You may have one or more camera bags to transport your camera gear. A shoulder bag, a backpack, perhaps a stroller. Do you keep the camera in your pocket with the lens attached? Or does it depend on how you use your camera bag?
There are many ways to pack your camera bag. Everyone has a preferred way to put devices in the main compartment. It also depends on the type of bag you use. The shoulder bag will have a completely different way of placing the device.
I think different bags are for different types of photography. A perfect backpack to transport your gear during hiking. It allows to carry a lot of weight without much difficulty. Unless of course you have a badly designed backpack.
A shoulder bag offers better location accessibility. You can get your loved one’s lens or camera easily because you don’t have to take your backpack off your back. There are backpacks that allow you to swing them in front of you. But often this is not very convenient, especially when It contains a lot of heavy equipment.
I also use a stroller, which can be most convenient during weddings. It offers the flexibility to carry some extra gear with you without having to hang it on your shoulder or pack it on your back without easy access.
I wrote an article about camera bags and their purpose some time ago. But no matter which bag you use, how are you supposed to put your camera in that bag? Do you have it with or without the lens attached?
How do you pack your camera in your backpack?
I believe the most popular camera bag is a backpack. This is also understandable since it can carry a lot of devices while weight doesn’t matter when you carry it on your back. Holding a heavy backpack can become a bit more difficult once you take it off and put it on your back again. But in general, it’s the most convenient way to carry your photography gear with you.
But how do you store your camera inside a backpack? Do you have it with a lens attached? Do you have a separate lens next to the camera body? I believe the best way is to put the camera inside the backpack without the attached lens.
To understand why you must think about why you would use a backpack. It is used to transport equipment from one place to another. A good backpack isn’t designed to be picked up quickly. After all, if you want to get to your camera, you need to take your backpack off your back, put it in a safe place, open it, and take it out.
If you have stored your camera with a lens attached, is that the lens you want to use for a particular moment? Most probably not, which means you have to change lenses. Once the shoot is done and you want to put the camera back in your backpack, you’ll need to change the lens again as it won’t fit any other way.
One reason why many people pack their camera with a lens attached is fear of dust or particles clinging to the sensor due to lens changes. If you already have a lens attached, you will likely reduce the risk. But unfortunately, it will force you to change lenses more often. Not only because you need to attach another lens for your photos, but also need to reattach the lens first because it won’t fit.
My advice is to keep the camera in a backpack without the lens attached
If you use your backpack a lot, make sure the layout is for the camera body without the attached lens. This way, you can grab the lens you need and attach it directly, instead of removing the lens first.
There’s also a carry handle that allows you to rotate the bag for quick access to the camera compartment. These bags are usually designed to hold a camera with a lens attached. But again, how do you know you need that particular lens? In the worst case scenario, you’ll also need to swap lenses with such a bag.
I believe there these sling bags are often the best choice for photographers who only use one camera and one lens. This is the only good reason to put a camera with a lens inside a backpack. After all, if you only have one lens, there’s absolutely no reason to take it off.
What about Shoulder Bags and Strollers?
Don’t carry a shoulder bag when you carry a lot of gear with you. A heavy shoulder bag is something you must avoid at all times. It’s fine for a lightweight setup, perhaps with just an additional lens. And it offers a number of benefits over a backpack.
When I use a shoulder bag, it holds a camera and a lens or two. Maybe three, just as I should have done with three primes in French Tarn. Changing lenses is so easy, you don’t have to put the bag on the ground. I also love having a camera without a lens inside a bag, but that’s not always the case. It depends on how many lenses I carry and what situations I shoot in. If I had a second lens just for a special situation, I would keep the other lens attached to the camera
The stroller that I use for wedding photography has a few extra lenses and a pair of flash units. I use the harness to carry the camera around for direct access and occasionally switch lenses. Since I have two cameras, each with a different lens attached, it’s easier to store the camera inside it and attach one. But if I’m getting ready with wedding photography, the lenses will be removed from the camera before I put them in the bag.
Store your camera in the most convenient way
I don’t want to tell you how you have to put your camera in your backpack. No meaning. You have to make your own decision and choose the way you like. But I want you to think about it, and weigh the pros and cons carefully. I believe it’s better to arrange the main compartment of your backpack with separate lenses from the camera body.
If you’re using a backpack to transport your photography gear, do you have a camera with or without a lens inside? Share your reasons in the comments section below why you chose this way, and what are the benefits to your photography.
