How do you protect (just) your camera and lens when heading out?

[kevinma]

How do you protect your camera - just the camera and all-purpose lens - when for example, you're heading out for an evening with friends and you just want to take your camera, no other lenses, no flash etc? Do you just take it as is? Stick it in a plastic bag? Other sort of bag? Custom case?

Kevin.

[Niall]

I wouldn't dare take my 300D camera out to town, I generally take my Casio Exilim P600 with me for that. It's kind of a semi posh P&S, and very good it is too :) If I'm out drinking, the camera phone will do just fine :D

[Vetteography]

I have a cheap LowePro toploader that holds just the camera, lens and a little pocket on the front for a batter, lens cloth and CF card. $14.99 @ the local camera store.

[LisaMarie]

Hi Kevin,

when doing exactly as you describe I use something similar to this
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=50507&item=7509723802&rd=1

or

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=64336&item=7509149469&rd=1

You can find even more on the Tamrac website
as well as LowePro and other camera bag makers.

[Tom W]

I have a couple of bags similar to those LisaMarie links to - the 515 for the Elan and a lens, and the 519 for the 1D2. The 519 has a large-enough front pocket to carry a 420EX flash. I can get the 1D2 with the 70-200 in a pinch, though I often carry the 24-70 instead. If you have the battery grip or a 1-series camera, you need the 519. Otherwise, the smaller holster packs will work fine.

[Bruce Hamilton]

If I'm carrying just my drebel and lit lens, I use a custom case.

[Jesper]

I have a small backpack in which I can fit my 10D with lens, a flash (420EX) and some other small stuff.

[sixshot]

LowePro toploader. I got the TLZ1 for my EOS300, will this be too small for my 20D - should say 'a' 20D as I don't have it yet (hence asking the question), but prefer to say 'my' as it seems better. It'll be mine soon!! I have taken this out a few times, still must be careful after a few pints.

[swoop1156]

I take out my Sony T3 with me...

[elbirth]

I guess I'm an oddball here... if I go out and take my 20D with me, it's usually just the camera and whatever lens I decide to put on it... and that's it. No bags or anything. I just throw it over my shoulder and off we go. If we're going out to eat or something, if I'm sitting in a booth I may sit it on the chair beside me, otherwise it stays on the table in my view.
I don't drink or anything, so getting drunk and losing it is not an option for me. I'm very protective over it, as well, and I haven't had any problems with it.

[PhotosGuy]

I'd leave the case with the lenses in the trunk & carry the cam. If it's an "iffy environment" like the beach, rain, or party, I'll put a skylight filter on to protect the lens. I don't have much use for "Never ready" bags or cases. We're just walking around, right?

[snibbetsj]

I have a Tamrac Velocity 7 which is small and carries my camera, 2 lenses and flash. That's the least I take with me. It's smaller than a lot of womens' purses. If I'm going somewhere that I can't take that, then I'll leave it at home.

:)

[ducdubbq]

i use an over the shoulder bag i get at H&M for about 10$ its a bit wierd to be out with at say, a dinner party. but its cool to be with out on the streets.

usually i carry a rangefiner or something small,
but to my last housewarming party I brought my 20d and two lenses and people really liked being able
to see the photos immediately.

[Rob612]

Nothing. Either I'll have my Ixus in the shirt pocket, or I have the XT with whatever lens I have on it on my shoulder. Of course, some care must be taken, but until today I never had a problem. I used to carry my film camera the same way.

[elbirth]

Nothing. Either I'll have my Ixus in the shirt pocket, or I have the XT with whatever lens I have on it on my shoulder. Of course, some care must be taken, but until today I never had a problem. I used to carry my film camera the same way.

what do you mean by "until today I never had a problem"? you have some kind of issue?

[Rob612]

what do you mean by "until today I never had a problem"? you have some kind of issue?

No, I just meant that carrying all my cameras in that way since at least 1980 or so, I never had a problem. But you are right, my English faulted, that was supposed to read something like "never had a problem, but of course I do not exclude that sooner or later it may happen". Its a matter of translation, literally that sentence in Italian would have been understood in the "right" way. Sorry. :D

[DxHatchback]

never been in this situation because ive only had my 300d 3 weeks or so, but i'd most likely just take my old hp camera

[elbirth]

No, I just meant that carrying all my cameras in that way since at least 1980 or so, I never had a problem. But you are right, my English faulted, that was supposed to read something like "never had a problem, but of course I do not exclude that sooner or later it may happen". Its a matter of translation, literally that sentence in Italian would have been understood in the "right" way. Sorry. :D

ohh, ok, I see what you mean now. Just making sure. Glad to hear that :)

[jfrancho]

I use an old camcorder bag, It has room for one smaller prime and spare batteres along with the 300d and grip. If this is going to be too much, I'll just bring the S500.

[Medic1]

How do you protect your camera - just the camera and all-purpose lens - when for example, you're heading out for an evening with friends and you just want to take your camera, no other lenses, no flash etc? Do you just take it as is? Stick it in a plastic bag? Other sort of bag? Custom case?

Kevin.

I have yet to take my DSLR out on the town....I have a P&S that does a good enough job for candid photos.

[Jon]

Same way I would going anywhere else. The right bag for the gear I'm taking. Or the A80 in my pocket.

[MazerRakhm]

I have the Tamrac Velocity 7 ( http://www.tamrac.com/5747.htm)

The wife calls it my "Man Purse" it’ll fit my DRebel with the 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 III attached as well as the 28-80, with room for 2-3 extra batteries, cleaning cloth, and maybe a filter.

It has both the waist strap or a backpack strap for carrying convenience.

I love it for a walk about when I don’t want to carry everything.