The most difficult assignment: how to carry your gear
One of the greatest struggles a photographer has is figuring out how to lug gear around. It was always one of my biggest questions to other photographers — what bag do you use? After years of buying bags, asking friends, reading reviews and scrutinizing specs — I finally have the answer.
You need many.
Every situation has an appropriate bag that fits the bill. If you are climbing a mountain, you’ll want a different bag than one you would need going to a fashion shoot. If you don’t need a computer with you, you probably don’t want a bag with the extra space it takes up that day. If your traveling through a dodgy city, you might want a bag that doesn’t look like your housing $20,000 worth of camera gear. If you are shooting a wedding, you probably don’t want a dirty backpack. The list goes on … However, if you check out the video above you’ll notice I do a very wide array of assignments (ergo, I need many different bags).
However, the one bag I’ve had the hardest time finding, I’ve finally discovered: the traveling photo bag.
One goal of mine is to always have as little as possible to minimize weight on my body. Photographer’s like Corey Rich, Jimmy Chin or Dan Carr fall into the outdoor/adventure photographer category. They carry tons of weight into the backcountry (through deep snow, up steel hills) — plus skis, boots, snowshoes, lights, snow shovels, clothes, food and water. While I don’t fall into this category, I do often fall into a similar world — the traveling photographer category. I need to carry gear and everything I need to live for extended periods of time. To make it more difficult I don’t want more than one bag if I can help it. Having two bags means while you are walking, you can’t be shooting (without putting everything down).
After years of trying to find the right bag for this situation I stumbled upon a company called F-Stop who has some unique bags for photographer’s shooting in the backcountry and those of us traveling around on assignment.
F-Stop Satori
WHAT THEY SAY: The Satori is our ultimate expedition camera pack. No matter where you go and what the conditions, this pack was designed to keep your gear safe. Functionality Remarks:
- Our largest Expedition sized backpack. The perfect choice for getting all your gear and supplies to your base camp or a distant shoot location. Ideal for prolonged trips when you have to carry absolutely everything with you.
- Comes with XLarge ICU – (7.5” Deep x 11” Wide x 19” Tall). All Mountain Series backpacks work with all ICU’s so you can use the correct ICU for the trip. Smaller ICU for less camera gear and more other stuff, or an extra ICU for all Camera gear.
- Airline Carry-On Friendly – At the legal size limits for major airlines (F-Stop Team flies with the Satori as carry on hundreds of times a year).
- Molle attachment points work with every piece from our Dakota Component System and the internationally standardized Molle System.
- Internal padded Laptop Sleeve fits up to a 17” laptop.
- Rip Stop nylon and high density foam make this backpack a workhorse that stands up to abuse.
- Full sized hip belt, padded shoulder straps, and adjustable sternum strap allow you to carry heavy loads easier.
- Numerous, Large external pockets and straps fit tripod, snow shovel, snowboard, skis, and almost anything else you want to carry.
WHAT I SAY: I can’t believe it took me so long to find this bag. Simply put — this bag can make the traveling photographer’s life easier. To begin, it doesn’t look like a photo bag. You now blend in with any other dirtbag backpacker who probably isn’t carrying $20,000 worth of camera gear with them.
My favorite part of the bag is it feels like you are wearing a backpack, not a camera bag. I’ve tried lots of other camera backpacks but they all feel clumsy and out of balance. The truth about traveling is you spend a lot of time on your feet. You are always walking around, getting lost and waiting. Being comfortable can go miles for your photography.
Having a compact bag that disguises your camera gear and is comfortable is a huge bonus. When purchasing this bag Colby Brown, Community and Events Manager of F-Stop told me:
I am heading back to do some work around Mt. Everest next April. Just about all of us here at F-Stop are either professional photographers or product designers.
Unlike Tamarac and Lowepro, it really does feel like a photographer designed the bag — and a photographer who spends a lot of time in the outdoors. The bag gives you the option of holding different amounts of gear pending on your needs. This is different than most camera backpacks that give you a small and defined space for non camera gear (see some of the other examples of this below). The backpack works with a removable Internal Camera Unit (ICU).
The ICU comes in four different sizes ranging in price from $59-$75. This gives you the freedom to decide how much camera gear vs. traveling or hiking gear you need. All of the ICUs are compatible with all F-Stop bags as well. I purchased two ICU’s off the back (a large and an extra large). With the large one holding a Canon EOS 5D Mark II, a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM, a Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM, a Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM, a Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM, two Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flashes , a Canon Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2 and I still have room for traveling gear, food and water.
I do have to say, when I travel — I travel light. So the above scenerio is completely possible assuming you are not traveling with a hairdryer, kitchen sink or scuba gear. Another words, if you can live with one pair of pants and one pair of shorts for three weeks, you have enough room.
