“Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful.” This was a Pantene ad campaign in the 1980s. I remember watching TV as a kid and seeing these ad spots and wondering what it all meant. I was a mess. Some would say I still am. I’ve got a “bag thing,” and for this I plead, “Don’t hate me.” Seeing as I still have my original camera bag, a Domke F2 from 1988, I guess you could say I’ve always had a bag thing. When I think of my bags, however, I don’t think of the bag itself. I think of what I did while I had the bag on my shoulder.
During the time I used the Domke, I went from beginner to expert.
This took five years or so, but each step of the way, the Domke was as integral as the cameras and lenses it held. Pens exploded in the rear pocket, the edges became frayed, and I’m almost certain that at least one good friend puked on my beloved Domke. The bag was my security blanket. When it was on my shoulder, it meant that I was moving with intent, focusing on the world with a higher than usual level of inspection, and it felt good. I got shot at for the first time with my Domke on my shoulder. I also made my first trip to the border, covered a Super Bowl, several political conventions, an earthquake, and hundreds of newspaper assignments, all while hoisting my trusty Domke. The bag fit perfectly behind the driver’s seat of my 1992 Toyota SR5, V6, extra cab, 4×4. The fabric around the seat became worn in the pattern of the bag. Spectacles, testicles, keys, wallet, and Domke. The real everyday carry that turned me from an inquisitive late teen to a full-time, possessed photojournalist.
Over the decades, bags have come and gone. Some wore out, some were stolen, and others worked perfectly and still do. And there are the bags I’ve given away for one reason or another. I’ve had perhaps a dozen Tenba bags over the years. One of my friends is a key component of the company, and he’s someone I find inspiring in many ways. He’s also one of the funniest people I’ve ever met in the photography world. I have two small Tenba bags for my action camera setup and my audio kit. I’ve been using the same audio kit bag for over a decade. It works. I also have two additional Tenba bags for travel, which I use at least three or four times a year, sometimes more. Yet another Tenba works as a base camp in my office. Overfilled, never zipped, the bag is a complete mess of “currently being used” pieces of this or that.
I also have two Atlas Packs. These bags hold my film kits, both 35mm and 120mm, ready to be deployed at any moment. Another friend is the main driver at Atlas, and I find him to be incredibly inspiring as well. Photographer, dad, bag maker, traveler, and someone with more energy than I could hope for. All of my bag company friends are generous to a fault. In some ways, bag makers are the unsung heroes of the photography world. Like manufacturers of tires or jet engines. We take for granted their toil and experimentation.
While in London for Blurb, I ran into the folks from NYA-EVO. Well, my wife did. I got a text saying, “Come meet these guys.” What originally drew her to their booth was a set of waterproof bicycle panniers. I mentioned I had just purchased a Brompton G-Line. The NYA-EVO guys, Jensen and Mario, said the panniers probably weren’t a great fit for a Brompton, but asked if I had seen their bag lineup. I explained that I was well set for bags already, but they gave me a quick rundown on what they made, how they made it, and what made their bags unique. Like their use of ECONYL®. I remember leaving the booth thinking, “That’s an interesting product.”
I don’t chase companies or sponsorships. I’m fortunate to be in the position I am, and I’m fortunate to have the opportunities I have. When a company reaches out, I say, “There are better people for you to sponsor.” My life is about being pulled in numerous directions at any one time, consequently making it nearly impossible for me to focus on one thing. Throw in my hobbies, and things get even more fractured. Blurb, Shifter, hike, cycling, run, paddle, fish, van life, travel, workshops, family, wife, projects, practicing my hook kicks, and did I mention my wife? (Her daily show and tells are now mandatory.) I receive daily emails from random companies asking to partner. The only one I ever responded to, a paddleboard company, ghosted me after I replied with several questions as to how this was going to be a real partnership. (I should have known.)
After returning from Europe, I received an email from Jensen asking if I wanted to try a bag. My initial thought was “Dan, you have a serious bag problem; just say no.” I don’t remember what I said exactly, but I think it was something along the lines of what I mentioned before. “I’m pretty much, kinda, all set, I guess, maybe……” Luckily, Jensen saw through this and said, “We think there might be some symbiosis here, have a look at the Fjord 50-C.” I’m glad he did because when I look at my calendar, I see a new series of obstacles and opportunities where this bag might be the perfect fit.
