camera cases…how minimal are you comfortable going?

I like the Optech Neoprene zip case… 2.3 oz's.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/328134-REG/OP_TECH_USA_8401114_Zippeez_Soft_Pouch_Small.html

When I carry a camera, I carry my Panasonic Lumix GF2, so not near as expensive as your Sony, but still not a cheap camera. I have tried a few different methods: pants pocket, ZPacks Multipack, hip belt pocket, LowePro case, a neoprene fitted case attached to my shoulder strap, a Peak Design Capture Clip and the ZPacks Shoulder Pouch. I have found that I like the ZPacks pouch the best, although, it doesn't offer tons of protection from bumps… but like you I am gentle with my gear, and my shoulder straps aren't something that gets bumped. I have almost pulled the trigger on a shoulder pouch from Zimmer but haven't because the stock case are just barely too small… he will make it slightly larger, but then that makes them more expensive… I am looking at getting a slimmer profile camera (I like the RX100, but the Canon S100 would be ok by me too…) so some of these may work better in the Zimmer pouches.

My camera isn't as pricey as yours, but it is a nice point-and-shoot (Panasonic Lumix with Leica lens) and maybe more than the replacement cost of the camera itself I very much value taking photos and would be very disappointed if I broke my camera mid-trip. So I do take efforts to reasonably protect it.

I've been comfortable with a sleeve made from windshield reflector bubble-wrap in my hip belt pocket. It won't stave off a crushing blow but helps minimize dents and dings from incidental "knocks" on rocks and wood. I'm just always careful about setting down my pack, make sure the belt on that side is swung out so that if the pack topples over the camera won't be underneath it. This system has worked so far for me.

I think like with all "safety" issues in the backcountry, the best tool for protecting your camera is between your ears. If you accept getting some scratches and scrapes you should be able to protect it fairly well from most mishaps. Of course, a major trip-and-fall face plant could crush the camera, that's the risk trade-off I'm willing to make.

Jennifer,

My wife bought me an m1 in 2012. I soon stopped using the leather case she also bought. I did add leatherette appliqués to the front so it is less slippery. I also added a Sony screen protector when it was new.

I mostly carry it in my shorts pocket (Patagonia Baggies) or in my trousers pocket. Sometimes I'll carry it in my hip belt pocket. No extra protection. If it rains, I often put it in the pack which won't get wet since I am wearing a poncho. If I am using my ZPacks Zero, I sometimes carry it in a water bottle pocket. Surprisingly no problems with desert sand.

I also take it on business trips and just toss it into my laptop bag sans any other protection. It has travelled 257,000+ air miles to 118 cities.

I have taken over 6K pictures with it.

On trips with our inflatable boat it goes into a mini dry bag.

It is amazingly robust. Been thinking about asking Santa for a m3, but have some concerns about the robustness of the new movable screen.

My camera is already heavier, a Sony NEX-5r (about 1 pound with standard lens and battery), and I usually just put it in a lightweight nylon belt pack that I lined with 1/8" CCF (carried on the waist strap of my pack). I wouldn't want to drop it directly on rocks, but I think it would survive a drop from waist high or an accidental fall. I wouldn't have a problem with carrying it in a shoulder pack (the NEX is a bit too big for a shoulder pack), so long as it can't slide out when you set the pack down. I'd also want to make sure that the camera would not get damaged if the pack falls forward when you set it down. Weight wise, I just accept the fact that if I want better pics and video than I can get with the cell phone, I need to carry the extra weight. An ounce or two more for protection is a small price to pay.

I don't feel that I need a "bomb proof" case, so long as I combine a padded case with some care in handling.

A good camera is one thing that I do not want to submit for a three-foot drop test.

–B.G.–

thanks – you guys are making me feel a lot better.

I do take good care of my gear, but I have broken e-readers before, and I did break a pair of glasses when they were in a shoulder pouch.

But I think it will be just fine…

I think a lot of this depends on what your kit is and what you plan to do with it.

Personally, my typical photo setup is a Nikon D810 with a 14-24/2.8, 24-70/2.8, 70-200/2.8 (or a combo of the three depending on what I anticipate), 1-2 spare batteries, a wallet of CF cards, and a Gitzo Traveler Series 1. Best thing I've found so far is from a company called F-Stop Gear. They make a series of photography specific bags, as well as inserts meant to be used in conjunction or separately from those bags. They're completely padded and fairly water resistant. You can buy different sizes and shapes depending on your gear and bag. If I anticipate wet conditions, I usually throw an extra dry sack in there, though my gear is all weather sealed (as are many pro cameras) so that isn't usually a necessary step. Nothing about my gear is ultralight, but that said, it does have benefits to that, and just makes having the remained of my kit lightweight all that much more important (which is nice for when I go without the camera).

