I thought that it might be interesting to report some results back to the forum based on questions that have been asked and answers given regarding camera bags. Your mileage may vary.

A while back, I posted a question concerning suggestions for carrying an M6 and a few lenses while bicycling. Based on the responses, I decided to look into a belt pack, specifically, the LowePro Photo Runner, Sideline Shooter, and the Orion. I wanted to carry: An M6 with M motor drive, 28mm f2.8, 50mm f1.4, and 90mm f2.8 lenses, film, and a set of compact binoculars. (Admittedly, one could carry less, but what the heck.)

Fortunately, National Camera Exchange in lovely Golden Valley, MN USA stocks a handsome set of LowePro bags (among others) and I was able to inspect (i.e., play with) the Orion and Photo Runner packs. My review of the Sideline Shooter was restricted to reading LowePro’s literature and talking with a fellow who used it. I found the Orion too large, not just with respect to holding the gear, but it’s just a big pack. The Sideline Shooter also struck me as a large bag, based on what the fellow who used it managed to stuff into it. The Photo Runner seemed to be the ideal choice, so I bought one.

I also inspected a number of belt packs from Tamrac and lesser-known companies, but found most them a bit too “boxy” for my tastes.

The Photo Runner nicely holds the gear noted above. However, this doesn’t leave a lot of room for film. The belt pack has an outside pocket that doesn’t really stretch enough to allow storage for much film in the protective plastic cans. However, film can be stored around the lenses or under the camera. The belt pack has a cradling type of system that supports the camera using flexible flaps on two of the inside dividers. The camera rests on the flaps, lens pointing downward, leaving room for film.

The Photo Runner has a waist strap with multiple adjustments resulting in a comfortable fit with a lot of integrity. I never feel that the bag is about to going flying off or bounce around.

The belt pack also has a detachable (and comfortable) shoulder strap that turns it into a shoulder bag. I’ve logged many hiking miles using the bag as both a belt pack and shoulder bag. If I’m going in to the pack frequently, I wear the pack around the front or use the shoulder configuration. I find that it is difficult to get at the pack’s contents while wearing it on the side or in back. Obviously, while cycling, I stop, take the bag off, and get what I need.

Finally, there are adjustable straps that go around the belt pack that can be used to attach a small tripod to the pack. I am reluctant to carry a tripod while bicycling, but have carried one while hiking with the Photo Runner configured as shoulder bag.

Right after 9/11, there was a lot of discussion about carrying camera gear on airplanes. In one of the threads, someone mentioned for business travel that he used the LowePro Stealth AW backpack. It is designed to carry a computer, camera gear, and other materials. Since I travel a lot and want to take much of the same camera and computer gear, I bought myself a Stealth AW backpack for Christmas. It is indeed a wonderful backpack, allowing me to take the Leica gear mentioned earlier, IBM ThinkPad, cables, portable CD player (for tunes), papers, reading material, etc. The downside is that the backpack is a not something that you can easily work out of. The backpack easily fits in an overhead compartment or under the seat in “economy plus” configured rows.

The addition of the Photo Runner to my travelling kit lets me stuff it in with the rest of my luggage (checked or carry on) and have a convenient and inconspicuous means to go out shooting while travelling. Other than a tag with “Photo Runner” on it, the belt pack looks like any other yuppie belt pack, and doesn’t scream “camera.” Ditto for the Stealth AW backpack, once you remove the dopey “White House Press Photographer” tag. In other words, the belt pack and backpack nicely complement each another.

Anyhow, my apologies for the long post, but I thought it might be of value to read about what one person has done with input from this forum.

-Nick

-- Nicholas Wybolt (nwybolt@earthlink.net), April 01, 2002

Answers

I've had a PhotoRunner for a little over a year, and think it's a terrific bag. I carry a Nikon AF, 3 primes, and SB flash, along with a couple of filters, spare batteries, etc. I carry film in the front pocket, out of the plastic containers, and inside of a freezer bag. You can easily carry about a dozen rolls this way, although I usually limit myself to four. It's surprising how bulky those plastic film containers are.

-- Glenn Travis (leicaddict@hotmail.com), April 01, 2002.

My hat's off to anyone who finds the perfect camera bag for themselves. I've never been able to do it.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), April 02, 2002.

I've given up on looking for the ideal photo bag(and buying many)and have for the past five years used a photo vest by Domke. Not only do I have much more freedom of movement but also when walking around European cities I can carry all my equipment, large quantities of film, newspapers or magazines, and snack food and soft drinks or water.

-- Robert Gordon (rgordon@sienahts.edu), April 03, 2002.