Monty Python had spam, spam spam. Photographers have bags, bags, bags... I have a dry stone wall of them in my office room, and used to have more... Every bag is great for about 18 months, then doubts/faults/boredom creeps in. Domke F2 was wonderful as long as I was working with Nikon FM2s & manual lenses, then too small for AF Nikon kit. I kept it until it was more gaffer tape than canvas. I've always liked LowePro Reporter shoulder bags (I'm not a backpack fan unless the job needs one). These days its LowePro in the car boot, ThinkTank belt and pouches on the job, or a very old but excellent CCS shoulder bag, like a Domke but big enough even for Canon RF lenses. I carry as little kit as possible. And yes, I agree the Canon R kit isn't as tough as the DSLRs. Has your R5 got a wobbly hot shoe mount yet...? Happy bag buying!

@RoyRiley

Жыл бұрын

No wobbly hotshoe yet but the 24-105 exploded the other day after a very small drop.. should have been a near miss. Made me make a mental note to be MUCH more careful. Cost more to repair than I paid for a half decent Alfa Romeo ten years ago.

Great video Roy. The first LowePro backpack that you showed, I have the slightly bigger version with the laptop pocket in the back. Great bag if you can find a used one. Strap ripped loose on me after many years of use. Took it to a seamstress who sewed it back together and told me the bag will fall apart before her stitching will. Like a broken bone, it's probably the strongest part of the bag now. I also have the same rolling ThinkTank bag and I just panic bought a used Domke F2 (black) last week because it was $50. I seem to have a different bag for every photo shoot: rolling bag, messenger bags, backpacks, belt system, sling bag, you name it. I think I have seven bags in heavy rotation now. My absolute favorite is the LowePro Pro Messenger 200 AW. They don't make it anymore. It's so incredible that I knew they'd stop making it, so luckily, I bought two. As for the beanie, you're a stylish guy (obviously), so wear it proud.

I’m not a photographer but I was researching the G7X as a possible first camera and your review popped up. I’ve had a very enjoyable evening watching your channel; from old DSLRs to camera bags! I love your relaxed informal but informative style. Cheers

@RoyRiley

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for this comment. I am really pleased you have enjoyed the videos! To hear that someone somewhere has had an enjoyable evening watching is very cool indeed. All the very best. RR

Geeez Rob...you're a consumate bag junkie! Hahaha Seriously though, I have trodden a similar path with my painting business. We load a trailer (the 'mothership') with piles of kit and try to land a decent 'best practise' hit on a jobsite. In the trailer, I have multiple kits for various stages of the job. Each one with the absolute key components to get the job done, and very little backup. I have discarded trying to build the 'One Stop Shop' kit and instead have targeted specific kits for specific purposes. My camera bag approach has followed. I have three bags, each setup for shoots I do most (Architectural/Potraits/Sports). I then move my cameras and all pupose lenses (eg: 24-105) to the bag I need for each gig. I have a tickbox checklist for each bag that I use for loading, going there, and coming back. It works brilliantly when I'm dog tired and under the pump to pack fast. Maybe a 'divide and conquer' approach might be worth a thought. Cheers Greg

@RoyRiley

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for this Greg! You are speaking my kind of language. I’m a big fan of the checklist.. especially with my sometimes chaotic brain

Wonderful! Bravo for another video :D

@RoyRiley

Жыл бұрын

Thank you! I appreciate your support and kind words

I'm looking for a new bag myself, this video helped a lot, thanks!

@RoyRiley

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Juliano! Glad to be of some help. R

Thx Roy for sharing!! 👍👍 I have a lowepro over the shoulder bag for my 6D , couple of lenses, few leads etc. It's amazing how heavy the bigger bags become with two DSLR bodies lenses batteries, chargers etc. Just gives me killer backache after a while so it's one body a few lenses and that's about it for me. Love the beanie, it's part of your signature, keeps your head warm so keep it on! 😁😁👍👍 Keep up the good channel 😁

@RoyRiley

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Chris.. I am thinking of trying out a Lowepro Stealth reporter if opportunity presents.. we will see! Yes two bodies and all the extra bits and pieces quickly becomes really too heavy.. for me at least!

