How tight should a bag be?

[MorningStar]

So I just picked up a camera bag for my new Nikon D3100. Not very big, but it fits (link is here for the one I got).

My question is, how tight should the camera fit in the bag? I figure it shouldn't be rolling around in there, but I don't want to overpack it and possible damage the camera/a lens.

Right now, I can fit the camera in it, with a lens attached. But I can't fit another lens in without really stuffing it in there. Stuff it in there, or carry the spare lens outside the back when the camera is in it?

[Digidave]

Welcome to the lovely world of camera bags. Give up right now trying to find the perfect bag. It just won't happen! You will always find something wrong with the one you have & will be searching for ever for that Holy Grail of bags.

If you need to "Stuff" it in the bag you have, your asking for trouble. Eventually, you will need to get your camera out quickly & something is going to come falling out. Hopefully it isn't your second lens.

[baycruisers]

Originally Posted by MorningStar

So I just picked up a camera bag for my new Nikon D3100. Not very big, but it fits (link is here for the one I got).

My question is, how tight should the camera fit in the bag? I figure it shouldn't be rolling around in there, but I don't want to overpack it and possible damage the camera/a lens.

Right now, I can fit the camera in it, with a lens attached. But I can't fit another lens in without really stuffing it in there. Stuff it in there, or carry the spare lens outside the back when the camera is in it?

Personally, I wouldn't put a second lens outside the bag, where it's exposed to knocks and maybe knocks into you while walking. You'd have to put it in a protective case and that adds more weight, though maybe just a bit. It also defeats the purpose of having a bag in the first place, in my opinion. Finally, it advertises what's in your bag and you may not want that in some places. A lens should slide in smoothly but be snuggly held, which is why most bags have adjustable dividers.

Most photographers have more than one bag. I have a Tenba messenger-type bag that I can fit pretty much everything I may need, including a netbook, for travel, but I wouldn't want to walk around with it all day, as the weight is concentrated on one shoulder. For photowalks and outdoor shooting I have a Wenger bag that will hold my camera with the 18-105 and 70-300 lens, plus a few accessories, but little else. It's perfect for that kind of purpose. (It's almost identical to a Tamrac Rally 5, FYI.) Some people swear by photo backpacks. They're overkill for me, but then I don't carry as much equipment as some do.

Soooo....you may want to get a bigger bag if you want to carry everything and reserve the smaller bag for specific needs. The best way to buy a bag is to go to a camera store with all of your big items and try them out.

[OsmosisStudios]

With the padding, its hard to damage a camera or lens by packing it too tight. You can, however, pack to loose.

Generally, things should be easily accessed and easy enough to rmove, but they shouldnt move around much/at all when left alone.

If you're doing some hiking or other outdoorsy stuff, and are a bit paranoid, you could get some velcro-ended elastic straps and actually tie everything down. A friend of mine that does a lot of photography in the woods can actually turn hsi bag upside down and nothing falls out.

[SwissJon]

I've got a Lowepro flipside 400 aw

Means that the zip to get at all my expensive gear is against my back when I'm wandering around, so no helpful Chavs can assist me by making my load lighter. And it's big enough to hold two camera bodies and a load of gear..

However that's the problem, if you give me more space, I'll fill it.

So I've decided that my next camera bag needs to have an additional pony attached to it that can carry everything I REALLY NEED the next time I go off on a photo hunt.

Not too tight, not too loose.. You can get little padded lens bags that attach to the outside of your bag that double up as a chilled drinks holder when empty.

[MorningStar]

Hey thanks for the feedback everyone. I, of course, appreciate it.

[conor5150]

I have that bag and honestly I outgrew it quickly , which you will too I am sure....