Over the weekend, I was excited to receive a few fun photo goodies from Adorama. I like to carry a Nikon 17-35 f/2.8, a 50 f/1.4, and an 80-200 f/2.8 and my Nikon D700. If you are a regular reader, you’ll remember my post about getting a Lowepro Slingshot to carry all that and more. The Slingshot is great because it can carry a lot and not hurt your shoulder. A shoulder/messenger bag can start to hurt a shoulder and neck if it gets filled too much and weighs a lot and carried a long way.
I needed something where I could carry just the bare essentials but also not look like I was carrying a lot money on my side. I wanted quick access to my camera but wanted something stylish too. It couldn’t be too big, but shouldn’t if I was going to carry it for a while. I finally found a Domke F-5CX shoulder bag. It doesn’t scream “I’m holding expensive camera equipment,” fits on my shoulder nicely, holds what I need, but isn’t so big that it can weigh enough to hurt my shoulders. It easily holds my holy trinity of lenses, my camera, plus lots of little things like memory cards. It was in Europe that I realized (while Laura was carrying all my stuff) that I needed a light bag to hold the essentials and I think I’ve found it.
The other really fun thing I bought (with left over birthday money I had) was a Blackrapid camera strap. It’s pretty unique and I’m surprised others haven’t thought of the idea first, but it’s a slick way of carrying a camera. Most people you see with a camera on a strap put it over their neck, which screams: Geeky tourist. Slightly more savvy individuals put the camera and strap over one shoulder so at least the camera is out of the way and not bouncing on your chest. The Blackrapid is a strap that holds the camera over one shoulder and lets it rest on the hip. It carries the camera via a connection in the tripod socket and allows the camera to swing up to the eye and then back down again in a quick motion.
I want to keep the camera safe, comfy, and out of the way, but I also want to keep it ready at a moments notice. Does this fancy thing make me less geeky than the guy or gal that carries their camera on a cheap strap on their neck in front of them? Probably not!
Get all your goodies at Adorama.com — you won’t pay taxes, shipping, or as high a price as a regular retail store!