There is also lots of pockets and webbing on the outside which easily holds a tripod or other HDDSLR stabilization gear. A lot of this stuff looks like it was designed to hold skis, snowboards and snow shovels, but these seamlessly fulfill other needs of a traveling photographer.
On a costumer service level the company has been excellent. Follow them on Twitter @ftsopgear here. My initial DM’s were responded to quickly as well as emails. When I did purchase this bag, Colby made sure the order processed and shipped the same morning to China (I told him I wanted it for an upcoming trip). The bag arrived within 5-days.
So far, I’ve just tested this bag around Beijing. I’m traveling through Tibet and Nepal August 20 through September 4 to put it to the real test. Will give an update for those interested when I return.
SPECS:
Volume: 58 Liter / 3,500 Cubic Inches
Weight: 2700 Grams – 5.95lbs (With XLarge ICU) / 1850 Grams – 4.08lbs (No ICU)
Dimensions: 12 in x 26 in x 10 in
Internal Compartment Dimensions: 12 in x 24 in x 10 in
Internal Compartment Space Available with XLarge ICU: 5 in tall ½ in on each side, extra depth taken by laptop sleeve.
Torso Length: 18.5 in
Frame: Metal internal Frame for support carrying heavy loads.
Fabric Info: Ballistic Rip-stop Nylon, Abrasion Resistant Nylon Webbing, High Density foam, Heavy Gauge Zippers, YKK Waterproof Zippers, Waterproof Urethane coasted mesh
Check out the Satori ($349) bag from F-Stop here.
Check out the Tilopa (slightly smaller — $295) bag from F-Stop here.
A long history of bags
Finding this bag meant buying lots of other bags. Here are some of the other bags I own or have owned and some thoughts on them. Hopefully, my expensive habit of buying camera bags can save you some time, money and energy.
Tamrac 5612 Pro 12 Camera Shoulder Bag
WHAT THEY SAY: The Ultra Pro 13 is ideal for the professional photographer carrying two DSLRs with lenses attached, 4-5 additional lenses, flashes, accessories and a 15.4 in laptop. The front pocket is foam-padded and has a plastic reinforced bottom to protect most 15.4 in screen laptops. The foam-padded main compartment features Tamrac’s USA patented Double Lens-Bridge Divider System. The Total Coverage Top combines the security of a zipper with the convenience of quick-release buckles and fast-access hook and loop closures. The top also features a Speed Pocket for fast access to accessories and personal items. A rigid plastic platform in the bottom provides shock protection. Two ZipDrop front pockets feature Windowpane-Mesh and paraphernalia pockets to visibly organize accessories. The front pockets also feature Tamrac’s U.S. patented Memory & Battery Management System that uses red flags to identify available memory cards and batteries from ones that are used up. Two large Windowpane-Mesh pockets inside the top keep other accessories secure. A zippered back pocket keeps manuals or maps within reach, while the Piggy-Back Pocket zips open to allow the bag to be slipped over the handle of rolling luggage. An EasyGrip carrying handle with a torsion bar stabilizer strut in the top helps distribute the weight of your equipment. The bag can also be carried with the heavily padded BioCurve shoulder strap that features attachment slots for our Strap Accessory System (S.A.S.) products to customize this large pro bag to perfectly fit your needs. A removable M.A.S. Rain Cover is included to protect camera gear in extreme weather. When not needed, the Rain Cover can be removed and replaced with another M.A.S. accessory, like a water bottle or lens case.
WHAT I SAY: For all intents and purposes, this is my favorite shoulder bag. Its simple, strong and is a rock of a camera bag. I bought mine in 2007 and all of the supports, fabrics and zippers work perfectly fine still. I use it when I need to bring more than one camera body with me and multiple flashes with multiple lenses. Although the bag gets heavy, since it is wide the weight distribution doesn’t hurt so much. Even if jammed pack full of gear, this bag can carry on any plane without a hassle. The walls are all customizable and the depth is big enough to hold a lot of odds and ends. Also, its extremely affordable coming in at only $135. My big complaint about the bag has less to do with the bag and more to do with the type of bag it is. If your ever in a rush, running or need to be agile — shoulder bags this big just aren’t great, which is why I favor a backpack.
However, for formal occassions the backpack doesn’t really fit in. It can be hard to figure out how to dress as a photographer, and the bag certainly counts as part of your outfit. Someone once told me, you — “you should dress as if you were going to the event and not working.” I’ve seen journalists at funerals wearing sandals and shorts and it seems very disrespectful. I’ve also seen journalists in ties at garage sales, and they stick out a bit. A straight black shoulder bag can be formal enough (I think). I use this bag for shooting weddings or formal events. Its black, simple and doesn’t look like I’ve gone up and down a mountain with before arriving at the event.
