Hi everyone, and welcome to another installment of my ongoing blog series chronicling my life as a photographer. To be honest, my entire website is centered around my photography endeavors and experiences. Luckily for me, I can convert almost everything into content. An annual blog post I love to write is an analysis of the contents of my camera bag. That being said, I just realized that I neglected to write a 2019 "what's in my camera bag" post. I'm not sure what transpired there. However, you can view my prior years by visiting my profiles on Shotkit.com, here, and here for 2018, as well as here for 2017.

I've been in a better financial position to make sure my gear was up to date and fit my demands since taking on more writing and content development work over the previous 12 months. In the past, I had reduced the items in my photographic equipment to just those that I needed for traveling and street shooting. Despite packing light, I only brought a basic gear on my most recent two travels. For instance, I only brought my Fujifilm X-70 and the Fujifilm X-T3 with the XF 23mmF2 with me on my most recent trip to Tokyo in May 2019. That was all I had, really, all I needed. My needs in terms of photography have drastically altered since then.



I now require a new set of gear because of my employment creating content. For instance, I frequently examine lenses that I receive from Fujifilm. To test and take product photos of the lens, I need to mount these on a camera. So that I can take pictures with the first camera, I need another one. In addition, I discovered that I needed a longer prime and a zoom lens because I generally only use wider primes while taking product photographs. The secondary benefit is that I can demonstrate the bag loaded up better when I write a bag review, which isn't a cause to extend my gear.

Any photographer will tell you that depending on the day, what you put in your bag will vary. Little adjustments like using lens hoods during the day but not at night can make a big difference. Or simply packing a tiny bag for a lone street shoot camera or a large messenger bag for a gig that matters more. Depending on the circumstance and my intentions for the day, I have various arrangements. I therefore made the decision to divide up my "what's in my camera bag" into several setups. The quantity of camera bags I receive as a Shotkit.com gear tester is one perk of the job. Every two weeks, not during COVID, but during the hectic season, I received a bag to review. Typically, I would offer my photographic community members a discounted pricing on these unused bags. Occasionally, I would hold onto one or two particular bags. I can use different bags in different settings as a consequence.

Peak Design 6L Daily Sling - Daily Handle


I usually simply bring a minimal amount of equipment for street photographing. Being understated and discrete, akin to a ninja, is the entire point. Carrying around such bulky camera equipment is pointless when you're attempting to blend in with the throng. My regular choice is the Peak Design Everyday Sling 6L. This is a cute little bag from Peak Design's V2 line of bags. Because of their innovative designs and use of cutting-edge materials, Peak Design goods have always been a favorite of mine. I received a complimentary review bag in a dark blue color, but I gave the ash gray one I was given to someone else. Additionally, I use this bag as my go-to carryall, as the name would imply. When I leave the house, this is the bag I bring the most. Even for a huge person like myself, it is amazingly comfy, tiny, and compact.

My daily necessities are already packed into the sling, ready to depart at any moment. My Crumpler leather wallet, iPhone, keys, hand sanitizer, face mask, and glasses case are always part of this. This also holds true for the various bag configurations I discuss further forward. You can place foldable dividers within the main compartment to help keep your belongings separated. I mostly don't utilize these because I only bring the equipment listed above and my Fujifilm X70. I'll also bring an extra battery, depending on how long my outing is going to be. Actually, Shotkit.com has a more thorough review of the Everyday Sling 6L that I authored. There, I displayed two configurations of my equipment. The first is what was previously mentioned: my go-to equipment, which includes the Fujifilm X70. Here's a brief rundown of the additional camera gear I bring:

Peak Design Everyday Sling 6L - Street Outing Carry for Fujifilm X70 Spare Battery


I would pack similarly to the second plan in that same review if I were going on a longer street excursion. I would pack the usual regular items, such as my phone, keys, and wallet. After that, I would bring the Fujifilm X70—I never shoot without it—as well as the Fujifilm X-T3 or X-E3. I would use one of the smaller prime Fujifilm lenses on either of those two devices, and maybe add another just to be safe. My regular gear and an extra lens fit inside the sling even with both cameras inside. Although it is a little tight and gets uncomfortable to wear for extended periods of time, the bag functions. I've put together a packing list for a lengthy shift working on the streets.

