My Camera Bag...

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This week I'm walking through what's in my camera bag this year, including a new camera...
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[@gregwarson3483]

From a photographer who takes himself entirely too seriously at times, please don’t ever change! Your sense of humor and humble acceptance of ‘self’ bring me back to center every time. Thanks James. Congrats on the Leica purchase.

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Thanks Greg! I'm guilty of it myself a lot. Sometimes I convince myself that trying to take pretty pictures is important... Luckily I normally snap out of it before long :)

[@hendrik007007]

From a G9 to a M11 - life is treating you well !

[@Localtraveler2376]

I liked the G9 videos better

[@sam_9228]

@@Localtraveler2376 Same

[@rosspowell1665]

I think James got into photography for the bags and nothing else!

[@chrishowell5718]

What's in my bag video from James: (nearly 6 mins in) "anyway, enough about the bag" 🤣

[@KarySchump]

Seeing the Leica stickers still on your cameras made me giggle! And always enjoy your videos! Thanks for insight and laughs, as always!!!

[@alanguile8945]

Missed that, what's the story of the Leica stickers?😳

[@alanguile8945]

@@KarySchump Thanks for that, next is a Sony label on the Leica!

[@KarySchump]

@@alanguile8945 haha!!

[@DaGetz10]

I laughed when he said his gear has sufficiently changed in a year. James your gear has sufficiently changed from last week 😂😂😂

[@jock5505]

The stabilizer is a game changer! I have the smaller Peak Design sling so I don't really need it for that one. But for my larger Think Tank Retrospective sling that fits my 13" laptop, I stole an extra strap with a hook from another backpack to make myself a stabilizer so it does't shift around when walking.

[@TheGroovyGuitarDude]

Ahhh he’s keeping the M11! Can’t wait to see what you make with it James! 📷

[@bsmukler]

I’m so glad you have (so far!) kept the M 11. You will absolutely get used to focusing via the rangefinder. I was surprised how easy it is to get crisp, non-shaky shots, given the 60 MP sensor. I’ve always had other systems in addition to my analog, and then digital, M bodies, but there is something very special about the cameras and lenses as well as the history of the brand and of the Leitz family.

[@BabaGanooshOFS]

Wow, no coaster for that glass of water! This guy knows how to live dangerously!

[@alphagrafix]

"I kept the Leica..." of course you did, c'mon no one believed you when you said you were going to send it back, we sat here watching " yeah of course you will" worst case of GAS ever.

[@hobbesz9199]

"In my experience, laptops work best when they're not snapped." - James Popsys, a modern philosopher.

[@leanderhoefler]

I absolutely love how the storyline in your your videos accurately represent my camera purchasing process 😂

[@danielstranahan1270]

That Elmarit is a seriously underrated lens. I love mine. At 2.8 it has a really pleasing draw and the mid-tone contrast through f/5.6 is just a little softer ( less clinical) than the latest, whoopty-doo Leica glass. I love that about it, it feels just slightly analogue.

[@PhotoTrekr]

A few years ago (the Covid years) I became enamored with the Peak Design bags and ended up with a boat load of them. Fortunately, I have a nephew and a niece who are now the proud (?) owners of a couple of them. But, I do find the remaining ones useful. I like to use the PD Backpack for travel. And I am a fan of a bag in a bag. I put my gear in the backpack, then place the backpack in a hard shell roller suitcase. Try as they might the airlines have yet to damage my equipment. I also have a large PD sling bag that I use when I am home. The Covid years also saw a proliferation of lenses. All of which, I do not need. So, I need to sell some of them. (But, they're so beautiful.) I know, but some need to go.

[@pacocrofts]

What about the Fuji xpro3? Are you still planning on keeping / integrating it or not so much after all?

[@jshanni2066]

So the question is, where's the X-pro !? Or the M11 made it redundant?

[@benbunch4159]

Buying the Leica and selling it a few years later…you’re approaching car guy logic here. Which also makes sense for a camera the price of a car.