Thank you for your review of bags 😊 Although I am an art director / VFX / Motion graphics designer, I also carry a lot of gear with me. Film camera, drone and laptop. But I have always looked for bags where it is not easy to get to the laptop. I feel best if it is not in the outermost pockets - it is the heart of my gear and I would hate to see it stolen on a trip. I've tried to have a camera stolen, so if it's visible you're running around with expensive photography equipment you can end up being a target when you're least expect it. Your last bag is very similar to one I bought a few years ago with two exceptions, my laptop is inside near my back, so you can't get to it. It has a separate pocket at the bottom that fits the bag where I keep my drone. If I only need the drone, I can leave everything else behind. If I were to buy an updated version it would have less stuff that flaps around and be more modular in size. I will probably look for a bag that is a little more compact. Funny thing with the side pocket in a backpack, that's how my first camera bag was 😅 and I never used it - and then it was bad for the back to carry. Good point about the bright interior, I've never thought about that before. The two bags I use the most now are actually bright inside. By the way, I was so happy with one of your uploads about DSLR cameras. I still use my Canon 5D Mark III (also for stop motion). I love that you are down to earth and not completely up and running on the latest gear as you see many KZreadrs are. For me, you reflect what I myself experience in relation to work and wear and tear that comes with time. Thx for your upload 👍🏽😊

@RoyRiley

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for this brilliant comment and for sharing your thoughts and experiences. Glad you are enjoying the content. I’m trying to keep it real and based on experience. Best wishes to you this Sunday. RR

Hi Roy, another great video, thanks! Totally understand the difficulties of choosing the 'right' bag.. aaaarrgh! Most of my photography is and has been in fishing/outdoors, and often involves shooting while waist-deep in water. A backpack is no good as I need two hands to take it off my back and then access it so it's a bit of a juggle. So I've settled on a sling bag (Mindshift Photocross 13 best so far). I can pull it round to my chest with one hand for access and it's comfy. It holds my camera body, 35mm 1.8 and 70-300 L (bought off the back of your video... again WOW, thanks!), with enough space for minimal fishing kit that I carry, plus the essential coffee flask on the outside. If only it was fully waterproof/submersible, haha. Anyway, long rambling comment but thanks again. Your videos are by far the most down to earth and relatable on youtube in my opinion. Oh and I've just spotted one on the 10D - brilliant. The camera I was given in 2003 when I did a few years as a full time angling photojournalist. God that thing took some serious abuse!!! Have a great 2023 🙂

Great choise. I use 3 backpacks.. Lowepro fastpack pro bp 250 aw3.(when I need one body and laptop) Lowepro Flipside trek bp 350 aw.(just a camera with lenses) Pgytech Onemo(when need 2 bodies and laptop) Onemo and fastpack when I need to carry a laptop.3 Flipside is my everyday favorite. Onemo I used recently when I went to Budapest...carried all I needed(camera was in that extra bag that comes with the backpack)..perfect travel bag for me. All in all, no perfect one for all bag..I need different ones for different situations.

@RoyRiley

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for this comment. I should look at the Pgytech.. I am aware of the brand but thought it was drone specific for some reason

Hi nice video and fun to watch how your gear evolved over time. I personally bought a WNDRD PRVKE a few months ago. Even though I am not a professional, I think with the big photo cube inside it could suit you. My main reason to buy it was because it is also my everyday backpack so I love the modularity, and that It has the possibility to be used for other things beside photography too. Additionally it does look more like a regular backpack and does not scream: Hey there is valuable tech inside.

