My name is Hedley.... and I'm an addict.

I can't help it. I think I may trapped be in some kind of quest for the perfect camera bag but it's out of my control. How many bags does a man need to own before it becomes a problem? I find I can easily justify to myself a reason to keep each one... but surely this has to stop.
Go on, how many bags do you really need, and how many do you own....?

How many bags do you need? How many different configurations of your gear do you go out with? That's why there's no one perfect bag. They're all perfect for their own specific situations.

I have a good dozen or so bags (Domke unless otherwise noted); the only one that's in any sense "dedicated" is the F612, which is dedicated to the 300 f/2.8. The others get used for cameras/lenses in whatever combinations are most appropriate for what I may be doing. Usually that's the F1x or the F7, since I'll generally be hauling lenses covering the uninterrupted range from 15-400 mm and 2 or more bodies. If I don't need that much range of focal lengths, I'll use the F1x, F2 or F802, depending on body and specific lens choices. With less gear, I may use an F3x or F5Xb; for the SX1, the F5Xa (which can also be used as a belt pouch for an additional lens when you're not carrying the camera in a bag). And so on.

You'll know it is a problem when the quantity of camera bags exceeds the quantity of handbags that your SO has.

Wilt wrote in post #8727047
You'll know it is a problem when the quantity of camera bags exceeds the quantity of handbags that your SO has.

I think I'm safe, then...

The way I see it, as camera gear goes, bags are some of the least expensive things you can buy. You can get a great bag for less than $100.

I have about 5 bags of different types for different situations, as Jon said.

I may be counting about 15 now.. but if I see another one that I like I may still buy it, and I never sell any of my photographic equipments include bag, so I have many junk items, including various camera bag, and some that I have never even used once.. I always tell myself they will be there when I need it.

Now Jon might have made me a bag adddict now with my latest acquisition of Domke F2 bag.

Mufutau

So far, I've got four bags, two backpacks and two other bags. Each for a different configuration of gear. The Tamrac Expedition is for schlepping equipment, though its not as comfortable to wear as the Lowepro Rotation, and they each hold the same amt of gear. I'll probably sell the Tamrac.

The Stealth Reporter is for when I know I won't need a tripod, and the Classified 140 for evenings when I want the camera and light only.

this is like the search for the holy grail... it's out there... I think but the quest is long and dangerous (mostly just expensive)

I just know i'm ok as long as my wife has more bags than I do...

Hi, I'm Richard...

Hi, I'm Richard; I'm a bag addict.

I have sixbags and always seem to need one more.

I am going to China in April and purchased a great Lowepro Pro Roller Mini Portable Rolling Hard Case which is well within the carry-on size restrictions on China Airlines.

I'm a bag addict, too. Though, I don't have enough money! Hahaha

I have a complete Modular System by Think Tank Photo, coupled with their Pro Speed Belt. I am also looking forward to getting either a backpack from them (Shape Shifter / Streetwalker Pro) or a Pelican 1510 and maybe a Digital Holster 50 (also by TTP).

I wouldn't say I have too many bags. In reality, I need them all for one reason or another. There are always times I need one bag versus another. Like Jon says, I have some favorites because I use my gear a lot, but some bags will not carry certain items. So, it's okay to have many bags, as long as you have a purpose for them. I just got a Tenba bag, and it's very useful, but I found I couldn't fit my 5D in it very easily, it was too bulky. So, I am using it mainly as a messenger bag for my laptop and accessories. It's never a bag thing to have choices.

Wilt wrote in post #8727047
You'll know it is a problem when the quantity of camera bags exceeds the quantity of handbags that your SO has.

I'm not. Confessed bagaholic.
DaveL
Toronto

Does buying a Lowepro belt and the aw75 toploader for about 75 total, and then bringing it to a specialty leather house to have the toploader riveted to the belt because I didn't like the way it hung, spending 80 bucks to have that done, qualify? And then never used it, not even once? Does that qualify?

Does keeping my Kinesis long lens bag, even though I sold my long lenses, qualify?

Does buying ThinkTank, not liking it, and dumping it on the bottom of my closet, qualify?

Does buying the Lowepro Slingshot 200 followed by the 300, qualify?

Does buying a photo vest with Canon emblazoned on the back, qualify?

Does owning a Lowepro backpack to merely store some lenses, qualify?

Does buying a Crumpler 7 million dollar home on the forum because I had to see what all the fuss was, and only using it to store my flashes, qualify?

And I'm sure I'm leaving out a few.

me

I think that buying a bag is the single most frustrating aspect of photography.

To date I have purchased 3 bags (all backpacks) and 1 pelican case. I am actually thinking of getting the Thinktank Ultralight 2 or Crumpler Brazillion dollar home the as the Lowepro Vertex 200 AW is just too big and in a way "heavy" to use as a carry-on on certain planes and airlines...does this mean it is too late for me as well? Am I hooked .......