Digital Photojournalists - what do you carry, and how?

[John Clare]

Hi all,

I've recently started shooting full-time for an agency and am having a nightmare finding the ideal way to carry my gear.

After years of using my battered Domke F2, my poor shoulder told me to look for other ways of carrying gear. Plus, the F2 was really for film gear, obviously no compartments for laptop and other digital paraphanalia.

So - I started with a Lowepro Computrekker AW, pile of pants in my opinion. Not only very uncomfortable after a day's wear, it has ruined my laptop screen (see seperate thread).

I find this backpack only solution a bit limited, as you have to take the thing off to access your gear.

Now, I always find it interesting when I turn up to jobs seeing how others carry and use their gear.

This is what I have seen most:

1) Backpack for carrying gear and laptop from A to B, then pouches during the shoot if they need to change lenses/add flash etc.

2) People shooting one or two bodies and using a waistpack for other stuff. Laptop in seperate laptop-only napsack.

3) People with cars who leave laptop in the car and simply "wear" their cameras for the job. No bags whatsoever, or if they have they're in the car.

4) Hard rolling cases that can be used to stand on too if you need the height during photocalls etc.

5) People who use a small Billingham or Domke shoulder bag for laptop gear, pouches for lens changes etc. Cameras are worn over each shoulder.

I like this ready-for-anything idea - but would you be a target for thieves? Also, your bulk would be increased so crowded public transport/turnstiles etc become a problem!

So, all you digital journalists - how do you carry your stuff?

Regards,

John

[David_Buzzard]

It's all dependant on whether you're going to have to file from location or be able to get back to your car or office to send off the pics. There's not much point lugging around a laptop if you're not going to need it. If you are carrying a laptop, the Lowepro Stealth bag seems to be really popular. I'm not of big fan of working with back packs because every time you need something out of them, you have to put it down and unzip it. At least with a shoulder bag, you can always lay your hands on things.

David Buzzard's Technical Blog

[John Clare]

Thanks David!

Which Stealth bag were you referring to? There seem to be many varieties!

Thanks,

John

[Josh_Hawkins]

John,

I think it really depends on the situations you are shooting in. Personally, I tend to be shooting in fast moving situations. So for me I go with a minimum of equipment, two bodies and a lowepro waist pack. I also figure that I can only do one thing at a time, shoot when I need to be doing that, edit when I need to be doing that. That means if I need to edit on site I set up a location for doing that, so that's one bag, a brief case essentially, separate from everything else. Again, a waist pack for lenses, and potentially another bag if I need light stands and other portable lighting equipment. All of this kept separate from each other so I can grab the bags I need for any individual job.

[David_Buzzard]

There's a stealth back pack that holds a laptop, as well as a bunch of equipment. As I say, the problem with the back pack is that it's hard to move things in and out of it.

Personally, I use a Billingham bag, as it's really the only canvas bag large enough to handle two D2/D1 cameras, and the large AF-S zooms and flashes that I carry. I've had three of the Domke F2 bags over the years, but they're just too small for the large digital cameras and lens in use today. If old man Domke was still around, he'd probably design something really cool to handle all the gear.

I carry my computer in a sepparate shoulder bag. It's a leather Samsonite unit that cost about $100.00. It pretty handy, and it's big enough to handle all the cables, PDA's power warts and bars, etc, that you need. Usually, I leave the computer in the car, and shoot, and then swap the cameras for the computer, and then go file. Trying to shoot while carrying all that stuff would be next to impossible.

David Buzzard's Technical Blog

[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).

.

[John Clare]

Thanks to all for your replies!

I spent a whole day today weighing up my options and have settled on the new Lowepro Vertex 100 backpack, plus a few Newswear pouches.

The backapck is small-ish but holds my Macbook (in the front - so it doesn't get crushed against my back!) plus other digital paraphanalia, plus one or two bodies, 3-4 lenses, Quantum 2x2 and leads, plus other bits and bobs.

The funny thing is, although the straps and harness seem to be less padded than the Computrekker, I actually find it much more comfortable, and far less bulky.

I really like this bag!!

When I arrive on site I plan to use the pouches for lens changes, flash, maps, mobile phone, pens, and other stuff I need close to hand all day. I think I've finally found a good balance between comfort, accessability and practicality!

Cheers,

John

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