@RoyRiley

Жыл бұрын

Interesting comment. Thank You. I have not heard of this bag but will do some research later.. looks very worth a look! Thanks. R

I've got the new Peter McKenna backpack. It looks like it's big and bulky you can arrange the equipment in there pretty much any way you like it does have room for your laptop. And I have a pretty good size laptop about a 17-in screen it's an older one. But it does the job for me but on to the Peter McKenna backpack it is very comfortable to carry around it adjusts the evenly. Most of the time I don't even know I'm carrying it you can pretty much load it up how you like it it will work! Give it a look over I don't know if you have or not but it will carry two cameras quite a few of my lenses and a lot of my accessories builders three extra batteries Plus the laptop the mouse everything you need for it it carries quite a bit. Like I said you don't even know you have it on I recommend it.

Haha, bags eh... can't live wiv em, can't liv wivout em. I don't believe there is a perfect bag that will suit every occasion, hence the photographers need to buy more and more. In my RAF days I used the Billigham 335 and I still own and use a Hadley Pro for occasional concert photography or as a combined holiday 'manbag'. For sport I have a roller bag but, like you, I live in a rural location which, combined with the fact that the rugby grounds I shoot at have very little tarmac, renders the rolling aspect almost redundant. So I guess I'm going to have to buy something else for that job. My wildlife kit which is my main interest requires a bloody big backpack to carry the blody great heavy prime lens that is my standard kit. For that I have, only this week, purchased a lovely new Gitzo Adventury 45L. Very big but at least it doesn't look or feel as big as my old Lowepro Pro Trekker bag and could be mistaken for a hiking backpack rather than expensive camera gear. However, the one bag that I bought used more years ago than I can remember (must be at least 20 years) is my trusty old Lowepro Mini-Trekker which looks very similar to the one in your video. It is unbelievable how much stuff I can get in that thing and it will probably be with me for whatever is left of my life. Unfortunately it just cannot hold any of the bigger telephoto lenses. Yeah bags... its like photographers porn 😂

just another thing: I think it will be very interesting if you talk about your assignments, especially the hard ones, or the far away/overseas ones

@RoyRiley

Жыл бұрын

It’s all part of my long term plan.. I am time poor though because I keep getting very busy with all sorts of nonsense. Next year I plan to focus much more on this channel

An interesting video as I recently went through the same exercise. My requirements are different from yours but from my research I would recommend you look at the MindShift 520363 Backlight Photo Daypack Charcoal, 36 L

@RoyRiley

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Andrew. I am very interested in the Mindshift bags. I will do some research. Thanks

Another interesting video thank you. I’m following the comments with interest as I’ve got the 450aw as my main bag too. The funny zip access is annoying and I wish the camera compartment was just a fraction bigger. Please keep us updated with what you decide to go for in the end

@RoyRiley

Жыл бұрын

Thank you. Deep diving into shimoda research as we speak!

@beninfluence

Жыл бұрын

@@RoyRiley Same! The Explore V2 35 looks quite interesting...

i bought the Advanced Hybrid III (backpack and shoulderbag). It's not very big but very versatile and manfrotto has regular sales so i got it very cheap. They also have rollerbags combined with backpacks in different sizes (Pro Light Trolley Switch-55 ). And I like the quality.

@RoyRiley

Жыл бұрын

Have yet to use the Ama grotto bags but certainly On my radar

I use a Lowepro Tactical 450 for all my gear, but need something smaller for those day trips where I just want 1 body and a couple lenses.

@RoyRiley

Жыл бұрын

Ahhh yes we share the same requirements. I looked at a bunch of Vanguard bags the other day and was quite impressed by their smaller range

I inherited from my mum a bag like your first one, I don't know if it's because I was too skinny at the time but it used to hurt my hips at the end of a day out 😅

@RoyRiley

Жыл бұрын

Haha! Those old square bags were hip bangers for sure

Great video. For years I used a CompuTrekker which was very similar to the Classic you showed but had a laptop section - that bag was brilliant. What are your thoughts about waterproofing... I vowed to stick to Lowepro as I like the waterproof cover they come with (admittedly you can't use the bag when it's on) but do other brands offer similar protection?