Fujifilm X-T3 Fujifilm XF 23mmF2 Fujifilm X70
extra batteries for each of the cameras
A Remark on Prince Street's ONA


I am spoiled for choice when it comes to free camera bags, but I still have my own standards for what constitutes a decent camera bag. In addition, I have high standards and am a bit picky because I review bags. For instance, I detest bags with an attached rain cover since, in 2020, there is no justification given the abundance of waterproof materials available. I used the ONA Prince Street and Bowery bags in my 2018 camera bag update. I now use the Peak Design Sling in its place, as previously mentioned, as the Bowery has moved to a new residence. When going on a longer excursion that required additional equipment, I would utilize the ONA Prince Street bag. Beautiful bags made of leather and waxed canvas are produced by ONA. They are mostly useful and have a stunning appearance. My main complaint about the ONA bags I used is that they are hefty and inflexible because of the thick leather and canvas cutting. When empty, the ONA Prince Street weighs 1.5 kg, or 2.6 lbs. But the bag was a decent size, and the partitions let me to organize the inside to fit my mirrorless kit.

Crumpler Multi-Camera Messenger 4500 - Transport for Street Activities


I decided to get go of the ONA Prince Street and look for something lighter and more user-friendly in light of the current reductions. I receive a lot of bags, as I previously indicated, but I haven't found a messenger bag that completely suits my demands. Then, I discovered the Crumpler Muli Camera Messenger 4500, a bag that satisfied every requirement. Over the years, I've owned a number of Crumpler bags, but my wife gifted me a personalized Crumpler Barney Rustle Blanket for my birthday. Additionally, I've owned a number of Crumpler camera backpacks. These are well-made bags that cater to creatives' interests and have good design and workmanship.

I wanted to look at the latest selection of camera bags, but there weren't any at all at my neighborhood Crumpler store in Prahran. I went to the Fitzroy store and saw a black Crumpler Muli Camera Messenger 4500 resting by itself on the shelf among the discount stickers. It seemed to be the final one. The bag's appearance and size immediately won my admiration; it's just large enough to fit all of my random stuff in addition to a few cameras and lenses. I was aware of the benefits of this bag because I had already done the necessary research online. I looked over the bag carefully before completing the cashless transaction that is necessary in the modern world.



The exterior of the Muli 4500 is composed of incredibly smooth and silky nylon. A zipped pocket at the back is concealed and blends in with the cushioning. Apart than that, the bag is incredibly covert because there aren't any obvious outside pockets. In keeping with the Crumpler design, the bag has a broad, smooth flap covering it. The broad shoulder strap was incredibly comfortable because of the integrated shoulder pad, and the base is strengthened with twice as much material. The velcro dividers inside allowed for customization of the main compartment. A mesh zip pocket ideal for extra batteries or cords is located on the underside of the main flap. There is a large pocket on the front of the bag that can hold a wallet or phone, and there is also a smaller, divided pocket inside for memory cards. The only additional portion is a laptop sleeve, which is useful for my Moleskine notebook even though I don't carry a laptop.

The best part is that, empty, the bag only weights 700g, or 1.5 lbs. Additionally, the bag has more give and storage capacity because thinner fabrics were used. Over the weekend, I went for a stroll through the city at night with it. The way it worked and what I could carry pleased me much. Now that I have a major camera bag, I can use it for paid gigs as well as for photo shoots where I want to bring along more gear than just my street kit. I don't really use a tripod, thus I'm not affected negatively at all by the lack of tripod straps. Nevertheless, I did observe that the two buckles holding down the main flap are secured to the bag. Because the straps are slightly pliable, you may place a tripod on top of your equipment and hold it beneath the main flap.



Here's an example of what I would bring on a photo shoot and fit inside the Crumpler Muli 4500:

Fujifilm X-70 and X-T3
The Fujifilm XF 90mmF2 Fujifilm EF-X20 TTL Flash or the Fujifilm XF 23mmF2, XF 16mmF2.8, and XF 50mmF2
extra batteries for each of the cameras
Cleaning kit for Cura Pelican SD card case
Case for business cards


This is only a sample of the equipment I could fit in this bag. Naturally, I can carry less the larger the lenses. I didn't have quite as much gear with me on my weekend excursion. Throughout our entire outing, wearing the bag was quite comfy. I also had a beanie, scarf, and pair of gloves that I would tuck into the bag while not in use because it is winter here. There is a lot of support with the wide strap, shoulder pad, and padding in the back of the bag. I had no trouble sliding the bag around to my front, making it very easy to access the bag and my equipment. I adore that the main flap is kept down without the use of velcro—I find velcro to be very difficult and noisy. Rather than leaking the contents, there are two plastic clips that have been toughened and tightly closed. It's comforting to know that the bag is weather resistant even when it didn't rain. Additionally, entering and exiting Ubers was a breeze because of the stylish carry handle.



That covers the most of what I have packed for my 2020 camera backpack. Check out this blog post to get a better idea of how I maintain my home equipment storage. It discusses the improvements I recently made to the gear storage and home studio. I really hope that this post has been of some use to you, particularly if you are attempting to figure out the most practical way to transport your equipment. Please feel free to leave any comments or questions below, and I will do my best to respond as quickly as I can. Have fun while shooting. G