In June, I head to Seattle and Victoria for meetings, a one-day shoot, two interviews, one lecture, and one demo. Six days, four hotels, two ferries, two trains, at least one car trip, and more Ubers than I want. The goal is to have gear and clothes in one bag that fits in the overhead. Checking the current weather report, believe it or not, it looks like Seattle might get a little rain. This bag is super weather-resistant on its own, but also comes with a legit, fully waterproof cover. It’s a 40- 50L expandable bag, with the expansion coming in the roll-top portion. For those of you who have heard me talking about bags before, you know roll-top bags are some of my favorites. This is because I use them for backcountry trips as well as photography trips. (Most of my “stuff” combines the two.) I’m always stuffing rain gear, food, binoculars, and other things in that top portion.
My fall looks completely crazy. I could be gone for two months or four. I might be in two countries, or I might be in five countries, or I might stay domestic and be van-based for three months. It all hinges on one thing. I should know more soon, but I know this bag will most likely be involved in a major way. I currently have two inserts, a small and a large, which allow me to switch between Fuji and Nikon systems. The large fits my entire Nikon setup….PERFECTLY. Even my Z8 with 180-600mm fits like the insert was purpose-built for me. The small insert allows me to carry my Fuji and mics for Blurb needs. And yes, there is room for all my extras. Journal, tech, workout stuff, full-sized Wayne Newton blowup doll. All the essentials. (My aunt bought this doll for my mother as a Chirstmas present.) It also comes with an attachment to carry my bicycle helmet, which is essential for the modern me.
This is not a bag review. I will save that for after I’ve used it extensively. Same for the Brompton, which has about 200 miles on it. I’ve ridden singletrack, trail, improved trail, dirt road, and plenty of tarmac. I’ve even taken it on the train, a rare opportunity here in New Mexico, but until I’ve put at least a thousand miles on it, a review would feel premature. The same applies to the NYA-EVO bag. But why don’t we return to my bag obsession? Don’t hate me for already wanting to try their smaller bag. Don’t hate me for daydreaming about trips I’d like to take using this bag as my basecamp. A return to the Sea of Cortez, perhaps? A fourth trip to Albania? Good grief, what about yet another, even longer trip to Peru? Winter in South Texas as migrant birds tickle our southern border? The list goes on and on. Remember, the bag, like the van, is not the thing. The bag and van are things that get you to the thing. The camera is cool, the pen is sexy, but what you capture or what you put on paper is what matters in the end. A great bag is like your shadow- it’s just there without you needing to think about it.
Comments 14
I can relate to your ‘bag thing’. Very deeply. I buy a new bag thinking I absolutely don’t need it, but then comes the thought, ‘maybe for this particular occasion I will need this type of a bag’, and the occasion never seem to arrive.
But I get it. The feeling of using a thing to its death is ethereal. Using a thing so much that it smells of all the memories it has hooked onto itself. It becomes a safe, familiar place to allow creativity to expand freely.
But perhaps like Europeans, you ought to make your bag miniature XD to carry on flights
Author
I have so many different style trips, and such a wide and odd range of things I need to bring, I tend to use all the bags I get. I don’t see this ending…….
I love bags, especially backpacks. I have a bad back and bad neck, so shoulder bags are not for me. My favorite bag is a PeakDesign Everyday backpack 20L. It doesn’t hold a ton, but that’s perfect for me, my back loves it 🙂 I tried a Wandrd Prvk 21L and didn’t like it at all. It felt heavier than the PeakDesign, especially so my back was in pain when I used it during a trip. And didn’t like the roll top. And I use an Osprey with an insert when I go hiking. Not a photography bag, but feels great to have on my back.
I’ve also heard about the GuraGear Kiboko, which seems nice.
Author
Same. I can’t wear slings now, or shoulder bags. My neck and back are toasty.
I still haven’t found a dedicated camera bag manufacturer that has solved the sweaty back issue for humid climates. I thought Atlas Packs were the answer, but nope…sweaty back. In fact, I don’t think they exist at all, so for the very hottest months, I switch to a Mammut backpack with a mesh frame to keep it off my back ‘almost’ completely.
Author
I sweat so much, never found anything to keep me soaking the back. Even my super light daypacks. Those first few days in Japan for example. Mid 90s with high humidity. Forget it. I looked like I went swimming.