SPECS:
Material Exterior: 900 Denier PolyTek is a smooth, very tightly woven, extremely strong and double coated fabric to provide superior weatherproofing.
Exterior: Ballistic nylon
Interior: Lined with thick, closed-cell foam for the very best shock and vibration protection.
Type of Closure: EasySqueeze buckles, Internal zipper
Exterior Dimensions: 19 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 10 in (50 x 27 x 25 cm) (WxHxD)
Interior Dimensions: 15 x 6 3/4 x 8 1/4 in (38 x 17 x 21 cm) (WxDxH)
Tripod Holder: Yes
Accommodates: 2 Film or digital SLR camera bodies with a short zoom lens attached, 6-7 additional lenses, flash, and accessories
Carrying/Transport Options: BioCurve shoulder strap, EasyGrip carrying handle
Weight: 4 lb 7 oz (2.01 kg)
B&H Price $134.99
Tamarac official page
Classified 250 Pro Shoulder Bag
WHAT THEY SAY: Best Photo Bag of 2009 Award Winner from Europe’s Technical Imaging Press Association (TIPA) Hardworking bags specifically designed for the hardworking photojournalists who carry them. The Classified 250 AW shoulder bag conceals gear (and the mission) while protecting it with artful balance. This nimble, fast-access bag features a slimmer profile, contoured to move easily with the body and help the professional navigate a busy street in Prague or a crowded subway in New York. Soft edges, briefcase styling, leather details at contact points, and an embossed logo create a discreet aesthetic. Collapsible, removable padding in the main compartment allows custom organization. The built-in All Weather Cover™ protects contents from the elements. Premium features include: a padded notebook compartment to protect up to a 15.4″ widescreen notebook; large capacity main compartment with angled opening; removable memory card wallet with space for 6 CF or SIM cards; unique, leather-trimmed divider system to suspend camera and protect lens mounting points; padded shoulder strap with camera keeper to prevent sliding; removable 3-point stabilizing strap; zippered gusset to expand capacity; built-in microfiber cloth to protect LCD screen; SlipLock(TM) attachment loops at side; 2 built-in key clips; luggage sleeve; leather handle wrap.
WHAT I SAY: This bag looks great; however, once you put a 15 inch MacBook Pro, a HDDSLR with a couple lenses, the weight all falls very heavy on one shoulder. While i have other shoulder bags, the compact nature of this bag doesn’t give a lot of weight dispersion. I do love the fact that its top loading — meaning you can take things in and out without taking off the bag. Access to the camera is excellent. But the reality of the weight of professional camera gear made this bag physically painful to use except for commuting purposes. On the bright side, it doesn’t look like your holding a camera which is very nice and most likely more safe for theft purposes. The bag itself is also fairly heavy. For a shoulder bag, it almost weights as much as a backpack.
SPECS:
Material: Interior: Fully collapsible, removable padding
Type of Closure: Zipper
Exterior Dimensions: 18.3 x 11 x 14″ (48.48 x 27.94 x 35.56cm) (WxDxH)
Interior Dimensions: 15 x 6.3 x 11″ (38.1 x 16 x 27.94cm) (WxDxH)
Tripod Holder: No
Accommodates: 1-2 professional digital SLR camera bodies with 70-200 f/2.8 lens attached, 2-3 lenses or flash and a 15.4″ widescreen laptop computer.
Carrying/Transport Options: Carry handle, Shoulder strap
Weight: 4.21 lbs (1.91kg)
LowePro Price 229.99
B&H Price $169.95
Lowepro Fastpack 250 Backpack
WHAT THEY SAY: Go all day with the lightweight, comfortable Fastpack 250 backpack. It protects your digital SLR and 15.4 in widescreen notebook compactly while providing generous storage for your other gear. Side-entry compartments let you quickly grab equipment and accessories, even while you’re on the move. Customize the easy-to-access main compartment with adjustable dividers. A comfortable mesh waistbelt helps distribute weight evenly. To help you make the most of this Lowepro bag take a look at our new product video.
WHAT I SAY: This is by far and away my favorite “office” backpack. Its small enough to travel in a city with a single HDDSLR body with a 200 mm lens attached, a couple additional lenses (nothing big — I usually keep a 50mm, 14mm or a 24-70mm), strobes and a 15 in MacBook Pro. The side access pocket is fantastic and puts this bag above all other small backpacks in terms of ease of access. You can get your camera out without taking the bag off very quickly. I have had problems with the zipper not working entirely great. Also, there is no way to put a tripod on this bag, which makes it a deal breaker for certain shoots.