[@thomasuriarte3182]

Ah yes. Scathing thoughts and can’t stop thinking about it. Reminds me of a woman or two in my life 😂

[@INSOLESandLACES]

You'll love the M11 the big problem is the lack of weather sealing living in North Wales.

[@lego_minifig]

I have used the peak design 6L sling for about a year now and I love it. Carry it practically everywhere with me. Its the perfect size for carrying my 11in iPad Pro, m50 mkii (with the lens attached) and a few extra lenses. Its the smallest bag that I could find that fit that criteria. Even fits my 55-250mm telephoto. Its also a sling which I find far more comfortable than backpacks.

[@Nico-bc4ir]

Could have been the tenth video in a row that you could have started with "This is not a channel that is about gear", and that is about gear. 😊

[@stevepritchard3970]

James, will you be putting a Dymo tape label on the Leica? Ricoh would be good, or Kodak?

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

haha!

[@nolannatashaTV]

Pausing at 3:49 to comment 🤯. This is the hack I’ve been waiting for all my life. (Of course now I have to buy a 10L sling 😬)

[@TheBigNegative-PhotoChannel]

The Leica employee where I bought my M11 said that Leica makes an inflation adjustment 2 times a year. So it is possible that your M11 will still bring in money when you sell it in one or two years.

[@jtap484]

I just downgraded from a peak design everyday backpack 30 L to an Osprey 18 L! I am so much happier that I’m not taking ALL of my gear! Love the videos!

[@douglasadams1105]

Completely agree on the Peak Design backpack. Great backpack, not so great camera backpack. I am traveling in a few weeks and likely to use your idea and go pick up the 10L bag to put inside my other bag😂 Great hack.

[@savnac]

What happened to the X-Pro 3? Of course it’s obvious the M11 is likely taking its place.. but I don’t think you ever mentioned it’s withdrawal from your bag after such a short time you spent with it.. unless you still have it!

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Still got it :)

[@savnac]

@@JamesPopsysPhoto Neato! just wondering :)

[@Richard_Lutz]

How have you liked carrying this bag around for a full day? I'm going to spend 2 weeks in Italy and I want to use this as my day bag while out exploring. I tried the 6l bag, but I felt like there wasn't enough room to fit my Sony A7iv with Sigma 24-70 attached, a Sony/Zeiss 16-35, Osmo Pocket 3, and Rode Video Mic+ mic. This doesn't include extra gear like ND filters batteries or other gear.

[@-grey]

I'm excited to see the Elmarit in action. I almost bought one the other day, but held off, because I wanted to walk into a Leica store to do it rather than online. I'll save it for my next trip to Singapore, I think. It looks to be exactly my perfect manual focus lens. Light, wide, 2.8. I'd probably just stick it on other cameras though, because I'm an LCD screen shooter. Don't hurt me. 😂

[@-grey]

Did you abandon the Ricoh? I would have thought it was the perfect pair to the Leica. Tiny, and just there to grab the shots you don't want to miss.

[@WilsonGomez]

I go light, Black Friday I got the WOTANCRAFT Pilot 2L to only carry 1 camera 1 lens, I just came back from Mexico, I didn't even take extra battery or my laptop with Type C I charge my phone and camera and a OTG cable to upload my picture to Lightroom.

[@rutlegs]

I've limited myself to a 10 liter sling bag. The pgytech onego sling to be exact, which I purchased used...just like my camera bodies, cars, tools and wives.

[@Ariocarpus2000]

I'm a little bit shocked that you never tried a Billingham Hadley. I have the OG normal size in Khaki and large in Sage, and these are no problem 10 years old or more, and still are perfectly working and watertight. Truely, these are wonderful. A bit more posh and less outdoor looking, but you never know ;-).

[@costafilh0]

That is a very good strategy! Buy it on the hype. Make content on it. Rent it. Pay for it with the rent money. Keep it forever "for free". GENIUS!

[@MeAMuse]

Congrats on the Leica… I am tempted to buy one for my 40th… always wanted one, was tempted by Q2… but I really want 35mm. I am Intrigued whether you sold everything else. Personally I have a big gear drawer, and each trip I pack differently for, and each day I may take out different gear. I usually lean to taking one or 2 lenses which helps me keep being creative and not laid down with gear.