Bloody hell, my bag obsession was so out of control, it made a hoarder’s garage sale look like a minimalist’s showroom. When I moved house a few years ago, I didn’t just need a ute, I needed a bloody freight train to haul my mountain of camera bags and unlike your battle-scarred bags, Dan, dripping with epic stories, mine are about as exciting as a warm VB left out on a 40-degree scorcher. Well, except for one gem; my first “serious” camera bag, a Domke F-6 which I bought not because it was perfect for my gear, but because I saw some hotshot photographer in a magazine rocking it. I figured slinging that bad boy over my shoulder would transform me into the Ansel Adams of the suburbs. Yeah……I was that guy. And here’s the kicker; I’ve never even had the decency to properly break in a single one of these bags. I’m happy to report that my bag problem has mostly been resolved ever since I cured myself of the dreaded gear acquisition syndrome.
These days, as I get older and (hopefully) a bit wiser, venturing into the longform style of photography, my go to setup is a Peak Design Everyday 20L which I use all the time now and its great to carry my ZF + 105/40/28 combo, iPad, book, journal, water bottle and assorted odds and ends and the whole package is so light that sometimes its easy to forget its on my back.
Author
I forgot to mention my 15L Mystery Ranch day pack which I’ve been using for the past couple of years. I wish it was made from different material, but design wise, it’s the best designed small bag I’ve ever had. When it’s hot and wet, it gets soaked and soggy and the material is a magnet for dirt, but I still love it.
Loved my sling bags but had to give them up. Travelling through airports with camera in the bag aggravated muscle spasms in neck from old whiplash injury. I bought a small Lowepro backpack with a mesh back that fits in the “personal item” category for airline travel so I am never forced to check it in, which happens with carry-on bags on smaller planes like the Dash 8. Also got tired of getting stalled at security while they looked carefully over all the parts of my tripod and measured the Allen key, and looked at me suspiciously. Switched to a Platypod. I also take only 2 lenses. It’s easy to find out what lenses you used on a trip using Lightroom. Lack of neck pain wins over “might need it” Bag has a waist strap so I can take my arms out, swivel it around my waist to open the back of the bag to change lenses without having to put the bag down in a puddle. The only drawback is that the mesh backing on the straps rubs against my skin and gives me a rash if I wear a sleeveless shirt. I don’t do any photo editing or downloading while out of town so don’t need iPad or laptop room.
Author
I travel much the same way. Depending on where I’m going. Domestic, I can get away with most anything. International, not even close. Two cameras, one lens each. One in my aluminum roller as backup, the other in a small carryon, which depending on the airline, can also be an issue. Some of the Euro discount airlines are pure crazy about this stuff. I also take two small mics that fit in the palm of my hand, and a DJI 4k action camera, but even this can be a problem now, so I just got some components for making my iPhone more useful for motion.
I’ve looked at a lot of photo-specific backpacks. I’ve not seen and handled them all, but I am confident when I say that the protection is the problem. If a company’s system is built around a few sizes that are meant to be supplemented with cubes or icus or whatever, there is zero need for additional padding to be sewn into the main pack bag. I think the recent big names have started to do this, but I know there are still some chunky bags out there. I’m only thinking about hiking here. Add air travel into the mix, and all bets are off.
Author
I think you are talking about two different things. Finding one bag to do all that is next to impossible, but it all depends on what you are tasked with. If I’m on a Blurb trip I need certain things, and if I’m on a me trip I need other things. I also do a ton of hiking, running, fishing, paddling, etc. and I have such a wide range of gear depending on what I’m doing. Is it sound I’m after? Am I working from the water or land? Flying? Vanning? It’s why I have at least ten different bags. There isn’t a camera specific bag that’s built for 100% hiking. Not one. And there isn’t a hiking backpack built for carrying a Z8 and 180-600mm. My waterproof Ortlieb keeps kit dry but I would not want to do a major hike with that thing. Today I go out in the van with two bags. Neither is perfect but heck…neither am I. It’s always a tradeoff. If you have one camera, one lens, then none of this matters. And if if you are a hipster you are relegated to nothing more than a canvas tote bag with some catchy slogan stolen from an earlier era.
I’m not trying to pull a Shimoda or Atlas adventure pack off of the shelf strip all of the padding out and use it as a hiking/backpacking pack, I’m just saying that only 4 or 5 companies have caught on to putting reasonable amounts of hiking/backpacking bag tech into the stuff aimed at image makers and even the “nice” ones are still a bit lacking where comfort and ventilation are concerned when compared to a similarly sized pack marketed at hiking/backpacking only.
The pack in this post looks promising. Please throw out an update after a few outings.
Author
That’s exactly right. It’s hard to make something that works perfectly for both. I would give up protection for weight but others will say “no way.”