Everywhere - How do you carry your camera?

[Jamesc359]

I have a small black bag that I use to carry just about everything with. Camera, MP3 player, mini-tripod, sunglasses, gum, etc., etc., They all have their own respective cases they go in, the camera's is just a cheap camera pouch. The bag came about because packing it all individually is difficult. The bag goes with me just about everywhere I go, and so does the camera.

[NikonnooB]

I recently got a Lowepro Sideline Shooter used from Craigslist. What I love about it is that I don't have to swing it around, or take it off, to get things out of it. It has a nice top zipper, so I can access some items (like the camera) quickly, and enough room for my D40 with either zoom lens attached (I don't have any big zooms), another 2 smaller lenses (along with the every-so-hefty glare guards). There're bunches of fitting straps as well, so I can wear it very comfortably.

[Monoscopic]

I have a 10Mp Canon P&S I carry all the time. Trace my posts, its all I talk about.

I got a camera bag from CaseLogic that is about twice the size of my camera. I carry a mini tripod, an SD to USB thingy, and breathmints.

In my car my bag rides on the center consol area and when I take it inside I leave it tucked away out of sight. Most people who know me know I'm a camera guy and they are used to it.

[kraftywill]

I have a D80 with the VR18-200. If I am walking around it sits around my neck so I can always grab quick photos when the opportunities present themselves. I just wish the lense had a lock on it as it always seems to extend when i am not paying attention, often resulting in me knocking against things. Anyone else have this problem? Any solutions you can suggest?

I always have a back pack to slip it into when its not needed, heading into a restaurant, sitting on a train etc.

[rikkersc]

I have a larger DSLR and am still working on being able to take it everywhere. I have it easily accessible around the house and if I am going to an event or even just to someone's house, I try to remember to put my camera backpack in the car. (You never know when the moment might pop up to use it).
My husband has a smaller point and shoot which is a lot easier to grab spur of the moment, and sometimes I find myself grabbing that for quick moments. It is smaller so it is a lot less obtrusive and can easily be put into a large pocket. I also don't have to worry about the lens getting knocked around and such.

My uncle lives in New York and just got a new small point and shoot type camera that he keeps in his coat pocket. He has gotten wonderful photos with it and it is very portable. It is small so he can keep it in his pocket while on the subway or walking around the city and it is not noticable or in the way.

I think if you really want to be able to take it everywhere and want to be comfortable with it, I would start with the smallest camera that will suit your needs. That way it will fit in the smaller spaces and you won't be self-conscious about it. Then as you gain confidence with carrying the camera around and if the need ever arises, you could move to a larger camera.

Like I said, most times I am still more comfortable carrying my husband's smaller camera than my larger one. I also find people are less aware and more natural when I have the smaller camera. When I pull out the bigger one, it usually screams "pose for me" or "run from the lens"!

[RexK_Cozumel]

I just upgraded my camera to the D200 with battery pack. I carry all my gear in a Lowepro Slingshot AW200 it is big enough to carry my camera with 5 lenses or 4 lenses and a flash gun plus has storage space for filters memory cards and pretty much anything else I need other than a full sized tripod. Great thing is that it is small enough to fit comfortably on my back. About the size of a regular messenger bag.

As for what people think about me carrying my camera everywhere.. I have not really gotten too many comments about it. Most of the time I just leave it in the bag until I see a shot. I have had one encounter where some guy gave me crap about taking some pictures because he didnt know the laws about photography in public places. But I have also had people point out things I should go photograph when I am traveling. Ultimately it is not really important what people think as long as I like the shots I am getting.

[ColoradoCowboy]

I have a point-and-shoot, so I don't have much in the way of equipment to carry. For me its just the camera, a couple sets of extra batteries, and sometimes a collapsable tripod. If I'm just bringing the camera and batteries, my pockets are good enough! If I do lug the tripod with me, I wear a small backpack with everything tossed inside. Nothing fancy here.

[LooseCanon]

Well, I take my camera pretty much everywhere and it always seemed like lots of stuff to be carrying around. I had an idea and I bought a nice looking back pack. I fit my camera (canon S3 IS), manual, photo book by Scott Kelby, small tripod, small spray bottle (for spraying mist on some subject matter), a small mat that I roll up (I case I have to lay on the ground for certain shots) and still have tons of room for other stuff (lunch or whatever). I don't usually have it on my back, I usually carry it across my shoulders and it really doesn't look out of place anywhere. I hope this helps or gives you some ideas anyway.
LooseCanon

[Haeretik]

I have a LowePro AW 200 Slingshot, over the shoulder camera bag... at first it felt odd, after a while though you get used to having a "backpack" with you everywhere... I'm glad too, I've gotten some shots I'd have otherwise missed...

[klew]

Canon powershot goes in a small Lowepro zipper case for a bit of added protection, then clipped to my laptop bag or into my trousers pocket