I am on the ferry over to Vancouver and got thinking about carrying my camera gear.

I guess to start at the beginning, an aspiring photographer first needs to decide what kind of camera gear they want to carry around. Obviously carting a large format system is completely different from putting a smart phone in your pocket. Over the years I have settled on a DSLR with a number of lenses. This gives me the versatility I want while keeping the portability reasonable. I will use this type of camera as a baseline to describe my carrying choices…

Years ago I had a standard over the shoulder bag. I still see many people using these, but for me I found them bulky and awkward, especially if I was climbing over rocks or trees. Also the weight of the bag tended to dig into my shoulder.These bags are great for travelling or working on location, but they are not really “portable” for outdoor photography.

I later tried a big backpack. This was comfortable and could hold a lot of gear, but working with it in the field was a little less than convenient. Basically the backpack would be laid on the ground and acted like a cabinet or desk. Again, great for transporting gear, but not quite so good for shooting.

Next came a photo vest{{1}} which works great, but looks dorky as all heck…

My current solution is a LowePro sling pack. (Slingshot 100AW) I can carry a DSLR with a lens (currently D600 and 24-85) and three extra lenses (usually 20mm, 70-300, and 90mm macro) or a flash. The bag is comfortable and has an extra strap that prevents the bag from swinging if I am doing serious climbing or scrambling. The bag can swing around to become a convenient platform, and all the accessories are easily accessed. When I am shooting I don’t need to take it off. Downsides? The 100 is too small for larger lenses or cameras and I can only carry three extra lenses. However for a quick carry around bag it is very handy, and it forces me to slim down my everyday equipment.

Bottom line? The best camera is one you have with you. Choosing a good convenient bag enables you to carry a good camera with a minimum of fuss.

[[1]]To give credit where it is due, my vest was made by my ex-wife who was very good with a sewing machine. The vest is largely customized for my gear and my working style.[[1]]