Digital Photojournalists - what do you carry, and how?

[Larry Placido]

Originally Posted by Kevin_M_Cox

John, it sounds like the Rotation 360 backpack from ThinkTankPhoto may be right up your alley. http://www.rotation360.com

Personally I use a Airport Security rolling case for carrying gear in my truck. For an Astros, Texans or major high school game I'll actually roll the bag in and leave it in the workroom. I carry my 15" PB in a separate bag but could probably cram it into the AS if I really needed to.
http://www.thinktankphoto.com/ttp_product_ArprtScrty.php

When out shooting I use the Pro Modulus Speed Set with a couple pouches that change slightly depending on the assignment.
http://www.thinktankphoto.com/ttp_product_ProMod.php

Rarely do I need to have my laptop physically with me while shooting and I just leave it in the workroom at games or in the truck on news/feature assignments. Now having said that, I have been considering picking up a very small backpack that would allow me to carry the laptop with me when actually shooting (while having cameras slung over my shoulders and the Modulus belt for accessories).

.

Hey Kevin,
How do you like the Think Tank stuff? I was thinking about getting some of their gear, but like most photographers, I have literally a closet of bags, fanny packs, hard cases, etc.! LOL I've been thinking about the Speed Set because I like the versatility...

I like the AS rolling case as well, but, I've already got the Pelican 1650 for my long lenses... Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

~Larry

[Kevin_M_Cox]

I've been pretty happy with it. What prompted me to get the belt system was some lower back pain I was having from using a non-photo waist pack stuffed full of stuff. A week after I got the TT Modulus set my back felt great. I got the 12 piece set because it came with the shoulder straps, however half of the included pouches I've never used. Part of that is because I got it right when it came out and the current set includes a wider variety of pouches.
The Airport Security has also been a big improvement over the backpack (no wheels) I was using before. Several of us at an Astros game a couple weeks back were joking that we could have filmed an ad for Think Tank. There were at least five or six of us at the game who all had the belt system and Airport Security rolling cases (not to mention one or two of their laptop bags thrown in also).

I guess for me, compared to you and many other photogs, each of the purchases were a new item for me, not a replacement for a different photo bag I already had laying around. With that said I'm very happy with the purchases and have no regrets.

[David_Buzzard]

I just added the Think Tank 'Lens Changer 75' to my trusty Domke belt pack, and I'm pretty impressed. It's not as bulky as the Lowe version that I have on my ski pack, and it's easy to get the big 70-200 in and out. I think I might grab one of their wider shorter models for carrying my 17-35.

I'm still using the Domke pouches for carrying batteries, cards, note books, bandanas, and my flash gear, but they're just too small for the big zooms.

David Buzzard's Technical Blog

[Walter_Kimmel]

I'm not a PJ but I do lots of street stuff, ranging from people to skyscraper tops. I always have the wrong lens on for the next shot!

I used to carry the Lowepro Stealth 650, which is a truly wonderful bag. It holds the 1DII and the 100-400 mounted, a strobe, 16-35, 28-135 and a 15mm fisheye, plus a laptop compartment. But the best feature is a zipper in the middle of the top flap so that you don't have to juggle with a flap that gets in the way of whatever you're trying to access.

However, the years have taken their toll on my poor shoulder. I found backpacks easier on the anatomy but totally useless for rapid lens changing. I can walk around all day and get quick access to equipment with the Lowepro VestStrap and Belt system, but it is awkward in many ways (what do you do with it if you run into a coffee shop and want to sit unencumbered?, etc.)

What I use now has obsoleted my closetful of shoulder bags, backpacks, pouches, etc. I got the Lowepro Slingshot 300.

It is lightweight, has interior design similar to the Stealth bag so that I can carry the 1DII with the long lens mounted, a flash, and 2-3 other lenses. It's worn as a backpack, but it takes 1 second to release the waist strap and slide the bag around to mid-chest level, with instant access to my lenses. In shooting situations I keep the camera around my neck, resting on the sling bag in its frontal position. I can hang pouches or lens cases from 2 or 3 loops on the bag. It even has an attached microfiber cloth that sits over and protects the LCD on the camera, and comes in handy for a quick swipe of the protective filter on my lens. I've used this bag since it came out about 10 months ago, and I'm still thrilled with it.

While no solution resolves all issues, the Slingshot is my most useful bag.

[John Clare]

Hi,

Just reading the latest posts to this thread. Thanks to all for your responses!

I am back to square one.... After my first positive impressions - my Lowepro Vertex 100 is not all I thought it was. One side of the chest strap keeps coming away from the shoulder strap - I've re-attached it several times but it keeps coming off. I'm really beginning to doubt the quality and design of Lowepro gear - I know others have positive things to say but I've had nothing but problems with them.

I'm reluctant to buy from them again!

So, I've been making do with Newswear pouches and carrying my Laptop/leads/etc in a Billingham Hadley Pro.

Now I'm having issues with Newswear pouches - they are NOT water proof (or even very water resistant), and when you put things like lens caps/body caps etc in the side pockets, the flaps are difficult to close. I also find getting lenses out quickly very difficult with one hand as the hood catches on the inside seam.

I also find that I forget where I put things (which pouch has my body cap in?!) and have to waste time looking for it.

Also - as others have mentioned - the velcro is LOUD! Not ideal for some jobs.

So - I'm very frustrated!

I'm starting to look at Think Tank waist packs/urban disguise/pouches. I tried the Airport Antidote but found the shoulder straps too narrow at the neck area (I have a thick neck!).

Here's a list of my current gear:

Canon 1D and 1D mark II
2 x 580EX
Quantum 2x2
16-35 2.8
28-78 2.8
70-200 2.8

13" Macbook
Quantum leads
Spare 1D battery
Chargers
Card reader
Vodafone 3G USM modem
London A-Z, pen, paper, wallet, etc

Plus a North Face rain jacket that I don't always wear all the time, but like to have with me!

Please can someone put me out of my misery! :-)

Regards,

John

[CharleyGriswold]

As a travel writer andf photographer, the Think Tank line od harnesses and accessories has proven to be the best for me. Very comfortable, even after several hours of high heat and humidity. There are variour configurations of pouches for the harness. Be careful though to size the harness correctly. Unless your over 200 lbs., the medium seems to be fine. There's no provision for a laptop, but I don't carry mine into the field anyway. For plane travel, I use the new Pelican 1510 roller with my body and lenses in the Think Tank pouches for extra protection. I have a second carry-on for (Swiss Army back pack) for laptop, harness, and extra accessories. Works great.

[John Clare]

Hi all,

An update to this thread!

I recently bought a Lowepro Stealth AW secondhand. Wow - an amazing and unusual bag, with some great features. It ticks all the right boxes for me, and it's now my only bag, with a single Newswear pouch for lens changes.

I heard Lowepro were discontinuing this bag - if anyone from Lowepro is reading this, please don't!!! It's a classic!!

John

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