, say, you're going to an event where you might be dressed better, and you want to bring a single camera along, the Billingham might fit better. There is something about it that says, "I'm quintessentially British," and that's not something you might always want.

Mar 04, 2024 at 04:08 PM

jmmaher
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p.2 #11 · p.2 #11 · Small Camera Bags—Love or Hate?

I love small bags and have both the Wotancraft and Billinghams but if you want to look dressed up take a Compagnon

Having said that I am going out tomorrow and have a Mindshift Sling packed since it will hold what I need (70-200, 16-35, AD100 and a strap and trigger). As much as I like all the other bags better this is the one that ends of being used more often as it will fit a 70-200 plus one more lens.

Mar 04, 2024 at 05:49 PM

Pindy
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p.2 #12 · p.2 #12 · Small Camera Bags—Love or Hate?

jmmaher wrote:
I love small bags and have both the Wotancraft and Billinghams but if you want to look dressed up take a Compagnon

Mar 04, 2024 at 06:29 PM

liggy
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p.2 #13 · p.2 #13 · Small Camera Bags—Love or Hate?

I have a bit of a bag problem. Wife just rolls her eyes now. "Another one?!?"

The go-to bags are a Wotancraft Scout and the Ranger for bigger jobs.

Just added a Wandrd 9L Rogue. More sling than messenger and a different vibe.

So far, so good. Good size for a small kit/daily carry bag with a dedicated pouch for a tripod in addition to being able to accommodate a pretty good sized laptop if needed.

Mar 04, 2024 at 08:47 PM

rscheffler
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p.2 #14 · p.2 #14 · Small Camera Bags—Love or Hate?

Patrick Kolb wrote:
I have gone through a lot of bags, several already mentioned here. That all stopped my I purchased the
Bare Bones Bag by CourierWare. It has met all my needs for a travel bag, and after six years of constant use, it shows no signs of ware.

Back when I got into the Leica M system I had Eric at Courierware make a few customized versions of his basic messenger bag. I think I tried XS, S and M sizes. I had him tweak the interior side pockets so that each side would hold two lenses with the camera floating in the middle. Not much padding with this, but it carried what I needed (M camera and 3-4 lenses in a very compact bag). But indeed these small utilitarian-looking bags have a more 'murse' vibe than some may like. After the Courierware bags, which IMO were very usable, I got a Porter International small messenger that I further customized for photo use. It was more stylish than the utilitarian Courierware and seemed a better fit for use at certain kinds of events, like weddings. It too has been referred to as a purse.

More recently I have been using a Think Tank Turnstile 10 sling for hikes in the woods, etc. But it looks more like a camera/tech bag than the others. Or instead I'll take a Patagonia Stealth hip pack (fanny pack) that can also be used as a sling. It's part of their fly fishing line of gear but can hold an M and a couple extra lenses, plus other stuff (or small lenses) in the pockets on the waist belt. I'm not a fan of fanny packs but out in the woods there's hardly anyone around to take notice.

Mar 04, 2024 at 09:34 PM

Pindy
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p.2 #15 · p.2 #15 · Small Camera Bags—Love or Hate?

Bag report:

Wotancraft 2L: Great little bag. Is it too little? Probably. But it's beautifully made and fits a Leica Q for those times you just to need to grab the camera, protect it, and go. The Fidlock is a nice way to close it. Adjustable strap works really well. As before, it looks best (IMHO) tight on you like a sling, with the bag at your center back, or with the strap all the way extended, like Dee Dee Ramone wore his bass.

Wotancraft 3.5L: Considerably larger. Too deep in my opinion for a RF-type camera(s), but certainly more generous. I don't personally think it looks as good when I wear it. Probably better for an R5 + zoom or something like that.

Mindshift Photocross 10: Maybe my new favorite. This is the sort of the thing I was talking about before. It's basically a well-designed miniature backpack with sling straps. Great access to the camera from the side and thoughtful extras, like tripod tie-downs and a hidden pocket to stash the waist belt if you aren't using it. The sling strap is extra wide and comfortable for a trek. I wish PD would make an Everyday Backpack 10L in this sort of configuration, but with 2 straps. There are 2 dividers inside plus 2 smaller lens dividers. For me, it would be a Q3, maybe my OM-1n, and a water bottle or extra layer.

