How do you carry your DSLR?

[Martinjmpr]

For my Alaska trip, I purchased a very nice, fairly inexpensive DSLR. It's a [ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0035JD0DW/ref=oss_product"]Fuji Finepix S1800[/ame]. First SLR I've owned since my Yashica FX3 35mm that I bought in 1980 and which 'disappeared' from my household goods shipment when I left Germany in 1989.

Question to the group: How do you carry your SLRs? I don't have a case for mine, and that concerns me. I'd like some kind of form fitting case to protect the display screen on the back, but I don't want anything too bulky. Any recommendations?

My previous digital cameras were easy: A small case and/or a pocket and they were fine. But I deliberately chose them for their compact size. This time I decided I wanted something I could use to take nice photos, preferably something with a decent viewfinder (biggest PITA with digital cameras is trying to frame a picture on an LCD screen on a brightly lit day.)

Thanks in advance!

 

[cnynrat]

I really like products from Kinesis. When travelling my camera lives in one of their small holster cases in the car. I can grab the camera by itself if just stopping for a few quick photos, or sling the case over my shoulder if we're going to be further away. If I'm hiking with a daypack I'll often put the holster case in the pack and carry the camera over my shoulder.

Their cases are very well constructed, well padded, and water resistant. I also have a couple lens pouches that can be attached to the holster case as needed.

 

[Wander]

I've got a screen cover that came with my Nikon, you might be able to find something to fit the Fuji. If not you can always get a piece of 3M clear film and cut it to fit the screen. When I don't have the camera on me I keep mine in an older Domke bag but I'm thinking a fitted backpack might be nice.

 

[Tucson T4R]

I use a Tamrac backpack to carry my DSLR and lenses. Lowpro makes a ton of good quality carry cases and backpacks to choose from.

To me you need to decide if you just want protective case to throw in the truck or do you sometimes want to pack it in on foot.

 

[paulj]

I use an Op/tech neoprene cover.

I have also added a loop of cord and toggle to the shoulder strap of my day pack. I use this to secure the camera strap to the backpack strap, giving me a secure means of carrying the camera while wearing the backpack, and still have it accessible for use. It also takes some of the weight of the camera off my shoulder (the day pack has a good weight bearing hip belt).

 

[evldave]

I use a tamron case for body + lenses most of the time, but if I'm taking pictures hunting or other rugged/banging areas, I pack the camera in a drybox that I've lined w/3"foam trimmed to fit. Keeps things protected from both banging and water (kinda important when it's 4am and raining and you're cold and tired). Was $15 for the drybox and like $5 for the foam. More bulky than the tamron, but more durable too.

 

[AYIAPhoto]

For my Alaska trip, I purchased a very nice, fairly inexpensive DSLR. It's a Fuji Finepix S1800.

Not to nit-pick, but the s1800 isn't a dslr but rather a super zoom bridge camera. Not that there is anything wrong with bridge cameras as I use a Panasonic FZ35 as my grab and go "fun" camera. That said...

How do you carry your SLRs? I don't have a case for mine, and that concerns me. I'd like some kind of form fitting case to protect the display screen on the back, but I don't want anything too bulky. Any recommendations?

Lowepro makes a nice case for a camera the size of ours, the "EX 120". It is well padded and has plenty of extra storage for a camera of this size(unless you plan on schlepping around a tele-converter and other add-on lenses). I can fit my camera with lens hood attached in the main compartment(used one of the provided dividers as a shim of sorts to keep it extra tight, but the s1800 is wider so it may not be necessary). I have neutral density and polarizing filters, 4 SDHC cards, an extra battery and charger in the front compartment. Small pockets will hold lens clothes, some small velcro tabs and a cut up silver on one side gold on the other "survival blanket"(not having a hot shoe makes being able to rig up a reflector a god send).
The case isn't water proof but I was caught in a sudden down pour at a fair some months back and it kept the camera dry. Also almost any RadioShack will have screen protectors for iPhones and touches that can be cut to fit the LCD for less than a camera shop will sell you one made for cameras.

 

[Photog]

X2 on Kinesis or LowePro bags.

For my Canon G11 with lens adapter, I use the Kinesis Reporter. It holds the camera, charger, spare batteries, memory cards, card reader, manual, tripod mount, flash, and journal. It does need this padding kit, to be used with camera gear.

This bag tucks in nicely at the front of the driver's seat.

A waist belt, or shoulder straps can be attached. Extra pouches can be attached.

And it does not look like a camera bag.!

