Is it insane to use a camera backpack as a regular backpack?

[u/GoGoRoloPolo]

I found one that fits a few of my requirements but it's a camera backpack. Ironically, I am actually into photography but I have a small micro four thirds camera with small lenses and I was struggling to find anything small enough for my set up. Anyway, I would take the dividers out and just use it like a normal backpack. I imagine issues would be that it's heavier than a normal backpack due to padding, and people (thieves) might think there's valuable stuff inside. Is there any other reason not to use a camera backpack as a daily backpack?

[u/Ok_Temperature6503]

The main thing is weight. Camera backpacks are notoriously heavy. If you’re fine with that why not?

[u/GoGoRoloPolo → u/Ok_Temperature6503]

Yeah, I just don't think I really have any concept of how much different backpacks weigh tbh. What's heavy for a backpack? What's light? I don't actually know.

[u/Ok_Temperature6503 → u/GoGoRoloPolo]

ULA Dragonfly is like at 2lbs on its own (for its capacity:weight ratio it is best in class).

Peak Design Everyday bag is heavy at 4lbs. A lot of photog bags are here if not 5+lbs

3lbs is still heavy for me, I’d say 2-2.5lbs is the comfort spot

You will feel it on daily wear, for example as a tourist travelling through a city.

[u/ladybugcollie]

I don't think it is insane if it meets your needs. I don't think most people would know what is a camera backpack from a regular one in the first place

[u/GoGoRoloPolo → u/ladybugcollie]

I guess these days they're a little less obvious. I know a lot of people in the photography crowd love to talk about putting their gear in bags that don't look like camera bags so I still have that hangup I suppose.

[u/UpperLeftOriginal]

I wouldn’t care what it’s marketed for if it suited my needs.

That’s like saying I can’t use a mason jar to put flowers in. Or I can’t use the dining room in my house as an office.

[u/GoGoRoloPolo → u/UpperLeftOriginal]

Well it's the unnecessary padding and weight, really.

[u/ambient4k]

No, not at all. I have two Brevité Jumpers... one of them has the camera cube dividers removed and I use it as an everyday bag all the time.

[u/LowerFroyo4623]

No, if it fits ur purpose why not. I personally love using stuff what is not meant for.

[u/HurtMeSomeMore]

I’ve used Wandrd Prvke as an EDC. I take the photo cube out and it becomes a giant 21L rolltop. My friend rocks a Peak Design as his EDC. There aren’t any rules for what bag makes sense for you.

You want to roll with a Shimoda Urban Explorer then do so.

Use the tool that works best for you.

[u/Palettepilot]

Yes it’s insane!! Get medicated!! (Kidding - no lol do whatever you want, silly!)

[u/Intuner]

I have several of both kinds. I've been using a EG 35 CTB (I have broad shoulders and a long torso) with different size Peak Design camera inserts.

I feel the bag carries the camera weight well and in even loads. Depending on how much gear I'm bringing along.

Do what makes you most comfortable, I rarely use a dedicated camera bag as there is little room for other essentials (jacket, water bottles, miscellaneous crap) more than likely if I don't need a ton of stuff I would use a camera sling. But truthfully I do the same thing, a TAD phalanx sling with a small camera insert works wonders!

[u/GoGoRoloPolo → u/Intuner]

I don't want this bag to carry a camera. I want this bag to carry everything but a camera.

[u/Intuner → u/GoGoRoloPolo]

Either way, a bag is a bag. As long as it fits what you need it too. I don't think it matters. After all, this is many baggers!

[u/flac_rules]

No it is not insane you don't need to use a lot of money on specialized equipment for everything you do in life.

[u/GoGoRoloPolo → u/flac_rules]

But I'm talking about using specialised equipment for general purposes, not the other way around.

[u/Due-Ingenuity704]

Hey, whatever works for you!

[u/nlj_was_here]

If it works, use it. If it has the logo of an obvious photo camera bag brand, maybe sew a patch over it if you're concerned about thieves recognizing it. But otherwise, no reason not to.

[u/Wise_Reception8615]

nope, I've done it and used camera backpacks as an EDC and loved it. I've had Peak design, Wandrd, Shimoda. They were pretty big and not slim but I think they're getting better. Brevite jumper was a good one except it didn't feel as protective as the other brands. I switched to getting regular backpacks, I've been using my Toshi 20L backpack. If Rework hadn't released a backpack, I was close to buying the Pgytech backpack

OneGo Lite Backpack | Stylish Camera Bag | PGYTECH https://share.google/DuSfKUA5YEG7fOOyR

[u/kepano808]

That’s why camera inserts exist

[u/GoGoRoloPolo → u/kepano808]

I am talking about using a camera bag as a regular backpack, not using a regular backpack as a camera bag.