Comparing the 3.5L to the Hadley Digital, I found the Hadley easier to maneuver the camera, and didn't have as much vertical room, which for my current choice of cameras if better. Considering putting the 3.5L in the classifieds, but will play with it more.

Mar 07, 2024 at 02:02 AM

BrandonSi
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p.2 #16 · p.2 #16 · Small Camera Bags—Love or Hate?

Pindy wrote:
Bag report:

Wotancraft 2L: Great little bag. Is it too little? Probably. But it's beautifully made and fits a Leica Q for those times you just to need to grab the camera, protect it, and go. The Fidlock is a nice way to close it. Adjustable strap works really well. As before, it looks best (IMHO) tight on you like a sling, with the bag at your center back, or with the strap all the way extended, like Dee Dee Ramone wore his bass.

Wotancraft 3.5L: Considerably larger. Too deep in my opinion for a RF-type camera(s), but certainly more generous. I...Show more →

What's the choice after a few months? Stuck myself between the Wotancraft 3.5L and Hadley digital for an M11 and a couple small lenses.. Would the Hadley digital do that with a visoflex mounted?

Jul 26, 2024 at 08:59 PM

Pindy
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p.2 #17 · p.2 #17 · Small Camera Bags—Love or Hate?

I'm a little embarrased to say that I've stuck with both Wotancrafts and the Hadley Digital, which are all good for different tasks. Right now I'm in another city and brought the 3.5L, cause it fits a water bottle with my Q3 and small flash. But I find myself using the 2L a lot more than expected. And the Digital is actually the perfect size, in my opinion, but the Wotancrafts have a bit more street cred (in the sense that they blend in more), so each gets a turn.

Jul 26, 2024 at 10:49 PM

BrandonSi
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p.2 #18 · p.2 #18 · Small Camera Bags—Love or Hate?

Pindy wrote:
I'm a little embarrased to say that I've stuck with both Wotancrafts and the Hadley Digital, which are all good for different tasks. Right now I'm in another city and brought the 3.5L, cause it fits a water bottle with my Q3 and small flash. But I find myself using the 2L a lot more than expected. And the Digital is actually the perfect size, in my opinion, but the Wotancrafts have a bit more street cred (in the sense that they blend in more), so each gets a turn.

I've found the same myself.. I've got the Pilot 7L and 10L and the Hadley 72 / Small / Pro.. Wotancrafts gets used a lot more, but was concerned about the amount of extra space (above) on the 3.5L with a M11/Visoflex and 2 smaller lenses. Might have to do some more YouTube analysis!

Thanks!

Jul 27, 2024 at 07:02 AM

sandycrane
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p.2 #19 · p.2 #19 · Small Camera Bags—Love or Hate?

Pixelpuffin wrote:
My partner joked it looked like a handbag!! which caused no end of sniggers from others, hence it’s not been used since.

The build quality is inferior to the ThinkTank, but unlike the ThinkTank it’s not glaringly obvious that it’s concealing expensive items.

Like your lipstick and compact?

I like the Retrospective for its design and quality. It is a very practical solution for carrying a body and a couple of lenses.

Jul 27, 2024 at 12:51 PM

johnvanr
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p.2 #20 · p.2 #20 · Small Camera Bags—Love or Hate?

I have the Wotancraft 7L and 10L, but nowadays gravitate toward my Bellroy 6L or 10Lphoto. The Wotancraft bags are a bit heavy on their own. The Bellroy bags are light, but the strap is a bit too short to carry it as a sling.

I do prefer to carry my camera or cameras outside of a bag, but if it threatens to rain, I’ll take a bag that fits the camera as well. Otherwise, the bag just holds an extra lens or two and water. My phone and wallet are always in my pockets, never in a bag.

I hate carrying a lot, so no backpacks unless I’m traveling but not shooting, just to get the gear to my destination.

Jul 27, 2024 at 02:09 PM

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