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I’ve recently been given a Leica CL by my dad (generous I know) and want to get as much use out if it as possible.
But I’m not sure how to best carry it. I’d like to take in on gravel rides but also when I’m not riding, for example I’m off to NYC next month and want to use it instead of just taking shots on the iPhone.
I’m thinking either a full blown camera pack like an Evoc Capture 16, or maybe a hip pack like the Capture 7. Or just get a carry block (I think that’s what they’re called) and put it in any pack I’m using at the time.
So calling all STW photographers, what do you use?
If wearing a pack I used to clip my camera holster to the straps.
Nice! Digital or film?
Oh and to answer your question I used to use the big old EVOC photo backpack but then shifted to assorted DaKine bags, but I usually had 2 bodies and 5 or six lenses plus flashed and tripos with me.
Digital @eddiebaby. Only planning on taking one body and two lenses at most with me. Thinking of the Evoc hip pack for riding but not keen on using that for more general purposes. Might just get a shoulder strap for it (only got a wrist loop on it at the moment).
You need to ask yourself what kind of shots you'll be taking; if you're mainly run and gun, things are far simpler, but if you need to start lugging tripods around, things get a bit more intense.
Somewhere like New York, where you'll be whipping the camera into action with all the haste of a gunslinger at noon, a shoulder strap and a small shoulder or bumbag for other lense(s) and any accessories like a cleaning cloth, filters, flash etc would be the tools for the job
For biking and hiking I use a Lowepro Fastpack 150 and it's amazing what you can squeeze into it; obviously, there's larger models available, but wouldn't want to go much larger when riding a bike.
I’m a point and shoot photographer at best much to my dad's disappointment (he taught it at university) so won’t be carrying a tripod, flash or any of that kind of stuff.
I reckon a hip pack and shoulder strap might be the way to go though I do like the idea of a proper camera backpack.
What are the entry restrictions for going into museums, galleries and other buildings with a backpack on? Will it demand extra inspection and scrutiny over a small camera case?
I'm with Jivehoneyjive. If you're in NY then any bag or back pack is only going to get in the way. I don't know what lens (es) you have with it, but if in the city stick one on and leave it. Its all I do; before I go out I decide if its going to be a 35mm or 50mm sort of day, put that lens on and then leave it. Obviously if it's wet a small bumbag may be useful, but make it simple. Particularly if you are in a city, nothing advertises to those who are looking for weaknesses that an expensive camera bag is likely to be full of expensive goodies! A camera slung over your chest is a lot harder to remove from you.
I don’t use my Mindshift trail very often, but when I it’s superb for my Fuji XT1. We did a decent hike today and it’s great for that, but on the bike it’s a tad too big.
On the gravel bike I use a Inside Line Equipment photo mini.
Day to day I just use a Peak Design messenger.
Cheers all. I think just a shoulder strap for the city is the way to go. I like the look of the PD messenger too. More options to consider!
How about a shoulder bag for walking around with an additional waist strap to keep it in place when riding? Lowepro bags have additional loops on the bottom of the case for this.
Pouch on your belt.
Something like a lowepro aw30.
What are the entry restrictions for going into museums, galleries and other buildings with a backpack on? Will it demand extra inspection and scrutiny over a small camera case?
A couple of museums in the UK didn't like my backpack and certainly didn't want any tripods in there. Same with galleries, they'd rather sell you one of their postcards/prints.
Minimum size bag you can get away with.
My EOS-M got away with the stock 35 and a Secondhand Sigma 10-20. I'd occasionally leave the Sigma at home and take a 50 or 85 if I knew I was doing more distant stuff, but for cities I always found wider got used more and mean less to carry. Also it was less intrusive in many situatons.
At what point does it stop being compact? 🙂
If just using a shoulder strap, I find the Peak Designs Capture Clip ideal if you're also wearing a rucksack, particularly for biking (in fact, this week I used it for two days of Lakes tech with my Olympus M10 mirrorless and a 40-150mm lens. Barely noticed it).
Otherwise, a third strap to keep in place rather than swinging around when you walk is useful.
Just ordered a Peak Design Slide shoulder strap as a start. Was going to go with a Leica one but 1) they were nearly £100 and 2) didn’t look nearly as comfortable.
There is a discussion here (mainly for bag less carrying)
https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/356851/
I’ve now got the Peak Design shoulder strap and just ordered (after much procrastinating) an ILE mini camera bag
https://ilequipment.com/products/photo-bag-mini
Looks exactly the sort of thing I was after so keen to try it out soon.
Nice choice.

That’s exactly the kind of set up I’m going for @kiwijohn, thanks!