Finding the right bag to safely transport my gear was always an issue once I purchased my first DSLR camera. I caught a great package deal with my first camera at B&H, it came with a backpack. I’m not a big fan of backpacks, most of the time I would just sling one shoulder strap over one shoulder. I loved that there were ample pockets for storage, inside I was left with limited room. For most assignments it would hold one body and a couple of lenses.
Next came the ‘sling bag’, which I still use when one body, one lens will do the job. I have more flexibility on how to wear it, either on one shoulder, or lengthen the strap to cross over my chest. Accessibility is great, I can unzip and pull out the camera rather quickly. Not so great with pocket storage though.
A few years later, I discovered the ‘Messenger’ style bag, and I knew this is the bag I wanted. It could hold two camera bodies (by this time I had added a second Nikon camera), and could probably throw 3 lenses in there. There were a couple of pockets for storage, and the strap was flexible like my sling bag.
But there was one thing that stopped me dead in my tracks, the price tag! I couldn’t find a messenger style bag under $300.00. Seriously. Even worse, I couldn’t justify the cost. Broken hearted for months, one day I was in a department store and out of the corner of my eye saw backpacks hanging from the baby department. These were diaper bags! And there was more than one style, so I took a closer look.
I found a pink diaper bag (didn’t have another color option) that offered water resistance, and opened from the top. Inside there was plenty of room, two large side pockets, and two insulated beverage holders on opposite ends of the bag. The shoulder strap is adjustable to wear like my sling bag. I had an idea of how to make this work, so I bought the bag for $29.99.
The bag offered no padding inside, which was the first concern. I purchased an egg crate foam, which is usually placed on a bed, or cut down to a chair size for comfort for under $10. Then I cut the foam down to fit the inside bottom of the bag, covered it with fabric. Bottom padding done! Then I constructed the compartments, cut down foam, sewed fabric around it, and added a light piece of cardboard to the back, and strips of velcro to the side of each panel. It was a brilliant concept! I have created the option to set up the compartments how it suits me. Whether I need one or two camera bodies, or I need to include the 70-200mm 2.8 lens (nicknamed the beast) and still have room for more lenses, it all worked, and that is amazing. The large side pockets store everything else I need, lens cleaner, battery charger, spare batteries, spare cards, pens, notepads, business cards, a hand towel, protein bar snacks, and whatever else I need to throw in. The added bonus is that when I throw a bottle of water in the beverage pocket, it stays cold. In the sling bag and the backpack, the pockets weren’t deep enough and the bottle would often fall out.
Oddly, women often compliment my bag, not really knowing what’s inside. Finding the right bag can be a daunting, frustrating experience. Needs change, bags need to change. Until my needs change again, this one does it all, my needs are not compromised, because after all, it’s what’s in a bag.
The pink diaper bag and the Sling bag.