Now that said, everyone's kit and use is different. Why do you bring the camera to begin with? If you're looking to do astrophotography and the like, you probably don't need to have it available at a moments notice, and something like what I use may be a good choice. If you just want to document the trail and wildlife / vegetation, having a hip mounted or other easy access is probably more important. How easily is your gear broken / misaligned, and what are the repair costs? Is your photography commissioned (aka your livelihood) or is a broken camera going to just be a bummer? You carrying any filters (ND / polarizer, etc), spare power, or accessories?

For you, and that specific camera, what I'd suggest is something like this: http://shop.fstopgear.com/us/product/navin.html. It can be worn a multitude of ways, is weather resistant, offers lots of protection, and allows a quick draw. No, it's not the lightest, but at the same time, isn't the whole point of backpacking (and by extension UL backpacking) to increase your enjoyment / happiness? And having a broken camera doesn't sound like an increase in happiness, so to me, an extra few ounces for protection seems like a worthwhile benefit. Obviously only you can make that call though.

If I was a proficient MYOGrrr I guess I could shrink the Ortlieb Snap case (102g) I use a fair bit….but I am not.

http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/equipment-c3/camera-gear-c85/camera-cases-c188/snap-digital-camera-protective-case-p560

I keep it on my shoulder strap as it is really-easy access and I take a LOT of pictures – 30-50 a day I guess.

I also use (now, just flipped from a Ricoh GX200; nicer handling) a Sony RX 100iii

Hi Jennifer

I make my own camera pouches (naturally).
1000D Cordura X-Pac with a thin neoprene foam lining and silnylon inside that for slipperiness in putting the camera back. Rainproof and padded.

But the most important factors imho are
a) I mount it high up on my shoulder strap
b) Full lens retract before storage
c) Fitted design for the camera – no slop.

Sometimes I put an second small bit of thin foam just where the lens goes for extra protection.

Curiously, with an MYOG design tailored to the camera, the case comes out a lot lighter than commercial models.

Cheers

Before buying the Peak Design capture pro, I carried my A6000 diagonally across the chest on a (ok fanboy time) Peak Design strap. Never had a problem doing this other than some superficial scratches on the rear screen, which are now covered by a screen protector.

I very much love this camera and it would hurt my feelings and wallet if I lost it. But, I've found that I miss too many spontaneous wildlife shots here in Washington if I don't have the right camera ready to go at a moment's notice so it was more important to me to have it ready to go than to have it buried in a case or in my ruck where I may not have it ready in time.

My largest concern with the RX100 series is the retractable lens cover. I tried out an open box RX100i which was advertised as undamaged from Best Buy but found that the dust cover kept sticking. I had this issue with a Canon P&S before and really don't care for this design over having a removal lens cap.

When I buy a high end P&S, I'll probably carry it in a shoulder pouch that has some minimal padding to help protect it, and carry it in a ziplock in a jacket pocket or wherever during a rain storm.

Off topic kind of but not really, I also never buy extended warranties or insurance but plan on buying one for the RX100iii or iv as I plan on using it on a near daily basis and on backpacking trips where I don't plan on bringing specialty lenses above and beyond a wide angle.

Expensive camera? Get insurance. I am paying $3/month for about $1600 worth of gear. Have not found out yet how well it works. Called the same agent that sold us homeowners policy.

I use three cases: a smaller LovePro case with a shoulder strap (when using a pancake lens), a larger Tamrac zoom bag (when using wide zoom) and a Pelican case for canyoneering and rafting. I use a small dry bag for when using the small cases, the camera goes into the bag then into the case.

With all cases I use a length of thin shock cord with hooks on ends to wrap around my trunk to prevent the camera case from bouncing when walking or running.

Unfortunately, it is a compromise. I was grabbing my Panasonic GX7 with gloved hands covered with sand and dripping with water, pushing the limits. The camera probably suffered, but I brought some really nice pictures of a rarely visited and unique slot canyon.

Here's some pictures (sans the zoom bag):

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/109605876067630099332/albums/5990126010705659025

I have a Lowepro Newport (I think 10) for my Mk I version of this Camera. It's a tight fit but goes in well once it is broken in. Padding is minimal and weight is 1.75oz. There's a pocket that will take two or three spare batteries as well.

There's a case logic that also works well, but the lowepro seemed a little more water resistant.

I think Bestbuy has them, or had them a few years ago to try for size.

