Does camera orientation in a bag matter for safety, dust, or quick access?
Asked 3/20/2014
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2 answers
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When storing or carrying a DSLR in a camera bag, does the camera’s orientation make any real difference? For example, some bags hold the camera screen-down, while others are shaped so it sits lens-down. I’m wondering whether orientation affects sensor dust, protection from impact, or how quickly you can take the camera out and shoot.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
12y ago
2 Answers
12
The safest position for your SLR is in your bank's safety deposit box.
Once you decide you want to take pictures, you must accept some non-zero risk of damage to your camera.
Camera in bag with lens facing up:
- Harder/slower to remove camera from bag.
- If bag hits ground, you must ship the body off to repair the screen
Camera in bag with lens facing down:
- Big handle to grab camera with... faster to shooting position
- If bag hits ground, you'll likely need to send that lens in for repair
- You might have been able to avoid damaging the body's lens mount. If so, you can mount another lens and keep going.
Every increase in camera safety comes with an increase that you will miss the next shot. Everyone must decide on the balance they're comfortable with.
On a personal note, I've been lugging SLRs around for decades without a bag and have yet to damage one beyond a few scratches/dings on the body.
Admit to yourself that you'll likely lose complete interest in this SLR the moment the next new shiny goes on sale. Choose life. Be careful and go shoot pictures.
Originally by user1202. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1202
12y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
In general, bag orientation does not meaningfully affect sensor dust. What matters more is that the camera is in a padded bag and the compartments are designed to support it securely.
The practical differences are mostly about impact risk and access speed:
- Lens-down can be quicker to grab and get into shooting position.
- If the bag takes a hit, lens-down may put more risk on the lens.
- Screen-down or body-supported positions may better protect the lens, but could make access a bit slower.
Different well-designed camera bags store cameras in different orientations, which suggests there is no single universally “correct” position. A good bag should support the camera safely in the orientation it was designed for.
So the best position is usually the one your bag is built around and that makes the camera easy enough to access that you’ll actually keep it protected in the bag when not shooting.
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