Okay, okay...
Maybe the title of this article should have been "I'm Packing My Camera Bag All Wrong."
Seriously, I've had some issues in the past when packing my camera bag, issues that mostly arose out of my inability to take only what I need instead of every single piece of gear I can cram into my bag.
Sound familiar?
I don't know how many times I've ended up with more gear than I know what to do with, but now I think I have a system for stopping myself from doing that in the future.
Here's my plan, and I think it'll work for you as well.
Plan Ahead
I'm a spontaneous guy, so sometimes I take off last-minute for a quick trip to Joshua Tree or Yosemite or something of the sort.
And while spontaneity (in photography and in life) can be a good thing, a little planning never hurt anyone.
That's especially true when it comes to packing a camera bag.
Here's a prime example...
I wanted to grab some nighttime shots at Joshua Tree, and the trip was going to be a quick one-nighter.
So, of course, I took my Nikon D850 and three lenses as well as my Sony a6300 and two lenses.
I had two tripods, two intervalometers, a couple of wireless remotes...you get the point.
I had all that stuff because I didn't plan ahead. And because I didn't plan ahead, I also didn't have some things I needed (like my headlamp).
It's a simple, yet crucial step - if you take five or ten minutes to make a plan and come up with a gear list, you'll not only have a better-packed camera bag, but more successful photos too.
Learn More:
- Photography Mistakes You Don't Even Know You're Making
- Get the Most Out of Your Camera Bag With These Essential Tips
One Piece of Kit For Every Compartment
I know it's tempting to stack your 50mm lens on top of your 35mm lens inside the same compartment in your camera bag, but I'm telling you, you'll live to regret it.
The more contact your gear has with other gear, the more likely you are to open your camera bag to find things are scuffed at the least, and broken at the worst.
I realize you can head damage off by sliding your lenses in padded cases, but if you don't have some good, thick padding around your lenses, why roll the dice?
Instead, put one piece of kit in every compartment. What's more, make sure that each compartment fits its contents nice and snugly.
After all, the last thing you want is for your gear to be knocking around your camera bag, right?
Learn More:
Get a Bag That Fits Your Needs
I've mentioned before in several articles that when I first started in photography I just used a normal backpack to carry my camera gear. Yikes.
One of the best decisions I ever made was to get a dedicated camera bag.
On the one hand, it obviously protected my gear better, but it also helped me keep my gear organized with each little cubby and pocket perfectly sized for the gear I needed.
Those first few camera bags were perfectly fine, but nothing spectacular.
So as time went on, I wanted a bag that would keep my gear safe, keep it organized, and last a long, long time as well.
That's when I got the Holdfast Sightseer.
This rig isn't just a camera bag. That would be selling it far too short.
Instead, this is a complete system, including pouches that I can attach to the exterior of the bag to carry my cell phone or extra lenses.
True to the rule of "one piece of kit per compartment," this bag has a nice, snug spot for everything from your camera body to a couple of lenses to your laptop.
The Aztec flannel fleece lining keeps all my gear safe from scratches and scuffs, while the adjustable dividers allow me to tailor the bag to my needs for each and every trip.
What's more, the Sightseer bag is compatible with Holdfast's amazing MoneyMaker dual camera strap, so when I need to be out and about for a long time with my camera, I can attach this bad boy to my MoneyMaker and carry it with incredible ease.
And since I like landscapes a lot, I appreciate the fact that the waxed canvas and American Bison leather exterior is weatherproof and incredibly durable.
In other words, it took me a few years to figure it out, but when it comes to a great camera bag, spending a little extra money to invest in something that allows you to carry your gear safely and comfortably is well worth it.
Even better is a bag that helps you keep your gear organized!
So, break out of your pattern of taking everything but the kitchen sink when you go shooting. You can do that by planning ahead, adhering to the "one piece of kit per compartment" rule, and getting a bag that helps you stay organized.
Learn More:
- The Worst Things About Your Camera (and How to Fix Them)
- 3 Things to Consider When Buying a Camera Bag