Pro Moviemaker Winter 2019

BUYERS’ GUIDE

MESSENGER BAGS For users of DSLR andmirrorless cameras, a stylish shoulder bag canmake loads of sense

If you use a compact mirrorless camera system or DSLR, it makes sense to use a smaller bag to keep things as light and stealthy as possible. And with lots of people using messenger-style bags to carry around their everyday items, they make perfect sense when you want to blend in rather than stand out. They are discrete, small and have lots more uses than just carrying your camera kit around. With even full-frame cameras like the super- compact Sigma fp (which we tested in this issue), a messenger bag can make perfect sense. Many messenger bags will let you carry a laptop or tablet, as well as having padded dividers to keep your camera gear safe. A padded strap and padded back should keep things comfortable, even if your pack it full of kit. And you should look for extra security like snap-together straps or even Velcro to make sneak thieves a bit less sneaky! We take a look at a couple of affordable bags that are ideal for filmmakers on the move. Crumpler started out as a super-cool Australian street brand, making bags famous for vibrant colours as well as good quality. Over the years, the brand has expanded into different niches and its camera bags are stylish, but ultimately functional. The Triple A Camera Sling 8000 has space for a DSLR or mirrorless camera with a lens, a second lens, accessories and a 13in laptop. It’s made from tough Nylon, and has a buckle-fastened flap, external zip pocket under the main flap and a zip pocket on the back. There’s an adjustable shoulder strap with removable shoulder pad to keep it comfortable to carry and an air mesh padded back to keep you cool. Inside is a laptop compartment, zip-fastenedmesh pocket and padded adjustable dividers.

The Vanguard Veo Range 38 messenger bag is the cheapest bag we have in our guide, but still has a lot of features and can swallow up a lot of gear. It fits a DSLR or mirrorless camera with a lens attached, two to three more lenses, accessories, a 15in laptop and even a small tripod inside. Alternatively, it can also fit a gimbal or small drone. There are well-padded camera compartments and dividers, plus a well-padded shoulder strap. A small strap lets you connect it to the handle of your wheel-along luggage, and a double buckle closing keeps the content safe fromprying hands. There’s also a secured rear pocket for travel documents and a wallet. The light interior makes it more difficult to lose small items like lens caps, and the bag’s natural colour makes it less obviously a camera bag. It comes with a rain cover, but best of all is the separate front pocket that allows you to access the bottompart of the bag. 9. VANGUARDVEO RANGE 38 MESSENGER £89/$100 vanguardworld.com

“Manymessenger bags will let you carry a laptop or tablet, as well as having padded dividers to keep cameras safe”

10. CRUMPLER TRIPLE A CAMERA SLING 8000 £89/$149 crumpler.co.uk intro2020.co.uk

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WINTER 2019 PRO MOVIEMAKER

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