There’s a running joke with many photographers about how many camera bags they’ve acquired. This is because we all want a bag that does everything, is light and yet can take enormous amounts of gear. The reality is, like many things in life, there’s some compromises to accept.
There is no such thing as the best camera bag…
When you first buy camera gear, you inevitably buy a bag, whether this be a shoulder bag or a backpack/rucksack.
I’ve been using a Lowepro 300 for some years which has served me well. On occasions, it can’t quite hold all the kit I want to take with me. This has been mostly the case when on holiday hiking, leaving my wife to carry the lunches and flask of tea etc.
There’s some banter at home with the trusty Lowepro bag in that my wife originally bought me the 400 bag as a gift which I asked her to return and switch for smaller one.
Each time I complain of not enough space, it’s fair play she reminds me that she did buy me the bigger one, and if only I’d have accepted that gift/bag. Yet another example of the wife is always right!
On city trips (remember those before Covid?), or a lazy Sunday afternoon walk, I’ve used a Lowepro shoulder bag which is a good bag.
After much deliberation, I’ve just ordered the Mindshift Backlight 36L which was recommended by Chris Sale when I met him in the Lake District last year.
Although this bag is big, it will take whatever kit I want to throw in, and allow room for tops/jackets and mean I can take some of the stuff my wife usually carries to help her out.
The other factor in choosing this particular backpack is that a tripod can be carried on the back centrally. I’ve never been convinced by tripods planted on the side of a backpack.
And that concludes the story of the camera bag, or rather camera bags.
There is no perfect camera bag. Whatever camera bag is the best one, no one really owns it, or if they claim they do, there’s most likely a compromise somewhere.
Update
I actually bought the Mindshift Backlight 26L alongside the 36L with a view to trying them and returning the one I didn’t like.
After much faffing, I again took my wife’s advice and have kept them both.
The 36L goes on landscape shoots and trips where I know I want alternate lenses and filters. The lighter one is for big hikes where I will make do with a travel lens, no tripod and shoot handheld.
The bags have plenty of storage options, are very comfortable to carry round and the waist support can be clipped back around the back of the bag which means no flappy straps. No one wants flappy straps right?
I really like the bags and am very happy with my purchases, and have no hesitation in recommending them.
Onwards and upwards.