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Page 4 of 4 Camera Bag
Lowe Pro Photo Trekker AW
Lowe Pro kindly supplied this bag a few years ago and it has proven to be bomb proof, protecting its contents every trip. This back pack front opening bag has been around the world several times a year and is still going strong, taken on every assignment. It will hold 2 SLR bodies, a 16-35mm wide angle zoom, 28-70mm zoom, 70-200mm zoom and 100-400 zoom, a flash gun, 4 batteries and charger when packed well. No camera equipment is ever put in checked baggage when traveling, even if the bag is well over the hand luggage weight restrictions, and the Photo Trekker fits snugly without force into an over head baggage compartment on most airplanes. The Photo trekker is also a great bag placed on the back seat of a car as it sits flat and stable, with the whole front unzipping and opening the bag for easy access to gear. It is not the most comfortable bag to carry as it is quite square and rigid so it feels bulky and awkward at times, but it has been carried huge distances without problem, and it is certainly not light when filled with the above equipment.
Notes about camera bags:
(i) Camera bags that are obviously camera bags are used with caution and only when appropriate. They are used for air travel as customs officers are less likely to give you hassle as they see you are a serious photographer when the bag goes through the scanner and if they open it up. The bag fits in the locker so you can persuade the airline staff to allow it as hand luggage. However, when walking around or on a shoot with a small team and no one permanently at the vehicles or a lot of people around at the shoot , the cameras are transferred into a normal backpack with clothing and hats used as protection. Camera bags make the statement that they are full of expensive equipment, and mean that you could be followed by someone looking for an opportune moment to relive you of your precious equipment. Or follow you to the vehicles and shoot samples. Being discrete and aware of this has meant to date (touch wood) we have never been robbed of our equipment.
(ii) When doing sports shoots where participation in the sport is required, like skiing, climbing or cycling, a more specialized mountain back pack is better suited for carrying heavy equipment, with a more ergonomic shape and stable straps and waist belt.
(iii) In the snow front opening bags (like the Photo Trekker) are not a good idea. You have to take them off your back and lay them flat on the snow and zip open the whole bag exposing all the equipment which is then easily filled with snow. The first time this happens might seem amusing, especially to the skiers or snowboarders that do a turn close to you just as you open your bag. But subsequent occasions are not so amusing and are a huge waste of time as you try to dry off your equipment. Top opening backpacks might be harder to reach inside for cameras and lenses but at least while you are doing so the equipment is protected.
Extra Camera Bag
Lowe Pro Medium Format Commercial AW
This is a big shoulder bag and as there is a preference for back packs , this bag is used for storing gear at the office and rarely used on location. No medium formats in ti any more either.
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Equipment