How best to lug spare lenses around

[Åmund]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I have three lenses and hope to get a forth if I have been a good boy and Santa loves me. I store them in a Fogg bag, but find it a little user unfriendly (a lovely bag, though!) so I usually find myself going out with only the mounted lens with me.

 

I wonder if there is some kind of bandolier or something that gives me easy access to the lenses when required.

 

Any thoughts on that?

 

Åmund

[Shootist]

How about a fanny/tummy pack.

 

I have a small LowePro bag that will hold up to 4 lenses, if packed right, that has belt loops and shoulder strap. I use that sometime but mostly I just carry 1 or 2 extra lenses in a jacket or vest pocket along with a lens rear cap for the lens on the camera.

 

When hiking I use a small back pack that I throw over one shoulder. It can carry up to 4 or 5 lenses.

 

In any event I find 1 or 2 extra lenses to be sufficient for most of what I'm going to photograph on that day. It could be a 21/(35 or 50)/75 or 28/50/(75 or 90) or any combo of the lenses I own. I have never found myself saying I wish I had that other lens with me. And most of the time I only use one of the other 2 lenses I have with me.

[thighslapper]

Yes Amund..... I too am searching for the holy grail........

 

A bag that enables you to change lenses without 3 hands or having to put it down and without fear of them rattling about and denting each other.......and weighs nothing, protects the equipment..... but takes up next to no room......... Nothing I have seen does exactly what I want.......

 

I've made a custom box slightly larger than the old small (Alice ?) leica stiff walled case which will have a flip up lid on top with 6 padded compartments for lenses/flash etc to sit in (upright) and a compartment underneath accessed from the side for the camera (with a finder on if needed). Lid will act as a tray that you can put things on temporarily as well....

 

Only problem has been finding suitable leather to make the outer shell....and the time to stitch it.... I've made gear for archery before ..... its not that difficult. I made about 4 prototypes out of cardboard .....all with different issues..... and potential problems in construction.

 

My other solution is a set of heavy leather flip top lens cases, made to measure, that can be threaded on a belt. I cant find any synthetic padded ones which are the right size.... and they take up too much room..... again time is the issue.

 

I had contemplated asking Luigi to make either/both for me ....... but you would need deep pockets and the patience of a saint....

 

I suppose the sensible answer is 'take fewer lenses' and 'stick them in your pockets'

 

Unfortunately I'm not sensible.....

[Falstaff]

Rolo uses a Shootsac. It is supposed to be for lenses, but I've seen him stuff cameras in there also, BUT it's primarily for lenses. Grips them and keeps them safe.

 

Shootsac Products

 

Good luck and let us know what you settle on.

Falstaff

[LeicaBraz]

What about a boot-lace? Tie each lens at one end and hang them around your neck.

Handy and cheap. Timberland would be recommended.

[richfx]

Think Tank's Speed Demon is a very well built waist pack with room for a mounted M body and two to four lenses (depending on how they're positioned) plus misc. small gear. It has a thick padded waist band and can be worn with the pack in front or rear. Has worked very well for me when out and about. Here's a good review:

 

Think Tank Speed Demon

 

Rich

[Bo_Lorentzen]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I use a couple of chalk-bags works perfectly, have a carabiner on each and hook the bag to either belt or a sling over the shoulder, seems I am quite comfortable grabbing two lenses so I pull out the new lens with left hand, swap the lens on the camera and stuff a lens back in the pouch. I have a great little Delsey soulder bag which carries my beloved iPad and lens pouches are clipped to the strap.

 

Personally im really not a fan of carrying large numbers of lenses as I tend to spend more time choosing lenses than actually taking great pictures.

 

.

[pico]

My wife's penchant for carrying a large purse suits me. A couple of lenses is not an added burden.

 

I sometimes use a Vietnam Medic's pack remanufactured in cordura (or something like that). It has a main body and three smaller packs that unfold from the main - with one hand. Very nice. Can supply more info if you wish.

[xxxceli]

What about a boot-lace? Tie each lens at one end and hang them around your neck.

Handy and cheap. Timberland would be recommended.

:D:D

 

Wow, Amund, nice bag!

 

Extra pockets that you could fit on the strap? maybe from another brand and might require a bit of DIY?

