I use a DSLR camera, but for physical and financial reasons, I don’t carry around very large equipment.
For my little weekend photo outings, I carry a camera body weighing around 600-800g, at most 2-3 lenses weighing around 300-700g each, spare batteries, and cleaning tissues. I rarely bring a tripod or monopod.
So, what do I use to carry all this?
Until now, I’ve used a compact camera backpack or placed an inner case inside a casual daypack. But when I don’t have much else to carry, I started thinking there must be room for further weight reduction and simplification. That’s when I spotted this.
It’s just a plain canvas tote bag. I bought it by chance for commuting between my hotel and workplace during a business trip. It was so incredibly convenient that I started really studying it closely, and then it hit me:
Hey, what if I put that thing in here? Couldn’t this work as a camera bag? That “thing” is this.
And it fits perfectly, just as I hoped. Here’s the actual setup in use. (Sorry for the quick smartphone snap.)
This is what the inside of the inner soft case looks like.
My photos and work are sloppy, I’m really sorry.
But the G9proII + 12-60mm zoom and the 50-200mm zoom fit perfectly (if the G9proII fits, then the nearly identical S1RII or S5II should fit too). Under the left inner flap are spare batteries, tissues, a mini towel, etc. It looks a bit misshapen in the photo, but when I’m walking with it slung over my shoulder, the inner case stays neatly rectangular and the outer flap closes properly.
The tote bag itself is made of thick, sturdy canvas, so I have absolutely no worries about the handle strength carrying all this gear. Even with this, there’s still plenty of room left in the storage space, including the empty side pockets. So, weight-wise and volume-wise, you could easily fit in one more small prime lens.
I got a bit warm walking the distance that day, so after taking off my jacket, I folded it and placed it on top of the inner case while walking.
Of course, for longer distances or rough terrain where you want both hands free, you’d need to switch to a proper backpack. But for a quick outing, this setup is perfectly sufficient.
Above all, I love how feather-light it is with just the tote bag and inner case. Women or smaller men could probably even slip their arms through the handles and carry it over their shoulder.
Considering the price (which varies depending on where and when you buy) comes in around ¥4,000, I’m quite pleased with how solidly competent it is, despite its understated design.
How about that?