SPECS:
Material Exterior: Water-resistant 420 denier nylon fabric
Exterior: 600 denier polyester
Interior: Padded
Type of Closure: Buckles , Zippers
Exterior Dimensions: 12.4 x 9.4 x 18.1 in (31.5 x 23.88 x 45.97cm) (WxDxH)
Interior Dimensions: 11 x 5.9 x 9.3 in (27.94 x 14.99 x 23.62cm) (WxDxH)
Tripod Holder: No
Waist Belt: Yes
Accommodates: D-SLR camera with lenses flash and accessories, Laptop computer with screen up to 15.4″
Carrying/Transport Options: Backpack harness, Carry strap, Waist belt
Weight: 3.62 lbs (1.64kg)
Lowepro Price: $119.99
BH Price: $89.95
Rover AW II Camera Backpack Kit
WHAT THEY SAY: Versatility and then some! This three compartment backpack carries a digital pro SLR with lens attached, 2-4 additional lenses (up to 80-200 mm), a 17″ notebook computer, digital accessories and personal gear. But capacity alone is not what makes the CompuRover AW so amazing. It’s packed with features that every digital Adventure photographer will appreciate, a drop-down tripod holder, cable management bag, removable waist belt, built-in memory card pouch and the patented All Weather Cover™. It’s more than enough to impress any photographer.
WHAT I SAY: What a pain it is to get your camera in and out of this bag. The zipper is in the middle of the bag so every time you need to get something out of it, you have to put it down. Furthermore, when accessing the camera, the weight of the top compartment can make it difficult to close and possibly dangerous for anything breakable in the top compartment. My biggest complaint about this bag is actually the description — sure you can have a 200mm lens with you but not attached to the body. When I was using this bag I had to always leave the camera in the bag with a 14mm, 50mm or some other small lens which equates to an extra lens change every time you put the bag away (assuming you weren’t using that lens before). Furthermore, the company claims the bag holds a “17″ notebook computer.” This is just false. I have a 15″ MacBook Pro that I can’t get to fit in this bag if the camera compartment is filled.
SPECS:
Material: Water-resistant 1200D ballistic TXP and 600D ballistic nylon
Type of Closure: YKK water resistant zipper with silent zipper pulls
Exterior Dimensions: 13.4 x 9.1 x 21.7″ (34 x 223.1 x 55.1 cm) (WxDxH)
Interior Dimensions: Top Compartment: 12.6 x 7.3 x 12.6″ (32 x 18.5 x 32 cm)(WxDxH)
Camera Compartment: 11.6 x 6.9 x 8.3″ (29.5 x 17.5 x 21 cm)(WxDxH)
Notebook Compartment: 11.6 x 1.9 x 18.7″ (29.5 x 4.8 x 47.5 cm) (WxDxH)
Accommodates: Digital or photo SLR with lens attached, 2 additional lenses, accessories and notebook computer
Carrying/Transport Options: Contoured shoulder harness, Detachable waistbelt
Weight: 5.6 lb (2.5 kg)
LowePro price 252.99
B&H Price $ 189.95
Tamrac 5549 Adventure 9 Backpack
WHAT THEY SAY: The Adventure 9 is a modern backpack designed for the photographer with a pro digital SLR (such as Canon’s EOS 1D Series or Nikon’s D2 Series) with a grip and 5″ lens attached, several additional lenses, a flash, accessories and a laptop. The completely foam-padded lower compartment protects photo equipment, while the large top compartment holds a light jacket, lunch or other necessary items. Inside the top, a Pop-Off Pocket™ keeps AC adaptors and laptop cords organized. A separate, completely foam-padded compartment provides quick access to a 17″ screen laptop (such as Apple’s 17″ MacBook Pro or other laptops up to 15½” x 11″ x 2″ in size) without disturbing photo gear.
Double zipper pulls provide quick access to photo gear while a weather flap and quick-release buckle provide security and weather protection. Inside the main compartment, foam pillars support the camera with lens attached, ready for action, while adjustable, foam-padded dividers protect other equipment. Tamrac’s patented Memory & Battery Management System™ uses red flags to identify available memory cards and batteries from ones that are used up. A Windowpane-Mesh™ pocket organizes filters, cables and other accessories.
Two mesh side pockets provide quick access to accessories and water bottles. The comfortable, foam-padded backpack harness with sternum strap is contoured to distribute the weight of the camera gear across the shoulders. The harness also features Tamrac’s Strap Accessory System™ attachment points for customizing this pack with optional Tamrac S.A.S.™ products. Two lash tabs on the bottom allow a tripod to be carried (requires accessory straps, Model S-113, sold separately).