@RoyRiley

Жыл бұрын

Hi Darren.. I seem to remember that compuTrrkker bag! Blast from the past.. with regard to waterproofing. My opinion only but unless you are out in the mountains or remote locations then it’s unnecessary. I shoot in all kinds of conditions and never use a cover. In the mountains or remote then extreme care is needed and defo bring a cover or even a peli case. I think it’s all about knowing what and where you shoot and making a decision from there

This was lots of fun - digging through 30 years' worth of your camera bags, including finding some long-forgotten electronic "mice" in the oldest bag. :) I was poised to mention the Domke F-2, but you made all of my points for me; above all, the wonderful way it wraps itself lightly around a hip, supremely comfortable while shooting. Bags are an unfortunate necessity; it's too bad so many are designed to get in the way. I did love the F-2 - so light and utterly practical except for those damn fumbly steel snaps. As for simplifying, I'm shooting with the R6 and the EF 24-105 F/4L and a 135/F2 L which is my 135-400 F/2 zoom (so sharp, lovely and croppable). Two lenses max. My current favorite bag? A $15 Winnie the Pooh diaper bag that I bought on Amazon for $15 - well-made by Disney and a viable theft-deterrent, just smear a little faux poo on it and no self-respecting thief will give it a second look. Unfortunately, the model I have is no longer available, which I guess makes it a classic.

@RoyRiley

Жыл бұрын

Thank you! Nice set up you have and love the idea of the nappy bag! The thief deterrent is a great idea too.. I have employed similar tactics when the going has become rather rough over the years. I bet the 135 2 is a beauty on the R6

@AnandaGarden

Жыл бұрын

@@RoyRiley Yes, love the 135, however I'm thinking of the R6 II because the R6 raw pix take more work than I like - they are kind of flat and grey with the LR Standard camera profile. Have you found that to be true?

@RoyRiley

Жыл бұрын

@@AnandaGarden yes. I use the camera matching profile in LR and that’s seems to help but the files stills need a bit of work to make them how I like them.. frustrating!

To be honest, Roy I think your current bag can be used as a bomb shelter .. it is almost as big as me lol What about think tank bags? I wonder what you think of them.

@RoyRiley

3 ай бұрын

Think tank very good. I have a bunch of them and always very good

Hello, have a look on Shimoda backpacks. You might like them.

@RoyRiley

Жыл бұрын

I will do some research.. I have heard of these bags but always thought they were a bit more outdoorsy man in the mountains.. just done a quick Google and they look very interesting. Thank you. RR

@radovanmatusinec6032

Жыл бұрын

@@RoyRiley youtube.com/@ShimodaDesigns

Thank you for this video , although the lens without the rear cap on the shelf was a bit distracting…

@RoyRiley

Жыл бұрын

Haha! Unfortunately I am very much a caps off sort of photographer when the camera is rolling. They generally find their way back on when the day is done though.. I have lenses that I have been shooting with in this way for decades and they are still work fine.. honestly camera gear does need to be looked after but ultimately it’s a tool for getting the job done so I personally do not baby my gear too much

@partygremlin2675

Жыл бұрын

Maybe start using your gear regularly and you'll relate to Roy's off-cap decision

@mathieucithi

Жыл бұрын

@@partygremlin2675 maybe should you not take it too personal…

@partygremlin2675

Жыл бұрын

@@mathieucithi maybe I didn't...