[@daniellelancashire]

Hahaha I’ve been going through the “do I _really_ want a digital Leica?” dance since I got an M6 a while ago. The tiny rangefinder exp is so good. Esp for 1 body 1 lens travel.

[@janainadobbeckfiorini1028]

New follower here! You are funny! 😂 I can’t justify spending that much on a Leica but I have a few cameras and camera bags (far more than what I need).. and I was still looking in Amazon for new camera bag options :)..

[@AliasJimWirth]

After 4 days I don't know if you will see this, but I am going to ask anyway in case maybe you do. So, James, awhile ago you put your G9 on the shelf and switched to Sony due to video issues, with the idea of sticking with one system in your bag (if I recall correctly). You remained a fan of the Lumix G9, though. My question is, that since you are now mixing camera systems, carrying the Sony for video and the Leica for stills, why not go back to the G9 you were so happy with for so long when it came to stills? Just wondering. Thanks as always.

[@kcphotogeek6207]

Is this a change in philosophy or aging? I know when I travel it’s MFT all the way, I’ve some M glass from an old Ricoh GXR am considering a Leica M body for the exact reasons you mentioned it maybe a bigger cash outlay but it’s a far better investment than most brands

[@davidintokyo]

This year, my kit consists of one Sony body and one lens (the Voigtlander 35/2.0 APO). Don't even need a bag...

[@craigmantle5362]

This makes the Leica sticker on your Sony so much more funny. I like your gear philosophy James.

[@no1nobhead]

James I'm slowly working my way through all your videos and I've come to the conclusion that you really are will from the Inbetweeners no hate intended just "bants"🤣

[@noenken]

The one thing you might be missing after a while of using the Leica is IBIS. Other than that I completely understand why you went that route. My eyes seem to be incompatible with rangefinders but if there was a Leica like the Q just with a mounting hole instead of a fixed lens ... that would be mine in a heartbeat. Until then I have the Voigtländer APO 50 on my Sony.

[@doptimist]

I think you may showcase the strongest GAS of any of the photography channels I follow James :P

[@michaelwplant]

That is mad that you actually are going to use the M11 and the Elmarit 28mm is a brilliant lens so you should do well with it. another lens that is nice of the M11 is the summarit 75mm f2.4 which is rather cheap second hand

[@trevorbrooks813]

Surprise surprise,,, not! Sometimes you just need to change things up and go on a voyage of discovery, it keeps life interesting. Good fun.

[@tristanolarti9671]

Lol curious about the MR points. BBP? Or Rakuten limited deal?

[@Sorennn94]

I wish he would have stayed in m4/3 system...panasonic after the release of the "phase detection" its gonna make better m4/3 cameras.Excited about that !

[@ПяткамипоСША]

Last 2 weeks I`ve watched all youtube videos about X100V and all of them a sponsored by squarespace =))

[@OliverHarrison]

This video should really be named "What's in my camera bag that's inside my camera bag"

[@CalMukumoto]

Brilliant! I think you solved my airplane problem.🎉

[@alanfinlayson7138]

My Sony is a Leica and my other Sony is also a Leica...?! Cameras with imposter syndrome?

[@jonfletcher147]

What’s your opinion on the 40-50mm focal lengths ?. Do you like them? 😝😎🥸🥸🤪❤️

[@ourhouseuk]

@james doesn’t the of sling use the tripod strap as a stabiliser? I swear I watched a video where it was available from the default setup.

[@falconxvid]

Nice but how much 500 600 700 use ? good marketing video tho nice sale pitch

[@izmargad]

I love PD pouches, straps and clips. But their back and shoulder bags as well as their tripod are very inconvenient.

[@Olly.]

James! Where can I get those Leica stickers that you covered the Sony logo with? 9:48 I must imitate!

[@matthewwells1606]

I wish a KZbinr would do one of these videos and it turns out that it's snacks. Snacks are in the camera bag.

