Let’s Talk About Bags!

For many years I’ve been a Gold Star Member of the Bag of The Month Club!!!!!!!  O.K so there is no such thing, but I’ve bought, owned and used a great number of bags, slings, shoulder bags, backpacks,. rolling cases and the like!!!!!!!  I currently have over 40 in my office!  The photo above is where most are stored. Another 7 are my current ones in daily use.

Question Number One:  Why??????  Probably the most accurate answer is “I have a problem!”  You know how it is, you have several cameras and a bunch of lenses and you want a way to transport them, and protect them from the elements, after all they cost a lot of money!  The manufacturers of bags, keep coming out with new and exciting options and you buy them to try them out.  Most of the time, you love them for a month or so, then realize they are lacking in some way!  So the search continues!  Do this for 50 years and, well you see the result!  Also I’m sort of part fof the photo press so I review and write about bags, at least that is one of the excuses I use for buying so many!

Question Number Two:  Since I’ve bought and owned so many bags do I have any favorite companies?  Yes, but let me name them by category!  

Most rugged made bags with the best materials:  Think Tank/Mindshift, Tenba, Domke, Lightware, Pelican and Nanuk.  All of these makers have made bags, that for me, have held up under the heaviest, most abusive conditions and continued to protect my gear!  They are all well designed and brands I go back to, time after time.  I’ve never had any of them fail me.

Who makes bags that are the best bang for your buck!  Lowpro, Whotencraft, Wandrd and Domke have all been. good value for money spent.  At one time Lowepro would have also been in the category of best made, not so much anymore, the’ve gone through multiple owners!

Question Three: Are there expensive bags that are still worth the higher price?  Yes, the English company Billingham make beautiful hand made bags that are wonderfully crafted and made of great materials, with a good use of leather.  They are not cheap, but are one of the few bags left that are crafted by hand and worth the higher price.

Question Four, do I have too many bags?  Are you kidding, you bet I do!!!!!!

Question Five; If you want to look cool which bag should you choose?  I think Domke and Billingham are two of the best choices for that!  Team them up with a vintage Leica and you’re golden!  Peak Design bags and back packs are very popular with many younger photographers.   Domke was the choice of many photojournalists for decades and still are some of my favorites, I own at least a half dozen, they’re practical and rugged!

Question Six;  Do I have a current favorite?  Sorry that’s too hard to answer!

Blessings,

the pilgrim