Currently I'm using a lowpro flipside 300 for 8 years now but I'm looking into something big enough to carry a Canon R with battery grip and RF 14-35 F4L RF 28-70mm F2L EF 100mm 1:2.8L EF 300mm 1:4L IS or fit a TamronSP 150-600mm F5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 and still have room for snacks or sandwich. Since using the lowpro 300 with Canon R with battery grip and EF 300mm 1:4L IS and RF 28-70mm F2L their is no room for a small lunch or a flash

@RoyRiley

Жыл бұрын

The hunt for the perfect bag will out live us all! My latest bag (the last big Lowepro in the video) is actually working out really well. It has these huge big side pockets that have so far not failed to fit whatever I throw at it

@Cheeseburger660

Жыл бұрын

@@RoyRiley It just a little too big I mean to wide😅

There just ain't any perfect bags! It always comes down to the best compromise for the time being. For a long time I only had a Vanguard slingbag that was quite handy in many ways - took a normal body with attached 70-200mm, and 4 other lenses - at a stretch. Other compartments could take some small stuff, and pretend it did a good job at it. But most of the time I found that I instead went for a regular backpack and just stuffed loose lenses in their pouches inside of it. Convenient in oh so many ways - especially if I carefully picked what I needed and didn't try to stuff everything inside of it. Also have regular computer bag that is really spacious and that is quick to toss over the shoulder and then just have a few items in it for a quick and dirty tour out. My main behemoth today takes a full 400mm lenses across, and on top of that I can have a 1Dx Mark III with attached 70-200mm, while on the side carry a mixed set of smaller lenses, or a backup body and other goodies. It can also carry a monopod together with a tripod and heads. If I'm careful I can have a huge chunky water bladder in it in the same compartment as I stuff a decently sized laptop (sooner or later those two will "mix" in a way that is anything but good for the laptop). It has not yet failed me in any way to what I can carry, but can easily become extremely heavy - think along the line of adding 20 kg's of gear. I use a Buddha belly - non-detachable - on the front to act as a counterweight... (If curious it is the ThinkTank MindShift BackLight Elite 45L)

Ha nice watch. Domke the lens scratcher.. who thought that was clever? Ive got billingham tamrac lowepro, It is such an art because every job is different, going on the tube? going up cotopaxi? going to a gig? My main gripe if anyone is listenting.. water bottle, sanwhiches. Ive so many lenses with mayonaise rubbed on them. We need to keep that seperate. Also I like a superclamp or two.. nasty metal.. again I want to keep that away from the glass. 2003 clearly I didnt drink water just quaffed a pint of chablis in the pr tent. No longer. When I did actually climb cotopaxi I had an army bergen.. with clothes water adn sleep bag in the bottom and my billingham of kit inside too. when I got to the treeline I was able to break the billingham out and shoulder it while the bergen kept my clothes bag and food. Of course all rucksacks are entirely useless as you spill the contents down the stairs at £8g a pop. The best bag is the Billigham Packington. It is so good that billingham discontinued it. Billingam still make those monsters but the will do your back (as roy said) so two billingham packingtons worn in a cross your heart bra style if you need to carry more gear. You look like something between SAS 1943 DRG and a homeless person.

@RoyRiley

Жыл бұрын

I’m a Devonian. I put salad cream on my sandwiches.. salad cream or Mayonaise smeared over a lens… maybe that’s where Apple got the idea for skin smoothing. Might be worth a try! I have not tried the packington but maybe someone else on Here mentioned in the comments.. worth a look but rarer than hens teeth I guess. Thanks Sam for your thoughts here. Much appreciated. Just back from a long day and a ten hour drive. I’m a bit old for all that these days.. peace and Love RR x

@sammorganmoore

Жыл бұрын

@@RoyRiley knackered?... you can always stop at the hotel Bristol x

@RoyRiley

Жыл бұрын

@@sammorganmoore back now but Thank You 🙏. 303 in the rain

No Peak Design? Interesting.

@jasonforester7292

Жыл бұрын

Overrated, overly expensive "look at me" bags.

@RoyRiley

Жыл бұрын

Not been on my radar but maybe I should have a look

@2020davidg

Жыл бұрын

@@jasonforester7292 I made the mistake of buying the everyday backpack. The dividers inside are virtually useless (don't stay in position unless there's something on each side) and, as a result, I rarely use it.

No matter how large your bag is, you will fill it up...

@RoyRiley

10 ай бұрын

You are completely correct!