[@matthiasschmitz873]

Love your sense of humor and that you also just try things like e.g. the reduction of your equipment. Always a pleasure to see your videos!

[@Josh-nq6lh]

What about the Peak Design CF tripod? Does that stay home now also?

[@nicholasa3777]

The company "Alpaca" Makes a brilliant sling stabilizer

[@tristanb.8561]

I've had the lowepro protactic 350 for about 2 years and I'm super happy with it. My old camera backpack was too big for me. So once it had too much storage space and it was too big on my back. And just after a day full of photo shoots, my back was already hurting. That's why it doesn't always have to be the biggest backpack etc. And I see it like you, you don't always have to carry everything with you.

[@Sunday_Jazz]

You should change your channel name to PopsysGAS 😂

[@steveschnetzler5471]

Funny how airports, then weight on your back seems to be the most limiting thing these days.

[@afatalstillness]

No more PD tripod? Noticed you mentioned the 3LT tripod instead.

[@orlandowilliams6459]

I was wondering what happened to the sony a7c for video ? Great vid btw

[@KoldPhaze]

4:46 dows anyone kow the exact name of the strap he used on the peak design website?

[@Hangiinjohnny]

I got the 10l park design awhile ago, saw it in the store at a great deal and wanted to grab something smaller for day to day walk arounds and I was really surprised at what actually fits in there. It’s a really good bag that can easily carry more than you need

[@derrenleepoole]

As a Leica shooter I don’t understand why your bag is so big ;)

[@TaylorMclawhorn035_]

I think you’re really going to enjoy the Leica. If you hold on to it, you can hand it down to your kids as a legacy gift when they’re old enough. It doesn’t take photos any better than the Sony in my opinion but it gives a unique experience and it just feels special.

[@replicant44]

no doubt about the mechanical leicas but electronics in general tend to break apart in a few years so... bit skeptical about this, hopefully someone will prove me wrong

[@TaylorMclawhorn035_]

@@replicant44 Leica’s repair program is fantastic. The fact that you can still get a 60 year old camera from them with a warranty, I’m assuming the m11 will be just fine 20 years down the line as far as being able to be serviced. But I guess we’ll see in 20 years haha

[@paulatterby7507]

The key to this is to look at the recycle by symbol on the base of the camera. On my A7r4 it is 10 years but on my Leica m10 it is 50 years. This is an indicator of life expectancy.

[@andrewdennes1608]

What's happened to your Fuji X-Pro?

[@SamuelRegier]

Now the question is. Will you still be using the Fujifilm

[@ArberBaqaj]

its a..... ...bag bag

[@stehlealexander]

You Seouls Go back to m43 (finally)

[@nickyfoulkes8476]

What happened to Fuji X Pro 3 sold to your mate then.

[@sneakingelephant]

As much as I love to travel light, I've really come to appreciate longer telephoto lens. The longest lens I have is 100mm only but it's given me some of my favourite photos that I wouldn't have been able to have gotten without it. Weight is probably the biggest deterrent from me buying longer heavier lens. I don't even mind carrying the weight... it's the airlines weight restrictions that scare me off because I am to scared to trust an airline to have my gear in a checked bag

[@YounanPhoto]

Me too mate. I’ve now said I wont travel without a telephoto anymore. In fact it’s why I switched to Canon for that wonderful light 100-400 with stupidly good IS

[@connorwilliams769]

To preface, at the time I was somewhat over weight and by no means an experienced hiker. I hiked past angels landing (over 1000 foot elevation in a mile) with water, metal tripod, R6 II, 100 to 400 telephoto, a 16 to 35 and an 85 prime along with an extra jacket (it was the winter) and I was fine. I have the Nomatic McKinnon 25L. Weight really isnt that much of a hindrance for day hikes. I traveled like that across the southwest for two weeks. If I can do it, anyone can do it better. Dont limit yourself b/c of weight. Take the telephoto, youll thank yourself later 💪 Also, I travelled United to Las Vegas, and I believe AA back to NJ. If its a carry on/personal item youll most likely be fine. The 25L bag (filled to the brim) fits perfectly under the seat.