WHAT I SAY: This was my favorite day pack that could hold a laptop for a long time. Its comfortable and fairly convenient to get gear out of. However, the front loading compartment is a bit dangerous. There were multiple occasions where I was in a rush and either forgot to zip up the bag part way or completely. The weight of the camera gear against the zipper could actually open up the compartment making a possible disaster. The fabric on this bag didn’t actually stand up to wear and tear as well as other bags I’ve used with tears coming at the zippers and sternum strap.
SPECS:
Material Exterior: 600 denier double coated, weatherproof PolyTek.
Interior: Lined with thick, closed-cell foam
Type of Closure: Double zipper pulls for quick access to photo gear, Quick release buckle
Exterior Dimensions: 13 x 11 x 20″ (33.02 x 27.94 x 50.8cm) (WxDxH)
Interior Dimensions Top Compartment: 11 x 6 1/2 x 8 3/4″ (28 x 17 x 22cm) (WxDxH)
Bottom Compartment: 11 1/2 x 5 1/2 x 8 1/2″ (29 x 14 x 22cm) (WxDxH)
Tripod Holder: Yes with optional accessory straps
Waist Belt: Yes
Accommodates: Pro digital or film SLR with grip and 5.0″ lens attached, several additional lenses, a flash, accessories and a laptop
Carrying/Transport Options: Padded backpack harness
Weight: 4.0 lbs 3.0 oz (1.9kg)
Tamrac Official Page
BH Price: $139.95
Tamrac 5258 CyberPack 8 Photo/Computer Backpack
WHAT THEY SAY: The CyberPack 8 combines a laptop, digital SLR equipment and accessories in one convenient, easy-to-carry backpack. The main compartment holds multiple camera bodies, a long telephoto lens up to 13½” attached to an SLR, an array of additional lenses, and strobes. This larger sized pack also accommodates 17″ screen laptops such as Apple’s 17″ MacBook Pro and others up to 11″ x 2″ x 15½”. Windowpane-Mesh™ accessory pockets visibly store AC adapters, cables and other accessories. A professional tripod can be securely carried using Tamrac’s QuickClip™ Tripod Attachment System. A front accessory pocket organizes CDs, a PDA, business cards, pens and cables and features Tamrac’s U.S. patented Memory & Battery Management System™ that uses red flags to identify which memory cards and batteries are available for use. This pack is completely padded with thick, closed-cell foam and has a foam-padded plastic platform in the bottom to provide shock protection. A thickly padded shoulder harness, padded hip belt, and sternum strap ease the burden of carrying this well-equipped pack. Accepts Tamrac’s Modular Accessory System™ (M.A.S.™) and Strap Accessory System™ (S.A.S.™) products to allow for complete customization.
WHAT I SAY: This is the one bag I simply hated it out of the box. When I bought this, I wanted a bag to hold multiple SLR bodies, multiple lenses and be in the backpack format. To be fair — it does that. However, it is one of the more ridiculous looking and feeling backpacks I have owned. It juts out far from your back, distributing weight in a bad way. Almost as if someone is trying to pull you backwards continually as you walk. The bag weighs in at a booming 7 lb. The bag is made with the camera in mind — and nothing else. There is no chance of putting clothes for a week in the bag, water a tent or food (unless you want it in the same place as the camera, which could be dangerous.
I have seen surfing photographers use these bags, seemingly successfully. They are going to be at the beach for a day and won’t be walking around anywhere. They setup a big lens and sit next to the bag all day. It seems fine for that, but you would not want to hike any type of distance if this bag was filled with gear.
SPECS:
Material Exterior: 900 Denier PolyTek fabric
Interior: Closed cell foam padding
Type of Closure: Zipper
Exterior Dimensions: 13 1/2 x 11 1/4 x 20″ (34.29 x 28.58 x 50.8 cm) (WxDxH)
Interior Dimensions: 12 x 6.0 x 18″ (30.48 x 15.24 x 45.72 cm) (WxDxH)
Tripod Holder: Yes – QuickClip tripod attachment system
Waist Belt: Yes – Waist belt adjust to 60″
Accommodates: 2 Pro digital SLR camera bodies with 5-7 lenses, flash, accessories and a laptop computer
Carrying/Transport Options: Thick padded shoulder harness with sternum strap, Hip belt, Carrying handle
Weight: 7.0 lb 7 oz (3.38 kg)





































































