At home I have a dedicated lens bag with different compartments to hold lenses, cameras and a few filters and so on.
But out on a photowalk I usually only take one camera, and perhaps a second lens (if it’s an interchangeable lens camera), so I don’t need anything bulky, or fancy.
My latest camera bag I picked up some months back for 50p in a jumble sale.
It’s a Fat Face messenger bag (in my experience Fat Face gear is pretty well made and lasts well – it’s the staple of my wardrobe) with enough compartments to put a camera and spare lens, water bottle and snack, phone, plus a little zipped pocket for wallet and keys.
Even if I’m using a compact digital, I still prefer to take a bag for the other items, rather than having bulging uncomfortable pockets – which become even more uncomfortable when crouching in various low positions trying to find the best camera angle!
Oh yes, even when not carrying a camera, I’ve been a fan of the man-bag since long before it became fashionable!
My bag is large enough to not look like a full sack of spuds when loaded, but small enough to not be cumbersome, and the wide, soft strap is very comfortable across my chest.
Given it’s already used and the materials are good quality, I anticipate it lasting me many years to come.
How about you? What does your camera bag look like?
Please let us know in the comments below (and don’t forget to tick the “Notify me of new comments via email” box to follow the conversation).
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35hunter 
50p! Now that’s a great deal.
Ah, you know I love a bargain! Chuck in my K100D and Pentax-F 35-70 and I’ve got a whole camera set up for under £50.
Spot on!
I tend to put my camera in whatever rucksack that I am using for the activity I am doing. 9 out of 10 will be an Osprey rucksack.
Well, how many rucksacks do you have Rob? I’ve lusted after an Ortlieb one ever since I got my fantastic Ortlieb bike panniers about a year ago! But I just don’t need one.
I have quite a few but three main ones that I use. One of hill walking, another for mountain biking and one for work.
Bags for me are a bit like trainers. I have very few, but could quite easily get carried away and very geeky about collecting them!
Always craved one styled like yours, Dan, and found it last Saturday at a charity shop. Three bucks. Olive drab, lined with waterproofing, positive turn clasps; capacious, plenty of compartments.
Quick trip through the wash. Once dry, fitted out the inside with a couple of hook-and-loop dividers.
Swaddle the more delicate cargo in small Tenba wraps.
Holds one large, two small digis and film shooters, light meter, filters, film, pen, notebook, phone. Over the neck to one side, opposing arm through, shift around to the back; comes quickly to hand. Perfect.
William, some might think “any bag will do”, but for me, as with cameras, little details matter in making the bag a great fit for the purpose. A bag that isn’t comfortable to wear, is too big, too small, too awkward to open and close and so on, means it never becomes the invisible hassle free tool for the job you need it to be, whilst you focus on just walking and making photos.
I like your idea of using the dividers, I might try that, just to keep my water bottle upright and seperate from a snack tub.
I meant to mention in the post I found a US coin in one of the pockets, 25c I think, so it’s quite possibly been to the US too!
Yep, little dividers out of older, girthier, ungainly, waddling, hip-banging, ‘tater sack pig-bags. Can’t have the Oly 35SP’s sharp elbows assaulting the vulnerable flanks of the S95.
A US quarter, a 25-cent piece? Huh. Considering the karmic implications…
“…’tater sack pig-bags…”, ha ha I miss your colourful way with words!
I will check on the coin when I’m back home later and let you know…
William, no it’s only five cents. It looks like this one, same year, 1969.
https://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/cyber_coins__banknotes/43/product/united_states_1969s_5_cents_jefferson_nickel__uncirculated/605419/Default.aspx
Ah, a nickel. Bust of Jefferson; verso, an idealized Monticello.
Shame it’s not a buffalo nickel. Much more interesting.
Your bag is quite handsome and seems functional enough, I’d love to carry something like that around. Several years ago I had some terrible episodes with arthritis in my shoulders as a result of a lifetime of abuse and living, all of the sudden even the daintier shoulder bags I’d been schlepping were unappealing as all get out. Don’t know what the equivalent is in the U.K. but I converted to mostly using what in the U.S. is referred to as the “fanny pack”, a bag around my waist, a sportier-than most number fashioned from red cordura. Everyone teases me relentlessly for it, my youngest refers to it as my red baboon buttocks. But it has been a lifesaver. If a walk is fairly fair-weather, say less than six miles, regardless of whether over hill and dale that’s what I’m taking along. There are hardly any nooks, it’s positively jammed with essentials only and lord help me if my tin foil-wrapped sandwich gets punctured, pulverized or oozed out like astronaut food but the little number has been working well for me and it has even conditioned me to keep the camera out at all times ready for inspiration lest I get a hernia from all that midsectional baggage. Hope this finds you getting the week off to a good start, Dan.
-Jason
Well, fanny packs are one of those amusing differences between English and American English. Over here, fanny is slang for a lady’s private parts, hence any American male talking about his fanny pack prompts much schoolboy giggling…
We call them bum bags, or waist bags, I know exactly what you mean, and they are useful for smaller loads, without putting any pressure on your back or shoulders.
The main thing is finding what works, and it sounds like you’ve done that.
I’m 3/4 through my working week, but yeh it’s been ok, thanks for asking. Weather not looking the best for Friday though, my usual main day for a photo walk.
Er, yes! My bum bag!