[@ChadWilson]

I would like to introduce you to Micro 4/3 lens! Soooo much light and smaller than the Sigma lenses for my Pentax K-2000.

[@matthewdecort3802]

Where is the 35/40mm prime 😮 And the Ricoh 😢

[@akseone1]

Those Leica stickers always confuse the hell out of me.

[@danielgoldberg2129]

The way you were taking things out of the bag is seems like all the gear is just banging around inside a big old sack with absolutely no padding between anything. (I’ve found that camera bags hold less “stuff” because of all the padded walls between compartments.) Anyway, I don’t know how protected your gear is in that shoulder bag. I use an Incase backpack for my G85 and 3 lenses, plus flash and diffuser, charger, extra batteries, cleaning kit…. Even inside a padded backpack I have cloth “jammies” for my lenses. I know. Overkill.😊

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Plenty of dividers in there :)

[@dannyloving5435]

James - Sick Hat! Do you Fly Fish?!

[@ericrjennings]

You’ll sell Sony soon enough now. SL2 or SL3 incoming

[@cassiacries]

I do enjoy the camera experimenting!

[@jameskezman]

As a challenge to myself, I will often travel with only one camera and one lens. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but it makes me think! 😁

[@EmilWall]

Same, and if nothing else, you can always say "I brought the wrong focal length" instead of admitting a failure. ;)

[@jameskezman]

@@EmilWall Ha! I like your attitude!

[@JeffCreates]

That stabiliser is a great idea. I was just wondering how you'd stop it shifting about. But, i don't know James - the Leica. I feel like in one sudden swoop you've lost any sense of "everyman". I sort of get why people are seduced by Leicas, but it really doesn't do anything for the "it's just a tool" thinking. So, suddenly, you're using a £10k photography setup...for landscapes! Apart from anything else, 2 incompatible systems just doesn't make sense in a little bag does it? Think how small it would be if you didn't have the Leica in there at all! Room for a tripod even!

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

My old 13kg set up was more expensive...

[@corn_enthusiast]

Wow, this video was released quite recently!

[@MattJarvisMedia]

Yep. I am currently carrying the x50 bag with about 15kg of Sony gear and my philosophy for 2023 is go to the gym. We'll see how that fares...

[@swirly_magnolia]

Is there a 50 mm by any chance or maybe even a 35? 😂

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

I might have gone with the M10R, as it seems a few people are having issues with the M11, requiring a return repair or a body swap. Both lenses are a good choice IMO. Super fast is over rated IMO. I shot in low light on 800ASA film with an f2 lens for years.

[@davidpowell5437]

Mmm. So... Less is more. Again! 🙂

[@LeviFiction]

I got a very cheap padded messenger bag as my first camera bag, mostly because I hate the feel of a backpack. I regret the choice, the sling I got doesn't carry much beyond my camera and 2 lenses. And I often overheat quickly so lack of space for water was a bad choice my part. Water bottles loosely attached to the bag strap are very awkward. Though I do like the look of it. So....still regret the choice despite liking the bag.

[@arieldevillers4244]

Hi James, so you've done a video explaining your aversion towards the all-to-perfect autofocus system on the new A7RV, you made a video badging all of your cameras as Leicas, you then tested the Leica M11, bought one, prepared to send it back, and then convinced yourself to keep it based on a financial argument that you may as well "rent" it for a couple of years....:-) Personally, I sense a photographer undergoing change in his approach. There is absolutely no shame in that nor in wanting to shoot with Leicas (p.s. I don't shoot Leica). Keep up the fantastic work!

