How do you carry your gear at concerts?

Tried a number of bags, belts,cases and have not found what works for me just yet. Needs are a 1D MKIII, 24-70, 70-200 F/2.8 and a 50mm - not sure which yet. And an extra battery and mem cards. Everything else is optional.

Have not found a bag I can work out of, change lenses easily, etc.

What works for you? Pictures would be a plus!

~Bob

black timbuk2 messenger bag...nothing fancy. i have fit in the following:

two gripped 5D/5D2 bodies
70-200 f/2.8
50 f/1.4
85 f/1.8
35 f/1.4
24-70 f/2.8
16-35 f/2.8

and i could likely squeeze in one flash too. of course, i don't go w/ all that stuff to every show, and sometimes i bring my 135 f/2 or fisheye too.

also, random batteries, flash cards, off-camera cords, etc are in there.

For a single body configuration, I like Crumpler, in your case the six million dollar home, might suffice. Sorry no pix, but there is an entire "Show your bag" thread in the accessories section.

I'll have to go look at that thread. Thanks.

I did read so many reviews and pictures at cambags. Just thought concert photogs or journalist types might have something I missed that makes it easy to transport and use more easily than most general use bags.

domke f2.

rebop wrote in post #11172212
I'll have to go look at that thread. Thanks.

I did read so many reviews and pictures at cambags. Just thought concert photogs or journalist types might have something I missed that makes it easy to transport and use more easily than most general use bags.

It is really a personal preference. Multi kit set ups require a different bag than non. Some venues dictate bag too, so the tough part is finding one that works most of the time. Find one that is comfortable to you and that you honestly like the aesthetics of. I find the show your bag thread very helpful. Start at the last page and go back, then research bags you like. If it exists, there is a thread on it here!

rebop wrote in post #11171338
Tried a number of bags, belts,cases and have not found what works for me just yet. Needs are a 1D MKIII, 24-70, 70-200 F/2.8 and a 50mm - not sure which yet. And an extra battery and mem cards. Everything else is optional.

Have not found a bag I can work out of, change lenses easily, etc.

What works for you? Pictures would be a plus!

~Bob

Billingham 445:

Almost always, because I often am traveling through "not so nice" areas of major cities via mass transit (damn hippie save the enviroment stuff!) I use a beat up generic black backback. I can fit two bodies, three lenses, extra batteries, memory cards, a 1.4 TC, lens cleaning kit and a flash in it. Not the most refined carrier but it does the job.

If I am working a big show without restrictions, I have a large Lowepro pack that carries even more equipment.

In my hand.


I keep it simple for concerts... if I'm getting fancy (bringing lights) I just get there early and set up on stage. Then I pick one lens, one body and get in the crowd.

Either a crumpler 7MDH for sit down shows, or I just wear two bodies in and use a Think Tank Speed Demon with lens changing pouches attached to the belt.

Black Rapids Double Strap. I just don't understand how people have all this time to swap out lenses. 2 7d's 24-70 and 17-55.

It varies - I have three setups.

Crumpler 7 Million Dollar home for 2 bodies and three or four lenses. Just for carting gear to and from a venue.

Think Tank harness and belt system - mainly for festivals and with bodies slung on each shoulder with UP Straps. It distributes the weight well and keeps all the gear you need accessible on those long days where you need to cover a lot of ground.

Think Tank Airport Acceleration 2 pack for 2 bodies 4 or 5 lenses, flashes and Pocketwizards - fits all my kit in I need (barring light stands and modifiers). Excellent for carting a large amount of gear to and from shoots where you can put it down and access your gear easily.

Thanks for all the pointers and suggestions. Still looking for what is just perfect for me and not there yet. Current front runner is the Think Tank Retrospective 10, but it gets a little tight as I am tempted to throw in a flash, some filters and a third lens. May have to resist the temptation to add more than I really need. And this is about as large as I would like a bag t be.

Tired a Giottos LF5402 this week which is a little smaller and a nice bag. More usable side pockets as the Think Tank has pockets that are just totally unusable for anything bigger than a cell phone. But could not zip the Giottos with a 70-200 2.8 inside. Just a little too small.

We'll see what I wind up with. And, I did view all 70 some odd pages of the bag thread A shame some images have been removed, but an interesting thread none-the-less.

~Bob

the very popular canon backpack on amazon.
the reflective canon logos make me paranoid.
when i am done shooting I travel lock the main zippers together.

The zippers should make you paranoid. They open up with a lot of gear packed in your bag. Make sure you zip them to the same side and not in the middle.

I use a Think Tank Airport Ultralight to get my stuff there and back and a dual harness for each body and lens combo.

I rarely change lenses during a 3 and out shoot. I just bring enough to evaluate the conditions and choose before it starts.

The think tank hold way more than it looks like it can hold.