Stylish way to carry an SLR?

Does it exist? Or are you doomed to look like either a tourist or photogeek?

Originally Posted by Renault78law

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Does it exist? Or are you doomed to look like either a tourist or photogeek?

Depends on how much kit you have. The more you have, the harder it's going to be to look stylish. I don't even worry about it, however it's the only time you'll ever see me with a backpack when I'm not hiking. I don't think i've ever seen a particularly attractive camera bag though. I'm sure this si the real reason nantucket shoots with a film leica.

Depends on how much gear, what sort of SLR, and what you consider stylish I supppose.

There are pretty nice looking shoulder bags for DSLR's out there. The Billingham Hadley bag isn't too horrible looking, comes in various tasteful colors, and is relatively un-camera bag looking.

Scott Schuman does a good job at this I think.

Originally Posted by Renault78law

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Does it exist? Or are you doomed to look like either a tourist or photogeek?

if it's just one slr you are carrying, and no extra lenses, don't bother with a camera bag. also, i use a wrist strap (sans logo) instead of a neck strap.

if you dress well, you won't look like a tourist or a geek.

the bag tokyo slim posted doesn't look half bad either. the lack of a shoulder strap keeps in from looking feminine or like a camera bag.

Originally Posted by Tokyo Slim

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Depends on how much gear, what sort of SLR, and what you consider stylish I supppose.

There are pretty nice looking shoulder bags for DSLR's out there. The Billingham Hadley bag isn't too horrible looking, comes in various tasteful colors, and is relatively un-camera bag looking.

The thing is, that might be fine for carrying a camera from point a to point b, but it's useless for shooting. You can't use the camera and hold the bag. The advantage of LowePro etc is that the're functional. Slingshots rotate and open towards your chest for easy lens swapping, as do some of their backpacks.

Originally Posted by GQgeek

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The thing is, that might be fine for carrying a camera from point a to point b, but it's useless for shooting. You can't use the camera and hold the bag. The advantage of LowePro etc is that the're functional. Slingshots rotate and open towards your chest for easy lens swapping, as do some of their backpacks.

but this is just plain ugly.

Originally Posted by matadorpoeta

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but this is just plain ugly.

I do'nt really see the appeal of those types of bags. The backpacks and the slighshots are by far the most functional. I have a Slingshot 100, which is good for a camera plus two lenses or 1 lens and a flash. They make bigger slignshots, but the fact that all the weight goes on one shoulder turns me off of the bigger ones. My new camera and glass is a lot heavier than my old kit glass and prosumer camera, and i don't even have my new telephoto yet, so i want the even weight distribution of a backpack cause otherwise it starts to hurt my shoulder.

Originally Posted by GQgeek

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I do'nt really see the appeal of those types of bags. The backpacks and the slighshots are by far the most functional. I have a Slingshot 100, which is good for a camera plus two lenses or 1 lens and a flash. They make bigger slignshots, but the fact that all the weight goes on one shoulder turns me off of the bigger ones. My new camera and glass is a lot heavier than my old kit glass and prosumer camera, and i don't even have my new telephoto yet, so i want the even weight distribution of a backpack cause otherwise it starts to hurt my shoulder.
this thread is called "stylish way to carry an slr?"

Originally Posted by matadorpoeta

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the bag tokyo slim posted doesn't look half bad either. the lack of a shoulder strap keeps in from looking feminine or like a camera bag.

Um... it does have a shoulder strap. Thats why its a shoulder bag.
Maybe you missed that part of my post.

Originally Posted by GQgeek

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The thing is, that might be fine for carrying a camera from point a to point b, but it's useless for shooting. You can't use the camera and hold the bag. The advantage of LowePro etc is that the're functional. Slingshots rotate and open towards your chest for easy lens swapping, as do some of their backpacks.

How is it useless for shooting? Why wouldn't you be able to hold the bag and the camera at the same time and you would the lowerpro? The Billingham bag is widely regarded as one of the best and most functional makers of finer camera bags out there. They were one of the first companies to ever make a soft bag.

Originally Posted by matadorpoeta

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this thread is called "stylish way to carry an slr?"

My point is that I don't think there is such a way that will also allow you to remain functional. The thing with an SLR is you have multiple lenses. You can go the Bellingham route, but it's non-functional for the wandering photographer. You have to be able to change your lenses quickly in some cases, and that's what the big strength of the slingshot is. And having the bag on your back grants you maneuverability that you lose if you've got a messenger or briefcase style bag. I almost never leave the house without a sportsjacket, and I hate backpacks, but I just don't see any other options.

Originally Posted by Tokyo Slim

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Um... it does have a shoulder strap. Thats why its a shoulder bag.

Maybe you missed that part of my post.
i just looked at the pic which does not show the strap. it lookes much better without it.

btw, i've never found it necessary to hold/wear a camera bag while shooting. i just set it on the ground. many people use their camera bag to anchor their tripod.

Originally Posted by GQgeek

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My point is that I don't think there is such a way that will also allow you to remain functional. The thing with an SLR is you have multiple lenses. You can go the Bellingham route, but it's non-functional for the wandering photographer. You have to be able to change your lenses quickly in some cases, and that's what the big strength of the slingshot is. And having the bag on your back grants you maneuverability that you lose if you've got a messenger or briefcase style bag. I almost never leave the house without a sportsjacket, and I hate backpacks, but I just don't see any other options.

This is all personal opinion, and in no way fact. I've seen way more professional photographers carry something discreet and functional over one of those weekend warrior backpacker monstrosities.

I don't see how digging around in a backpack is easier or faster than a compartmentalized top loading softbag you can open and pull a lens out of with one hand.

Originally Posted by matadorpoeta

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btw, i've never found it necessary to hold/wear a camera bag while shooting. i just set it on the ground. many people use their camera bag to anchor their tripod.

Assuming you only shoot from a tripod, or fixed position, and not walking around or taking shots on the street. Thats sort of not the point here though.

Originally Posted by Tokyo Slim

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This is all personal opinion, and in no way fact. I've seen way more professional photographers carry something discreet and functional over one of those weekend warrior backpacker monstrosities.

I don't see how digging around in a backpack is easier or faster than a compartmentalized top loading softbag you can open and pull a lens out of with one hand.

word.