[@sigsegv111]

this is crazy :D ... I feel weird that I am still going with same setup for 10+ years :D and never thought about changing that .. I just have 16-35 and 70-200 (and sometimes, yeah, just really sometimes, I additionally take with me my 50mm f/1.4 prime) .. And yeah, for travel I usually switch to my aps-c with 18-140 instead of heavy and bulky FX or even to small and compact fuji x100f as my the only camera .. the only what really changes in my backpack is camping gear .. to fulfill my camera perv desires (as you do with Leica) I am thinking quite some time about buying specifically old Nikon D700 or Canon 6d mk.1 and start with old 60's to 90's MF lenses

[@ericmenu5408]

Funny, as I’m quite in the same mood nowadays : few stuff, but from great quality, and cheap. So I bought old/used Sony A-mount (discontinued) gear : A850 camera + 3 great Zeiss autofocus lenses : 24mm f2, 50mm f1.4 and 135mm f1.8 (or 100mm f2 if I choose the lightest setup). All packed up in a small shoulder bag. That’s all, the results are great and that’s liberating !

[@futc.photography]

I’ve just gotten the A7iv two months ago and it really is the perfect camera for KZbin, and surprisingly good for stills

[@c.augustin]

I would never have thought that you actually keep the Leica M11! Having some experience in the Leica "world", I would recommend that you look out for a used Summarit-M 1:2.4/75 mm (Leica has sadly discontinued the Summarit series lenses) - it would complement the other two lenses perfectly, and it is still quite small (and has a short focus throw); I had one (when I still had a Leica M), and I loved it! If you need 35 mm, just crop in on the 28 mm (the M11 has plenty of pixels to do so); you can change to frame temporarily to get the right framing. And get the electronic viewfinder for your M11, it will instantly improve your focusing skills … 😁 (That said, listening to your musings I would've thought that you are a Leica Q2 kind of guy.)

[@galenfong4377]

My setup is quite similar to yours. I have Leica M10R with 28mm f2.8 and 35mm f2 lenses. For Sony, I am using A7R3 with 35mm GM & 24-70mm GM2. Recently I have sold my 24-70mm GM2 and replaced it with the 20-70mm F4 to reduce the weight of my gear.

[@Joakimcomicscenter]

Have there been many subscribers breaking in to your kitchen?😅 Love the content and your personality towards the craft😊

[@REMY.C.]

😂 the Leica is back. Next week's video: so my new bag going forward is this 200l backpack because I decided why not actually.

[@hedruum]

I have totally put my old 9L Peak Design sling inside my WANDRD PRVKE backpack when traveling for exactly this reason! 😂

[@bscottkillian]

I see what you did there. (it worked)

[@zenlife1200]

Collecting gear and purging some and repeat seems to be a common photographers way of life lol. You start out with one lens or two if you're lucky and then you experiment and upgrade. You think to yourself how many images am I missing by not have that telephoto or macro or whatever so you get one and use it for a while, then realize it lives in your bag but never comes out to play, so maybe you could streamline your kit and off you go until the next thing seems important. I'm sure that's why we end up with so many bags too. Expansion and contraction of equipment not just in the amount but also the size. Then as you grow as a photographer the things you started off shooting might not be what you want to shoot now. That's mainly what's changed for me. I'm not so interested in landscapes and wildlife now. I like macro, abstract and street and documentary photography much more and for the last year I've found myself painting and sketching a lot so a lot of my photos are just reference photos now. So for the last few years I've been working on downsizing to the most minimal kit I can while still filling my requirements. I haven't bought any lenses since 2019. I have every focal length I need , covered and then some but I don't enjoy my zooms so I've been trying to figure out which of my primes I really use the most and try to strip down to just a couple of primes and no zooms. I might end up at around 40mm I think, but I don't own a 40mm lens lol. I think I'll just do what I did back in 2014 when I got fed up lugging my Canon stuff around but couldn't decide where to go from there. I sold the lot and only used a 2nd hand Canon G11 for 6 months. By the end of the 6 mths I had a list of things that were my most important wants/needs and I bought my next kit using that list. I recently bought a 2nd hand Canon G16 to keep in my sketching bag. It was cheap so it doesn't matter if anything leaks and kills it. I think it's going to be my only camera for the next few months and I'll figure out what to keep/get rid of after that. I find It's easier to part with stuff when I haven't used it for a while.