I use a zippered case attached to my pack shoulder strap so my Olympus TG 1 is always close at hand.

The case has only a thin closed cell liner but the camera is very shock resistant and waterproof to 30 ft.

so my lowe pro case is only 1.2 oz. So I guess it's not as bad as I expected… and I do feel secure with my camera in there – it's literally a perfect, snug fit. And it's right on my hip belt, easy access.

Jennifer,

I have the RX100 version 1.0 and I don't have a case.

I carry it in my cargo pocket or in the front "hip" pocket of my REI pants.

I really have bashed the heck out of mine having it bounce around for a few hundred miles.

The one thing that I wish that I had done was to buy a screen protector.

The camera is fine, but the special coating on the LCD is ruined and blotchy to the point that it is difficult to use in direct sunlight at certain angles.

Otherwise, the camera really has held up well.

Edit: Reading other's comments, I do notice that sometimes my lens cover sticks when I power up

I think that I will use a MLD hipbelt pocket on a future Exodus pack that I would like to get for storing my camera.

Yes, crazy expensive camera but the results are pretty amazing….enjoy it!

Tony

I use a Sony a6000 and I just keep it in my zPacks hipbelt pocket, the 'waterproof' ones with the zipper. I'm pretty careful with my gear and I need my camera to be easily accessible. I like taking photos and I hate having to stop and get into my pack, so I am fine with the hipbelt pocket. In my case it's not a huge risk.

The soft sunglasses pouches offer good scratch protection.

I will be takin gmy m1 with me this weekend and plan to have it inside a ziplock in a Gossamer Gear shouler pouch. Not super padded but fits the camera well. It is also a little longer than the cameral so Ican keep another small baggy with a SD card and extra battery on the bottom.

I'm curious what lens you are running on your a6000? I recently purchased an a6000 along with the 10-18mm f/4. The depth is just a little too large for most small/light pouches that I have seen. I've yet to mock up a diy case.

Initial thoughts were towards the Ortlieb Project but that comes it a little on the heavier side–listed at around 4oz. Unsure if that includes the shoulder strap attachment. I would definitely want something highly water resistant, just curious of the longevity of that closure and how good the padding is.

Cameras are more durable than you think! As long as you can tolerate some scratches and you don't drop it, you probably don't need a case.

I've used my small waterproof Panasonic camera canyoneering and caving, and in canyons I just keep it in a cargo pants pocket. It got pressed between me and rocks a few times, and there are some scratches on the metal body from rocks, but the lens is recessed, so it's fine. I can't remember if I have a screen protector on it, but it's a good idea. The biggest issue in canyons is sand getting stuck in the buttons and the lens being wet and foggy all the time with nothing dry available to clean it off.

I've brought my DSLR caving, and it needs a bit of protection for that. I use a lightly padded case and a dry bag since it's not weather sealed. I avoid throwing my pack when the camera is in it, but it still bumps into stuff sometimes in caves.

When I bring my DSLR backpacking I don't bring a case. I just put it in my pack with soft stuff around it. If I bring extra lenses I might keep them in beer koozies, but that's probably not even necessary. I have a screen protector on it, but the screen also folds back when not in use so it's completely covered.

Of course, my DSLR is only worth about $300, and my lenses are worth $100-$400 each, so it wouldn't be catastrophic if something was damaged. I'm looking for an excuse to upgrade, anyway. The most likely ways I can think of that a DSLR would be damaged are getting water in it or dropping it such that the lens mount bends. Most high-end lenses have replaceable lens mounts, anyway, and the cheaper kit lenses might as well be disposable because the cost to repair is about the same as the cost of a new lens.

Depending on your needs a good smart phone (mid or high end from the past few years) might be enough. My waterproof camera is a slight step up from a cell phone, and it's really small and rugged. It takes great pictures, but not professional quality. The only thing I don't like about it is that it misses focus sometimes, for no apparent reason. It's dense because it's mostly made of metal, but it's probably not that heavy.

A good option it to buy slightly older stuff used to save money. I think I've bought all my cameras used or refurbished. If it comes pre-scratched that's even better because you save more money and you don't have to care about protecting it as much.

"I'm curious what lens you are running on your a6000? I recently purchased an a6000 along with the 10-18mm f/4. The depth is just a little too large for most small/light pouches that I have seen. I've yet to mock up a diy case."

It's just the 16-50mm kit lens, so it's small and allows the camera to fit pretty well in the hipbelt pocket. Any larger and it probably wouldn't fit.

That 10-18mm is a sweet lens. I'd probably just keep the camera/lens around my neck on the strap if I had a lens that wouldn't fit in the hipbelt pocket.