Orientation of camera in bag?

[curmudgeon]

I tried fitting my "new" 500C/M into the various bags I used for my RF cameras. I was not surprised to find that none of the bags are big enough. So I'm looking for a bag for the Hasselblad. There are numerous discussions of various bags here and elsewhere on the net, but none that I've seen discuss the orientation of the camera in the bag, except by implication.

I'll want to keep the camera in the bag with a lens, back and WLF attached. Laying it in the bottom of the bag in the same orientation used for shooting (bottom down, finder up) will waste a lot of volume. A much more efficient use of space would be to stand the camera on end (presumably back down, lens up). Is this a bad idea?

--Doug

 

[bladdered]

I have just the bag you need. It's not a commonly used bag, but it's incredible.

Its the Jessica Clare ShootSac. It's extremely, small, light and flexible, but can take 2/3 of what I have in my Pelican 1600 as it expands. I love mine for street photography and weddings. It's not for storage, it's for out working. It's especially good for peace of mind when working in insecure areas when the camera is in hand and the bag with accessories is under my coat. It's also more weatherproof there.

It has six pockets, three a side of similar size. The centre ones are big enough to take a V + lens + back, + wlf. It struggles to accept 1D MIV body, but the 203FE pointing down, or Rolleiflex slips in with comfort. The other pockets can each carry a V lens, film, Sekonic light meter, 580 II flash gun, umbrella, card holder, waterproof etc. Not all at once of course.

It's my wedding bag, so I never have gear left at the rear of a church, or need to go missing to grab a lens/flash. It's my street bag when I carry a Leica M9 and MP and several lenses. Lately, I've been carrying an M9 and a Rolleiflex 2.8f. The SWC slips in easily without the VF.

What's especially beneficial for me is that it's slim and is not sticking out like a box. It's less conspicuous and more comfortable and quicker to use. I rarely use the velcro attached cover as the pockets are self closing.

A great product, IMO. Hope you like it too.

Gary

 

[zahdiguy]

Nikon bag

I use a small DSLR bag with partitions taken out. Ready to go, my 503 C/X sits, bottom down, in the bag. Stuff in outer pockets. Spare lens goes in a small leather fanny pack I have. As easy to carry around as this camera will ever get.

 

[mikej]

Hi, all - here's my rig (Billingham 445) -
Filters, far left; 180 CFi w/ hood; 501CM w/WLF, film back, and 100 CFi upright in center; 50 CFi w/ hood and chimney finder to right; polaroid back far right. Misc. everywhere else. Practically weightless. :-0
Cheers,
Mike

 

[wbulte]

Misc. everywhere else. Practically weightless. :-0
Cheers,
Mike

Yeah.. one of the downsides of Real Lenses[TM] *)

My backpack with 501CM, VFC6 metered prism, CF50FLE, CF40FLE, CF250, 3 backs, filters etc tends to get a bit heavy at times.

On the last trip to Scotland I left the CF250 at home and added the XPan with 45 & 90mm. Did not really help in making it any lighter ;-)))

Wilko



*) Big glass elements, honest brass and aluminium for the tube etc