[LeicaBraz]

quote

My wife's penchant for carrying a large purse suits me. A couple of lenses is not an added burden.

unquote

 

Have you considered the extra cost involved in a marriage?

This is the most expensive solution so far.

[250swb]

I wonder if there is some kind of bandolier or something that gives me easy access to the lenses when required.

 

Any thoughts on that?

 

A coat with pockets?

 

A small bag like the Think Tank 'Change Up' that can be a shoulder bag, waist pack, or chest bag.

 

A conventional camera bag like the Domke J-803 or F-803, or Billingham small Hadley.

 

A shopping bag, use lens wraps to keep them from rattling.

 

But the key thing is that if you really feel that you are lugging your lens around, don't. Refine them or go out with just one.

 

Steve

[farnz]

I know photographers who swear by the Billingham AVEA 05 pouch, which has a belt loop and will comfortably fit 2 lenses on a plastic lens coupler.

 

Leica's M couplers are open in the centre and can invite deep lenses to form an intimate relationship which isn't healthy for their longevity. An alternative is to glue 2 knock-off M lens caps back to back.

 

Pete.

[euston]

Carry three lenses with you. More is de trop. Fewer denotes penury. One should be on the camera. The other two should be in the pockets of your jacket. Ask your tailor to allow for this in the cut.

[pico]

Have you considered the extra cost involved in a marriage?

This is the most expensive solution so far.

 

Nope. I live in the USA where health care keeps me so broke that any other expense is a pittance.

[wlaidlaw]

I generally find it easiest to sub contract the job, particularly if it involves say the 400 or 560 Telyt. If you are encumbered by carrying around too much weight you can miss the "Decisive Moment".

 

Wilson

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[honcho]

I have an absolute dislike of camera bags for a number of reasons. The only time I use one is when I am engaged on a professional shoot when I will take either a large Peli case or a Think Tank Airport International V2, depending on my needs. In these circumstances, a wheeled bag is necessary to carry heavy Nikon bodies and lenses and other associated stuff.

 

My Leica gear consists of an MP and 3 lenses which are individually sealed in Exped lightweight drybags to protect the contents from rain. For carrying, I use an Innov-8 12 litre Pro Race ultra lightweight backpack and there is room to spare inside for a waterproof etc.

 

The Leica Lens Carrier M is a brilliant piece of kit and encourages a minimal approach. I use one on the MP with either a Summicron 35mm f2 asph or Elmarit M 90mm f2.8 attached.

[rfc]

I usually have a summicron 50 on camera, and a small 35, CV 35/2.5 Color Skopar in my cargo pants pocket (along with a few rolls of film).

[wlaidlaw]

The Leica Lens Carrier M is a brilliant piece of kit and encourages a minimal approach. I use one on the MP with either a Summicron 35mm f2 asph or Elmarit M 90mm f2.8 attached.

 

Am I correct that the lens carrier will not fit on an M8 or 9, due to its having a location lip on the top surface and the differing positions of the tripod thread on film and digital M's. If this is so, is there a case to press Leica to produce a different version for the digital M's. I think it is a very useful device. I thought of making my own with an old lens back cap but the lack of a positive lock and the thought of my 35 Lux dropping onto the pavement, put me off.

 

Wilson

[dpattinson]

I use a Billingham Airport Stowaway. I can fit two lenses in soft pouches, and the camera with a lens fitted inside the bag (tight fit). I pick up old Contax G lens pouches as they are a good fit for M lenses and quite robust.

 

I put the two lenses in vertically, then the camera in vertically with the camera body over the shorter of the two lenses.

 

If I'm carrying the SF-58, I untab one end of the strap and feed that through the belt loop on the flash case then retab the strap. This way I can carry the whole lot in one bag - this is what I carry if I'm shooting an event.

 

I have one of the Billingham shoulder pads for the bag, helps keep it on your shoulder and spreads the load a little.

 

I have not seen a better bag for the purpose.

 

David.

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[57andrew]

Carry three lenses with you. More is de trop. Fewer denotes penury. One should be on the camera. The other two should be in the pockets of your jacket. Ask your tailor to allow for this in the cut.

 

Gieves & Hawkes do a very nice line in three lens suits. I usually go their shop in The Square, Winchester, right next to the Cathedral Close. You can get a matching bow-tie with M9s on it. I hear.