To put your camera in a backpack, there are a number of different camera or lens sleeves from many manufacturers, that will provide light protection for your camera.

 

[targa88]

Another vote for Loewpro Backpack

 

[8850]

I've heavily invested in the Lowepro gear... Lowepro Slingshot when moving (hiking, skiing etc) with the camera, Lowepro CompuTrekker when traveling by airplane and Lowepro Vertex for storage or moving all the gear in the Sportsmobile.

 

[photoman]

I am pretty tough on my gear but have a variety of bags.

For trips where I 'feel' I need to bring everything and kill my legs and back, I load about 40lbs of crap in a LowePro Dryzone 200. The pack is nice but the water tight zipper is a royal pain in the ******** to both zip and unzip, which means it never gets used and therefore is not waterproof. There is also nowhere on this pack to store water- at least not by design. I stuff a Camelpack into the front pouch and the hose is barely long enough for me to use it on a hike. It does store a ton of gear, is padded very well, and is somewhat comfortable to wear, so it does get used a lot.

For events I like a Slingshot style bag as it allows me easy access to lenses or a 2nd body compared to a backpack. This bag is not very comfortable to wear for a long time or with a lot of weight because you can only wear it one way.

For weddings or other formal events I use a shoulder bag. Stores a good amount of stuff, fits the scene, and is easy to access gear when doing a lot of lens changes or changing batteries.

If I am going lite I have a waist pack with no built in padding that I can get a DSLR body and two lenses in the main pack. Extra batteries, memory cards, and other items in the front pouch, and throw filters in one of the built in water bottle holders.

I have added a thick shammie for padding and have added a shoulder strap. This allows me to use both the waist belt and shoulder strap to secure the pack while I am hiking or scrambling over obstacles. I can access everything very easily by disconnecting the waist buckle and then slinging the pack via the shoulder harness. I can then also wear a large Camelpack for water and food supplies.



I looked long and hard at the component systems but choose to stay with packs. The components work in sporting event style shoots but not something you want to wear at a wedding, corporate event, or while hiking. I almost busted up a camera and myself when a hip bag caught on a tree while boulder hopping along a creek. An old rusty pipe, which I was able to grab while falling, was the only thing that saved me. Haven't worn a pack on the hip since then.

I am also guilty of hiking around with the camera and lens mounted to the tripod. Things get banged and get dirty but that is why you buy a weather sealed camera body.


Advice I always give is buy bigger than what you currently need because you are going to get more stuff. Then you can buy other packs to fit specific style shoots.

 

[paulj]

I think this is the Optech case that will fit the Fuji camera.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/OP-TECH-USA-7401034-D-Offset/dp/B00011CS1C"]http://www.amazon.com/OP-TECH-USA-7401034-D-Offset/dp/B00011CS1C[/ame]

Dedicated backpacks and shoulder bags may be great for a camera with multiple lens etc, but are probably overkill for a camera like this.

 

[mosq]

I use not special photobag, but modern case for everything. it is soft and large enough to carry my 400d/5dmkII with two lenses and speedlight.
this bag was produced in limited amount (about 200 bags) by me and my friend designer

 

[Lost Canadian]

Either like this in my Saddleback or in my big Lowepro AW

 

[matt s]

The above solutions are all really nice bags. Any one of them should be good if it fits your needs.

In terms of carrying a camera around for use the best thing I have come across is a bandolier style strap and wear it cross shoulder with the camera on a sliding clip. No more neck ache. There are spendy versions of this out there, but I simply made my own. Hang the camera so that it rests with the lens in the small of your back and the body towards your hip. You will find this comfortable and the screen doesn't rub on anything.

I have some great lowepro and Kata bags big, small, and in between that mostly serve as storage when the camrea is not in use. Sure they go into the rig but when I am actually working (wildlife photography in particular) the cameras hang on slings, sit on seats, Tossed on my sleeping bag in the back when the big lens is mounted, gets wrapped in a coat and stuffed in a pack for a hike. Well you get the idea.

When I started purchasing professional gear and using it to make income, I lost that need to baby it. It stopped being a priceless toy (oh it was my baby too) and became a tool to do a job. Don't get me wrong, I take care of my gear, but it was built well and to take some some hard use. Bodies are sealed, lenses are stout etc. My favorite lens is a 35-70 steel and glass monster. Pretty sure I could safely defend myself with it.

I guess my whole point is that it's easy to get wrapped up in the best carry or bag option, but in the end there is no one do all system, you just make what you have work for you.